Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand firm."
Hmmmm....
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Walking by Faith
Wow, I am such a slacker..very sorry...anyways...here is what GOd taught me over the weekend:
I need to walk by faith and not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of the things hoped for, and the convictions of things not seen"
My mom and I went to Spokane Washington over the weekend to go see a friend and get a private dance lesson with him. Best decision I made, because he is a fantastic dancer and teacher. I learned a lot of useful things.
Anyways, our appointment was for 7pm and we had left at 8am thinking we were giving ourselves enough time. We didn't take into account that there would be a 2 hour wait at the border. On the way to Spokane (once we got past the border) we were thinking we weren't going to make it for 7pm. So I called the studio and switched my appointment with the couple that were going at 8.
We were listening to my iPod through a digital radio thing, but we were losing signal and I couldn't find a signal for it for about an hour, so I took it off and listened to the radio. We were surfing the channels when we came across a radio station and it was playing this song:
Walk by Faith- Jeremy Camp
Would I believe you when you would say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day
(chorus)
Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me
Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do
yeah, yeah , yeah, yeah, yeah, ya
(chorus)
Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace
(chorus)x2
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith
I will, I will, I will walk by faith
I looked up to heaven and said "very funny". God has a tendency to do that at the best moments. As we were worrying about whether we would be there on time, I was reminded to have faith. Have faith in God to get us there on time and have faith in God that everything would work out for the best.
Turns out we got there at 5:30. So we hung out at the hotel for about an hour, then went to Northgate Mall and shopped and then went to the studio to see Benji. We could have still got our lesson at 7, but we had already switched, so we decided to spend half and hour at the mall instead. But we were there for our 8pm appointment.
If we walk by faith, everything will work out and we don't have to worry about anything. Worrying doesn't get you anywhere.
Be Blessed! :)
I need to walk by faith and not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of the things hoped for, and the convictions of things not seen"
My mom and I went to Spokane Washington over the weekend to go see a friend and get a private dance lesson with him. Best decision I made, because he is a fantastic dancer and teacher. I learned a lot of useful things.
Anyways, our appointment was for 7pm and we had left at 8am thinking we were giving ourselves enough time. We didn't take into account that there would be a 2 hour wait at the border. On the way to Spokane (once we got past the border) we were thinking we weren't going to make it for 7pm. So I called the studio and switched my appointment with the couple that were going at 8.
We were listening to my iPod through a digital radio thing, but we were losing signal and I couldn't find a signal for it for about an hour, so I took it off and listened to the radio. We were surfing the channels when we came across a radio station and it was playing this song:
Walk by Faith- Jeremy Camp
Would I believe you when you would say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day
(chorus)
Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me
Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do
yeah, yeah , yeah, yeah, yeah, ya
(chorus)
Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace
(chorus)x2
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith
I will, I will, I will walk by faith
I looked up to heaven and said "very funny". God has a tendency to do that at the best moments. As we were worrying about whether we would be there on time, I was reminded to have faith. Have faith in God to get us there on time and have faith in God that everything would work out for the best.
Turns out we got there at 5:30. So we hung out at the hotel for about an hour, then went to Northgate Mall and shopped and then went to the studio to see Benji. We could have still got our lesson at 7, but we had already switched, so we decided to spend half and hour at the mall instead. But we were there for our 8pm appointment.
If we walk by faith, everything will work out and we don't have to worry about anything. Worrying doesn't get you anywhere.
Be Blessed! :)
Friday, September 07, 2007
We Are Not Lost!
I was listening to Michael Buble this evening as I was having a much needed relaxing bubble bath! I was listening to a song that him and Jann Arden wrote together called "Lost" and I was getting a sense of God singing this song to me. Look at these lyrics:
"Life can show no mercy
It can tear your soul apart
It can make you feel like you've gone crazy
But you're not
Though things have seemed to changed
There's one thing that's still the same
In my heart you have remained
And we can fly fly fly away
'Cause you are not alone
I'm always there with you
And we'll get lost together
Till the light comes pouring through
'Cause when you feel like you're done
And the darkness has won
Babe, you're not lost
When your world's crashing down
And you can't bear the cross
I said, babe, you're not lost"
"Life can show no mercy
It can tear your soul apart
It can make you feel like you've gone crazy
But you're not
Though things have seemed to changed
There's one thing that's still the same
In my heart you have remained
And we can fly fly fly away
'Cause you are not alone
I'm always there with you
And we'll get lost together
Till the light comes pouring through
'Cause when you feel like you're done
And the darkness has won
Babe, you're not lost
When your world's crashing down
And you can't bear the cross
I said, babe, you're not lost"
I just let those words wash over me and I am feeling so encouraged
and hopeful! We aren't lost!God is always with us, and we are
always on his heart and his mind! He thinks about us all the time.
When you are feeling lost, take a look at this song and the lyrics,
and just let God wash those lyrics over you and feel encouraged!
You are NOT lost! :)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Body of Christ
Why is it that we go to church, if all we do is sit there, not listen to the sermon and then go off on our way and do exactly what the sermon was preaching us NOT to do.
Why is it that someone speaks about not gossiping or cutting your friends down, or swearing, or not being a good Christ-like example, that we go straight out of church and do exactly that. I experienced that last week. Thing is, if I try to tell them we shouldn't talk about so and so or shouldn't be saying certain things, I get called "holier than thou". Is there a way of saying it, that will not result in that being said? Granted I am NOT perfect AT ALL, but I am working on myself, but when I even try to help my friends by saying that we shouldn't talk about certain things I get called that or it just doesn't stop.
Now the question is: Do I seperate myself from the group? Or continue to try to help them realize what they are doing. I love all my friends dearly, but I hate seeing the negativity, and the gossip, and the anger and so on and so forth.
Jesus was perfect and so when he was with people such as these he wasn't brought down and they listened to him. But what about a regular person like myself who is with sin (of course, who isn't?) who is trying to change?
Why is it that someone speaks about not gossiping or cutting your friends down, or swearing, or not being a good Christ-like example, that we go straight out of church and do exactly that. I experienced that last week. Thing is, if I try to tell them we shouldn't talk about so and so or shouldn't be saying certain things, I get called "holier than thou". Is there a way of saying it, that will not result in that being said? Granted I am NOT perfect AT ALL, but I am working on myself, but when I even try to help my friends by saying that we shouldn't talk about certain things I get called that or it just doesn't stop.
