The topic on my mind right now: missions...
I am a very mission-minded person... I want to mission everywhere I go...so long as that particular trip has the word "mission" attached to the front of it (i.e. mission trip to S.C.).
But who says it has to be like that? I'm constantly hearing about how mission work can begin in my own town. Try taking it a step further...is South Rowan High School not as much of a mission field as Main Street Mission...or Garden City, S.C...or how about Haiti??
What I'm trying to get at here is this: you don't have to travel far to find a mission field. You don't have to pay big bucks, travel to some foriegn country, or even meet any new people. All you have to do is find someone who will listen--who wants to listen--and share your heart. That doesn't mean start professing your faith at any random kid who walks by...but start by being an example...don't be the one who takes God's name in vain or noticably cheats on a test. Be something different, and start small.
Alright, so we have it established that your school can be a mission field...now take it a step further: foreign missions. It seems like every mission-minded person feels the need to get out of the country and experience missions in a different land at least once. I'm right there in that category. Every time a group of missionaries from my church comes back from one of those trips, my heart pings because I know how badly I want to be there with them. Seeing the pictures, the videos, of those precious children and how much they appreciate every little thing we do for them...it just gets me.
I've never been out of the country before; yet as soon as my dad returns from a trip to Haiti, I immediately decide that's where I want to go. The conditions in Haiti aren't the greatest in the world...in fact, they are far from our definition of "great," or probably even "good." And still I, the city-slicker little girl, want to go there.
God's word says this:
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
- Romans 10:14 & 15
I so desperately desire to be those "feet." I want to be used by God to share His word to those who have not heard it... Now whether that is in Haiti or Landis, N.C., that's not for me to decide. God can use me in whatever way He pleases.
Tonight my best friend and I made a sort of pact. A pact to pray each other up. We're both feeling the call to missions... We don't know where, what, why or how, but we know that as long as we're trusting in God for this, He will show us His plan.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
This Thing Called Love
It seems like once school started, blogging sort of slipped my mind. But here I am again, back where I started...wanting to share my thoughts and hopefully encourage somebody along the way.
Let's talk love. Now I'm not talking lovey-dovey, romantic love - I mean love in more of a brotherly sense.
"We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
- 1 John 4:19-21
God's word very clearly says that in order to love God we must first love others. Whether we show love through our words, thoughts or actions, it doesn't really matter.
Although the Bible means the word brother as more of a friend than an physical brother, I'm still going to use this example: Last night, my dad went to pick up his brother from the airport at midnight. Now, let's think about this situation...
12:00 at night.
40 minute drive there.
40 minute drive back.
7 hours of sleep??
Those numbers don't add up! My dad wouldn't drive to the airport at midnight for just anyone (well, on second thought, he probably would, but that's beside the point!). The moral of the story being: we can say we love the Lord all we want, but until we show it in our actions towards others, it's an invalid love.
My dad took action last night. He showed love to his brother, whom he can see, and through that love he showed that he loves God. Because he wanted to serve his brother, God blessed him with His love.
Now, let's take this love thing a step further (or rather back it up to verse seven)...
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
- 1 John 4:8, 11 & 12
Ya see that? God is love.
Love isn't money. It isn't fame or popularity. It isn't gifts or tokens. It isn't a carefree relationship. Love is not a random string of words. Love is God. God is love.
Long story short, God's love can't be seen or bargained for. God's love comes from the love we show towards one another. It's as simple as that.
Let's talk love. Now I'm not talking lovey-dovey, romantic love - I mean love in more of a brotherly sense.
"We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
- 1 John 4:19-21
God's word very clearly says that in order to love God we must first love others. Whether we show love through our words, thoughts or actions, it doesn't really matter.
Although the Bible means the word brother as more of a friend than an physical brother, I'm still going to use this example: Last night, my dad went to pick up his brother from the airport at midnight. Now, let's think about this situation...
12:00 at night.
40 minute drive there.
40 minute drive back.
7 hours of sleep??
Those numbers don't add up! My dad wouldn't drive to the airport at midnight for just anyone (well, on second thought, he probably would, but that's beside the point!). The moral of the story being: we can say we love the Lord all we want, but until we show it in our actions towards others, it's an invalid love.
My dad took action last night. He showed love to his brother, whom he can see, and through that love he showed that he loves God. Because he wanted to serve his brother, God blessed him with His love.
Now, let's take this love thing a step further (or rather back it up to verse seven)...
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
- 1 John 4:8, 11 & 12
Ya see that? God is love.
Love isn't money. It isn't fame or popularity. It isn't gifts or tokens. It isn't a carefree relationship. Love is not a random string of words. Love is God. God is love.
Long story short, God's love can't be seen or bargained for. God's love comes from the love we show towards one another. It's as simple as that.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Growing Up Is Hard To Do
Today was my last first day of school... How crazy is that??
