tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56381461327528123062024-02-07T11:10:03.084-08:00Rubber Band ReligionGod has given me a passion for my generation. I want to see us stretch (just like a rubber-band) to be flexible to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I believe that my generation can change the world for God and I want to be used by Him!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-32538959855361792612015-06-24T19:28:00.001-07:002015-06-24T19:28:40.802-07:00What Motivates You?As a kid, I practiced the violin for hours. Not because I liked practicing, but because I loved perfecting a song. I still love to put on a CD of an orchestra and play along. When I worked on piano, I practiced scales and other technique, not because it was fun, but because it made me a better pianist.<br />
Some people say no to chocolate because they want to be healthier. Some people walk to work because they want to protect the environment. Some people get rid of their TV because they want to spend better quality time with their family.<br />
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What motivates you to live your life the way you do?<br />
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As Christians, we are called to live a life that is pleasing to God. He has called us to do certain things and not do other things.<br />
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Why do you do what you do? (No, this isn't a rehash of <a href="http://rubberbandreligion.blogspot.ca/2013/02/re-evaluating-why-do-you-do-what-you-do.html">this</a> post). I mean, what motivates you? You get up each day and make choices. Why do you make the choices you do?<br />
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Pastor was preaching on Sunday evening from Luke 18 and 19. I've been reading the gospels in my devotions recently (finished Mark today). I've been reflecting on all Christ has done for us. He left Heaven, where He was respected and had everything to come to earth, where He had nothing and was cursed, spit on, and treated worse than a servant. He came to earth to serve, when He was used to being served and worshipped in heaven. Not only that, He travelled for 3.5 years teaching, preaching, doing miracles, and sharing the love of God, knowing that He and His message would be rejected. If that wasn't enough, He suffered horribly and was ultimately killed. Why? Well, because the religious leaders didn't like His message and were threatened by Him. But was that the real reason? They didn't take His life. He gave it up. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Creator of the Universe, Ruler of Heaven, gave up His life.<br />
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<i>For me.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>For you.</i></div>
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Because He loved us. And wanted us to have the chance to live eternally with Him.<br />
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Wrap your mind around that, if you can. </div>
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What a great God we serve. We as Christians have the opportunity to give our lives to God. In fact, Romans 12:1 says that we should "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our<br />
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<b>REASONABLE </b>service".</div>
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It just makes sense to give Him our lives.<br />
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That was a really long introduction. I'm sorry. It's late and I'm rambling. But I promised someone I'd write this tonight. So I'm writing.<br />
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We as Christians are motivated to serve God by basically 1 of 2 things: grace or guilt.<br />
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We can look at all Christ has done for us, and make it all about Him. Because of His sacrifice, because of all He has done for me, I can give Him my life. He allows me to serve Him, and I am blessed with so much, it just makes sense to give it all back to Him. That's grace.<br />
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Guilt says "I've messed up. I know I've been saved, but I've done a lot of bad things and I want God to love me so I'm going to work really hard to be a 'good Christian'." We know we're saved by faith in Jesus Christ, and not through works, but often we don't live like it. Or maybe it's just me. I don't live like it. I spend a lot of time feeling like I've made mistakes and I have to fix them. I have to work to earn forgiveness somehow. We know God is "faithful and just to forgive us" (I John 1:9). So why do we live like we've messed up 1 to many times and He may not forgive us if we make another mistake? To say (or think) that God can't forgive us is saying (or thinking) that the cross was a waste of Jesus' time. Am I wrong?<br />
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I don't know how to define being motivated by guilt. I would say that a sign is "consistently feeling like a failure". Thinking "I keep messing up and I fail at life". Feeling like you have to earn forgiveness. Giving up. Telling yourself "I'll never succeed, so why keep trying?".<br />
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If you've read my blog much at all, you know Peter is one of my favorite Bible characters. Mostly because I can understand his whole impulsive thing and a lot of his other character traits. Remember when he denied Jesus 3 times before the crucifixion? Not a high point in his life, I'm sure. The Bible tells us that he went out and "wept bitterly". After Jesus died, Peter went fishing. Earlier in the gospels, 3.5 years earlier, Peter had left everything and followed Jesus. He gave up fishing to spread the story of the Kingdom of Heaven with the world. He vowed he would never leave Jesus. Then he messed up.<br />
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<b>Big time. </b></div>
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He majorly failed. He denied Jesus--the one who, not long before, Peter had declared as "the Christ, the Son of the Living God". He failed, and left it all and went back to fishing (John 21).<br />
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I'm going to speculate a little. This isn't in the Bible. This is just me thinking the way I usually think (coming from the frame of reference of one who is motivated by guilt and failure all too often).<br />
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Peter knew fishing. He knew the fish and the sea. He was confident in his fishing skills there, and the fish wouldn't care if he cursed or denied them. He couldn't hurt anyone the way he had when he was following Jesus. When Peter was being motivated by guilt, he gave up. He couldn't serve God the way God planned.<br />
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When Jesus showed the depth of God's forgiveness to Peter on the beach, and when Peter really grasped the concept of the unfathomable grace of God, his motivation changed. Suddenly, it wasn't, "I have to do this because if I mess up again God will never forgive me." For Peter, it became "God has given me so much and I want to serve Him with my life!"<br />
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Peter's life changed. God's grace changed Him. And it has changed my life. As a Christian, everything I do should be for God's glory. Not because I'm scared of punishment or need to earn forgiveness. I can't earn forgiveness. But God gave it (and continues to give it) to me anyway. And I can never lose His love, no matter what I do.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-4479642068788359602015-02-09T07:08:00.002-08:002015-02-09T07:08:42.328-08:00Give Thanks...Have you ever had "one of those days"? Those days where you really should've just not even bothered?<br />
Today was one of those days. I should've just stayed in bed and not even tried. I had no patience with my kids, and their noise level was higher than normal. Way higher. Which was bad news for my migraine. Most of them weren't bad (most....), they were just hyper. And it seems that the days they are the most energetic, I'm the least willing to put up with their fun. I'm not as likely to be able to match their energy level on these days.<br />
Anyway. I don't know why I wrote all that. But I Thess. 5:18 tells to give thanks in everything.<br />
And this week has "100 day" at school. So in the spirit of "100 day", I decided to make a list of 100 things I'm thankful for. But once I started counting my blessings, I realized I couldn't stop at 100. So, in no particular order, here are 150 things I am thankful for.<br />
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<ol>
<li>Friends</li>
<li>My job (this is second because I wasn't feeling thankful for it at the moment)</li>
<li>Oversized, ginormous, comfy hoodies</li>
<li>Brownies</li>
<li>Starbucks Frappucinos</li>
<li>My students (again, wasn't feeling thankful, but decided I love them anyway)</li>
<li>Jeans</li>
<li>Hiking</li>
<li>Family</li>
<li>Travelling</li>
<li>Promises of God</li>
<li>My salvation</li>
<li>Webcasts</li>
<li>My college education</li>
<li>Sunshine</li>
<li>Snow</li>
<li>Fuzzy PJ pants</li>
<li>Keds</li>
<li>Summer break</li>
<li>Reading</li>
<li>Music</li>
<li>Musical instruments</li>
<li>Sour gummy worms</li>
<li>The Ocean</li>
<li>Facebook/Social Media</li>
<li>Facebook Messanger</li>
<li>My fellow teachers</li>
<li>One-pot, easy-to-make, recipes</li>
<li>Maxi skirts</li>
<li>Bed time</li>
<li>Netflix</li>
<li>Technology</li>
<li>When my school day ends</li>
<li>#2 pencils</li>
<li>iPod</li>
<li>Art</li>
<li>Skiing</li>
<li>Weekends</li>
<li>People I can trust</li>
<li>Airplanes</li>
<li>Chinese food (Specifically, Sweet and Sour Chicken)</li>
<li>Smooth, inky, pens (no idea what they're called. I just like them)</li>
<li>Clean water</li>
<li>My Apartment</li>
<li>Heels</li>
<li>Sticky tack</li>
<li>Second chances</li>
<li>Glitter</li>
<li>Yellow</li>
<li>Crayons</li>
<li>Finger paint</li>
<li>OCD-ness</li>
<li>Board games</li>
<li>Forgiveness</li>
<li>Security</li>
<li>Health </li>
<li>Laughter</li>
<li>Change</li>
<li>Time with friends</li>
<li>Alone time</li>
<li>Cadbury Cream eggs</li>
<li>Kettle corn</li>
<li>Candles</li>
<li>Fireworks</li>
<li>Drivers license</li>
<li>Choices</li>
<li>Smiles</li>
<li>That single message that makes your day (or possibly your week)</li>
<li>Christmas</li>
<li>Dreams</li>
<li>God's word--in my language</li>
<li>Hugs</li>
<li>Memories</li>
<li>Google</li>
<li>iTunes</li>
<li>Writing</li>
<li>86,400 brand new seconds every day</li>
<li>New days, new chances, new opportunities</li>
<li>Compassion </li>
<li>Teachers I've had</li>
<li>Chips and Dip</li>
<li>Emails</li>
<li>Ping Pong</li>
<li>White boards</li>
<li>Grace</li>
<li>Scrapbooks</li>
<li>Hurt</li>
<li>Poutine</li>
<li>eBooks</li>
<li>Canada</li>
<li>Christmas lights</li>
<li>Rules</li>
<li>Communication</li>
<li>Joy</li>
<li>Working appliances</li>
<li>Good times</li>
<li>Bad Times</li>
<li>The resurrection</li>
<li>Notebooks</li>
<li>Being able to be thankful</li>
<li>A God that loves to give good things</li>
<li>Eternal Security</li>
<li>Mountain Dew</li>
<li>Hebrews 13:5</li>
<li>BJU</li>
<li>Uniqueness</li>
<li>Heaven</li>
<li>Seat belts</li>
<li>Jeremiah 33:3</li>
<li>Wi-fi in airports</li>
<li>Bacon</li>
<li>Movies</li>
<li>TV series</li>
<li>Friday night chats/movies with my friend</li>
<li>People who take time to talk to me. Even when i'm being annoying and obnoxious.</li>
<li>Air condition</li>
<li>Clothes</li>
<li>Bonfires</li>
<li>And marshmallows</li>
<li>Winter</li>
<li>Flip flops</li>
<li>Wifi</li>
<li>Growing up in a place where I know what freedom is</li>
<li>Fresh-baked stuff</li>
<li>Public libraries</li>
<li>Peanut Butter</li>
<li>Rain</li>
<li>Post-it notes</li>
<li>Caramel/chocolate</li>
<li>Opportunities</li>
<li>Goals</li>
<li>Ice cream</li>
<li>Musicals</li>
<li>Cheesy Garlic Bread</li>
<li>Walmart</li>
<li>Thrift stores</li>
<li>Nail polish</li>
<li>Opinions</li>
<li>Opinions different from mine</li>
<li>Fuzzy blankets</li>
<li>Sweater weather</li>
<li>Delivery food</li>
<li>Pinterest</li>
<li>Good grammar</li>
<li>Proofing papers</li>
<li>and spell check</li>
<li>Blanket forts and movies</li>
<li>Gingerbread houses</li>
<li>Checklists</li>
<li>Second chances. </li>
</ol>
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What should I add? What are you thankful for? In everything, good times and bad, no matter what it is, give thanks. </div>
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<br /></div>
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P.S. I'm also thankful for snooze buttons and days when I don't have to wake up early :D</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-6199534538527936102015-01-09T03:02:00.000-08:002015-01-09T03:02:12.279-08:00Job, the Hurting HumanHaven't written on this blog for too long. I've missed writing. I've missed thinking through stuff by writing. Which is what I'm doing here again. I know I don't have everything right--but I was so excited about what I was reading, I wanted to think through it.<br />
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Also, I know the title is lame. If you've got a better idea, let me know.<br />
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Lately, I've been reading the book of Job for my devotions. Job is a powerful story of a humble man who was willing to give God everything, and ended up doing almost that. He lost everything he owned and even his children. His own wife told him to "curse God and die". But in everything that happened, he trusted God through all his trials.<br />
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Job has a faith that I dream of having--that I pray for, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to get there. Through everything that happened to him, he never gave up on God.<br />