Now the question is: Do I seperate myself from the group? Or continue to try to help them realize what they are doing. I love all my friends dearly, but I hate seeing the negativity, and the gossip, and the anger and so on and so forth.
Jesus was perfect and so when he was with people such as these he wasn't brought down and they listened to him. But what about a regular person like myself who is with sin (of course, who isn't?) who is trying to change?
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Abandonment
Firstly, very sorry for the lack of blogging. I will try to blog more.
A few weeks back I was at Worship team rehearsal (I go with my brother early because he does sound) and they started to sing a song called "King of Glory" the words that sparked were "I've come to give myself in total abandonment". My pastor was sitting there and he said that he didn't really like those lyrics. I asked him why he didn't like the lyrics and he said that its because not a lot of people really TRULY know what it is to give oursselves in abandonment. It really made me think. What DOES it mean to abandon ourselves fully to God and his will?
FIrstly I looked up the definition in the dictionary and here is what I found:
ABANDON
1. to leave completely and finally; forsake utterly; desert: to abandon one's farm; to abandon a child; to abandon a sinking ship.
2. to give up; discontinue; withdraw from: to abandon a research project; to abandon hopes for a stage career.
3. to give up the control of: to abandon a city to an enemy army.
4. to yield (oneself) without restraint or moderation; give (oneself) over to natural impulses, usually without self-control: to abandon oneself to grief.
We are called to leave our former lives behind us and live life with Christ. We are called to stop doing the bad things we are doing and follow Christ. We are called to give up the things in our lives that hinder our relationship with Christ.
I like number 3 and it is definitly a hard one that many people (including myself) struggle with "To Give up the control of". Not give up SOME control.....ALL control.... We are called to give control over to God because he knows what's best for us. Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We may think that the plans that we have for ourselves are good, but they will fall through, because if they are not God's plans for us, they are not meant to be.
That is just my two cents for today. :) Thoughts are welcome!
A few weeks back I was at Worship team rehearsal (I go with my brother early because he does sound) and they started to sing a song called "King of Glory" the words that sparked were "I've come to give myself in total abandonment". My pastor was sitting there and he said that he didn't really like those lyrics. I asked him why he didn't like the lyrics and he said that its because not a lot of people really TRULY know what it is to give oursselves in abandonment. It really made me think. What DOES it mean to abandon ourselves fully to God and his will?
FIrstly I looked up the definition in the dictionary and here is what I found:
ABANDON
1. to leave completely and finally; forsake utterly; desert: to abandon one's farm; to abandon a child; to abandon a sinking ship.
2. to give up; discontinue; withdraw from: to abandon a research project; to abandon hopes for a stage career.
3. to give up the control of: to abandon a city to an enemy army.
4. to yield (oneself) without restraint or moderation; give (oneself) over to natural impulses, usually without self-control: to abandon oneself to grief.
We are called to leave our former lives behind us and live life with Christ. We are called to stop doing the bad things we are doing and follow Christ. We are called to give up the things in our lives that hinder our relationship with Christ.
I like number 3 and it is definitly a hard one that many people (including myself) struggle with "To Give up the control of". Not give up SOME control.....ALL control.... We are called to give control over to God because he knows what's best for us. Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We may think that the plans that we have for ourselves are good, but they will fall through, because if they are not God's plans for us, they are not meant to be.
That is just my two cents for today. :) Thoughts are welcome!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Ouch
This isn't much because I am tired, more tired than usual, but this was a slap in the face when I got this in my inbox today..this was the quote of the day:
"Sin is a clenched fist and its object is the face of God."
"Sin is a clenched fist and its object is the face of God."
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Assumptions
This is sort of a venting blog, so if you don't want to read a venting blog or if you get offended easily, please don't read this....
Ok...when someone goes missing, why is it that everyone makes their own assumptions as to what has happened without knowing all the facts? Why do people think that they know what happened when nobody really knows what happened...
Does God call us to judge others? No..... Does God want us to make assumptions about people? No.... So why do people do it?
So if you want to make an assumption, think twice...get all the facts first before saying anything. Don't just make a snap judgment about a situation until you have all the facts!
Ok...when someone goes missing, why is it that everyone makes their own assumptions as to what has happened without knowing all the facts? Why do people think that they know what happened when nobody really knows what happened...
Does God call us to judge others? No..... Does God want us to make assumptions about people? No.... So why do people do it?
So if you want to make an assumption, think twice...get all the facts first before saying anything. Don't just make a snap judgment about a situation until you have all the facts!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Love God with all your Weakness
We are called to love God with "all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind" Luke 10:27. We have to love God with everything we have, even if it is our weakest point. In order to love God with all our strength, we have to admit that we are weak. We have to acknowledge that God is the source of our strength and that without him we are weak and can do nothing. "I am the vine, you are the branches, if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me he can do nothing." John 15:5. We need to totally depend on him, and allow his strength to work through us. God WANTS us to rely on our own strength so that we will start to rely on HIS strength alone.
Just imagine the things we could do if we relied on God's strength and not our own. We can move MOUNTAINS! Isn't that cool? Just imagine that! We can love people who you deem "unloveable" because in God's eyes everyone is loveable. THAT is only done on God's strength. If we rely on our own strength, we cannot love those who are unloveable because lets face it, we are humans. We make mistakes. But if we rely on God to help us with that, then anything is possible because "All things are possible with God who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13.
It does not happen in one day though. It takes little steps of faith. Start small and work your way up and you will be so happy! It is a lifelong journey, but will be so worth it in the end! The willingness to rely on him is a step of faith right there.
Remember this: We can't love God wholeheartedly until we rely on God's strength because we can't do it on our own strength.
So here is a question for you, and I must ask it myself too.... How dependant am I on God each day? Do I rely on him for everything or do I move independantly of him a lot?
Just imagine the things we could do if we relied on God's strength and not our own. We can move MOUNTAINS! Isn't that cool? Just imagine that! We can love people who you deem "unloveable" because in God's eyes everyone is loveable. THAT is only done on God's strength. If we rely on our own strength, we cannot love those who are unloveable because lets face it, we are humans. We make mistakes. But if we rely on God to help us with that, then anything is possible because "All things are possible with God who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13.
It does not happen in one day though. It takes little steps of faith. Start small and work your way up and you will be so happy! It is a lifelong journey, but will be so worth it in the end! The willingness to rely on him is a step of faith right there.
Remember this: We can't love God wholeheartedly until we rely on God's strength because we can't do it on our own strength.