Growing up is one of those things that's exciting and scary all at the same time. I remember not being able to wait until I was a teenager...and then looking forward to getting my license... And now, here I am, seventeen, license in hand, trying to decide which colleges to apply for and what to major in.
This is the one thing I don't recall being excited about. I mean, leaving for college, yes, but applying for colleges and worrying about whether my grades are good enough or my SAT score is high enough to get into a certain school - now that's something I just didn't see coming!
I guess maybe I just skipped that step. We tend to do that a lot of times. We think something is going to be so easy, but we often forget what it takes to make that something happen. We look forward to the destination, but pay no mind to the journey.
And I'm not gonna lie - from what I can tell so far, the journey to getting accepted to the college of my dreams is no piece of cake!
But, God, of course, has something to say about this:
"I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble."
- Proverbs 4:11 & 12
Even though the journey may be tough, the Lord is guiding us every step of the way. He won't lay any burden on us that He knows we can't handle.
My worries seem like so little when I think of others' journies in life. Sometimes it's hard to keep that mindset when we're going through something that we think is extremely hard... Yet, somewhere out there there's someone who's going through 10x the pain or stress that we may be feeling.
God's got us in His hands wherever our journies are taking us - growing pains and all.
Growing up is one of those things that's exciting and scary all at the same time. I remember not being able to wait until I was a teenager...and then looking forward to getting my license... And now, here I am, seventeen, license in hand, trying to decide which colleges to apply for and what to major in.
This is the one thing I don't recall being excited about. I mean, leaving for college, yes, but applying for colleges and worrying about whether my grades are good enough or my SAT score is high enough to get into a certain school - now that's something I just didn't see coming!
I guess maybe I just skipped that step. We tend to do that a lot of times. We think something is going to be so easy, but we often forget what it takes to make that something happen. We look forward to the destination, but pay no mind to the journey.
And I'm not gonna lie - from what I can tell so far, the journey to getting accepted to the college of my dreams is no piece of cake!
But, God, of course, has something to say about this:
"I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble."
- Proverbs 4:11 & 12
Even though the journey may be tough, the Lord is guiding us every step of the way. He won't lay any burden on us that He knows we can't handle.
My worries seem like so little when I think of others' journies in life. Sometimes it's hard to keep that mindset when we're going through something that we think is extremely hard... Yet, somewhere out there there's someone who's going through 10x the pain or stress that we may be feeling.
God's got us in His hands wherever our journies are taking us - growing pains and all.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
How 'Bout a Test?
So, Psalm 139.
Last night, a friend of mine gave me a little clearer picture on this particular chapter of the Bible...and reminded me of how important its words are.
This chapter is David talking about how God knows everything about us... How when He created us, He knew us before anyone else did... How He knows each and every move we make... Talk about amazing!
A familiar verse that many people know and love is verse fourteen:
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
- Psalm 139:14
But the verses that my friend pointed out to me that are just as beautiful and even more meaningful are verses twenty-three and four:
"Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
- Psalm 139:23 & 24
Whenever I read these, and heard what my friend had to say about them, I reminded myself of Pepi, an Argentinian pastor who recently came to visit America and who spent some time with my family. When he would walk into a department store here, he would make one big exclamation - WOW. That's all I could think to say.
Basically, my friend said, these verses are continually asking God to change our hearts to conform to His. It's a plea to be like God!
I mean, sure, it's very easy to praise the Lord for making you, like David did in verse fourteen... But to ask God to make you more like Him - to ask for a test of your faith, so to speak - now that seems to be something completely different. Never in my life have I asked a teacher to give me a test, but here David is, asking God for just that.
So why does David do that? And why should we follow suit and do the same?
As I re-read these two verses, I realize that normally these are things that we ask of God because we know they're what He wants for our lives. But why can't they be what we want too?
"Search me...test me...know my thoughts...lead me."
Those are simple pleas to ask of the One who created you... He's a daddy who wants what's best for his kids, and who will very easily provide those things...if we ask.
Last night, a friend of mine gave me a little clearer picture on this particular chapter of the Bible...and reminded me of how important its words are.
This chapter is David talking about how God knows everything about us... How when He created us, He knew us before anyone else did... How He knows each and every move we make... Talk about amazing!
A familiar verse that many people know and love is verse fourteen:
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
- Psalm 139:14
But the verses that my friend pointed out to me that are just as beautiful and even more meaningful are verses twenty-three and four:
"Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
- Psalm 139:23 & 24
Whenever I read these, and heard what my friend had to say about them, I reminded myself of Pepi, an Argentinian pastor who recently came to visit America and who spent some time with my family. When he would walk into a department store here, he would make one big exclamation - WOW. That's all I could think to say.
Basically, my friend said, these verses are continually asking God to change our hearts to conform to His. It's a plea to be like God!