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His wife says to him in Job 2:9, "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die". I was thinking (hence, I'm blogging again...) There are different responses to trials. I had never considered this before, but Job's wife was in (almost) as much pain as Job was. Everything he had lost, she had also lost. Her children were also killed in a tragic "accident". Everything they owned, everything that they depended on, was taken from them. She didn't know what was happening anymore than Job did. They couldn't see the heavenly conversations between God and Satan that we can read. They didn't know what God was doing, because God didn't choose to show them. (Actually, the bible never says that God revealed to Job why He had done what He did, but that's another blog post for another day). Through out all the pain, Job continued to trust God. He retained his integrity. He looked at what was going on and said "My God is bigger than this, and I can trust Him. I know He is still good. He is still my God. He still loves me. And I can trust Him."<br />
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Mrs. Job did not. She looked at the same situation, the same pain, and she reached the conclusion that God could not be trusted--that He was out to get her. Basically, the whole "Why do bad things happen to good people?" argument. We don't know much about her--there aren't details pertaining to her character. But she was married to Job, a man God described as "a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil" (Job 1:8). And she knew of His integrity. They had 7 adult children--they'd been married for a while. She had seen his response over and over again, and knew that He loved His God. But when this, the biggest trial they could imagine happened, she decided that God could not be trusted--she had been hurt too much. There came a point where she could no longer see God for who He really is--good, loving, close, and just. She saw vindictive, hurtful, and unreachable. And she couldn't serve a God like that.<br />
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When we do not see God for who He really is, of course we aren't going to want to trust Him. People who view God as a dictator, distant, or "out-to-get-me" don't trust Him. They fear Him. I can trust my God because I know that He loves me, He cares about me, He wants a relationship with me, and He wants what's best for me. Even if "best" hurts, I know I can rest in the fact that He sees everything that is going on. I, like Job, have a limited viewpoint--I only see right now. I don't see what God is doing. When I loose sight of that, I start to get angry at God. When I forget Romans 8:28 (We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose), I'm afraid of what God might do and fear the pain of what He allows into my life. Job did not lose sight of God's character. He had experience God's faithfulness in the past, and knew that, even though he did not understand what God was doing, He knew God was still in control. Job could continue to trust God. Mrs. Job could not, because she forgot what she knew about God. Job was focused on his God. Mrs. Job was focused on her pain and what she had lost.<br />
<br />
However, I was also thinking about something else. When we think of amazing, perfect examples of people who loved God in the Bible, Job is one of them (along with probably David, Daniel, and Joseph). And yes, Job is an amazing example of responding to trials, of integrity, and of faithfulness to God.<br />
<br />
But Job was human. And he's hurting. Maybe I'm reading into the text, and I shouldn't. But what he says sounds to me like he is in incredible pain. He asks "Why was I born?" (Job 3:10) He was questioning, struggling, and hurt. It didn't help that his own wife was telling him to curse God and die, and that all his friends were telling him that everything that happened was somehow his fault. He knew this wasn't his fault. He knew he hadn't done anything to somehow cause God to take everything from him, including his children. But he didn't know what God was doing. I read through what he says, and how he talks--he's confused and hurting. He doesn't understand what God is doing. He cannot see, and his faith is being tested in a way he never imagined.<br />
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>But Job kept trusting. </i></div>
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He kept looking to his God. He couldn't see through the darkness of the pain around him, so he looked to the God who created light. Instead of looking around at all the hurt, he looked up to the Savior who promised to always be with him.<br />
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So often, when something goes "wrong", and I can't see what God is doing, I want to fix everything and make it better. I hate waiting. Patience is not something I'm great at. I need to work on that, I know. Because in pain, God is still with me. When something happens I don't like or understand, my God is still good. He is still my God. He still loves me. and I can rest in that.<br />
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<br />
One final thought, then I'll stop. I have heard people say that Christians shouldn't struggle. They should let God take the hurt and go on through life with hurt. I've been told "You shouldn't struggle with ________. Let God handle it and go on with your life." I've been told that hurting is sin. Because I know God works things together for good, so I need to let Him take control and not worry about anything. I need to let go of hurt and pain and let God take control. I need to shut up and let go of the pain. Because real Christians don't hurt or struggle.<br />
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May I respectfully say that is not only unscriptural, it is very damaging to someone going through a trial? Jesus Christ himself was in pain. He struggled, He wept. We are called to be like Him. There is nothing wrong with pain. Often through pain, we are brought closer to God--we see Him shining brighter in our darkness and hurt. God uses trials in our lives to draw us towards Him. He wants us to be like Job (not Mrs. Job). Trust in God through the trials. Respond rightly. It's ok to ask "why", as long as you're willing to listen to the answer and apply what you learn. As long as you're actually trying to understand what God is doing.<br />
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"Come to Jesus"</div>
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Chris Rice</div>
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<br /></div>
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(Verse 5)</div>
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Sometimes the way is lonely, </div>
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And steep and filled with pain.</div>
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So if your sky is dark and pours the rain,</div>
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Then cry to Jesus, </div>
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Cry to Jesus,</div>
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Cry to Jesus and live. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-5033600453637915892014-08-04T07:52:00.002-07:002014-08-04T07:52:57.938-07:00While I'm Waiting...So I completely forgot about my blog. OK, not really. I just haven't really had the time to write. OK, I have. But I've been putting that time to other uses because it's been really crazy. But today, I'm sick in bed. So I'm writing again.<br />
<br />
I just realized that a lot of my posts start with "Have you heard the song _____" I'm doing it again.<br />
<br />Have you heard the song "While I'm Waiting" By John Waller? (It's in the movie Fireproof).<br />
Here's how it goes:<br />
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I'm waiting. I'm waiting on you, Lord.</div>
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And I'm hopeful, I'm waiting on You, Lord.</div>
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Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait.</div>
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And I will move ahead, bold and confident.</div>
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Taking every step in obedience.</div>
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<br /></div>
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While I'm waiting, I will serve you.</div>
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While I'm waiting, I will worship.</div>
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While I'm waiting, I will not faint.</div>
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I'll be running the race.</div>
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Even while I wait.</div>
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This song has been running through my head a lot lately. And I'm willing to guess a lot of you (especially you recently graduated people), feel the same way as I do. Waiting on God, seeing where and how He is going to lead, and wondering what He has planned for us.<br />
And deciding which step to take--which road to start off on, can be a little scary. God doesn't usually put flashy lights telling you which way to go. That faith thing comes into play a lot, and it can be a tricky balance.<br />
But while you're waiting, are you trusting? Are you serving?<br />
To many people are waiting on God to lead, and they just sit around not doing anything. Get involved. Serve. Let God lead.<br />
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This post makes no sense. My brain is too fried. And it was supposed to be longer. But I don't know what else to write. So yeah. While you're waiting, trust God. Know He has a better plan for you than you can come up with on your own.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-67234085701038935502014-05-26T16:51:00.005-07:002014-05-26T16:51:57.079-07:00Are You Living Like a Prisoner?<div style="text-align: center;">
I invite you to consider 2 scenarios with me.</div>
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1. A man is imprisoned for life. He is placed in his cell, and the place is pretty disgusting. Dirty, grimy, and just basically nasty. This man cleans up his cell. Makes it spotless. And as he is allowed and provided with stuff, he really fixes up the cell and makes it homey. He adds some personal touches, pictures of family, a few sentimental items, etc. (I am not claiming this is an accurate representation of jail, and I'm not trying to be political in anyway. Just go with it.) This man, though, for all the cleaning-up he's done in his cell, still lives in a cell. No matter how many personal items he adds, this will never be his home. He will never be free while he lives here. His life will be spent in jail. No matter how clean his cell is, he's still a prisoner with a life sentence.<br />
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2. Let's suppose the above man is called into court, and the judge says "Someone has offered to take your place. In jail. You are free to go, and they will serve your life sentence." The man leaves prison, but often he will come back, stay a while in "his" cell and visit. He basically considers this a second home. The length of time of his visits varies, but he keeps coming back. Keeps living in his cell.<br />
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Those are the scenarios. You are the man, and the cell is sin. God is the judge, and the person who offers to pay your sentence is Jesus Christ.<br />
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Which scenario are you?</div>
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Are you the first scenario? You're living imprisoned. A slave to sin. And no matter how hard you clean up your life, no matter what you do to make it look like everything's ok, you are still a prisoner, owned and controlled by sin.<br />
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Every person is born living in the cell of sin. We were born there and we will stay there, unless we recognize that no matter how good we make ourselves and our lives look, we are still condemned sinners. No matter how hard we clean up our lives, we are still living in a cell. Just this one isn't a physical cell--it's spiritual. And it will lead to death.<br />
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Unless....</div>
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We accept the sacrifice of Christ. Who went to the perfect Judge, God the Father, and said "I want to take the place of <i>that</i> sinner, living in <i>that</i> cell. I want to take his place. And I want to take the punishment for his sin so that he can leave the cell and live free.<br />
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We then each, personally, need to accept Christ's sacrifice. He can offer to take our place, take our punishment, so that we can walk out of the cell of sin and live a life of freedom. But we must accept it. We must give up the cell and walk out into whatever it is that is beyond our cell.<br />
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It takes faith. </div>
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All we have known is what is inside our cell. We don't know what is beyond, what God has for us.<br />
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So have you done that? Are you still living in your cell of sin? Have you accepted Christ's sacrifice? If not, please do so. Contact me. Someone one who can help you. Don't live one more day a prisoner.<br />
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You</div>
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Don't</div>
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Need</div>
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Anymore</div>
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I'm really willing to guess though, that many of you who are reading this are more like the prisoner in scenario 2. You would quickly deny it, I know. But I know I do that a lot. I have complete victory from sin in Christ. Because of what He has done for me. I don't need to return to sins that I have struggled with in the past. </div>
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You don't either. </div>
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It may be anger, impure thoughts/lifestyle, worry, pride, gossip, or a lot of other things. I don't know what you struggle with. But please, accept the sacrifice of Christ. He died so you could have victory over those sins. Why do we think that His sacrifice was good enough to get us out of Hell, but not powerful enough to give us strength to defeat the sins we struggle with on a daily basis?</div>