So here is a question for you, and I must ask it myself too.... How dependant am I on God each day? Do I rely on him for everything or do I move independantly of him a lot?
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Prayer needed please ASAP
Brian Braumberger was last seen early Thursday by a friend who spoke to him in a New Westminster church parking lot on 8th Avenue.
Braumberger drove away after saying he had to work in the morning and was going home.
The next day, police found his vehicle abandoned in a parking lot in the 7500 block of Cumberland. It was towed and a message left for Braumberger at his parents' home.
They later called police and said their son had never made it to work on Friday and it was not like him to leave his vehicle unattended.
Braumberger is white, clean shaven, with brown hair and eyes. He stands about six feet and weighs 185 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, shorts and white Adidas runners with no laces.
If you have any information, please contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-294-7922.
On a side note, I had no idea that Bryan's mom is Janice, a lady who goes to the dance class that I go to, so not only did I go to high school with him, but I know his mother and I know that she is feeling devestated that this has happened. So please keep Bryan's family and friends in your prayers as well as praying for his safe return home.
Thank you very much! God Bless
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Sorry this is a long one...but well worth the read
I was watching an old episode of House on TV today..it was about a nun who mysteriously got this rash and an allergic reaction...and it turned out that she was allergic to something that was in her body (I wont say what because it would ruin the ending of the episode for you guys aha) but at one segment when they still hadn't found what was wrong..but she was quarentined in a sterolized room, and Dr Chase was in there talking with her and she asked if the nuns could come in and pray with her...and Dr Chase said that they couldn't come in because they were trying to find out what her bad allergy was so they weren't aloud in...so he said he would pray with her. He then proceeded to tell her that he went to..shoot..I can't remember hte name of it...not a monostary...the other thing..for catholic men..well anyways...irrelevant... but she asked him what his favourite verse was..and he said
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7
That verse really got me thinking...cuz I am feeling very attacked by the enemy this week....I just started my new job at Goodall Rubber and I love it, however, I am not learning stuff as fast as I would like to and therefore feel very incompetant. I am constantly having to ask my trainer what to do next with this or how do I do this....now I realize that I have only worked there 3 days and I will be able to pick it up and I will be able to do it in my sleep...but its just that those 3 days last week words were popping into my head, and not good words....Satan was filling my head with lies like "you can't do this", "how do you expect to learn all this stuff in a month", "you are not going to do as good a job as her", "you are going to mess up". I felt very defeated on Friday when I came home (it was the end of my week).
I was very excited when I got a message from a friend saying that we were going to see Shrek the Third...I was exstatic because I had a hard week (3 days) at work and wanted to get out and do something that didn't make me think...but the thing was I couldn't spend this money that my mom gave me because she had given it to me for the weekend (she gave me 20) and I had alraedy spent 10 on coffee. And the ticket would have cost me 7 dollars..anyways..long story short..I was unable to go..so I was quite bummed...and because of the work thing, coming home to nobody (mom at camp, dad at lecture and brother at work) I was quite lonely....so I had a good cry... I actually cried more than I had in a while...maybe it was something I needed..
Anyways...then I texted a friend and asked if she could come over and hang out because I was lonely and had a hard day at work..and she said for me to get in a cab and come to metro and she would pay for the cab (which she did) , but I called the cab and went to set the alarm and lock the door and the doorknob fell off (we have been having a problem with it for a while) and so I lost it again.....and the phone rings saying my taxi is here. so I went outside (left the door open) and told the driver I would have to call another one and I apologized to him. I eventually got the door knob fixed so I called another cab and when i got there she and her brother said that we are going for dinner....and I had quite a good time..it was a lot of fun.
On to today.. i went to dance which was good... but I didn't get inspired to dance (I guess for the most part I am a partner dancer now..) so many other thoughts were clouding my mind....and Joanne showed us a dance she was working on to the song "You are Still Holy" and I cried..the dancing was beautiful, but the words of the song were just so powerful. Here are some that got me:
"Holy, You are still holy,Even when the darkness surrounds my life. Sovereign, You are still sovereign. Even when confusion has blinded my eyes"
"Holy, You are still holy. Even though I don't understand Your ways. Sovereign You will be sovereign. Even when my circumstances don't change."
It is very true...no matter how many bad things happened this weekend, God is still Holy. He is still Sovereign. Even if things don't look good for us He is still Holy. He is still All Powerful. He is still in control of us, and will never let us go. He still loves us.
I think the blog was too long and took too long to get to the point, but the point is so key.
But going back to 1 Peter 1:7 :
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7
If we face trials, that means our faith is genuine. Because we were told that we would have trials. Even if we go through trials, we need to use them to strengthen us, not make us feel defeated...we need to keep pressing on towards the goal.
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7
That verse really got me thinking...cuz I am feeling very attacked by the enemy this week....I just started my new job at Goodall Rubber and I love it, however, I am not learning stuff as fast as I would like to and therefore feel very incompetant. I am constantly having to ask my trainer what to do next with this or how do I do this....now I realize that I have only worked there 3 days and I will be able to pick it up and I will be able to do it in my sleep...but its just that those 3 days last week words were popping into my head, and not good words....Satan was filling my head with lies like "you can't do this", "how do you expect to learn all this stuff in a month", "you are not going to do as good a job as her", "you are going to mess up". I felt very defeated on Friday when I came home (it was the end of my week).
I was very excited when I got a message from a friend saying that we were going to see Shrek the Third...I was exstatic because I had a hard week (3 days) at work and wanted to get out and do something that didn't make me think...but the thing was I couldn't spend this money that my mom gave me because she had given it to me for the weekend (she gave me 20) and I had alraedy spent 10 on coffee. And the ticket would have cost me 7 dollars..anyways..long story short..I was unable to go..so I was quite bummed...and because of the work thing, coming home to nobody (mom at camp, dad at lecture and brother at work) I was quite lonely....so I had a good cry... I actually cried more than I had in a while...maybe it was something I needed..
Anyways...then I texted a friend and asked if she could come over and hang out because I was lonely and had a hard day at work..and she said for me to get in a cab and come to metro and she would pay for the cab (which she did) , but I called the cab and went to set the alarm and lock the door and the doorknob fell off (we have been having a problem with it for a while) and so I lost it again.....and the phone rings saying my taxi is here. so I went outside (left the door open) and told the driver I would have to call another one and I apologized to him. I eventually got the door knob fixed so I called another cab and when i got there she and her brother said that we are going for dinner....and I had quite a good time..it was a lot of fun.