I mean, sure, it's very easy to praise the Lord for making you, like David did in verse fourteen... But to ask God to make you more like Him - to ask for a test of your faith, so to speak - now that seems to be something completely different. Never in my life have I asked a teacher to give me a test, but here David is, asking God for just that.
So why does David do that? And why should we follow suit and do the same?
As I re-read these two verses, I realize that normally these are things that we ask of God because we know they're what He wants for our lives. But why can't they be what we want too?
"Search me...test me...know my thoughts...lead me."
Those are simple pleas to ask of the One who created you... He's a daddy who wants what's best for his kids, and who will very easily provide those things...if we ask.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saying Goodbye...
Tonight I said a "final" goodbye to several of my very best friends. They're all going away to college, and I'm staying here, in Smalltown U.S.A. I mean, none of them are going away for good good. I'll still see my chorus friends at concerts, and my church friend every once in awhile at church. It's simply the fact that I won't have them right here, so close to me, that makes me sad.
I am, of course, a typical teenage girl...which means that sometimes my emotions get the best of me. I've had friends leave for college or move away before, but it just now kind of sank in that they're really leaving. And not only that, but I'm going to be in their shoes this time next year, saying goodbye to the life and the people I know and love. But I'll try not to get ahead of myself...!
One of my favorite authors, Nicholas Sparks, wrote a great piece of advice about people and friendships.
"People come, people go - they'll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told thier story and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and adventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past."
Okay, now, like I said, this is a great quote...particularly if you don't care to be reminded of where you came from, and are attempting to start a new chapter in life. But when you're trying with all your might to keep those memories of old relationships alive inside of you, the last thing you want to hear is "people come, people go...don't worry about the ones from your past, you'll forget them in a couple years anyways!"
Right now, the last thing I want to believe is that I can live without these people, and that - even worse! - there are gonna be other people who pop into my life at just the right time to replace the old people, and to make my story interesting.
And then I stop and think about the people that my friends are going to meet, and ohh no, I hope they don't forget about me! I want only the best for my friends...and I want them to know that.
"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."
- Jeremiah 29:11
This verse is something that settles my heart. It lets me know that hey, my closest friends are going to be just fine wherever they may go, because they've got God on their sides.
It's tough to say goodbye, but when you know that the ones you love are in good hands, it sure makes it a lot easier.
I am, of course, a typical teenage girl...which means that sometimes my emotions get the best of me. I've had friends leave for college or move away before, but it just now kind of sank in that they're really leaving. And not only that, but I'm going to be in their shoes this time next year, saying goodbye to the life and the people I know and love. But I'll try not to get ahead of myself...!
One of my favorite authors, Nicholas Sparks, wrote a great piece of advice about people and friendships.
"People come, people go - they'll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told thier story and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and adventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past."
Okay, now, like I said, this is a great quote...particularly if you don't care to be reminded of where you came from, and are attempting to start a new chapter in life. But when you're trying with all your might to keep those memories of old relationships alive inside of you, the last thing you want to hear is "people come, people go...don't worry about the ones from your past, you'll forget them in a couple years anyways!"
Right now, the last thing I want to believe is that I can live without these people, and that - even worse! - there are gonna be other people who pop into my life at just the right time to replace the old people, and to make my story interesting.
And then I stop and think about the people that my friends are going to meet, and ohh no, I hope they don't forget about me! I want only the best for my friends...and I want them to know that.
"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."
- Jeremiah 29:11
This verse is something that settles my heart. It lets me know that hey, my closest friends are going to be just fine wherever they may go, because they've got God on their sides.
It's tough to say goodbye, but when you know that the ones you love are in good hands, it sure makes it a lot easier.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Another Waiting Game
It seems like every moment of my life I spend waiting on something. Whether it's a movie night, a text from a certain someone, a test grade, a person to arrive, or a holiday...I spend my time waiting for it. That doesn't nessecarily mean I'm a lazy or boring person - like most people, I can occupy my time with something else while I wait.
And the things we wait for aren't always what we would label special things. For example, right now I'm waiting to go to Zumba - nothing too special about that, huh?
My point is: every day is a waiting game. No matter how big or small, special or not a thing is, we spend our time with our hopes up high, waiting for something good to come along.
Here recently my family has been waiting to start building our own home. And between the four members of my family, there's more than enough waiting to go around!
The weird part of this waiting is that it didn't just occur over night. My parents spent years, before I was even born, dreaming of owning their own house. More recently, in the past six or so years, we've searched for land to build on. And now, here we are, seventeen years later, preparing to finally build this house.
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
-Psalm 27:14
My family went through many missed opportunities, broken plans, and patient waiting before the Lord gave us the land we now own and the house we're so close to building. Yet, in the meantime, we didn't sit around crying to God because he wasn't there for us. We served Him while we waited...with our time, our money, our talents, and our lives.