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You've been freed from your prison on sin. Why do you insist on going back to that cell? I don't know what your cell is. Don't go back. That's what Satan wants. He wants you to live a defeated Christian life. He doesn't want you to live in the power of the Gospel.</div>
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The power that can change lives. On a daily basis. </div>
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Let it change yours. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-61680902230204845532014-05-05T18:11:00.003-07:002014-05-06T05:11:55.410-07:00Never Have I EverHave you ever played "Never Have I Ever"? It's essentially a game to prove how lame you are. At least, that's how I view it. You go around the room and state something you have never done, that you think most people would have done. For instance, when I played once, one person said "Never have I ever eaten a hamburger." She has severe food allergies. I usually win this game because there is a lot of stuff i haven't done while here at BJU that most people have done.<br />
For instance, never have I ever...<br />
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<ul>
<li>Been in War Memorial Chapel</li>
<li>Been in the Seminary Building</li>
<li>Been a Row Monitor</li>
<li>Been to a Turkey Bowl Game</li>
<li>Been to a whole Bruins Game</li>
<li>Been in Essential Science (nyah nyah nyah)</li>
<li>Been to Commencement or any of the commencement activities (that will change this week!!!)</li>
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But more than that, I have never seen my Jesus fail me. God has never let me down. He has proved Himself faithful to me over and over again. And now, as I look ahead to next week (after graduation), I can look back and see that God has been faithful and directed every step of my life. He's been faithful. Even though I have let Him down over and over--I have not been faithful, He has always been. </div>
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I am so thankful that God's faithfulness is not dependent on what I do. His love for me is not based on how I act and what I do for Him. He loves me unconditionally. I can rest in His love for me. </div>
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God will always love me.</div>
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In just a few days, I will walk across the platform and receive a diploma that I have worked for for 4 years. The past 4 years have been filled with so much. There were so many times I thought I couldn't keep going, but God gave me the strength I needed to get done each project, paper, test, and whatever else He sent into my life. There have been a lot of things that I wouldn't have chosen to go through. Things that God has allowed into my life that were hard, and not fun. But I can look back and see that God was in control of everything. Even though I don't understand everything He was doing, I know He is still good. Everything He has done, is doing, and will continue to do has been a part of His plan to make me more like Christ. I can trust that every thing He has allowed into my life has been good.</div>
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There have been a few not fun parts of college. But most of it has been awesome. I have made life-long friends. I'm not going to try and name them all, but you know who you are. You have encouraged and pointed me to Jesus. Over and over. You have annoyed and frustrated me, but this has caused me to learn to not stress and freak out. You've taught me how to respond when I'm upset. OK, mostly you all have been awesome. You've shown me what it means to be a true friend. You have shown Christ to me. And I am so thankful for you. I don't want to leave, but I am thankful that because of Christ, I will see you again. If not in this life, in heaven. Where we will have all eternity to worship our Savior again. I'm not excited for the goodbyes--I have already cried more this past week than I have in the last 4 years combined. I don't want to leave you. But God is moving all of us to serve Him in other areas. And I'm so excited.</div>
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I'm thankful for the church I have been a part of the for the last 2 years. God has used that ministry to grow me and challenge my walk with God. It isn't the kind of church where I can go and just sit back. There is a challenge constantly to grow, to change, and to become more like Christ. I have loved the ministry emphasis there. The people love God and seek to serve each other. There is an emphasis on reaching the lost, both in the community and around the world. I'm going to miss my church.</div>
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I'm thankful for the faculty and staff here at BJU. They honestly care about us and demonstrate this on a regular basis. My school is awesome. There are things that could be changed and I think would be better if ________, but overall, it's been an awesome 4 years. I know my teachers love me, and I hope to stay in touch with them as I go on.</div>
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I'm thankful for the memories I have. I can't list them all. There isn't enough room on the internet to store everything I could praise God for. No matter where I end up, He will be there with me. And I can praise Him.</div>
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As far as my future plans, I am not exactly sure. Last week, I was planning on staying in Greenville for grad school. This week, I'm looking at possibly going to China to teach. Next week, I could be in Timbuktu working a job I'm totally not ready for. Wherever God leads, I know it'll be awesome because He is awesome. He loves me, and I can trust Him.</div>
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Please, friends, keep in touch. Get a hold of me through facebook or email and let me know what's going on and what God is doing in your life. Depending on where I end up, this blog may end up not being updated. I will keep y'all posted though with what God does and where He leads me. I am going to miss this place and all God has shown me here. I'm going to miss my friends. I'm going to miss the safety and reliability of being a college student instead of a "normal" "adult". But God hasn't called me to be a college student forever. He's called me to trust and follow Him. And that's what I plan on doing. </div>
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Never have I ever seen God fail me. Never have I ever seen Him let me down.</div>
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And He never will. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-83227948445308636412014-04-24T21:25:00.002-07:002014-04-24T21:29:37.590-07:00Lessons from 11 Miles<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Lessons from Eleven
Miles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last week, 2 of my best friends (one who drove up from New
Jersey, and one who got spring break during student teaching) and I got to
spend a lot of time hanging out. I was able to work out my schedule so I had a
couple days where we could just have fun, relax, etc. Since we are all
graduating and literally going to different countries in a couple months, it
was great to get this time to reconnect and spend some time just sharing. Girl
talk. All that. Just having fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On one of the days, we decided to go hiking. Let me mention
something. I am NOT an outdoors, exercise, lover. I’m just not. If you see me
running, you should run too. Because there are only 2 reasons I will
run—something is chasing me, or there is bacon at the finish line. My idea of
having fun outdoors is reading a book in a screened-in porch. My favorite sport
is ping pong. But I do love hiking. For some reason, not sure why. So we went
to Caesar’s Head, and decided, since we are all seasoned, expert hikers, we
would try an 11 mile hike to Raven’s Cliff Falls. We actually
finished it too. In 3 hours, 40 minutes. Because my friends are beast and they
pushed me. But it was a lot of fun. Caesar’s Head is a mountain. So there was a
lot of uphill stuff at some point. And we found out that the trail back was
closed, so we literally had to do every inch of the trail twice. 5.5 miles out,
and 5.5 miles back. And every inch of downhill during the first part was
torturous uphill on the way back. We learned that the hard way. But I’m getting
ahead of myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WIum-cllIji3eWJVjlhAxtHi1J_sN5FRxkWBremcIU0qUhTNBEoqB1HVqaD00Vy3Ai8Ts7iPcCZs2vZ2gSj7PBTyHFlheIvjTLAHZBfD1LxZHuAH-Chehc2OHmK0JccPvZeC1IaGNxo/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WIum-cllIji3eWJVjlhAxtHi1J_sN5FRxkWBremcIU0qUhTNBEoqB1HVqaD00Vy3Ai8Ts7iPcCZs2vZ2gSj7PBTyHFlheIvjTLAHZBfD1LxZHuAH-Chehc2OHmK0JccPvZeC1IaGNxo/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Lesson 1: God cares about the little things. We prayed for a
nice day. We could not have put together a more beautiful day. It was perfect.
The sky was clear, the weather was gorgeous. It wasn’t too hot, it wasn’t cold,
and there was a nice breeze. There wasn’t a lot of people around, and none of
us got eaten by a bear. OK, that isn’t a little thing. But we also didn’t see
any snakes or giant spiders. So that’s a praise, right.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are my beautiful friends at the overlook. You can see
Raven Falls way<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the distance. About 5
miles away—we hiked over to it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lesson 2: God is a God of Beauty. I’m not even going to try
and talk. Just check out the pictures. And it was so much cooler in person.
There were times when all we could say was “Wow!”<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, so this one got a little over-edited. I was having too much fun. But I still really like it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lesson 3: God taught me again how important my friends are. We talked about everything--from the weather, to our devotions, to Sherlock (BBC version, obviously), to church stuff. school stuff, and future plans. In a few months, we could literally be in 3 different countries--on different sides of the globe. So we really needed this chance to get together, reconnect, and just have fun. My friends are awesome. I can't say that enough. I have the greatest friends in the world, and I love them so much. Phil. 1:3--I thank my God upon every remembrance of you--is a great verse for my friends.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh_5kN42AEkHMYYC1L6kF5NWPndx_oZH9R_iKNmkk1RXoXXA26KhBNFeu90BzDOQk0ZZQESt0KAirnbNiaex4CXlBwnDWFZi5j8fyjxgnvMvP7Y1256TTvvCA1CCn0x0kGMQacK5XrTk/s1600/edit+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh_5kN42AEkHMYYC1L6kF5NWPndx_oZH9R_iKNmkk1RXoXXA26KhBNFeu90BzDOQk0ZZQESt0KAirnbNiaex4CXlBwnDWFZi5j8fyjxgnvMvP7Y1256TTvvCA1CCn0x0kGMQacK5XrTk/s1600/edit+7.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MjA9JZcydzenrKvHphAWW-M_p-DM9sVK_mk2NfPRscTssv8YBl6PJQ6SFEqJOmNLqABq7OWoF_O2dxO4Gl7SQr2bXrQgEH9g03e00sUfksdlwTfKtbwvaoE2ZxGAcpmQLeGHhvuFbIQ/s1600/edit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MjA9JZcydzenrKvHphAWW-M_p-DM9sVK_mk2NfPRscTssv8YBl6PJQ6SFEqJOmNLqABq7OWoF_O2dxO4Gl7SQr2bXrQgEH9g03e00sUfksdlwTfKtbwvaoE2ZxGAcpmQLeGHhvuFbIQ/s1600/edit2.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8-FfZflOGxCknpOksxilB8sX-d-HQF22QnNuie1aM5ftmy_UekuqpwjVH9NixCJxoKsrTD0sE4QRILxkB39ma-_q-HdzgFAVl6ZwSLWJnmBy67rYGj99pq66kJs3E6Kub0G0IJP8s6g/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8-FfZflOGxCknpOksxilB8sX-d-HQF22QnNuie1aM5ftmy_UekuqpwjVH9NixCJxoKsrTD0sE4QRILxkB39ma-_q-HdzgFAVl6ZwSLWJnmBy67rYGj99pq66kJs3E6Kub0G0IJP8s6g/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Lesson 4: This is probably the biggest lesson that I’ve been
dwelling on since surviving this 11 mile hike. The first 7 miles or so were no
problem. But then we were on our way back and we hit a stretch that was a lot
of uphill. By this point, I was getting really tired. We were on a mountain,
the air is thinner, and I was running out of breath. Did I mention that I have
asthma? I literally had to stop and fight to breath. It hurt to get air into my
lungs. My friends were a little worried, and I was to focused on not dying to
stress. OK, I wasn’t dying. But I was seriously having a hard time breathing.
And I knew if I stopped, sat down, and took a break, I would not be able to
finish. We were 4 miles away from everything and we had to keep going. So once
I caught my breath, we started going again. We were so close to the end. We
could see the glint of the sun off the roof of the car. And then we had to go
down a hill and back up, across a road, and across the parking lot. Then we
could get in the car and sit down. For some reason, Beca got a burst of energy.
Not sure where she got it from. But Lisa and I—no such luck. We got the
downhill part no problem. But then we looked and saw this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0ImE5fWQhCz1Z0qtBMuVvs7qhnNMXGLhrz9MI1nD0ggnYDAy-8ozKEBHw1QdPLVBKl4WxTwGzjvIM-LGaSZgmhVqnwz9q4rvw95JSNfCdlAMaRtqkwOpbJmmkmnSv3ABS6iyJfQY9CM/s1600/10264543_719440534772815_3085176169249988193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0ImE5fWQhCz1Z0qtBMuVvs7qhnNMXGLhrz9MI1nD0ggnYDAy-8ozKEBHw1QdPLVBKl4WxTwGzjvIM-LGaSZgmhVqnwz9q4rvw95JSNfCdlAMaRtqkwOpbJmmkmnSv3ABS6iyJfQY9CM/s1600/10264543_719440534772815_3085176169249988193_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We weren’t sure if we could make it up. It was one of the
hardest things I have ever had to do. Physically, I mean. Make my feet move in
front of each other to get up that hill. I had rolled my ankle a couple times,
and every step felt like pure torture. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I know I’m a wimp. But my idea of a good workout is
playing a round or 3 of ping pong. The longest hike I had ever taken before
this one was about 7 miles. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We knew the end was so close. Literally about 200 feet away.