On to today.. i went to dance which was good... but I didn't get inspired to dance (I guess for the most part I am a partner dancer now..) so many other thoughts were clouding my mind....and Joanne showed us a dance she was working on to the song "You are Still Holy" and I cried..the dancing was beautiful, but the words of the song were just so powerful. Here are some that got me:
"Holy, You are still holy,Even when the darkness surrounds my life. Sovereign, You are still sovereign. Even when confusion has blinded my eyes"
"Holy, You are still holy. Even though I don't understand Your ways. Sovereign You will be sovereign. Even when my circumstances don't change."
It is very true...no matter how many bad things happened this weekend, God is still Holy. He is still Sovereign. Even if things don't look good for us He is still Holy. He is still All Powerful. He is still in control of us, and will never let us go. He still loves us.
I think the blog was too long and took too long to get to the point, but the point is so key.
But going back to 1 Peter 1:7 :
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7
If we face trials, that means our faith is genuine. Because we were told that we would have trials. Even if we go through trials, we need to use them to strengthen us, not make us feel defeated...we need to keep pressing on towards the goal.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Wholesome Music
Sorry I haven't blogged in a while...been busy with job hunting....haha.....
I was talking to a few friends about this tonight, and I thought I would blog about it to see what you guys think. Here is the thing...I just bought the new Maroon 5 album on iTunes and I really like a lot of the song on it. Not for the lyrics, but because the music is catchy and is perfect to dance West Coast Swing to. My question is.....is it a bad thing to listen to this unwholesome music?
What the consensus among these people I was talking to tonight (who are both Christians) have said that God calls us to live in the world and not to be consumed by it. So if we are listening to this music strictly for the music and the danceability (is that even a word?) then it isn't bad. I agree 100% with these people. I am listening to Maroon 5 because the music is catchy, I like the lead's voice and it is a really good album to dance to for West Coast Swing.. I have found that with their first album too....
Thoughts?
I was talking to a few friends about this tonight, and I thought I would blog about it to see what you guys think. Here is the thing...I just bought the new Maroon 5 album on iTunes and I really like a lot of the song on it. Not for the lyrics, but because the music is catchy and is perfect to dance West Coast Swing to. My question is.....is it a bad thing to listen to this unwholesome music?
What the consensus among these people I was talking to tonight (who are both Christians) have said that God calls us to live in the world and not to be consumed by it. So if we are listening to this music strictly for the music and the danceability (is that even a word?) then it isn't bad. I agree 100% with these people. I am listening to Maroon 5 because the music is catchy, I like the lead's voice and it is a really good album to dance to for West Coast Swing.. I have found that with their first album too....
Thoughts?
Friday, April 27, 2007
I'll Stand By You
Tonight I bought a song that Carrie Underwood recorded for people to buy on iTunes for proceeds to go to the Idol Gives Back charity. I was listening to the song and I really felt God talking to me through the WHOLE song. Then I was reminded that this song was in the prayer room at Youth Councils and that God spoke to me then through that same song. He brought me those memories back when I was sorting through some old papers and I found the letter I wrote at Youth Councils when I was in there, and that song was written on the top. Many months later it was sung on American Idol by one of the contestants, and then by Carrie most recently. The lyrics are SO powerful it brought me to tears. God wants to stand by me through EVERYTHING. He will NEVER walk away from us. When others walk out of our lives, he is still there through it all. He will NEVER leave me.
Deuteronomy 31:8 says " The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Here are the lyrics to it. I pray that God speaks to you through this song and brings to you the place I am at. It feels wonderful to feel loved:
I'll Stand By You
by the Pretenders
Psalm 91 (The entire chapter is about His protection over us)
John 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."
Hebrews 13:8 "So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
1 John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Matthew 19:14 " Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Deuteronomy 31:8 says " The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Here are the lyrics to it. I pray that God speaks to you through this song and brings to you the place I am at. It feels wonderful to feel loved:
I'll Stand By You
by the Pretenders
Oh, Why you look so sad?As I was listening to this song, God was speaking to me and showing me scriptures that prove that this song is words straight from His mouth:
Tears are in your eyes.
Come on and come to me now.
Don't be ashamed to cry,
Let me see you through,
Cause I've seen the dark side too.
When the night falls on you,
You don't know what to do,
Nothing you confess,
could make me love you less.
I'll stand by you.
I'll stand by you.
Won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you.
So,
If you're mad, get mad.
Don't hold it all inside,
Come on and talk to me now.
hey, what you've got to hide?
I get angry too,
Well I'm a lot like you.
When you're standing at the crossroads,
Don't know which path to choose,
Let me come along.
Cause even if you are wrong...
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
And when,
When the night falls on you baby
You're feeling all alone
Walking all on your own
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I`ll stand by you.
Psalm 91 (The entire chapter is about His protection over us)
John 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."
Hebrews 13:8 "So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
1 John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Matthew 19:14 " Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
American Idol Gives Back
The last two nights I watched American Idol and I was hit really hard with conviction. This week's theme was "Hope and Compassion" or something like that, so the top 6 sang songs of hope and what not. Blake Lewis is my favourite, and he sang a classic song "Imagine" by John Lennon, and it brought me to tears. That song is so beautiful and the way he sang it was beautiful. Here are some lyrics that hit me:
It costs 1.50 per child to eat lunch at their schools, but they can't even afford that.
The amount of money in ice cream that North America eats could feed the WHOLE world.
Startling eh? I was hit very hard when I watched tonight's results show. It was a two hour special and they kept phone lines open to donate. They showed many stories about different families in America AND Africa who are in poverty. They showed the victims from Hurricane Katrina, who are living in trailers (which was only supposed to be temporary). People in Africa are dying because they can't get the medicine they need to get better. Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest took a trip over there and they tried to help many people to get better, but 2 people passed away because they were just too far gone.
This sickens me. Our continent is rich enough to eat all this food and everything, but yet people over seas are going hungry? It doesn't make sense. There is an "epidemic" of obesity in America and Canada because they eat too much, but yet people overseas are so malnutritioned because they eat cornmeal only...thats the only thing they eat ever. It doesn't seem fair. We have so many luxuries and we take them for granted, meanwhile people overseas don't have a lot.
Thats my rant for tonight. Comments are welcomed as always. Speak out against poverty! Make a change! Be grateful for what you have because there are people all over the world who are worse off than you are.