In the Bible, Moses led the people of Israel out of slavery through God's calling. Not so similarily to my family's story, God guided Moses, and then Joshua and the Israelites to take over the promised land...
"I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on - just as I promised Moses... Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going... Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."
- Joshua 1:3, 6-7 & 9 (MSG)
In our waiting, my family learned that His timing is so much better than ours. If we had even tried building our house years ago, we wouldn't have had the resources and connections that we do now. In other words, He made us wait for a reason. We may not always see or agree with God's reasoning, but it's ultimately in our best interests.
And the things we wait for aren't always what we would label special things. For example, right now I'm waiting to go to Zumba - nothing too special about that, huh?
My point is: every day is a waiting game. No matter how big or small, special or not a thing is, we spend our time with our hopes up high, waiting for something good to come along.
Here recently my family has been waiting to start building our own home. And between the four members of my family, there's more than enough waiting to go around!
The weird part of this waiting is that it didn't just occur over night. My parents spent years, before I was even born, dreaming of owning their own house. More recently, in the past six or so years, we've searched for land to build on. And now, here we are, seventeen years later, preparing to finally build this house.
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
-Psalm 27:14
My family went through many missed opportunities, broken plans, and patient waiting before the Lord gave us the land we now own and the house we're so close to building. Yet, in the meantime, we didn't sit around crying to God because he wasn't there for us. We served Him while we waited...with our time, our money, our talents, and our lives.
In the Bible, Moses led the people of Israel out of slavery through God's calling. Not so similarily to my family's story, God guided Moses, and then Joshua and the Israelites to take over the promised land...
"I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on - just as I promised Moses... Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going... Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."
- Joshua 1:3, 6-7 & 9 (MSG)
In our waiting, my family learned that His timing is so much better than ours. If we had even tried building our house years ago, we wouldn't have had the resources and connections that we do now. In other words, He made us wait for a reason. We may not always see or agree with God's reasoning, but it's ultimately in our best interests.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Not For Me
Here's what I like (or rather, don't mind): singing in public.
Here's what I don't like: speaking in public.
Contrary to popular belief, there is a difference!
With singing, you have music and, often times, a whole band to back you up. With speaking, it's just you, a microphone, and a couple hundred quiet people waiting for you to stutter. Maybe it's not that bad, but you catch my drift...
The reason I'm saying this is, tomorrow, I have to speak in public (the public being my church famliy!). And the reason for this public speaking is to share some highlights and meaningful experiences from our youth group's recent beach/mission trip. No big deal, right? Well, for someone like me, who's more of a public singer than speaker, it's a bit scary.
So, instead of freaking out about what I'm going to share in front of my "family" (that word makes it sound so much less nerve-racking than the word "public", doesn't it?!), I'm going to test it on the few readers of my blog that I now have! (And when I say "few", I mean very few!)
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
- 1 Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 4:12 is a bible verse that, as a teenager, I'm pretty used to hearing. And, up until this simple little trip, I didn't realize how true it really was...or, more honestly, what a great survival guide it is for a kid.
On our trip, we acted like typical church kids would. We were crazy, but we were crazy with class...
Between all the fun, inside-joke kind of times, I managed to build relationships with people I never really foresaw myself getting to know. I strengthened the relationships I already had with good friends, youth leaders, and most importantly, GOD. I learned what it meant to serve others with a cheerful heart, and learned that some people can be just as much of a blessing to you as you were trying to be to them.
We worked at a drug and alcohol rehab center, where a group of people who were so grateful for the shirts on their backs shared their stories with us. I went in there to serve them some food, clean up a little, and sing to them with our youth praise team. When I walked out of there, I was more blessed than when I walked in, because not only did we sing to them, but they sang to us with a love for the Lord like no other!
We helped with kids at a small community center in an area where most of us never would have normally gone. And these kids, who were soooo excited to see us, and to have someone to love them and play with them, came right up to us and gave us big hugs... Those hugs meant more than any hug I've ever had before.
And then, just a few of us older youth worked at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. And we had fun, laughing at one of our youth leaders wrestle a cabinet off of a wall, and - for me - using a power tool for the first time... But seeing how grateful the manager of that store was for old, used pieces of furniture that had been donated - now that was something cool.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
- Romans 12:6-8
This verse, one of the themes for our trip, says a lot. But, what it doesn't say is how much joy that serving and teaching and encouraging and generosity can bring to not just those who you're helping, but also to yourself.
Don't be fooled... You'll always get a heck of a lot more out of something than you put into it, if you put your heart and soul into it, and you do it not for yourself, but for others and for Him.
Jesus.
Others.
Yewww.
Here's what I don't like: speaking in public.
Contrary to popular belief, there is a difference!