But convincing our legs to make it the rest of the way? Really really hard. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you reached that point, friend? Maybe as a student? The
semester is winding to a close, but you don’t know if you can make it? You’re so
close, but you want to just give up and cut your losses? Maybe in life? You
don’t know what the point is and why you try so hard to serve God, when it
seems that nothing you do matters? Everything you do seems a failure. You feel
like it’s better to just give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
won’t really care if you just quit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
won’t matter if you stop trying. Someone else will pick up the slack. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need each other. I couldn’t of kept going if I had been
hiking by myself. I would of stopped, taken a break, and probably fallen
asleep. Then getting up and walking would have been so much harder. Trust me, I
tried later that night. Moving and walking was even worse than it had been
earlier. My friends were there, and when I couldn’t keep going, they helped and
encouraged me. When they decided that the whole hiking idea was stupid (which
we all reached at some point that day), we came together to make ourselves
believe that it was worth it. There are going to come days when you feel like
you can’t go any farther. There are even days when you will collapse under the
pressure. But reach out to those around you. Let them remind you of God’s
goodness. Of His promises. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I read this really cool quote thing in my devotions the
other day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXlJr-z0GwjG_TAzHddvDgcS1Yrdsjftp1Ms9Ytj9-0vK8kQAG2jZ03dR6YwcWeq6-_OtyFcZdHv-tYmBkbUY9GVmjyZ3tlZq-865-V89u7c6mozgyU6GlZtSSUOISZprtKPWqTQP_L0/s1600/71467_720079821375553_423316051388619357_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXlJr-z0GwjG_TAzHddvDgcS1Yrdsjftp1Ms9Ytj9-0vK8kQAG2jZ03dR6YwcWeq6-_OtyFcZdHv-tYmBkbUY9GVmjyZ3tlZq-865-V89u7c6mozgyU6GlZtSSUOISZprtKPWqTQP_L0/s1600/71467_720079821375553_423316051388619357_n.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christ has promised to give us strength and never to leave
us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Claim His strength. Live in His power. Conquer that
mountain! Don’t give up in the uphill stretch. And when you’re in that trial,
that peak that seems to never end, keep pressing on. You don’t know where the
finish line is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might still be 4
miles away. But it could be over the next hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God doesn’t always tell us when the trial will end. He doesn’t always
tell us the point. He doesn’t always promise to make it easy for us and remove
it when we ask. But He does promise to give us the grace and strength we need
to survive it. And He promises to carry us through it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leave<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Us<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can trust when I’m climbing the mountain. Even though it
seems insurmountable, the end will come. And God will be there the whole time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I will be able to look back and know that it was worth
it. If we had not kept going, we would not have gotten to see the falls up
close like we did. They were so gorgeous. And breathtaking. It was amazing. And
now, a week later, I can say that it was totally worth it. I’m never going to
forget what it was like. I’m so thankful I got to see it, even if it meant
forgetting what being able to breath was like for a while. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God is good. He will carry us through. And it will be worth
it—whatever it is. Because it was a part of His plan for our lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-23965668798946910682014-04-08T12:30:00.000-07:002014-04-08T18:19:01.701-07:00I can trust. God is good.Let me start by saying that I am so thankful for friends that I can have fun with, but that I can also get serious with. That I can talk about what God's been teaching me and stuff, and that they aren't afraid to share what they've been reading.<br>
I was texting a friend last night, and this is what we were talking about. (Note: I don't have a smart phone--I took the texts and put them in a generator online. Because I can't screenshot stuff on my phone. So it looks cool, but it doesn't look that cool on my phone. Also, this is a slightly edited version of our conversation. I did not add anything, but I didn't put everything up that we said. Because ain't nobody got time to read all that).<br>
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Again, I have awesome friends. I love being able to talk about stuff like that just completely randomly. When it isn't a Sunday and we aren't at church. God has blessed me. But I will stop talking about them. </div>
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I looked up the passage mentioned above. Luke 9:10-17. </div>
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You know this story. Jesus and the disciples are out, and a huge crowd of people follow them. He teaches them all day. At the end of the day, Jesus takes one lunch (5 loaves, 2 fish), and feeds 5,000 men + women and children. All the people there ate until they were full. The disciples gathered up the leftovers (from the one small lunch), and had 12 baskets of food.</div>
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I was really thinking last night about verse 13. Jesus turned to the disciples and said " You give them something to eat". They had no idea what to do. There was no food for them to hand out, and they had no money. Jesus just asked them to do something impossible.</div>
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And then He expected them to do their best to make it happen. They couldn't just sit back and say "nope, not going to happen".They went looking for a solution, brought what they had to Jesus, and trusted Him to do the rest. They had to do their part. </div>
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Jesus took what they had, and did what He needed to to provide for the needs of everyone there, and to strengthen the faith of the disciples. They knew their abilities, and what they had. It wasn't much. But Jesus took what little they had and used it to feed as many as 20,000 people. </div>
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God expects us to do our best and give Him everything we have. But He knows that's not enough. He takes what we have and uses it for His glory. </div>
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That was last night's thoughts.</div>
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I re-read the passage this morning. I started thinking about the other time Jesus fed a bunch of people with just a little bit of food. (Matthew 15:29-39). In the next chapter, we see the disciples and Jesus talking. (Matthew 16:5). The disciples realize they didn't bring any food with them. After Jesus fed the 4,000, the disciples gathered 7 baskets of leftovers. </div>
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5 verses later, they are worried that they have nothing to eat.</div>
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Don't we do this? We see God provide in a miraculous way--something that we can only say "That was God." 2 days later, we are stressing because we don't know what's going to happen or how He's going to provide. I do this way too often. </div>
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I can rest in the fact that God will take care of me. I can trust that He will provide. I can know that He is good. Always. </div>
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I can trust. </div>
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<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-84358694590939167012014-03-27T14:25:00.004-07:002014-03-27T14:25:55.817-07:00What are we doing?!?!?!?!?!?I should probably explain something about this blog. If you haven't figured it out yet, my facebook is where I share all the dumb stuff I do, my twitter ends up being my venting page, and my pinterest shows how random and ADD I am. My blog is how I try to figure out my thoughts. I write it and share it in hopes it will help someone else and point them to Christ. But really, it's just me working through whatever is going on at the time. So if it seems weird or odd, or if I'm wrong, I don't have it all figured out yet. Please feel free to tell me what you think. But this is just me thinking. So if this post sounds a little disjointed, it is. This is kind of how my brain works. I'm sorry.<br />
<br />
That being said, I've been thinking (again). And though it sounds morbid, I've been dwelling a lot on death. I guess part of getting older means that I'm more aware of it's part in our lives. Not that I'm old. But supposedly, I'm getting more mature (bahahaha, whatever).<br />
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I have heard so many stories the last couple weeks about people who have passed away. A friend had a close family member die this morning. I heard about a baby that died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) last week. Another close friend has a friend that was given weeks to live. A student's dad died last week. One of my friends knew a lady who was in the morning service, then in heaven in the evening service. And I don't know very many people on this campus--I'm sure there are many stories you could share that I could add.<br />
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I read once that "Death is the only certainty in life". Someone else said, "We are all part of the ultimate statistic. 10 out of 10 die". Or "eat right, stay fit, die anyway".<br />
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None of the people I mentioned above are old. I'm sure they all thought they had years left in their lives. They planned to spend the rest of their lives serving God (well, except the baby--but he was a part of a Christian family).<br />
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My point is this: life is short. You don't have much time. Christian, what are you doing that makes your life count? And I'm not just talking about long-term plans. Like, "After I graduate, I'll make my life count for God. I'll get involved in a church then."<br />
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I've heard a lot of young people, people my age, say "Right now, it's about just hanging out, having fun, etc. I need to learn more before I can serve God. I need to develop my talents. I'll serve later." What? What in the world? Why are we doing this?<br />
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You don't know how long you have. I know you've heard this before, and you'll hear it again. I wrote this post,<a href="http://rubberbandreligion.blogspot.com/2013/03/rachel-name-and-unimportant-details.html"> Don't Waste Your Life</a> last year after a co-worker died suddenly. She was 42, and had a heart attack.<br />
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Don't Waste Your Life.<br />
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If you were to enter heaven tonight, would you want to tell God about what you spent your last day on earth doing? I mean, He already knows. But if He were to ask you, "What did you do to serve Me today?", what would you say?<br />
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Approximately 2 people die every second around the world. 11% of the world's population identifies with Protestantism of some denomination. So of the 172,800 people who die <i>every day</i>, almost 90% of those are probably in hell. Does that not bother you?<br />
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Why are we so worried about judging people? Why are we so surprised that sinners sin? I was thinking about this in the service Monday night (it's Bible Conference here), and the speaker was talking about how big of a deal homosexuality is and stuff, and how it's taking over everything. Yes, homosexuality is a big deal. Yes, I believe it's a sin. But, why is that the first thing we worry about?<br />
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Why do we say "oh, he's gay. He needs Jesus."? We should say, "He's a sinner. God loves him. He needs Jesus. Let me be the one to reach out to him." You were a sinner. I was a sinner. I still am one. Maybe I wasn't murdering people (I was 6 when I got saved), but I was a liar. I had rejected God.<br />
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What are we doing??? Why do we judge??? When you say "I'm a Christian" to a co-worker, they should not think "Oh, this one is someone I can't talk to, because they will look down on me." Love them. Reach out to them. Show them Christ's love. Christ talked to prostitutes. The one woman in John 8, who is referred to as "a woman taken in adultery. You remember her? The religious leaders brought her to Christ, telling Him all the things she had done. She broke God's law. According to the law, she should have been stoned. But Christ showed grace to her. Mercy.<br />
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Love.<br />
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Forgiveness.<br />
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John 8:10-11 "When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?<br />
She said, no man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, <i>Neither do I condemn thee: Go, and sin no more.</i>"<br />
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I'm not saying that we should overlook sin. But when we are talking to someone who is unsaved, we shouldn't focus on their sin. We should focus on God's grace and forgiveness. He's forgiven them; why can't we?<br />
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As Dr. Bob likes to say "The most sobering reality in the world today is that people are dying and going to hell today". I never really thought much about this. If anything, it was kind of one of those "is he really saying that again?" things that felt overused.<br />
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I stopped and thought about it. I want that thought to change my life. I am not responsible to judge another person. My job is to share the love of Christ.<br />
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John 8:12, right after the above passage, talks about Christ being the Light of the World. My job is to reflect that light.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-16579126121323838442014-03-12T09:39:00.002-07:002014-03-12T09:39:24.032-07:00Remove the Mask: Why Won't We Be Transparent?My sophomore year of college, I had the privilege of attending the graduate speech recital of my freshman speech teacher. She is someone that I look up to and greatly respect, and when I look back at all my favorite classes and teachers, she stands out in many respects. She didn't just teach freshmen--she touched lives. At her recital, she tackled the idea of transparency. Mostly the idea of why we aren't transparent. And she shared a lot of personal stuff. To an audience of 700 people, some of whom were friends, but many of whom were total strangers. She got a standing ovation (which doesn't happen at recitals here), and people walked out changed. I still occasionally hear people talking about it, and it's been 2 years. It changed me and the way I think. I've pondered transparency off and on for the past 2 years. It's a tricky idea. I mean, the idea of sharing stuff with people and knowing when you're being transparent and when you're just complaining. Being honest without sharing too much or finding the right person who will really care about you and pray for you can be hard. Finding a balance can be hard. Unfortunately, we don't even try most of the time.<br />
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I don't know if you go to a CHristian school. I do--a Christian university. I'm assuming you go to a church with fellow believers. In our Christian environments, we <i>say</i> "Be transparent. Be real. Talk to people. Share. We care. We love you. We won't judge you."<br />
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We create an <i>atmosphere</i> that says "If you tell me you're struggling, I'll look down on you. I'll probably share it as a 'prayer request' with 3 or 4 people, and we'll talk about you. You aren't allowed to have problems or struggles, and if you do, tell Jesus, but don't tell us."<br />
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At her recital, my former teacher shared the poem "We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar. The first 2 stanzas are as follows:<br />
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We wear the mask that grins and lies,</div>
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It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,--</div>
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This debt we pay to human guile;</div>
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With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,</div>
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And mouth with myriad subtleties.</div>
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Why should the world be over-wise,</div>
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In counting all our tears and sighs?</div>
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Nay, let them only see us, while</div>
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We wear the mask. </div>
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Did anyone ask you, "How are you doing?" today? I got asked that. What was your response? "Fine, thanks!" "I'm doing well." "Hanging in there, keeping busy, but you know, God is good so it's all good."<br />
<br />Really? Are you really doing ok? All the time? Every time you answer that question with a "fine", are you really doing "fine"? I'm not always. It's our go-to answer.<br />
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It's a lie.<br />
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We teach children, "Thou shalt not lie". It's the 9th commandment. When did lying about how we are doing become ok? When did hiding what's going on become not only ok, but really expected?<br />
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Why do you wear a mask? Why do I wear a mask? Well, here's my excuse (the one I use most often).<br />
"<i>If people don't know, they can't judge or hurt me. If I get close to people, they may expect something I can'd do, and I'll let them down.</i>"<br />
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What does your mask look like? There are a lot of different ones, and we all personalize our mask to fit what we need. They all look a little different, which is part of the reason I think it is so hard to recognize someone else's for what it really is--a disguise hiding what's really going on in their life. I tend to be one of those people who always has to have it together. I'm that annoying person no one else in the class likes, because I turn stuff in 2 weeks early. I have to be on top of stuff and always prepared. I am always ready to go, and hate surprises or changes in my plans. I'm also a very hyperactive, sarcastic person. When I don't know what I'm doing, or if I'm in a new situation and am nervous, I hide it by being weird and obnoxious (in a good way, I'm sure). People don't know the difference between my "life is good and I've had Mountain Dew" hyper and my "I'm stressing out and worried about what is happening" hyper. When I'm not in control of a situation, I get either really hyper or weird or shy. Both of them are a mask. I wear them to protect myself.<br />