You may say I'm a dreamerI learned that 1 child dies of Malaria every 30 seconds, when a cure costs 2 dollars for a pack of medicine to cure 4 people.
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
It costs 1.50 per child to eat lunch at their schools, but they can't even afford that.
The amount of money in ice cream that North America eats could feed the WHOLE world.
Startling eh? I was hit very hard when I watched tonight's results show. It was a two hour special and they kept phone lines open to donate. They showed many stories about different families in America AND Africa who are in poverty. They showed the victims from Hurricane Katrina, who are living in trailers (which was only supposed to be temporary). People in Africa are dying because they can't get the medicine they need to get better. Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest took a trip over there and they tried to help many people to get better, but 2 people passed away because they were just too far gone.
This sickens me. Our continent is rich enough to eat all this food and everything, but yet people over seas are going hungry? It doesn't make sense. There is an "epidemic" of obesity in America and Canada because they eat too much, but yet people overseas are so malnutritioned because they eat cornmeal only...thats the only thing they eat ever. It doesn't seem fair. We have so many luxuries and we take them for granted, meanwhile people overseas don't have a lot.
Thats my rant for tonight. Comments are welcomed as always. Speak out against poverty! Make a change! Be grateful for what you have because there are people all over the world who are worse off than you are.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Venting...
I apologize in advance, but this stuff needs to come out and there was no other way to get this out because it might be how other people are feeling, so I thought I would post.....
Have you ever felt that you don't have the support from your own church? I am feeling that quite strongly at the church I attend on Sunday nights. I don't feel that I have support from that congregation. Except for maybe 1 or 2 people and thats it. I don't feel that other people are approachable to talk to to ask for prayer or stuff like that because they go off in a group and chat...so I wouldn't want to break up the fun, either that or people are getting prayer and are busy... For instance, tonight.... well..today...some crazy things happened and have kinda been shocking for me and it sucks a lot, and I was upset.... I was praying and wanted to talk to someone about it and ask them to pray over me, but anyone who I thought of talking to had their own issues to deal with and I didn't want to burden them with my stuff (I didn't think it was fair to) or they were busy with their group of friends, so I didn't want to intrude.
The church is supposed to help people are they not? The church is supposed to be supportive of every member are they not? I have tried my best to help people, and many people know that I support them and pray for them and pray with them and all that. But when I am feeling overwhelmed and drained and tired and feeling just plain crappy, does anyone come and ask if they can pray over me or even ask if I want to talk about it? No... What ever happened to things happening mutually? I don't feel that I should have to go down to the mercy seat to get prayer, I don't feel that I have to necessarily make that step because some people (i feel) abuse that just to get people to pray with them and get attention...SOME people..not all... and I don't want to be looked at as just wanting attention. I just want to know that someone in my own church actually cares enough to ask if I am ok if I don't look like I am ok...
Ok venting done..
Have you ever felt that you don't have the support from your own church? I am feeling that quite strongly at the church I attend on Sunday nights. I don't feel that I have support from that congregation. Except for maybe 1 or 2 people and thats it. I don't feel that other people are approachable to talk to to ask for prayer or stuff like that because they go off in a group and chat...so I wouldn't want to break up the fun, either that or people are getting prayer and are busy... For instance, tonight.... well..today...some crazy things happened and have kinda been shocking for me and it sucks a lot, and I was upset.... I was praying and wanted to talk to someone about it and ask them to pray over me, but anyone who I thought of talking to had their own issues to deal with and I didn't want to burden them with my stuff (I didn't think it was fair to) or they were busy with their group of friends, so I didn't want to intrude.
The church is supposed to help people are they not? The church is supposed to be supportive of every member are they not? I have tried my best to help people, and many people know that I support them and pray for them and pray with them and all that. But when I am feeling overwhelmed and drained and tired and feeling just plain crappy, does anyone come and ask if they can pray over me or even ask if I want to talk about it? No... What ever happened to things happening mutually? I don't feel that I should have to go down to the mercy seat to get prayer, I don't feel that I have to necessarily make that step because some people (i feel) abuse that just to get people to pray with them and get attention...SOME people..not all... and I don't want to be looked at as just wanting attention. I just want to know that someone in my own church actually cares enough to ask if I am ok if I don't look like I am ok...
Ok venting done..
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Counting my Blessings
Tonight was such a huge blessing and something I really needed. Today marks the 2 year anniversary of my good friend's death from Breast Cancer, I actually thought I was going to be upset about it and what not, but it turned out that I wasn't, and today was filled with blessings.
I have been dealing with a couple friends who I am having to act as a counselor to and its stressing me out. But tonight at dance I was able to forget all of that and just dance and boy was I having a GREAT time. I didn't think I would like the Hustle, it was a dance that originated in the 70's (way before my time) and it sorta got phased out, but we are doing it in dance class. I am getting that more than the West Coast Swing steps. West Coast Swing is the hardest dance to learn and many people have told me that. I am sticking with it though. But the Hustle, oh man it is just so much fun. When West Coast Swing was over they played one song of that to dance to and then one song of Hustle to warm up. I thought I did pretty well with it. It was so amazing to dance and feel like I was understanding and actually looking good doing it LOL. So much fun. I did that during the warm up and then I stay for a few songs after the lessons are over because my bus doesn't come til 35 minutes after class ends. I was struggling with the pivet turns, but I think I ended up getting it at the end! YAY!
Anyways..that wasn't really what I was going to blog about... but that was actually a blessing, being able to understand the moves! Woot! Anyways... When we were on the bus it was starting to rain (on the way TO dance) and then by the time we got there it was POURING..like...not just raining..it was POURING. Angel and I were a little anxious about that because we both didn't have umbrellas so ya... We prayed that it would stop by the end, and when dance class was over and we walk outside it had stopped fully. It was that refreshing smell of after the rain. Beautiful.
And about the 2 year anniversary. I chose not to be sad and I have lit my candle that I got from Avon (that donated 100% to Breast Cancer research) currently. The glow reminds me to thank God that I am healthy and to thank God for Janis' life.
God has a plan for my life and I am going to wait and see what he has in store for me. On Sunday my life verse was spoken again (yes Karyn, i did notice that LOL) and it reminded me of this. Not knowing is such a blessing actually, not having control is a good thing because then we don't have to worry about it or stress about it. It's very exciting but also scary not knowing what is ahead, but bring it on LORD!