With singing, you have music and, often times, a whole band to back you up. With speaking, it's just you, a microphone, and a couple hundred quiet people waiting for you to stutter. Maybe it's not that bad, but you catch my drift...
The reason I'm saying this is, tomorrow, I have to speak in public (the public being my church famliy!). And the reason for this public speaking is to share some highlights and meaningful experiences from our youth group's recent beach/mission trip. No big deal, right? Well, for someone like me, who's more of a public singer than speaker, it's a bit scary.
So, instead of freaking out about what I'm going to share in front of my "family" (that word makes it sound so much less nerve-racking than the word "public", doesn't it?!), I'm going to test it on the few readers of my blog that I now have! (And when I say "few", I mean very few!)
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
- 1 Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 4:12 is a bible verse that, as a teenager, I'm pretty used to hearing. And, up until this simple little trip, I didn't realize how true it really was...or, more honestly, what a great survival guide it is for a kid.
On our trip, we acted like typical church kids would. We were crazy, but we were crazy with class...
Between all the fun, inside-joke kind of times, I managed to build relationships with people I never really foresaw myself getting to know. I strengthened the relationships I already had with good friends, youth leaders, and most importantly, GOD. I learned what it meant to serve others with a cheerful heart, and learned that some people can be just as much of a blessing to you as you were trying to be to them.
We worked at a drug and alcohol rehab center, where a group of people who were so grateful for the shirts on their backs shared their stories with us. I went in there to serve them some food, clean up a little, and sing to them with our youth praise team. When I walked out of there, I was more blessed than when I walked in, because not only did we sing to them, but they sang to us with a love for the Lord like no other!
We helped with kids at a small community center in an area where most of us never would have normally gone. And these kids, who were soooo excited to see us, and to have someone to love them and play with them, came right up to us and gave us big hugs... Those hugs meant more than any hug I've ever had before.
And then, just a few of us older youth worked at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. And we had fun, laughing at one of our youth leaders wrestle a cabinet off of a wall, and - for me - using a power tool for the first time... But seeing how grateful the manager of that store was for old, used pieces of furniture that had been donated - now that was something cool.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
- Romans 12:6-8
This verse, one of the themes for our trip, says a lot. But, what it doesn't say is how much joy that serving and teaching and encouraging and generosity can bring to not just those who you're helping, but also to yourself.
Don't be fooled... You'll always get a heck of a lot more out of something than you put into it, if you put your heart and soul into it, and you do it not for yourself, but for others and for Him.
Jesus.
Others.
Yewww.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Who's Worrying?!
I'm a known worrier. I worry about upcoming events in my life, whether they're something as small as who I'm going to sit with at lunch, or something as big as if I'm going to do well on the SAT. And often times with worry comes stress.
One of the biggest things I've worried and stressed over within the past year or so is where I'm going to go to college, and what I'm going to go there to learn. In high school these days the pressure to decide your future starts early, and there are people there who firmly believe that you should have your career path (and, likewise, the rest of your life!) planned out from start to finish.
I disagree.
I was one of those regular ole teenagers - and no, we're not slackers! - who didn't have the slightest clue what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
And, to my parents, that was fine. My mom changed her majors in college so many times that she eventually went back to school when she finally decided what she wanted to do with her life. I was told that there was nothing wrong with being unsure of your future. And yet, I was unhappy with not knowing what my next step was going to be...
I prayed and prayed to the Lord that I would decide what to do, and that there would be contentment when I finally did know.
"Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for GOOD, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
-Philippians 4:7
So, my contentment didn't come as quick as that... But right now, at this exact moment, I can say that I am at least 99% sure what I want to do with my life.
Like I said, this afirmation didn't happen overnight. I waited for God patiently, praying to Him all the while. If it wasn't for certain circumstances that He placed in my life, I probably wouldn't have felt a calling or a pull in the direction I'm going... But because I left Him in control, and didn't rush Him, He blessed me.
One of the biggest things I've worried and stressed over within the past year or so is where I'm going to go to college, and what I'm going to go there to learn. In high school these days the pressure to decide your future starts early, and there are people there who firmly believe that you should have your career path (and, likewise, the rest of your life!) planned out from start to finish.
I disagree.
I was one of those regular ole teenagers - and no, we're not slackers! - who didn't have the slightest clue what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
And, to my parents, that was fine. My mom changed her majors in college so many times that she eventually went back to school when she finally decided what she wanted to do with her life. I was told that there was nothing wrong with being unsure of your future. And yet, I was unhappy with not knowing what my next step was going to be...
I prayed and prayed to the Lord that I would decide what to do, and that there would be contentment when I finally did know.
"Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for GOOD, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
-Philippians 4:7
So, my contentment didn't come as quick as that... But right now, at this exact moment, I can say that I am at least 99% sure what I want to do with my life.