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What mask do you wear? What masks do you put on to cover what you are really thinking, feeling, or struggling with?<br />
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It can be hard to peel off our mask. I think it is harder to be the one being open and sharing than the person to whom we are talking. When we are transparent, we are vulnerable. That is a scary place to be. I don't want to go there, so I put on a mask. I hide it and no one knows. We have on so many layers of masks, I don't know if we are really able to be honest with ourselves. We have a hard time even getting real with God. We've convinced ourselves that the mask needs to be there.<br />
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Why do we do this to ourselves?<br />
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To each other?<br />
<br />
Why are we not willing to share? To get real? To be honest? Transparent?<br />
<br />
May I suggest that we have been lied too? Has Satan whispered any of these in your ear (or screamed them in your face)?<br />
<br />
<i>No one would believe you if you told them that you _________?</i><br />
<i>You say you're a Christian, and you struggle with ______? Really?</i><br />
<i>God won't keep forgive you.</i><br />
<i>People look up to you, you know. They watch you. If they know you are dealing with _______, your testimony will be ruined.</i><br />
<i>Everyone deals with that. It's not a big deal.</i><br />
<i>You're in leadership. You teach Sunday School. You can't have struggles like that.</i><br />
<i>No one cares.</i><br />
<i>People come to help. They need you to be strong for them. They aren't able to help you, because they need you to help them. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
These are lies, friends. Satan knows that if he can get us to live an isolated life, we won't have access to the full potential of power found in the body of Christ. Once we start getting honest with each other and really working together, the church and Christians could do amazing things for God. We could change the world in huge ways. Satan doesn't want that. So he seeks to keep us isolated.<br />
<br />
I want to build iron-sharpening-iron relationships.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAUxb9zBY5cGqhyphenhyphenp9ipIDsoyOYhKHf3iM_jQHCrE9mBxoagqq2P-g4U5v7784OQ_dUuINdBppxOnx_RNyutQ1hhJC4bA6S6vRqfyiwnEhXRHrYHcsXtFFY1e3Tk67iuRocTQPvYeFSzc/s1600/As-Iron-Sharpens-Iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAUxb9zBY5cGqhyphenhyphenp9ipIDsoyOYhKHf3iM_jQHCrE9mBxoagqq2P-g4U5v7784OQ_dUuINdBppxOnx_RNyutQ1hhJC4bA6S6vRqfyiwnEhXRHrYHcsXtFFY1e3Tk67iuRocTQPvYeFSzc/s1600/As-Iron-Sharpens-Iron.jpg" height="162" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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I want my friends and i to have a closeness that allows us to be real with each other. That's going to take work. Being transparent ends 2 people--the person being transparent, and the person listening. And both of these people need to be willing to take both roles. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Be transparent. In small areas--like "I am so exhausted, I'm struggling with staying awake to do my devotions. Will you pray for me and keep me accountable?" "I'm struggling with my thoughts towards a particular person."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Be transparent. In big areas--like "I don't know if God exists, and if He does, I don't know if he really cares about me personally." "I don't know if I even am in the right religion. I don't know if I'm believing the right things, and I don't want to miss out because I was taught wrong."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Be willing to listen. Look around at work, school, church, or wherever you are. Watch people. There are people everywhere who are hurting, but have a mask on and aren't willing to admit it. Take time to show them you care. Pray for them. And don't be discouraged if they won't open up to you right away. Removing a mask takes time. It takes knowing that someone honestly cares about you. And if you are going to ask someone to be transparent, be willing to be transparent yourself. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Watch out for the people who are "rocks". You know who I mean--those people who have it all together all the time. They are usually the people that get asked for help or advice. Sometimes, they are the people who really need help and prayer the most. Those are the people we forget about, because they seem to be so put-together. Everyone needs someone who will come along and say, "I'm praying for you."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Paul Dunbar wrote a final stanza for his poem, "We Wear the Mask".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We smile, but O great Christ, our cries</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To Thee from tortured souls arise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We sing, but oh the clay is vile</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But let the world dream otherwise,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We wear the mask!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I want to be part of the generation that changes the world. But (and here's me being transparent), <i>I can't do it alone</i>. I need friends to help me out, support me, and point me to Jesus. We aren't called to go the Christian life solo. God has given us each other. Serve Him together.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you need something, anything, even someone to talk to, please find someone. A friend, a person at church, a teacher, pastor, anyone. Don't live life hurt and alone because you can't trust anyone. If you can't find someone, email me. Message me. Comment below. That's why God created me. To serve Him, and minister to the body of Christ.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remove the mask.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Practice transparency. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-79743563291131562172014-03-09T17:34:00.002-07:002014-03-09T17:44:53.746-07:00I Will Build MY ChurchOn Thursday, March 6th, 2014, the Washington Times reported this headline: "<a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/mar/6/kim-jong-un-calls-execution-33-christians/">Kim Jong-Un calls for execution of 33 Christians</a>". Basically, 33 North Korean Christians and a missionary from South Korea were arrested and sentenced to death for starting over 500 house churches in North Korea. Has the execution happened yet? I don't know. Is the report completely and totally accurate, without fabrication and/or hidden information? I don't know. But I do know that God is in control. He holds each Christian in the palm of His hand. He sees the future, and He has a perfect plan for each person individually, as well as for the collective body of Christ. I can rest in that.<br />
I don't know what He's doing. I don't understand. I look at what's happening in North Korea, and to Christians around the world. If I am not careful, I may wonder:<br />
<br />
"What is God doing?"<br />
"Is God still good?"<br />
Why doesn't God stop this?"<br />
Why does evil exist?"<br />
Is God still even <i>there?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Do you find yourself thinking this? Please tell me I'm not alone in my thoughts. In my doubts. I know God is good. I know God is in control. But when you see headlines like the one above, you stop and question what's going on. What God's doing. Or at least, I do.<br />
<br />
What is God doing?<br />
<br />
In Matthew 16, we see a lot going on in the ministry of Christ. At the beginning of the chapter, the religious leaders are there testing Christ. Trying to get Him to slip up.<br />
Then we see Christ talking to the disciples. He asks them who people say He is.<br />
"13--When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whome do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?<br />
14--And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.<br />
15--He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?<br />
16--And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.<br />
17--And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my father which is in heaven.<br />
18--And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.<br />
19--And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.<br />
It's a pretty familiar passage. One I've <a href="http://rubberbandreligion.blogspot.com/2014/01/rise-up-again.html">referenced before</a>.I've studied this passage (both personally and in classes and church). A lot of times, we talk about verse 18 and talk about the phrase "upon this rock". What did Christ mean there? People and denominations debate this. But I want to look at the next phrase for a second.<br />
<br />
I<br />
Will<br />
Build<br />
My<br />
Church<br />
<br />
MY Church<br />
<br />
It's Christ's church. He has promised us that He will build it. No North Korean dictator can stop Him. No American bashing God on YouTube will stop the spread of the Gospel. Nothing you can do will stop what God is going to do.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnosjs1Ttuc-oXigYoL94z4a_wB4uFZd9UvLVxNvIntaNw89rfWQN-5CN09CM-07xSa50qI7C6yQK_pvgICf4FZ4xbfpMwROohiaAESYKy3gajg8ZhJc4-uMRUBnkHBhjHElRYPFvVIs/s1600/download+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnosjs1Ttuc-oXigYoL94z4a_wB4uFZd9UvLVxNvIntaNw89rfWQN-5CN09CM-07xSa50qI7C6yQK_pvgICf4FZ4xbfpMwROohiaAESYKy3gajg8ZhJc4-uMRUBnkHBhjHElRYPFvVIs/s1600/download+(1).jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
Isn't that encouraging? We can look at the world and see what's going on. We see the political turmoil in Ukraine. We see the atrocities committed in North Korea. We see the unrest around the globe. We wonder where God is. What He's doing. But nothing that Putin or Kim Jong-Un can or will do will stop God from doing what He has planned.<br />
<br />
Isn't that cool?<br />
<br />
I just think that's so encouraging.<br />
<br />
I serve a God that is bigger than all the politics in the world. Literally.<br />
<br />
He's above it all. He controls it all. And works it together for His good. For His glory.<br />
<br />
In the death of these 33 Christians, He will be glorified.<br />
<br />
I pray that in my life, however long He has planned for me, that He will be glorified.<br />
<br />
Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, spoke about persecuted Christians around the world. He said this: "They don't ask us to pray that persecution would stop. They pray, instead, that they would be strong in the midst of persecution, and to empower them to be bold witnesses despite the obvious persecution in many places."<br />
<br />
This is a huge rebuke to me. I have a low pain tolerance. I'm sure I'd be begging for them to stop the second they looked at me. I'd like to think that I would stand fast and never give in, never renounce Christ, but I don't know. How can any of us know how we'd respond in a situation like what these Christians face on a daily basis?<br />
<br />
All throughout history, the persecuted church grew quickly. It spread like wildfire. And those Christians that faced persecution often had the strongest faith. From the early church up until the present day, those that face persecution know what it means to really depend on God.<br />
<br />
Please join me in praying for the persecuted church around the world. Pray with me for our brothers and sisters in Christ as they press on through the trials God has allowed into their lives. Pray, not the persecution would end, but that God would be glorified. That the Gospel would be spread throughout the world. That the church would not be stamped out, but that God would build His church. Like He's promised. He will build it.<br />
<br />
He will be glorified.<br />
<br />
I can rest in that.<br />
<br />
(Here's a <a href="http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=123131330463">sermon</a> that was preached here on campus last year about this topic by Chris Anderson. If you have time, may I suggest and recommend you listen to it? It's highly encouraging.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-83735142639775415502014-02-24T08:53:00.001-08:002014-02-24T08:53:07.641-08:00It's the kind of day . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where people need a break from life. And seriousness. So here's some things people have said to me, as a Canadian. Happy Monday! :)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwbWo8fBejmPiLdhr-j-SR6IxcorC5RQL4tWjMY4wVq5c-3hJeD-5BZtyDS5F-TbwA0avkbkFtHnnUsHhwOyQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-85284427846782152822014-02-19T05:35:00.003-08:002014-02-19T05:36:24.494-08:00All in All<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are my strength when I am weak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are the treasure that I seek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are my all in all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seeking You as a precious jewel,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord to give up I’d be a fool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are my all in all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking my sin, my cross, my shame;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rising again, I bless Your name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are my all in all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I fall down You pick me up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I am dry You fill my cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are my all in all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is currently one of my favorite songs. I keep going
back to it this semester. Every semester/year, God has given me a song that He
uses to remind me of something I need to learn. Freshman year, it was “God is
There”. Sophomore year, it was “Press On”. Junior year and last semester (first
semester senior year), it was “Blessings”. Now, it’s “You are my All in All”
(words above). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I apologize in advance for the potential length of this
thing. Also, if you don’t want to know what God has been teaching me or if you
don’t like personal (like, personal about me), I have a suggestion for you. In
the top right hand corner of your screen, there should be a little red x. Click
it. You don’t want to read this post. This isn’t just a challenge to my
generation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is God’s challenge to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That I want to share with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was in youth group, (which feels like so many
years ago), we did an in-depth study on the book of Colossians. I want to say
that study lasted for about 2 years. I could be wrong on that. We memorized
chapter 1 and chapter 3, and I can still quote “most” of it. We studied a lot
of different things, but our main focus was on how we are complete in Christ.
Our theme song for youth group was “Complete in Thee”, which we sang almost
every week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so thankful for the time our youth pastor invested
in us through this study. So often, teens struggle with their identity. With
“who they are” and “finding themselves” and all that. They want to have some
sense of worth, to think that they have value. I remember thinking as a
teenager that if I could do ____________ and accomplish _________, then people
would appreciate me, or notice me. I would finally be worth something to
people. I didn’t ever completely grow out of this idea. It’s something I still
struggle with at times. But this study in Colossians helped me a lot. I knew
that because of what Christ had done for me, God views me as perfect. Yes, I
sin. But God looks at me through the lens of Christ’s sacrifice. He has claimed
me as His own. And He loves me—not for what I have done, but in spite of what I
have done. As a teen, this was huge. And now, as a young adult, this is huge.
It isn’t what I have done or can do for God. I am complete in Him. It isn’t
what I think I am as a person—what I think should define me. It’s what God has
done for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This sounds great. But so often I forget. WAY too often.
More often than not, actually. The life I live suggests that God is not enough.
That what He has done for me is not enough. Am I the only one who struggles
with this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was saved when I was 6 years old. I was quite willing
to say that Christ’s sacrifice was enough for me. I didn’t need to add any good
works. That faith thing? I did that just fine. Christ’s work on the cross made
salvation complete, if you will. I didn’t even suggest that I might need to do
something extra. I knew better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why do I live differently today? Why was Christ’s work
enough to save me from hell and give me an eternal home, but not enough to
satisfy me daily? Why do I feel like I have to do something to earn God’s
favor? When I stop and think about it, it sounds ludicrous. I can trust God
with my eternal destiny, but not enough to love me for who I am or what I do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something needs to change. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I invite you, everyone reading this, to join me in
finding our satisfaction in Christ. To realize that we are complete in Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God doesn’t love me based on my GPA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not rewarded based on what extracurricular
activities I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I do with friends doesn’t matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My relationship status doesn’t affect how God views me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grades don’t guarantee me a better standing before
God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My talents don’t give me eternal security.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I do with my life doesn’t change how I am loved by
the everlasting God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if I never have friends, live my life on the streets
because I fail college, and am completely alone with nothing, God will still
love me. He will still be there for me. And He will still view me as a created
being—made in His image. Perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do I want to live alone with no friends? No. Do I want to
fail college and work at Subway forever? That’s about the worst thing I can
imagine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually, worse would be living without God for all
eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or having my worth based on what I do, instead of what He
has done for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, friends, next time you here me complaining, tell me
to shut up. Please. Tell me to get my eyes off of myself and back on God.
