I was thinking about this whole thing about accepting... I was filling out a survey that a friend actually wrote. It was very cool, it got me thinking.
There were many good questions, but one was 'What is your greatest weakness'. At first I joked and said "STARBUCKS" hehe, but when it got down to it, my weakness is myself. I let Satan get into my head saying that I am not good enough and that I need to lose weight to be happy and I need to be prettier. Satan has used my weaknesses about myself to rule my life, and I hate that. He has used the fact that I dont like my body to influence me to do drastic measures about that fact and I HATE it. Satan is a JERK!
I am still struggling to accept myself, and I think its a lifelong process. I need to be happy with what God gave me. I think Satan does this all the time, he uses what we dont like about ourselves and he torments us with it so bad to the point that we are willing to do drastic measures to be "perfect" according to the world's society. I don't want Satan to have that power over me any longer!
Father, help me to accept my body and accept who I am. It is really difficult for me to do, but by your strength I believe that I can be able to accept myself. I pray that you will give me the strength to not listen to Satan's crap. I speak to Satan, I tell you to GET OUT in the name of Jesus! Get out of my life because you are NOT welcome here! My body belongs to God and you no longer have ANY power over me! NONE! Thank you Father for your many blessings in my life and I thank you for all the work you have done in my life and helping me to get to where I am now. I thank you that you told me to go to RAW, its going to be an eye opening experience, but only because of your strength I am ready! Only by your strength will I be able to get through the experience. I pray your presence in my life daily! I pray that I can wake up and remember that you love me and remember that each day is a gift from you. You taught me that lesson many times since I fell down those stairs 18 years ago, you taught me that each day is a gift not to be pushed aside. Thank you Father! I love you. Amen
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." \
(Matthew 6:25-34 )
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
Sharing in Community
Ok, so lately for the past month we have been hanging out with a couple guys that started to come to CHT on sunday nights. They are awesome guys! I enjoy hanging out with them so much. They are hilarious people and we have so much fun! Granted I havent slept much lately because of staying at their "Cereal Box" (the nickname for their house) til the wee hours of the morning. But suprisingly I am not as tired as I was when I wasnt hanging out with them. Like I was more tired before than I am now. I think that might have to do with being in fellowship with other believers (one who is interested in the whole God scene and one who is a new believer).
I think that before I was in constant fellowship with them, I was tired and kinda depressed. I really hate to say that, but if I want to be authentic in my life, I have to be truthful and not hide. I was very lonely and depressed because I just couldn't have a relationship with guys, i dont know why but I just felt like I couldnt be friends with them without wanting more than friendship. Then I pursue what I realy wanted and it screwed things up. Friendships were ruined, and things were awkward. But all I had were friendships with girls (with the exception of my best friend Chris, he lives in Alberta) and I duno why, but i just had a longing to be good friends with a guy, no strings attached. But if things were to go to another level i would have been fine with that too.
I am finding that with the relationship that I have with these two guys I am not ready to pursue anything with them. Yes they both are attractive and really nice guys, I am just really happy with the friendship we have and I would be totally scared to ruin that. If i were to say anything to either of them and have things not work out I would be deathly scared of ruining that special relationship. Their friendship means a lot to me and i would hate to lose them. Wow this blog kinda went off on a tangent.
where was I? Oh yes, community. I am finding that I am less tired (even tho i stay out late) now than when I was not in community with my friends. I was very lonely, and felt like nobody wanted to hang out with me, cuz my friends and i rarely hung out, and now its these 2 guys, my best friend, my brother and I and we all hang out...sometimes my brother isnt there. and I am much happier and i look forward to everyday, cuz i get to see everyone and hang out with them. It gives me something to look forward to if i am having a bad day or am bored at school I think about whats to come and I am happier.
Wow ths blog didnt raelly make sense...sorry. Ill post it and hopefully it made sense, if nobody comments then i will know they didnt understand and I will reword it haha.. or if u do know what I am talking about coment and let me know ur thoughts lol.
anywho, its late (well not as late as i usually go to bed haha..this would be just the start of hanging out with the two guys haha..but i gotta get up early tomorrow.)