Like I said, this afirmation didn't happen overnight. I waited for God patiently, praying to Him all the while. If it wasn't for certain circumstances that He placed in my life, I probably wouldn't have felt a calling or a pull in the direction I'm going... But because I left Him in control, and didn't rush Him, He blessed me.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Entertaining Angels
Let's talk people...
Every day people come in and out of our lives. I'm one of those people who's a firm believer that everything happens for a reason...and, likewise, people enter and exit our lives for a reason.
Now, I'm not here to judge what that exact reason is for each person I happen to come in contact with, but, because God is so good, I can only imagine that His intentions are the best possible.
I'm not gonna lie, I am guilty of being a judgemental person. I judge people by their outward appearances and actions all the time. Ohh, she's the athletic/jock type, is she even capable of having a fashion sense? Or he's a surfer/skater dude, how can he have a brain? Or hey, he's cussing every other word, he can't possibly be a Christian.
And then the judging turns into something even worse: comparing. I can dress tons better than her. I'm smarter than two of his brains put together. Or, I don't cuss at all, so I must be the epitome of a perfect Christian.
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging."
- Matthew 7:1 & 2 (MSG)
Jesus has a simple way of telling Christians not to judge or compare. It's basically like this: what goes around comes around. Don't dish it out unless you're willing to take it back. A version of the Golden Rule.
Sometimes, we don't really know who we're judging. We don't know a person's past or their history. We may not even know their name.
One of my favorite things to think about is entertaining angels. We don't know these people's names, or where they came from, but they're somehow there, at just the right time.
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
- Hebrews 13:2
What if, let's just say, the old lady walking her dog past your house is actually an angel? Would you ignore her if you knew that she was an angel? Of course not! You would, at the least, smile and wave as she passes by.
So why not treat every random individual as if they were one of God's angels? Maybe He's placed them in your life for a reason... It could be anything from teaching you a lesson, to providing you comfort at a time when no one else knows you need it.
I love God's blessings in disguise...
Every day people come in and out of our lives. I'm one of those people who's a firm believer that everything happens for a reason...and, likewise, people enter and exit our lives for a reason.
Now, I'm not here to judge what that exact reason is for each person I happen to come in contact with, but, because God is so good, I can only imagine that His intentions are the best possible.
I'm not gonna lie, I am guilty of being a judgemental person. I judge people by their outward appearances and actions all the time. Ohh, she's the athletic/jock type, is she even capable of having a fashion sense? Or he's a surfer/skater dude, how can he have a brain? Or hey, he's cussing every other word, he can't possibly be a Christian.
And then the judging turns into something even worse: comparing. I can dress tons better than her. I'm smarter than two of his brains put together. Or, I don't cuss at all, so I must be the epitome of a perfect Christian.
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging."
- Matthew 7:1 & 2 (MSG)
Jesus has a simple way of telling Christians not to judge or compare. It's basically like this: what goes around comes around. Don't dish it out unless you're willing to take it back. A version of the Golden Rule.
Sometimes, we don't really know who we're judging. We don't know a person's past or their history. We may not even know their name.
One of my favorite things to think about is entertaining angels. We don't know these people's names, or where they came from, but they're somehow there, at just the right time.
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
- Hebrews 13:2
What if, let's just say, the old lady walking her dog past your house is actually an angel? Would you ignore her if you knew that she was an angel? Of course not! You would, at the least, smile and wave as she passes by.
So why not treat every random individual as if they were one of God's angels? Maybe He's placed them in your life for a reason... It could be anything from teaching you a lesson, to providing you comfort at a time when no one else knows you need it.
I love God's blessings in disguise...
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
From the Inside Out...
Something different... A song.
A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Neverending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
Hillsong United. A youth rally/Sunday morning altar call classic. And I would know this, because it just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite songs...
It's not hard to see why this particular song is so wide-known and well-played. Each and every line tells a truth that should be applied to many people's lives, mine included.
I've failed, God hasn't. He is everlasting and neverending, not I.
It's as plain and simple as that. The song goes on to say...
The cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out of my soul, cries out Lord
Sometimes I wonder how true that is. Do I really, always strive to bring the Lord praise? I know for a fact that He always saves the day for me when I stumble. He keeps His side of the promise, but it's sometimes difficult to realize that I don't always return the favor.
Hello! News flash! I'm talking about the same God who created me! He made me.
It's very easy to surrender to God when the lights are down low and a rockin' band leader is praying profoundly, as his band members play - what else?! - "From the Inside Out" softly in the background. Very easy. It's easy to get lost in your own words as you're singing along, and thinking Lord, I give it all to you.
It's just as easy the day after, when you're still on a Jesus-high from the night before. But fast forward some more; three weeks later, when you're sitting in school and becoming tempted to cuss out the guy who's sitting behind you with his feet up on your chair.
Then what? Are you going to turn around and say "I only want to bring God praise, so would you please get your bleeping feet off my bleepety bleep chair and bleep off"?!