Remind me that my satisfaction should not be found in a grade or a meal in the
dining common, or in friends. Ultimately, I need to find my satisfaction in
Christ. Because of His work, alone, I am complete. Complete in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if I can help you with that, or be an encouragement
for you to do the same, please let me know. Comment. Message me. Email. Let’s
do a meal. Something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to build “iron sharpening iron” relationships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Complete in Thee, NO WORK OF MINE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could take, dear Lord, the place of thine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I am now Complete in Thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Complete in Thee, each want supplied,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And no good thing to me denied<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since thou my portion Lord wilt be, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ask no more, Complete in Thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Complete in Thee, no more shall sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thy grace hath conquered—reign within.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thy voice shall bid the tempter flee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I shall stand Complete in Thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Saviour, when, before Thy Bar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Tribes and Tongues assembled are,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among the Chosen will I be,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Thy right hand, Complete in Thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah Justified, oh blessed thought!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Sanctified, salvation wrought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And glorified I too shall be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, I’m sorry about the length. I’m also apologizing
for the randomness of this. This is why I don’t normally write after 1:30 in
the morning . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-69229211147516500662014-02-03T10:07:00.000-08:002014-02-03T10:07:26.243-08:00Above and Beyond??? Every semester, (a couple times a semester???) BJU holds a "President's Club" during chapel. During this time, they recognize students who have upheld the school's mission to serve, grow, and stuff like that. OK, so I'm not exactly sure how they choose people, other that they are peer-nominated. It's really cool to sit and listen to how God is using my fellow-students in furthering the gospel. I was particularly challenged this time, and I want to share with you what God showed me last hour.<br />
<br />
With I believe all of the people who were recognized, Dr. Jones said something about "They went above and beyond . . . " which sounds good at first thought. And please don't misunderstand me--what these people were recognized for was good. They were doing what all of us as Christians should be doing. But why aren't we all doing what they are doing. Helping a friend or sharing what God has blessed us with should be something we are all doing every day. Giving the gospel or doing our best at work should not be "above and beyond". It should be natural for us--image bearers of Christ. We are called to be like Christ. We are called to represent Him to those around us. It should not be "unusual" when a Christian is working hard and obeying Christ.<br />
<br />
Why is this "above and beyond" now?<br />
<br />
When did the standards lower?<br />
<br />
I've always wondered why Christians feel like they don't need to be different from those around us. When I work, I want my co-workers to know that I'm different. This should mean that I do my best to do my best work at all times. That I'm polite even when customers are annoying. Even if I'm sick, or tired, I'm still willing to do my best at all times.<br />
<br />
I'm calling my generation to go "above and beyond" above and beyond. We need to set the standard of what we can and should do higher than it is. Congratulations to the people who were recognized today--you are an example to all of us of what we should be doing. Every day, living out our faith.<br />
<br />
Romans 12:1-2--I beseech you therefore Brethern [fellow Christians], that ye present your bodies a LIVING SACRIFICE<br />
<br />
Holy<br />
<br />
Acceptable unto God<br />
<br />
Which is your REASONABLE service.<br />
<br />
And be not conformed to this world, but be ye<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
TRANSFORMED</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Good </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and acceptable</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and perfect</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Will of God.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have you read <i>Do Hard Things</i> by Alex and Brett Harris? It is a book written by teens for teens. It is a cry to our generation to start rising above the low expectations. Start doing hard things. Serving God. Giving him</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
EVERYTHING</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We have. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I went to their <a href="http://therebelution.com/">website/blog</a>, and found some old blog posts that were an encouragement to me again. They are called "The Myth of Adolescence" <a href="http://therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-1/#.Uu_JDHddU9w">part 1</a> and <a href="http://therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#.Uu_JD3ddU9w">part 2</a>. They basically talk about how there is this myth that has been perpetuated that the teen years are a time to goof off, waste time, and just enjoy life. While I believe that you can enjoy life all the time (no matter your age or what you are doing), the teen years are not about us. Since I am not a teenager, I believe that your years as a young adult are not about you. You should NOT spend your life making yourself feel good. It isn't about seeking enjoyment. It's about serving God. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Raise the bar. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Do Hard Things. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Go Above and Beyond above and beyond. Don't settle.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Serve God. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-9438248399515897452014-01-16T14:44:00.000-08:002014-01-16T14:44:06.372-08:00Rise up againProverbs 24:16A--For a just man falleth 7 times, and riseth up again . . . .<br />
<br />
In my devotions recently, I have been studying the life of Peter. Actually, for the last semester and start of this semester, I've been studying Peter. I had to write a paper for one of my block classes last semester where I had to choose a Bible character that I most identified with or wanted to be like (not sure exactly what the instructions were, to be honest). This is what I wrote:<br />
<br />
"<span style="font-family: 'Apple Symbols'; font-size: 12pt;">One
of my favourite Bible characters (and the one I relate to the most) is Peter
the apostle. I found a very interesting article about his life here: </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.hannahscupboard.com/character-peter.html"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-themecolor: text1;">http://www.hannahscupboard.com/character-peter.html</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Symbols'; font-size: 12pt;">. When people think of
Peter, they think “Open mouth, insert foot.” I’m so talented, I’ve often stuck
both feet down my throat. I get excited and blurt out whatever happens to be on
my mind without thinking first. And Peter never completely “grew out” of this.
We see him arguing with Christ when Christ was on earth many times. But even in
the book of Acts, we still see him arguing with God. . . ." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Apple Symbols'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
I went on to compare my life with Peter's, identify strengths and weaknesses, etc. I understand that we aren't trying to be like other Christians and followers of Christ. Our ultimate goal is to be like Christ. But it is interesting to study the lives of people we look up to.<br />
<br />
Heroes of the faith, if you will.<br />
<br />
Peter had his definite strengths. He was willing to literally step out by faith--into a swirling ocean. Looking rationally at his situation, he should have assumed he would sink the moment he stepped out of that boat. But he looked to Christ and walked <i>on</i> the water. He stood up when surrounded by the religious leaders and told them, point blank, that he and the other apostles were going to do what God said. They had to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). He was bold in His witness, and quick to defend right when he could. He is, for me, an example of one of the greatest teachers in Scripture (the greatest is obviously Christ). He is caring, passionate, knowledgable, focused, and dedicated. He gave everything he had for the message he wanted to share, ultimately giving his life.<br />
<br />
The reason Peter is one of my favorite Bible characters is because he is so human. We put Peter up on a pedestal as one of the greatest Christians to ever walk the planet. Yes he was a faithful servant of God. Yes, he did great things for Christ. Yes, he gives one of the most straightforward confessions of who Jesus is (Matthew 16:16).<br />
<br />
Peter was a sinner.<br />
<br />
We often think of his pride and out-spokeness when we think of Peter.<br />
How he rebuked Christ later in Matthew 16. How he was always the first to speak up.<br />
<br />
Then he denies Christ just before Christ is crucified.<br />
<br />
For some reason, I think that after Christ forgives Peter (John 21), I think that Peter never sinned again. He totally got control over that life-dominating sin (or whatever you want to call it).<br />
<br />
But then in Acts 10 (which is after his powerful sermon at Pentecost), we see God tell Peter to rise, kill, and eat (the unclean animals in the sheet). Peter says that he can't. I guess he never really completely stopped questioning and arguing with God.<br />
<br />
That is such an encouragement to me. I don't feel like any of that made sense above. And the rest of this may not either. But Peter, one of the inner-circle of the apostles, a man who God used in tremendous ways, had his besetting sins just like I do.<br />
<br />
God<br />
Still<br />
Used<br />
Him.<br />
<br />
And God can still use you. And me.<br />
<br />
We just have to let Him completely control every part of our lives. And every time we fall, we go to Him for forgiveness, and rise up again to serve Him.<br />
<br />
He<br />
<br />
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<!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-11821653812542341492013-12-15T16:42:00.001-08:002013-12-15T16:42:57.560-08:00Be a wiseman, not a religious leader.<div>Matthew 2:3-7</div><div>When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:</div><div> “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,</div><div>are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;</div><div>for from you shall come a ruler</div><div>who will shepherd my people Israel. ’”</div><div> Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I just re-read the Christmas story. It's amazing to watch how God worked through so many people. He worked out circumstances that, individually seem bizarre and random, but working together show His plan in such a unique way. Honestly, no one could create a story with so many plot twists that works out so perfectly in the end. There are many characters that all work together to give us the story that involve our Saviours advent into the world. God didn't need to use any of the people in the story, but He chose to. Most of the people are good examples to us of many different things. For instance, Think of Joseph. he is an example to us of whawt it means to completely trust and follow God even when you don't understand. The shepherds joyfully told everyone they met that the Christ had been born. The wise men went to great expense to worship the Child.</div><div>however, of all the people in the Christmas story, there is one group that comes to mind that reawlly messed up. One group who's example we should not follow. I'm thinking of the religious leaders that Herod called when the wisemen came to him. I put the passage from Matthew above. </div><div>Of all the people who showed up to worship Jesus, shouldn't the religious leaders have been there first? They had the scripture, they knew the prophecies. As soon as Herod said, "Hey, what's up with the news about a new ruler of the Jews?", they knew exactly what was going on. </div><div>"Oh yeah. It's the Messiah, He's going to save us, and He was born in Bethlehem. The star is a sign that He has been born"</div><div><br></div><div>What?</div><div><br></div><div>They knew it all, yet they didn't make any effort to go and worship the King? They had front row access to Him. They knew who He was. But they didn't seem to care. </div><div><br></div><div>Don't we do the same thing?</div><div><br></div><div>We have access to go God at all times. Sure, we can't go and worship Him at a manger, but we can go worship Him at His house (just like the wisemen did). We can spend every day looking for ways to serve Him. We don't need to just hear/read about Him. We can have a relationship with Him. It can be personal.</div><div><br></div><div>How much are you like the religious leaders? If I were to suggest a Bible Verse competition, we could all take part. You know, take turns posting verses from memory in the comment section, see who can post the most, etc. the comments would probably be in the hundreds. We know the verses. But how is your relationship with God. If you had the chance to go and personally SEE Him, like physically see Him, would you take it? Or would you say, "that's kind of a long trip. I know about God. I don't actually need to see Him, do I? What's the big deal anyway?"</div><div><br></div><div>I was in a recent dorm leadership meeting thing. We were talking about the means of Grace (prayer, Bible reading, going to church). Honestly, staying faithful in your relationship with God, your devotions, your prayer life, etc., can be really hard when your in college. Almost harder when you're in a Christian college. We go to college, have Bible classes, and assigned Bible reading. Doing personal prayer and Bible study can be hard to fit in, especially when you're so busy. </div><div><br></div><div>The we get Christmas break. Don't fall into the mindset of "I deserve a break. I've been busy. I can skip a few days." </div><div><br></div><div>You never should take a break from God. In fact, I would challenge you to set spiritual goals this Christmas break. Work to make sure you have time with God every single day this break.</div><div><br></div><div>Here are some ideas we were given at our meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>Bible study</div><div>1. Have a plan. Find something to study</div><div>2. Write down something you've learned every day. Date it. You will be more focused as you study and you can look back and see what God has taught you.</div><div>3. Have a specific time every day that is your devotionsu time. Depending on a work schedule and your personal brain functioning capabilities, this may be morning, night, or sometime in between. Guard that time. </div><div>4. Make personal application. Look in every passage for what God wants you to know. Work to apply that to your life.