Thank you God for that blessing and the many blessings you continue to give to me and my friends' in their lives. I love you! Thank you for giving me patience to deal with those two friends as well because you know that without you I would have lost my patience and said something I shouldn't have. Thank you for continuing to teach my daily what I need to do and thank you for unveiling your plan for my life day to day.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
I have been dealing with a couple friends who I am having to act as a counselor to and its stressing me out. But tonight at dance I was able to forget all of that and just dance and boy was I having a GREAT time. I didn't think I would like the Hustle, it was a dance that originated in the 70's (way before my time) and it sorta got phased out, but we are doing it in dance class. I am getting that more than the West Coast Swing steps. West Coast Swing is the hardest dance to learn and many people have told me that. I am sticking with it though. But the Hustle, oh man it is just so much fun. When West Coast Swing was over they played one song of that to dance to and then one song of Hustle to warm up. I thought I did pretty well with it. It was so amazing to dance and feel like I was understanding and actually looking good doing it LOL. So much fun. I did that during the warm up and then I stay for a few songs after the lessons are over because my bus doesn't come til 35 minutes after class ends. I was struggling with the pivet turns, but I think I ended up getting it at the end! YAY!
Anyways..that wasn't really what I was going to blog about... but that was actually a blessing, being able to understand the moves! Woot! Anyways... When we were on the bus it was starting to rain (on the way TO dance) and then by the time we got there it was POURING..like...not just raining..it was POURING. Angel and I were a little anxious about that because we both didn't have umbrellas so ya... We prayed that it would stop by the end, and when dance class was over and we walk outside it had stopped fully. It was that refreshing smell of after the rain. Beautiful.
And about the 2 year anniversary. I chose not to be sad and I have lit my candle that I got from Avon (that donated 100% to Breast Cancer research) currently. The glow reminds me to thank God that I am healthy and to thank God for Janis' life.
God has a plan for my life and I am going to wait and see what he has in store for me. On Sunday my life verse was spoken again (yes Karyn, i did notice that LOL) and it reminded me of this. Not knowing is such a blessing actually, not having control is a good thing because then we don't have to worry about it or stress about it. It's very exciting but also scary not knowing what is ahead, but bring it on LORD!
Thank you God for that blessing and the many blessings you continue to give to me and my friends' in their lives. I love you! Thank you for giving me patience to deal with those two friends as well because you know that without you I would have lost my patience and said something I shouldn't have. Thank you for continuing to teach my daily what I need to do and thank you for unveiling your plan for my life day to day.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Friday, April 06, 2007
Feeling Unworthy?
If u were looking for an inspiring blog lately, sorry..but these things are on my mind, and thats what a blog is for right?
Have you ever had those moments where you don't feel worthy enough to enter God's presence? I felt like that last week at a worship night. With the song "Take me into the holy of holies" (thats not the title.. i cant remember the title) But it was like "wow... i don't feel worthy enough to be in his presence. Do I want him to take me to that place if I don't feel I should be there?"
I think the simple answer is yes, Satan tries to tell us that we are unworthy all the time, but we need to fight that off and enter God's presence. We need to focus on God and let him speak truth to us instead of giving into the lies that Satan tells us....
That is all...
Good night
Have you ever had those moments where you don't feel worthy enough to enter God's presence? I felt like that last week at a worship night. With the song "Take me into the holy of holies" (thats not the title.. i cant remember the title) But it was like "wow... i don't feel worthy enough to be in his presence. Do I want him to take me to that place if I don't feel I should be there?"
I think the simple answer is yes, Satan tries to tell us that we are unworthy all the time, but we need to fight that off and enter God's presence. We need to focus on God and let him speak truth to us instead of giving into the lies that Satan tells us....
That is all...
Good night
Friday, March 23, 2007
Fighting the Demons
It is 4:00am and I cannot sleep. I have a lot on my mind that I need to get down on..well..the computer (not on a notebook, I dont want to turn lights on)
Have you ever felt like you are in a constant losing battle with your flesh? That is how I am feeling. I am feeling defeated, like there is no possibility of winning. There are so many "demons" in my life right now and there are just so many (anger, doubt, envy, hating food, weight issues, greed...just to name a few) and it is a little overwhelming because I try to overcome them but they just overpower my life and it is hard to get out.
I try to show outwardly that all is good and rosey, but inward I am fighting a constant battle. I have friends who are going through some pretty rough stuff right now so I try to be there for them and it is hard because if I am struggling, it makes it hard for me to get the words across to help my friends. As much as I want to help them, its near impossible to because I am struggling and hurting. I love my friends dearly...like...SOOO much, you have NO idea, and it hurts me to not be able to help them properly because my own mind is clouded with thoughts.
Dancing gets rid of the pain, but only for a short time. I go to dance classes regularly (once a week...soon to be 3 times a week..once i get my ID) and I find that when I am there, I feel no pain. I just focus on having a good time and learning something new. I enjoy it thoroughly..but then I leave that dance hall and its back to reality. Life isn't all roses and butterflies... it probably never will be. But its just nice to have that release for 2 hours at least. Where I can forget everything in the world and just dance. The dance "high" usually lasts an evening.. on the bus on the way home, and then the next day its back to the inward struggle.
I am not commending people who get drunk to get rid of their problems, but I am making a statement here that my friend told me once. He was going through a REALLY rough time a while ago..was going to commit suicide and he said that drinking makes those problems go away. I told him that the problems are still there, they are just masked by a clouded head full of alcohol. The problems are still there, you are just left with a hangover AND the problems.
There HAS to be a permanent solution to people's problems. There can't be these temporary "memory lapses" if you will. There can't be these few hour highs, there needs to be a permanent solution...I need to work through these struggles in my life, and I need God's help with these struggles, because I sure can't do it on my own. I am in a losing battle, and I can only overcome these problems through Jesus. I can only get through these struggles with God's help.
Help me Jesus, I pray!
Have you ever felt like you are in a constant losing battle with your flesh? That is how I am feeling. I am feeling defeated, like there is no possibility of winning. There are so many "demons" in my life right now and there are just so many (anger, doubt, envy, hating food, weight issues, greed...just to name a few) and it is a little overwhelming because I try to overcome them but they just overpower my life and it is hard to get out.