Point being, our words and actions may not be as terrible as my example, but even thinking thoughts that don't bring honor to God can be just as terrible as that.
So here's the hooker: why don't I live every day like I stand at those youth rallies, with arms raised high and singing at the top of my lungs to my Savior?!
I guess it just has to do with the way I think. If I don't consider it, and don't consider the impression I'm leaving, then glorifying the Lord is just one of those things that slips my mind. And when I think about it in that light, it doesn't seem like the kind of thing that should just "slip your mind."
"The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory."
- Isaiah 60:19
Let's take this to a more literal sense. Who in the world would want to live a light-less life? Umm, no one! It would be impossible to see, to learn, to create, to exist.
So if physical darkness was what was really at stake here, I can almost bet that everyone on this earth would turn their hearts, thoughts, words and actions to Jesus Christ.
Letting the cry of my heart be bringing God praise isn't always the easiest thing to do. It doesn't always seem to be the most logical idea. Most times our first instinct in a tough situation isn't to glorify God. Yet, since He is on the inside, what's wrong with showing the world that you will praise him on the outside too?
A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Neverending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
Hillsong United. A youth rally/Sunday morning altar call classic. And I would know this, because it just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite songs...
It's not hard to see why this particular song is so wide-known and well-played. Each and every line tells a truth that should be applied to many people's lives, mine included.
I've failed, God hasn't. He is everlasting and neverending, not I.
It's as plain and simple as that. The song goes on to say...
The cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out of my soul, cries out Lord
Sometimes I wonder how true that is. Do I really, always strive to bring the Lord praise? I know for a fact that He always saves the day for me when I stumble. He keeps His side of the promise, but it's sometimes difficult to realize that I don't always return the favor.
Hello! News flash! I'm talking about the same God who created me! He made me.
It's very easy to surrender to God when the lights are down low and a rockin' band leader is praying profoundly, as his band members play - what else?! - "From the Inside Out" softly in the background. Very easy. It's easy to get lost in your own words as you're singing along, and thinking Lord, I give it all to you.
It's just as easy the day after, when you're still on a Jesus-high from the night before. But fast forward some more; three weeks later, when you're sitting in school and becoming tempted to cuss out the guy who's sitting behind you with his feet up on your chair.
Then what? Are you going to turn around and say "I only want to bring God praise, so would you please get your bleeping feet off my bleepety bleep chair and bleep off"?!
Point being, our words and actions may not be as terrible as my example, but even thinking thoughts that don't bring honor to God can be just as terrible as that.
So here's the hooker: why don't I live every day like I stand at those youth rallies, with arms raised high and singing at the top of my lungs to my Savior?!
I guess it just has to do with the way I think. If I don't consider it, and don't consider the impression I'm leaving, then glorifying the Lord is just one of those things that slips my mind. And when I think about it in that light, it doesn't seem like the kind of thing that should just "slip your mind."
"The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory."
- Isaiah 60:19
Let's take this to a more literal sense. Who in the world would want to live a light-less life? Umm, no one! It would be impossible to see, to learn, to create, to exist.
So if physical darkness was what was really at stake here, I can almost bet that everyone on this earth would turn their hearts, thoughts, words and actions to Jesus Christ.
Letting the cry of my heart be bringing God praise isn't always the easiest thing to do. It doesn't always seem to be the most logical idea. Most times our first instinct in a tough situation isn't to glorify God. Yet, since He is on the inside, what's wrong with showing the world that you will praise him on the outside too?
Monday, August 1, 2011
My Plans vs. His Plans
Alright, so it's a known fact that things in life don't always go as planned. At least, not the way we planned.
My own plans have been ruined countless times... Sometimes they're ruined by something as simple as a scheduling conflict, and other times by something more complicated, like a sickness.
I'll never forget the several times when my family is on vacation, and someone from our church passes away. My dad, being the wonderful pastor that he is (although, I'll admit, I might be a bit biased in that opinion), always comes back home to preach the funerals, or just comfort the family. Sounds pretty selfless, right? That may be the way my dad takes it, but it's not the way I normally see it. I'm selfish - obviously - and, to be quite honest, sometimes I get a little bit ticked off whenever these situations happen. But it's not like I can change them...
Point being, my plans and God's plans don't always coincide. As a matter of fact, they very rarely line up the same way. Normally, God has a habit of thinking a little bit more realistically than I do. And I don't blame Him there, I guess.
It's like this: I want cheesecake, He gives me a cheese stick; I want a whole new back-to-school wardrobe, He shows me that favorite old shirt of mine that I'd been searching for; I want a hot boyfriend, He gives me a nice new friendship.
Of course that's not exactly how it happens, but it always seems like the good Lord knows just what I need to get me by. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just His way of blessing me.