</div><div>5. Meditation. (OK, this isn't from the meeting--this is just something God has shown me recently). Find something you can thinkm about all day. Every day. It doesn't have to be much. But something you can go back to over and over when soemthing comes up (a temptation, difficult situation, annoying person, whatevber).</div><div>6. Scripture memory. Memorize a passage of Scripture this Christmas break. Have you memorized Luke 2? Why not give it a shot. Phillipians 2 is a great passage that goes along with Christmas really well. Memorize because you want a stronger relationship with God, not because you want a good grade on a test.</div><div><br></div><div>Prayer</div><div>1. Set a timer. Resolve to pray at least ____ minutes every day,. Keep praying until the timer goes off.</div><div>2. Make a prayer list. You know a lot of things you want/need to pray for, you set the timer, and your mind goes blank. Make categories (family, friends, pastors and church leaders, missionaries, teachers, sick people, other needs, personal stuff, etc.) and start listing. Suddenly you should run out of time before you run out of things to pray for.</div><div>3. Praise. Give thanks for what God has done for you. Make a list. Go through the names of God or His attributes.</div><div>4. Pray through a psalm. David cries out to God in many Psalms.</div><div>5. Go through Christ's prayers. Follow His example.</div><div>6. Make a list of specific things you prayed for and record when and how God answers. </div><div>7. Try different things it keep you focused. Pray out loud. Write down your prayers. Tie your requests to scripture.</div><div><br></div><div>Accountability</div><div>1. For both prayer and Bible reading, have an accountability partner. Choose someone who takes their relationship with God as seriously as you do. Also make sure they are someone who is focused and that will encourage you.</div><div>2. talk about all of life, not just your devotions. Don't compartmentalize. </div><div>3. Don't set a specific time each week when you'll talk (if you are communicating through technology). I have a friend who has an accountability partner who will message her randomly through the week. She loves this because it encourages her to read her Bible every day because she never knows when her partner will email her asking what she's read. She always has to find something because she never knows when her partner will ask.</div><div>4. Be specific. Don't say "How are you doing in your walk with God?" The obvious answer is "fine". Say "What has God been teaching you?" "How can I pray for you this week?" "What did you read in your devotions today?". Specific questions lead to specific answers. Honest answers.</div><div>5. Have a plan for what you will do when you face a certain situation or temptation. Will you call your accountability partner? What's your plan? Don't wait until the situation comes up to figure out your plan. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>This Christmas, set goals. Make a plan to get to know God better. What are you going to do?</div><div><br></div><div>Are you going to like the religious leaders or the wisemen???</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-36532623215684522132013-11-11T17:00:00.001-08:002013-11-11T17:00:47.967-08:00We Remember<br />
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We Remember</h2>
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This is from facebook. Wrote this a few years ago in honour of my great-grandfather and all the men and women who have served our country. May we never forget.</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<br />
<br />
We Remember<br />
dedicated to my Great-Grandfather, William Whitney<br />
by Stephanie Steeves<br />
<br />
We remember those who fought-<br />
Who with their lives our freedom bought.They left their homes, families, their all<br />
because they heard the oppressed man's call.<br />
<br />
"Lest we forget!" the cry is heard.<br />
Be telling others, spread the word.<br />
The responsibility belongs to you and me,<br />
Share their story from sea to sea.<br />
<br />
We remember those who went-<br />
Some volunteered, others were sent.<br />
They all served their country well.<br />
Our job is now to go and tell.<br />
<br />
We remember those who fought-<br />
Who with their lives our freedom bought.<br />
They were willing to go and die<br />
Because they heard the oppressed man's cry.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-38055603428581876982013-11-02T20:14:00.001-07:002013-11-02T20:14:18.750-07:0010,000 Reasons [to Praise the Lord]10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)<br />
Copyright Matt Redman<br />
<br />
Verse 1: The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning.<br />
It's time to sing Your song again.<br />
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,<br />
Let me be singing when the evening comes.<br />
<br />
Chorus:<br />Bless the Lord, O my soul,<br />
O my soul<br />
Worship His holy name.<br />
Sing like never before, Oh my soul.<br />
I'll worship Your Holy Name.<br />
<br />
Verse 2:<br />
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger.<br />
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.<br />For all Your goodness I will keep on singing<br />
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.<br />
<br />
Chorus:<br />
<br />
Verse 3:<br />
And on that day when my strength is failing,<br />
The end draws near, and my time has come;<br />
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending.<br />
Ten thousand years and then forever more.<br />
<br />
Chorus:<br />
<br />
We sang this song in choir last week. It's one of my new favorites. Thanksgiving (if you are Canadian) was a couple weeks ago, and (if you're American) is in a few weeks. It's the season of being grateful for everything we have.<br />
<br />
Please note: I think every day is a good day to be grateful. We just tend to emphasize it more this time of the year, so I'm writing my yearly "what are you thankful for?" post. I'm also taking up the challenge of doing a "something I'm thankful for" every day for this month, at least until Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
The song above really challenges me every time I hear it. Every day, there are thousands of God's mercies evident in my life. Some are big, some are small. But I need to remember to be grateful.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Well???<br />
<br />
What would you have left??? Would you have life? Air to breath? Food? Friends? A Bible? A house to live in? Just the fact that you have them (and still have them) are evidence of God's love and care for you.<br />
<br />
At the beginning of this semester, I had my prayer group write a list of things they were thankful for. I challenged them to write 50 things they could praise God for, whether big or small. Most of the girls were kind of surprised when I mentioned 50, but once we got quiet and started working, most were able to come up with 50. Once you get in the habit of praising God, it's easy to notice more things you can be thankful.<br />
<br />
So what are you thankful for?<br /><br />
Here's a list I created. No, there aren't 10,000 reasons I can praise God, but here's some suggestions for you as you create your "I am thankful for" list. (please note, this is in no particular order).<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Friends (in general)</li>
<li>Family</li>
<li>Salvation</li>
<li>Lisa's car</li>
<li>Lisa</li>
<li>Beca</li>
<li>God's Word</li>
<li>Salvation </li>
<li>Eternal Security</li>
<li>Second Chances</li>
<li>MOUNTAIN DEW! (and other forms of caffeine)</li>
<li>My students</li>
<li>Drivers liscence</li>
<li>My senses</li>
<li>Chocolate</li>
<li>Chinese Food</li>
<li>The fact that student teaching is over half-way done</li>
<li>Hebrews 13:5</li>
<li>Jeremiah 33:3</li>
<li>Books</li>
<li>Being able to read</li>
<li>The Greenville Public Library's conference rooms</li>
<li>Health</li>
<li>Christian School</li>
<li>Godly teachers who care about me</li>
<li>My pastors</li>
<li>My church at home</li>
<li>My church in Greenville</li>
<li>Learning from mistakes</li>
<li>Good times</li>
<li>Bad times</li>
<li>Going to Antigua</li>
<li>Creativity</li>
<li>God's creativity</li>
<li>INTERNET!</li>
<li>Social media</li>
<li>Music</li>
<li>Uniqueness</li>
<li>Shoes</li>
<li>Maxi skirts</li>
<li>Jeans</li>
<li>Hoodies</li>
<li>Heaven</li>
<li>Relationship with Christ</li>
<li>Seat belts</li>
<li>Free WiFi in airports</li>
<li>Bacon</li>
<li>Skiing</li>
<li>Movies and TV series</li>
<li>Laughter</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Go make your own list. Post it somewhere you see it everyday (mine is on my bunk above my head). Praise God. Rejoice in His goodness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Live a life of thankfulness. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
See the 10,000 (+) reasons to bless the Lord. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-71900561145298676022013-10-21T19:53:00.000-07:002013-10-21T19:53:05.422-07:00While [I was] yet [a] sinner, Christ died for [me]On Thursday, October 1st, 1998, Nasa celebrated it's 40th birthday.<br />
<br />
Vladimer Putin became a permanent member of the Russian Federation Security Council.<br />
<br />
UFOs were sighted in Tampa, Florida.<br />
<br />
Samuel Yorty (former mayor of Los Angeles) was born.<br />
<br />
And one 6 year old girl was born into the family of God.<br />
<br />
Salvation isn't about what I know, what I said, or what I did. It's all about what God did for me. As a 6-year old, I knew I was a sinner. That much was obvious. I had a younger brother. If you have siblings, you know they bring out the worst in you. They really make you sin.<br />
Not only was I a sinner, though, I knew that God loved me. I serve the creator of the universe--the God who reigns supreme over all of us. I serve a God who is completely holy, completely just, and completely righteous. As a 6-year old, I didn't understand that. I only knew that because God was perfect, I couldn't go to heaven. I couldn't talk to God whenever I wanted. God wouldn't listen to my prayers. (And as a 6-year old, that is still a huge deal). If I wanted to be saved and go to heaven, I had to do what God said in the Bible.<br />
On October 1st, 1998, Grace Baptist Church was meeting in a Community Center. It was a Thursday night and we were having Evangelistic meetings. I don't remember who was speaking or what the topic was. I only remember practically running down the aisle once the invitation was given. There were no side rooms, so my Pastor's wife took me into the kitchen. People were dancing in the room above us and singing loudly beside us. But none of that mattered.<br />
She showed me her little wordless book with pictures (I'm a visual learner--I can still tell you exactly what some of those pictures looked like). She told me that my sin had separated me from God, but Jesus Christ provided a way to bridge the gap between God and I. I knew it all. I had been in church for 3 years. Every time the door was open, I was there. I could have told someone else how to get saved.<br />
<br />
But I had to make it personal. I had to make a personal decision. Knowing that I was a sinner and that Jesus had died for me wasn't enough.<br />
<br />
I had to ask God for forgiveness.<br />
<br />
I had to ask Him to save me.<br />
<br />
I did just that.<br />
<br />There, in the kitchen of the Lion's Senior Citizen Center, I prayed with my pastor's wife. I asked God to forgive me and save me. I asked Him to stay with me forever. He promised that He would never leave me.<br />
<br />
Revelation 3:20 says "Behold, I [Jesus] Stand at the door and knock. If any man will open the door, I will come in unto him . . . ". Christ was standing at the door of my heart, knocking. I opened the door and gave Him entrance. I let Him into my heart and gave Him control of my life.<br />
<br />
Best decision ever.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-22115696983754294252013-09-15T19:48:00.001-07:002013-09-15T19:48:39.056-07:00ADD . . .I Don't have it<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Break from seriousness. Pulled this from the archives (of facebook). This is me. Like, I'm seriously this random (in case you couldn't tell). </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">This is an essay on ADD, it's symptoms, effects, and results, etc. ADD stands for Attention deficit disorder. Speaking of which, my room is kind of in a state of disorder right now. Like, my one roommate went home this weekend, and left Megan and I here alone. . . .bad move on her part. It's kind of trashed. Like my laundry bag. Which died today. I put some laundry in it, and it kind of doesn't work any more. Just like the car I used all summer. Gone. It was an awesome black car with a radio that only played uncheckable stuff. But I loved it. It took me to work. I work at Tim Hortons, which is a coffee shop. I don't like coffee, but I do like Orange juice. As little pulp as possible. Once we went on a field trip to a lumber mill thing and they talked about making stuff with the pulp. And the wood. Wood is cool. I want to learn how to carve wood sometime. With maybe a spoon. Knives scare me. In fact, dogs scare me. I used to deliver flyers and newspapers and I got chased by dogs. A lot of them. So I don't like them. I don't like mushrooms either. They are gross. It's like eating a fungus. I got yelled at during the lecture on funguses in science for not paying attention. Attention, as in attention defecit disorder. Yeah, ADD. So glad I don't have. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-22308976031031464132013-09-10T17:16:00.000-07:002013-09-10T17:16:27.159-07:00Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning?)On November 7, 2001, Alan Jackson released what has now become one of his most popular songs: Where were you (when the world stopped turning)? If you are over the age of about 12, this song immediately pulls you back to something you will never forget--September 11, 2001. In case you aren't familiar with the lyrics, the song goes like this:<br />
<br />
"Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?<br />Were you in the yard with your wife and children<br />
Or working on some stage in L.A.?<br />
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke<br />
Risin' against that blue sky?<br />Did you should out in anger, in fear for your neighbor<br />
Or did you just sit down and cry?<br />
<br />
Did you weep for their children who lost their dear loved ones<br />
And pray for the ones who don't know?<br />
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble<br />
And sob for the ones left below?<br />
DId you burst out with pride for the red, white and blue<br />
<i>And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?</i><br />
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer<br />
And look at yourself and what really matters?<br />
<br />
CHORUS:<br />
<br />
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?<br />Were you teaching a class full of innocent children<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
Or driving down some cold interstate?<br />Did you feel guilty 'cause you survived</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
In a crowded room did you feel alone?<br />Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?<br />Did you dust off that Bible at home?</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?<br />Did you notice the sunset the first tie in ages</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Or speak to soem stranger on the street?</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Or go out and buy you a gun?</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
And turn on "I love Lucy" reruns?</div>
<br />
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
Stand in line and give your own blood?</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family,<br />Thank God you had somebody to love?</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