Blessings...
I think that before I was in constant fellowship with them, I was tired and kinda depressed. I really hate to say that, but if I want to be authentic in my life, I have to be truthful and not hide. I was very lonely and depressed because I just couldn't have a relationship with guys, i dont know why but I just felt like I couldnt be friends with them without wanting more than friendship. Then I pursue what I realy wanted and it screwed things up. Friendships were ruined, and things were awkward. But all I had were friendships with girls (with the exception of my best friend Chris, he lives in Alberta) and I duno why, but i just had a longing to be good friends with a guy, no strings attached. But if things were to go to another level i would have been fine with that too.
I am finding that with the relationship that I have with these two guys I am not ready to pursue anything with them. Yes they both are attractive and really nice guys, I am just really happy with the friendship we have and I would be totally scared to ruin that. If i were to say anything to either of them and have things not work out I would be deathly scared of ruining that special relationship. Their friendship means a lot to me and i would hate to lose them. Wow this blog kinda went off on a tangent.
where was I? Oh yes, community. I am finding that I am less tired (even tho i stay out late) now than when I was not in community with my friends. I was very lonely, and felt like nobody wanted to hang out with me, cuz my friends and i rarely hung out, and now its these 2 guys, my best friend, my brother and I and we all hang out...sometimes my brother isnt there. and I am much happier and i look forward to everyday, cuz i get to see everyone and hang out with them. It gives me something to look forward to if i am having a bad day or am bored at school I think about whats to come and I am happier.
Wow ths blog didnt raelly make sense...sorry. Ill post it and hopefully it made sense, if nobody comments then i will know they didnt understand and I will reword it haha.. or if u do know what I am talking about coment and let me know ur thoughts lol.
anywho, its late (well not as late as i usually go to bed haha..this would be just the start of hanging out with the two guys haha..but i gotta get up early tomorrow.)
Blessings...
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Quote
After all it is those who have a deep and real inner life who are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life.
Evelyn Underhill
Evelyn Underhill
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Valentine's Day Prayer
I got this from a friend of mine at work. Its really sweet so I thought I would share it.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in eveil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
Lord,
Because love is patient...
Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen.
Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage,
remembering your endless patience with me.
Because love is kind...
Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say "Please and Thank You" because those little things mean so much.
Because love does not envy or boast and is not proud...
Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.
Because love is not rude or self-seeking...
Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I am tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there's a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.
Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs...
Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me to releast it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.
Because love always protects and always trusts...
Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is hard and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.
Finally, because love always perserveres...
Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what the word really means. Amen
By Holley Gerth.
Be Blessed this day :)
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in eveil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
Lord,
Because love is patient...
Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen.
Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage,
remembering your endless patience with me.
Because love is kind...
Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say "Please and Thank You" because those little things mean so much.
Because love does not envy or boast and is not proud...
Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.
Because love is not rude or self-seeking...
Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I am tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there's a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.
Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs...
Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me to releast it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.
Because love always protects and always trusts...
Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is hard and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.
Finally, because love always perserveres...
Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what the word really means. Amen
By Holley Gerth.
Be Blessed this day :)
Valentines Day
Some people see Valentines day as a "Singles Awareness Day" haha Ben.. and I feel that Valentines day is about love right? So today I am focusing on the fact that God loves me. Anyways.. here are my thoughts about teh devotions.
There are two universal symbols for Valentines day: single cutout cards you can buy for your classmates, and those pastel colored heart shaped "convorsation hearts" with sayings like "LOVE YOU" or "BE MINE"
You know how you have that special someone who you call your valentine? Well God wants to be our Valentine. In Christ's Death and resurection, God offered us His heart. He wants us to be His, and its now up to us to decide whether or not we want to be.
Its an offer not a command. Its his invitation to us, and its up to us if we want to accept it or not. Its the desire of His heart to have a love relationship with us. As most of you might know from having a relationship with that special someone, relationships go both ways.
Even if we dont have that special someone, God wants us to celebrate Valentines day as a day to remember that God wants a love relationship with us. If you do have a relationship with someone, celebrate but also remember that the best human relationship is only a picture of a greater love in our lives: The Father.