I try to show outwardly that all is good and rosey, but inward I am fighting a constant battle. I have friends who are going through some pretty rough stuff right now so I try to be there for them and it is hard because if I am struggling, it makes it hard for me to get the words across to help my friends. As much as I want to help them, its near impossible to because I am struggling and hurting. I love my friends dearly...like...SOOO much, you have NO idea, and it hurts me to not be able to help them properly because my own mind is clouded with thoughts.
Dancing gets rid of the pain, but only for a short time. I go to dance classes regularly (once a week...soon to be 3 times a week..once i get my ID) and I find that when I am there, I feel no pain. I just focus on having a good time and learning something new. I enjoy it thoroughly..but then I leave that dance hall and its back to reality. Life isn't all roses and butterflies... it probably never will be. But its just nice to have that release for 2 hours at least. Where I can forget everything in the world and just dance. The dance "high" usually lasts an evening.. on the bus on the way home, and then the next day its back to the inward struggle.
I am not commending people who get drunk to get rid of their problems, but I am making a statement here that my friend told me once. He was going through a REALLY rough time a while ago..was going to commit suicide and he said that drinking makes those problems go away. I told him that the problems are still there, they are just masked by a clouded head full of alcohol. The problems are still there, you are just left with a hangover AND the problems.
There HAS to be a permanent solution to people's problems. There can't be these temporary "memory lapses" if you will. There can't be these few hour highs, there needs to be a permanent solution...I need to work through these struggles in my life, and I need God's help with these struggles, because I sure can't do it on my own. I am in a losing battle, and I can only overcome these problems through Jesus. I can only get through these struggles with God's help.
Help me Jesus, I pray!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Jobs and our Holy Journey
I found out tonight as I was talking to my best friend that having jobs is similar to our Holy Journey. We have to go through some bad times (bad jobs, bad bosses, etc) to get to the really good job. I am having this issue, I keep getting stuck with jobs that I don't like and the one i really love is only casual work. I got a job recently at a telemarketing place...what I didn't know was that I was supposed to basically lie to them... "stretch the truth"...I quit that day..the job wasn't for me on soo omany levels..
I was searching for a new job and I got a new interview at a Hair Salon as a Receptionist. I am very excited about it. I was thinking how perfect this job would be... It is near many stores that i shop at (Best Buy, Walmart, Subway, Tim Hortons, Rogers Video, Payless Shoe Store, AND Pet Cetera..where the Royal City Humane cats are..well.some). It is just nearing perfect...maybe too good to be true..we will see tomorrow at 2..
Anyways...I found that we hve to go through many trials to get the final reward of Heaven...so we have to go through many crappy jobs in order to get a reallty good one...
Not a good paralell..but just something I was thinking about.
I was searching for a new job and I got a new interview at a Hair Salon as a Receptionist. I am very excited about it. I was thinking how perfect this job would be... It is near many stores that i shop at (Best Buy, Walmart, Subway, Tim Hortons, Rogers Video, Payless Shoe Store, AND Pet Cetera..where the Royal City Humane cats are..well.some). It is just nearing perfect...maybe too good to be true..we will see tomorrow at 2..
Anyways...I found that we hve to go through many trials to get the final reward of Heaven...so we have to go through many crappy jobs in order to get a reallty good one...
Not a good paralell..but just something I was thinking about.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Some
I got this in my inbox this morning and it is similar to what some friends and I have been discussing. And people have commented on Karyn's Blog. It is very relevant to what has been talked about lately. It says exactly what I wanted, but it says it more elequently. Here it is (the Italics are what I add in in a different colour):
February 27, 2007
Someone Else’s Problems
by John Fischer
Evangelicals often put being saved and going to heaven in the same sentence, as if heaven were the only goal of our salvation. But the truth is, we are saved to serve (people in The Salvation Army says that a lot). Heaven is important, but heaven can wait. God saves us because he has a job for us to do in his Kingdom here on earth. If heaven is the whole point of our salvation, then what do we do while we wait? Change the channel on our Christian entertainment? We have to DO SOMETHING. Not just say "Jesus come into my heart" and then go back and do what we used to do. We need to serve! God calls us to serve others!
It’s amazing how many of our own problems dissipate when we begin caring about other people’s problems instead of focusing on our own. That is VERY VERY true! So true! I have definitly found that in my current situation. Yes there are bad things going on in my life, but if I am helping my friends I feel that my problems just seem to go away (not disappear or not become problems anymore but I just don't think about them). If we are doing something, we tend to not dwell on the bad things going on. We’ve picked up some very bad habits from our culture. We have a tendency to be preoccupied with our own needs and constantly trying to fulfill them. Seems to be a "me first" generation! It needs to end! Advertising plays into this self-indulgence, promising that one more product will be the thing that will finally satisfy us. The truth of the matter is: Getting will never come close to the satisfaction that giving affords. Meaning, you get more satisfaction from giving than getting.
Think of someone you know who is truly happy and I venture to guess you will find that someone busy serving others. Yup... true true! If, in fact, our troubles will never go away (and I don’t believe they ever will in this life), then to focus on them and try to solve them is going to be nothing but a broken record. Make one problem go away, and watch another one crop up immediately. To give ourselves to the task of attending to the problems of those around us may not make our own problems go away, but it will make them less of a drag. Focusing on our own problems can lead to anxiety, frustration, and even depression. Focusing on other people’s problems leads to usefulness and a greater sense of health. I feel extremely useful when I am helping someone else with their problems. It makes me feel that I am making a difference and not just being a "pew warmer".
So today, when we are tempted to look in, to our own needs, let’s look out, instead, to the needs of those around us and see if our own needs diminish by comparison. Who knows, we may even forget about ourselves in the process.
Jesus hung on a cross and thought of those who were putting him there, and even pleaded their case before his Father, because he knew they didn’t realize the full impact of what they were doing. Can you imagine having even a fleeting thought about someone else if you were in that much pain yourself? But that’s just the thing about Jesus: He was always thinking of someone else. Wow! That is just inspiring! That Jesus hung on the cross. He was in so much pain, but he was thinking about the nation that he was dying for. He was not thinking about his own pain! WOW!
Father, Help me to look outside instead of in. Sometimes I tend to dwell on my own problems and look inward instead of outward. Help me help my friends more and more. Especially with this one situation with a good friend of mine, give me the words, help me be useful. I want to be useful for your kingdom. I don't just want to be a pew warmer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, so strengthen me daily to look outward! Amen!