CHORUS:<br />I'm just a singer of simple songs, </div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
I'm not a real political man.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
The difference between Iraq and Iran.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
But I love Jesus and I talk to God</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
And I remember this from when I was young.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Faith, hope, and love are some good things,</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
But the greatest is love."</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
We all know where we were that day. We all remember what happened, what we were doing, and the shock we felt. Even if we were young. It was a shocking event. The world stopped.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
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Not to downplay the suffering and the loss of 9/11, but I want to point us back to a bigger event in world history that we often tend to forget. One that made the world stop turning. But because the world stopped turning, we can live forever. I am, of course, talking about the Crucifixion.</div>
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Because of Christ's death, we can live forever. Because of His sacrifice on that day when the world stopped turning, we don't have to die. </div>
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NEVER FORGET. 9/11. And the cross of Christ. </div>
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<br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-69798936287682845952013-08-30T16:07:00.001-07:002013-08-30T16:07:17.311-07:00For I Know the Thoughts I Think Towards YouJeremiah 29:11-13 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.<br />
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.<br />
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."<br />
<br />
I checked in today for the last time. Unpacked my last barrel. Organized my last dorm room (I have way too much stuff). Am waiting to see friends (Lisa, hurry up and get here). I look around at the place I have lived for the last 3 years. I'm a senior. I got to tell someone today that I was a<br />
<br />
SENIOR ED. MAJOR! That was a really, REALLY, awesome feeling. This is the last year of my undergraduate career. And it's been amazing. God has been faithful. He's been good. He's taught me so much--about myself, about Him, and about my overwhelming need for Him.<br />
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I look back over the last 3 years and what God has brought me through. There has been a lot of stuff that has been "bad". Stuff that I would have been better if it hadn't happened.<br />
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At least in my mind.<br />
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But God knew what He had planned for me. And, just like Romans 8:28 says, He has worked it out and <i>is </i> working it out for my good--to conform me to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
Because that's the whole point of my life. To become more like Christ.<br />
<br />
I've been studying the book <i>When People are Big and God is Small</i> by Edward T. Welch. It talks about how concerned we are with what people around us think of us instead of what God thinks of us. Seriously, you should check this book out. I know that I worry about what people think about me a lot more than I worry about what God thinks about me. That's a goal I have for this semester. I want to focus more on God--learn more about Him. Worry about what He thinks about me. Get to know Him more and love Him more. Serve Him with everything I have.<br />
<br />
And no matter what happens this semester, I know it will be because God has my life planned out. I can't see me future; only He can. I know that I can trust that what He allows into my life now is for something awesome ahead. He's not "out to get me". He isn't trying to ruin my life. His goal is to make me more like Christ. And if that takes a few trials, then so be it. Because that is what He wants.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-65871296539816347532013-08-10T18:48:00.000-07:002013-08-10T18:48:07.280-07:00The lines have been drawn . . . and they are blurredWhen I was a<br />
child<br />
The lines were<br />
clear.<br />
There was right.<br />
There was wrong.<br />
Black or<br />
White.<br />
Only.<br />
"Never hit.<br />
Never steal.<br />
Never lie."<br />
"Be kind.<br />
Share.<br />Take turns."<br />
And then I had a birthday.<br />
And another. And another.<br />
The years started passing.<br />
I saw things<br />
start<br />
to<br />
change.<br />
I saw the world in<br />
different hues.<br />
Instead of just black and white, there was<br />
grey.<br />
A lot.<br />
The lines between<br />
right and<br />
wrong<br />
got blurred.<br />
Fuzzy.<br />
Sometimes, they seemed to be<br />
wiped out.<br />
Completely.<br />
Sometimes the lines<br />
moved.<br />
I had a lot to learn.<br />
Still do.<br />
And what was right sometimes<br />
was also<br />
wrong sometimes.<br />
What was right for some was<br />
wrong for others.<br />
And my world grew and<br />
changed.<br />
And as the lines grew<br />
blurry,<br />
I noticed something.<br />
Some people were more open,<br />
while others clung to their<br />
black and white.<br />
They think they know<br />
exactly<br />
where the line goes.<br />
They know better than everyone else.<br />
They are<br />
right<br />
and everyone else is<br />
wrong.<br />
<br />
<i>Life was so much easier when everything was</i><br />
<i>black and</i><br />
<i>white.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Thankfully, I have a<br />
Saviour.<br />
A God who has given us a standard of<br />
right and<br />
wrong.<br />
Who shows us what to do and<br />
directs us.<br />
I can go to Him in<br />
pray.<br />
I ask for<br />
Wisdom to know His will.<br />
Humility to know when I'm wrong.<br />
And patience when working with people who see the<br />
line<br />
in a different place than<br />
I do.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-3633944819893163192013-07-26T19:57:00.000-07:002013-07-26T19:57:29.733-07:00Right and Wrong. Is it an outdated idea?I was at work tonight (Giant Tiger) and there was a line-up. As I served one customer, I listened/watched another customer and her 2 children that were next in line. The mom said something and her daughter disagreed with her. When they got to my cash, I confirmed what the mother had said by saying to her daughter (who was no more than 7 or 8), "yeah, your mom was right!" The girl looked at me, and in all seriousness said "There is no such thing as right and wrong." Her mom was surprised and said "Yes there is! There is right and wrong." The girl argued with her back and forth, but since I was on the clock and the mother didn't seem to want my opinion, I didn't offer it. But I did think about it for the rest of the night.<br />
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Why do people think that there is no right and wrong? Is it just because they don't want to be responsible to the Person who set the standards of right and wrong? Is it because they don't like the right and wrong? And why does a 7 year old think that there is no right and wrong? She had a brother--surely her parents had told her that she wasn't allowed to hurt her brother. She isn't allowed to go to school and do whatever she wants. I'm sure she would claim "it's not fair that __________", which implies that she knows when things aren't right.<br />
<br />
So yeah, there has to be rights and wrongs. We may interpret those a little bit differently, but there are rights and wrongs. And when we interpret within the framework of God's Word, (when we do what we do to please Him), we are going to see that there are very definite rights and wrongs. Very clearly, God has given us guidance and direction. You can't really deny that "Thou shalt not steal" gives room for discussion on right and wrong. God has given us rights and wrongs.<br />
<br />
So my next question that I thought over was "Do those rights and wrongs change?" In different cultures, there may be different standards. Over time, things change. Simple example: 150 years ago, it was wrong and completely unacceptable for a woman in a European/American culture to wear pants. Now, it's perfectly acceptable. (If you don't wear pants, you can't deny that it is acceptable for women to wear them in general society. I'm not saying it's wrong not to wear pants--you get my point). Styles have changed. People view fashion differently. But while the style has changed, the principle of modesty haven't changed. God still wants us to be pure in thoughts and actions--150 years ago, the best way for a woman to do this was viewed as wearing skirts and tons of clothes. Now, many people think that a woman can dress modestly in a pair of loose-fitting slacks.<br />
<br />
I'm rambling. I've been up for a lot of hours and working for a long time. But you get my point. Scriptures clearly show us that there are rights and wrongs, established by God, since the garden of Eden. Even before sin, God gave Adam and Eve things they could and couldn't do. They had to take care of the garden, name the animals, etc. These were right. The wrong was eating the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.<br />
<br />
The beautiful thing about it all is that because there are standards of Right and Wrong, there is Someone who set those standards. And He set those standards because He loves us. He wants us to be protected--because He loves us. He wants us to be safe.<br />
<br />
One final thought. In Scripture, we are told that we are saved to do right. We are given freedom in Christ to do right. The unsaved people can't choose to do right. They automatically do wrong. They can't help it. We are given freedom to obey Christ. Which is so totally cool.<br />
<br />
God is so good. And we are SOOOOO blessed.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638146132752812306.post-8350796881159398042013-07-04T19:22:00.001-07:002013-07-04T19:22:50.063-07:00How to win "Worst Customer of the Year" awardI'm taking a break from the more serious tone of this blog. Next post will be right back to usual. Today is a little "venting" if you will. Or, we could call it just being informative. Because people want to know.<br />
<br />
Want to know what? You ask inquisitively.<br />
<br />
I'm so glad you asked. I'm going to tell you how to win the "Worst Customer of the Year" award. (Trophy pictured below)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yTXFakHGDtk7OoDk8Imr1IFKCP5N4g7Z5isrpGM6UJwTLgQie0jxA2_o9jbqKbAavLh8ZOfee1dt83llmq41QBYNzlnOproWFY6HJ2fgOQKeN1xZhsXbWkxvYRjgX4Q7Vwpsfj6h19c/s259/trophy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yTXFakHGDtk7OoDk8Imr1IFKCP5N4g7Z5isrpGM6UJwTLgQie0jxA2_o9jbqKbAavLh8ZOfee1dt83llmq41QBYNzlnOproWFY6HJ2fgOQKeN1xZhsXbWkxvYRjgX4Q7Vwpsfj6h19c/s259/trophy.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Isn't it pretty? It seems like there are a lot of people out to win it this year. The competition is fierce--so you'll have to follow all the steps listed below. (I've worked in food service since I was 14--7 years, and now I work in retail as well. The stories I could tell--goodness. I'll try to tell a few below). I really think that some people need to think before they walk into a store. I told my mother that the wizard of oz could make a killing selling brains in front of my work place. (Note: The following list isn't in any particular order. The more you do, the greater chance you have of winning this award).</div>
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1. Re-pack you bags. After they are all full, take everything out and hold up the line behind you. They don't mind waiting while you re-do everything. (BTW, I'm OCD--your bags will be packed in a certain order). </div>
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2. Give me your reusable bags after I have all your stuff in plastic bags. I don't mind taking everything out and putting it in your own bags. And the people behind you don't mind waiting either. They have nothing better to do. In fact, if you ask nicely, they may give you extra votes for this award! </div>
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3. Scan your own items. Reach around, grab my scanner and scan your own loaf of bread. It's not like I get paid for that--and I love having stuff grabbed out of my hand.</div>
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4. Argue with me. Then another cashier. Then my supervisor. Then the manager. Then the owner. Eventually, you may find someone who can help you. If that doesn't work, try calling the president. </div>
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5.Talk on your phone. Or text. Then glare at me when I try to ask you a question. It doesn't matter if it's rude. I'm not important.</div>
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6. Complain about the prices. Or the product we have. Or don't have. Or the color of the walls. Or anything else I have no control over.</div>
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7.Don't talk to me. When I ask you a question, stare blankly at me. I love feeling like I am talking to myself.</div>
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8. Assume I know everything about everything, and where it all is.</div>
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9. Assume I have used every product on the shelves. Even though I have no tattoos, I have tried out the "tattoo rejuvenating cream"--it works really well. And is worth the money. The same with the ashtray.</div>
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10. Forget your money and ask me to hold the line while you run out to the car for your wallet.</div>
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11. Let your kids scream bloody murder and run around like wild animals. You get bonus points if they pull things off shelves and destroy things.</div>
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12. If you have a cartful of items, please let your child unload each item one at a time. I have all day, and I would love to spend it watching your 3-year-old struggle getting everything up on the belt. </div>
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13. It IS appropriate to pay for your order in nickels. No matter what you say, I still have to count it out--and if your order is over $0.50, you get bonus points. </div>
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14. Search for exact change. Look under the conveyer belt. And on the floor. Dump out the contents of your purse to find the extra $2.75.</div>
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15. Leave your empty cart in front of my cash so the next person has to move it. Or I have to move it. I know it would really kill you to push it 10 feet away. We wouldn't want your life to be too strenuous.</div>
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16. Eat/drink products before paying. It's not a grocery store--it's a buffet! Help yourself. And if you don't like something, feel free to leave whatever is left on the shelf.</div>
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17. Cut in line. You are the most important person here--more important than anyone else.</div>
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18. Give me dating advice. </div>
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19. Assume that my love-life is any of your business. Ask me out, ask for my phone number. Offer to pick me up from work. Call me dear, honey, babe, sweetheart, or any other such name. I've been looking for Prince Charming, and I hope he comes through my cash some day. That's how I've always dreamed of meeting him.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06164841772590301221noreply@blogger.com0