Today, when you see those red hearts around, think of it as God's special message to you that He loves you.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:9
There are two universal symbols for Valentines day: single cutout cards you can buy for your classmates, and those pastel colored heart shaped "convorsation hearts" with sayings like "LOVE YOU" or "BE MINE"
You know how you have that special someone who you call your valentine? Well God wants to be our Valentine. In Christ's Death and resurection, God offered us His heart. He wants us to be His, and its now up to us to decide whether or not we want to be.
Its an offer not a command. Its his invitation to us, and its up to us if we want to accept it or not. Its the desire of His heart to have a love relationship with us. As most of you might know from having a relationship with that special someone, relationships go both ways.
Even if we dont have that special someone, God wants us to celebrate Valentines day as a day to remember that God wants a love relationship with us. If you do have a relationship with someone, celebrate but also remember that the best human relationship is only a picture of a greater love in our lives: The Father.
Today, when you see those red hearts around, think of it as God's special message to you that He loves you.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:9
"For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish
But have Everlasting life"
John 3:16
Monday, February 13, 2006
Quote
I will post something later on I promise. It will be good..
God wants to speak to us more than we want to listen. He is a God of love, and love longs to communicate.
Linda Schubert
God wants to speak to us more than we want to listen. He is a God of love, and love longs to communicate.
Linda Schubert
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Quote
What we know and even what we believe are not that significant if they don't show up in the way we live. Pure and simple, faith not lived everyday is not faith, it is facade.
Anonymous
Anonymous
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Quote
What we know and even what we believe are not that significant if they don't show up in the way we live. Pure and simple, faith not lived everyday is not faith, it is facade.
Anonymous
Matthew 7:24-27 says: "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit--but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."
Anonymous
Matthew 7:24-27 says: "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit--but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."
Quote
Be assured that one who shall always walk faithfully in God's presence, always ready to given Him an account of his/her actions, shall never be separated from God by consenting to sin.
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Quote
Im not sure I 100% understand this quote...
When it comes time to die, make sure that all you have to do is die.
Jim Elliot
Does it have something to do with forgiveness and reconciliation and asking for forgiveness before you die?
When it comes time to die, make sure that all you have to do is die.
Jim Elliot
Does it have something to do with forgiveness and reconciliation and asking for forgiveness before you die?
Monday, February 06, 2006
My prayer
I was reading Karyn's Blog the other day and it hit me, wow sometimes i do just sing because i love singing... i am sometimes not truly meaning what i sing. WOW..
I heard this song on the radio a few minutes ago and its called "I stand for you" :
Jesus, I stand for You
No matter what You lead me through
They will chase me out
And close me down
But Jesus I’ll stand for You
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand for You (x2)
Jesus, I’ve stood my ground
When unbelief was all around
And I have felt the sting
Rejection brings
But Jesus I still stand for You
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand for You (x2)
A time will come
When everyone
Will turn their eyes
On the Risen Son
But until that day, this world will turn away
And so I’ll take Your hand
I’ll always stand for You
Guilty of disgrace
But You took my place
So Jesus, I’ll always stand for You
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand for You (x2)
I thought, wow, can I truly say that? When God leads me through some rough stuff, I dont always stand by him. Sometimes I walk away. I am so unfaithful. The minute something bad comes in my life, i think "what the heck God, why r u doing this to me" So may this song be a prayer for me (i changed the words to make my prayer)
Jesus, I want to be able to stand for You
No matter what You lead me through
They will chase me out
And close me down
But Jesus I want to be able to stand for You
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand for You (x2)
Jesus, I want to stand my ground
When unbelief isall around
And I feel the sting
Rejection brings
But Jesus I want to be able to stand for You
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand for You (x2)
A time will come
When everyone
Will turn their eyes
On the Risen Son
But until that day, this world will turn away
And so I want to take Your hand
I want to be able to stand for You
Guilty of disgrace
But You took my place So Jesus,
I want to be able to stand for You
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand for You (x2)
AMEN!