February 27, 2007
Someone Else’s Problems
by John Fischer
Evangelicals often put being saved and going to heaven in the same sentence, as if heaven were the only goal of our salvation. But the truth is, we are saved to serve (people in The Salvation Army says that a lot). Heaven is important, but heaven can wait. God saves us because he has a job for us to do in his Kingdom here on earth. If heaven is the whole point of our salvation, then what do we do while we wait? Change the channel on our Christian entertainment? We have to DO SOMETHING. Not just say "Jesus come into my heart" and then go back and do what we used to do. We need to serve! God calls us to serve others!
It’s amazing how many of our own problems dissipate when we begin caring about other people’s problems instead of focusing on our own. That is VERY VERY true! So true! I have definitly found that in my current situation. Yes there are bad things going on in my life, but if I am helping my friends I feel that my problems just seem to go away (not disappear or not become problems anymore but I just don't think about them). If we are doing something, we tend to not dwell on the bad things going on. We’ve picked up some very bad habits from our culture. We have a tendency to be preoccupied with our own needs and constantly trying to fulfill them. Seems to be a "me first" generation! It needs to end! Advertising plays into this self-indulgence, promising that one more product will be the thing that will finally satisfy us. The truth of the matter is: Getting will never come close to the satisfaction that giving affords. Meaning, you get more satisfaction from giving than getting.
Think of someone you know who is truly happy and I venture to guess you will find that someone busy serving others. Yup... true true! If, in fact, our troubles will never go away (and I don’t believe they ever will in this life), then to focus on them and try to solve them is going to be nothing but a broken record. Make one problem go away, and watch another one crop up immediately. To give ourselves to the task of attending to the problems of those around us may not make our own problems go away, but it will make them less of a drag. Focusing on our own problems can lead to anxiety, frustration, and even depression. Focusing on other people’s problems leads to usefulness and a greater sense of health. I feel extremely useful when I am helping someone else with their problems. It makes me feel that I am making a difference and not just being a "pew warmer".
So today, when we are tempted to look in, to our own needs, let’s look out, instead, to the needs of those around us and see if our own needs diminish by comparison. Who knows, we may even forget about ourselves in the process.
Jesus hung on a cross and thought of those who were putting him there, and even pleaded their case before his Father, because he knew they didn’t realize the full impact of what they were doing. Can you imagine having even a fleeting thought about someone else if you were in that much pain yourself? But that’s just the thing about Jesus: He was always thinking of someone else. Wow! That is just inspiring! That Jesus hung on the cross. He was in so much pain, but he was thinking about the nation that he was dying for. He was not thinking about his own pain! WOW!
Father, Help me to look outside instead of in. Sometimes I tend to dwell on my own problems and look inward instead of outward. Help me help my friends more and more. Especially with this one situation with a good friend of mine, give me the words, help me be useful. I want to be useful for your kingdom. I don't just want to be a pew warmer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, so strengthen me daily to look outward! Amen!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Religion vs Relationship
I have been struggling lately to find what is the "right" religion. They all seem to have some sort of flaw to them (meaning it doesn't quite fit with what the Bible says)
I came to realize that it doesn't matter what religion I am a part of. Religion is not what matters because all religion is, is a set of "rituals" and "traditions". Some are scriptural and some aren't. It should only matter where your relationship with God is. Is it good? Awesome? Does it need work? Read the Bible, dig in and learn more about Him. If you know Him really well, then the relationship will be great! If you don't know him very well, then its not so good...
However, I was talking with a friend of mine tonight and she said that her and her friend don't like organized religion, and I said "great, neither do I." I told her that I believe that the Church body, isn't organized religion, that is a family group. She said that it is the same thing.
I could be totally wrong in this, I am not sure. I am seeking truth in this whole situation because in my Bible study there are different views, and it is causing me to think a lot and look into The Salvation Army (the church I belong to) and see what they believe and why they don't do certain things that are SO scriptural: Water Baptism, Communion, teaching about Celebacy (some are called to it.. I know i am not one but it should be talked about).
It was taught to me early on that your relationship with God will get stronger if you are in the word constantly and talking to God constantly (its in 1st or 2nd Thessalonians). I definitly think that my relationship is getting stronger with God ever since I picked up my Bible more . These last few weeks, I read through 1st and 2 Corinthians and learned a lot. It is teaching me so much and making me question some things too. Its good to question things, I think. Questioning gets you thinking and talking with God and he teaches you lots of things.
I encourage each and every one of you that read this blog, to pick up your Bible and read it a lot! Try to read it every day if you can. It will benefit your relationship with GOd. You will know him SO MUCH better than if you didn't read the Bible. Trust me, it is VERY difficult to make time to read it, I don't really know why it is though. People are always reading other books, and talk about others books a lot, but then when they are asked what they read in the Bible they say that they haven't read it that much.
Be Blessed!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I came to realize that it doesn't matter what religion I am a part of. Religion is not what matters because all religion is, is a set of "rituals" and "traditions". Some are scriptural and some aren't. It should only matter where your relationship with God is. Is it good? Awesome? Does it need work? Read the Bible, dig in and learn more about Him. If you know Him really well, then the relationship will be great! If you don't know him very well, then its not so good...
However, I was talking with a friend of mine tonight and she said that her and her friend don't like organized religion, and I said "great, neither do I." I told her that I believe that the Church body, isn't organized religion, that is a family group. She said that it is the same thing.
I could be totally wrong in this, I am not sure. I am seeking truth in this whole situation because in my Bible study there are different views, and it is causing me to think a lot and look into The Salvation Army (the church I belong to) and see what they believe and why they don't do certain things that are SO scriptural: Water Baptism, Communion, teaching about Celebacy (some are called to it.. I know i am not one but it should be talked about).
It was taught to me early on that your relationship with God will get stronger if you are in the word constantly and talking to God constantly (its in 1st or 2nd Thessalonians). I definitly think that my relationship is getting stronger with God ever since I picked up my Bible more . These last few weeks, I read through 1st and 2 Corinthians and learned a lot. It is teaching me so much and making me question some things too. Its good to question things, I think. Questioning gets you thinking and talking with God and he teaches you lots of things.
I encourage each and every one of you that read this blog, to pick up your Bible and read it a lot! Try to read it every day if you can. It will benefit your relationship with GOd. You will know him SO MUCH better than if you didn't read the Bible. Trust me, it is VERY difficult to make time to read it, I don't really know why it is though. People are always reading other books, and talk about others books a lot, but then when they are asked what they read in the Bible they say that they haven't read it that much.
Be Blessed!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
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