I heard this song on the radio a few minutes ago and its called "I stand for you" :
Jesus, I stand for You
No matter what You lead me through
They will chase me out
And close me down
But Jesus I’ll stand for You
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand for You (x2)
Jesus, I’ve stood my ground
When unbelief was all around
And I have felt the sting
Rejection brings
But Jesus I still stand for You
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand for You (x2)
A time will come
When everyone
Will turn their eyes
On the Risen Son
But until that day, this world will turn away
And so I’ll take Your hand
I’ll always stand for You
Guilty of disgrace
But You took my place
So Jesus, I’ll always stand for You
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand for You (x2)
I thought, wow, can I truly say that? When God leads me through some rough stuff, I dont always stand by him. Sometimes I walk away. I am so unfaithful. The minute something bad comes in my life, i think "what the heck God, why r u doing this to me" So may this song be a prayer for me (i changed the words to make my prayer)
Jesus, I want to be able to stand for You
No matter what You lead me through
They will chase me out
And close me down
But Jesus I want to be able to stand for You
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand for You (x2)
Jesus, I want to stand my ground
When unbelief isall around
And I feel the sting
Rejection brings
But Jesus I want to be able to stand for You
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand for You (x2)
A time will come
When everyone
Will turn their eyes
On the Risen Son
But until that day, this world will turn away
And so I want to take Your hand
I want to be able to stand for You
Guilty of disgrace
But You took my place So Jesus,
I want to be able to stand for You
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand
I want to be able to stand for You (x2)
AMEN!
Love
This topic has come up SO many times this week. Come to think of it, it has come up a lot on sunday nights for a while... Sacrificial love..
Sacrifice in the dictionary means: To forfeit something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have greater value or claim.
Love in 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 is described as : "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
Sacrificial love would therefore be sacrificing the following:
Being impatient
Being unkind
Being jealous
Being boastful
Being proud
Being rude and self-seeking
Being easily angered
Keeping records of wrongs done
Delighting in doing wrong
That is not just towards God, its towards others. You need to show your love to others by being patient and kind to them. Take a look at the verse with the word "Love" replaced by "God"
God is patient, God is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. He does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails.
Why do we need to love? God calls us to be holy in all we do. In order to be holy we need to follow Christ's example, and that is to love one another as we love ourselves. In order to love we need to not be angry, boastful, proud, rude, etc etc etc.
I am totally not going to say I love you to anyone anymore unless I REALLY mean it. If i do say it and still act against what the verses say, they are just empty words and empty words are meaningless.
Blessings...
Sacrifice in the dictionary means: To forfeit something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have greater value or claim.
Love in 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 is described as : "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
Sacrificial love would therefore be sacrificing the following:
Being impatient
Being unkind
Being jealous
Being boastful
Being proud
Being rude and self-seeking
Being easily angered
Keeping records of wrongs done
Delighting in doing wrong
That is not just towards God, its towards others. You need to show your love to others by being patient and kind to them. Take a look at the verse with the word "Love" replaced by "God"
God is patient, God is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. He does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails.
Why do we need to love? God calls us to be holy in all we do. In order to be holy we need to follow Christ's example, and that is to love one another as we love ourselves. In order to love we need to not be angry, boastful, proud, rude, etc etc etc.
I am totally not going to say I love you to anyone anymore unless I REALLY mean it. If i do say it and still act against what the verses say, they are just empty words and empty words are meaningless.
Blessings...
Quote
If you want to follow Jesus, you had better look good on wood.
Anonymous
Mark 8:34 says "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."So if we want to follow Jesus we need to totally deny ourselves and take up his cross (look good on wood) and follow him. That is what this quote means to me..
Blessings...
Quote
To pray is to let God into our lives. He knocks and seeks admittance, not only in the solemn hours of secret prayer. He knocks in the midst of your daily work, your daily struggles, your daily grind. That is when you need Him most.
Ole Kristian O. Hallesby
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Quote
To worship God in truth is to recognize Him for being who He is, and to recognize ourselves for what we are.
Brother Lawrence
Friday, February 03, 2006
Quote
Be assured that one who shall always walk faithfully in God's presence, always ready to given Him an account of his/her actions, shall never be separated from God by consenting to sin.
Thomas Aquinas
Thursday, February 02, 2006
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