So while I'm sitting here trying to plan my whole life out perfectly (complete with the fame and fortune), God is showing me not where I want to go, but where I need to go.
"In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps."
- Proverbs 16:9
It's like the verse says... I can plan all I want to, but God ultimately determines where I go and what I do.
So here's the question: do I wait for Him to intervene on my plans, or do I ask him to take over before I even think about starting my own scheming? I choose option two. Why? you might ask...
I guess it's not always the easiest thing to hand over my plans to someone else. But it's sort of something that just has to be done. It's like handing over the keys of my sweet little Punch Bug to the mechanic... My car has to be fixed, and, whether I like it or not, the mechanic needs my keys to do that. So if I try to hold onto those keys, sooner or later my car's either going to break down completely, or someone's goings to take my keys and have my car fixed for me. Which brings me to my point: wouldn't it be easier to just give the man my keys in the first place, before my car breaks down or falls apart?
Ding ding ding! When you give your plans to God, and ask Him to plan for you, the results are gonna be soooo much better than if you keep trying to hold onto those plans and stay in control of them yourself.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed."
- Proverbs 16:3
Even His Word says that when you commit your plans to Him, they'll go over better. If that's not a good enough reassurance, then I don't know what is!
My own plans have been ruined countless times... Sometimes they're ruined by something as simple as a scheduling conflict, and other times by something more complicated, like a sickness.
I'll never forget the several times when my family is on vacation, and someone from our church passes away. My dad, being the wonderful pastor that he is (although, I'll admit, I might be a bit biased in that opinion), always comes back home to preach the funerals, or just comfort the family. Sounds pretty selfless, right? That may be the way my dad takes it, but it's not the way I normally see it. I'm selfish - obviously - and, to be quite honest, sometimes I get a little bit ticked off whenever these situations happen. But it's not like I can change them...
Point being, my plans and God's plans don't always coincide. As a matter of fact, they very rarely line up the same way. Normally, God has a habit of thinking a little bit more realistically than I do. And I don't blame Him there, I guess.
It's like this: I want cheesecake, He gives me a cheese stick; I want a whole new back-to-school wardrobe, He shows me that favorite old shirt of mine that I'd been searching for; I want a hot boyfriend, He gives me a nice new friendship.
Of course that's not exactly how it happens, but it always seems like the good Lord knows just what I need to get me by. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just His way of blessing me.
So while I'm sitting here trying to plan my whole life out perfectly (complete with the fame and fortune), God is showing me not where I want to go, but where I need to go.
"In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps."
- Proverbs 16:9
It's like the verse says... I can plan all I want to, but God ultimately determines where I go and what I do.
So here's the question: do I wait for Him to intervene on my plans, or do I ask him to take over before I even think about starting my own scheming? I choose option two. Why? you might ask...
I guess it's not always the easiest thing to hand over my plans to someone else. But it's sort of something that just has to be done. It's like handing over the keys of my sweet little Punch Bug to the mechanic... My car has to be fixed, and, whether I like it or not, the mechanic needs my keys to do that. So if I try to hold onto those keys, sooner or later my car's either going to break down completely, or someone's goings to take my keys and have my car fixed for me. Which brings me to my point: wouldn't it be easier to just give the man my keys in the first place, before my car breaks down or falls apart?
Ding ding ding! When you give your plans to God, and ask Him to plan for you, the results are gonna be soooo much better than if you keep trying to hold onto those plans and stay in control of them yourself.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed."
- Proverbs 16:3
Even His Word says that when you commit your plans to Him, they'll go over better. If that's not a good enough reassurance, then I don't know what is!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Why Am I Laughing?
I'm not a profound speaker. My opinions and thoughts may not be the words people always want to hear. I don't claim to be perfect, or even serious.
I'm simply a seventeen year old high school senior who happens to love chocolate milkshakes, the feeling of sand between my toes, and the Lord, among many other things. I'm just a girl who enjoys writing, reading and wondering about too many things to count in life.
So there you have it...I want to share my story and my thoughts in a different sort of way. That would be the reason for this blog.
Now, as for the name: I'm Still Laughing?!
Well, you're probably laughing about it right now. This name was inspired by the verse of scripture Proverbs 31:25:
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
Why laugh at the days to come?
Because I don't actually KNOW what's coming next. I don't have a clue what the days to come will bring...but I refuse to sit around and worry about the possible negative things that could happen to me. And even when those days do come around, I'm still going to smile, rejoice, and take it all in with contentment.
Sounds easy enough, huh?
I'm simply a seventeen year old high school senior who happens to love chocolate milkshakes, the feeling of sand between my toes, and the Lord, among many other things. I'm just a girl who enjoys writing, reading and wondering about too many things to count in life.
So there you have it...I want to share my story and my thoughts in a different sort of way. That would be the reason for this blog.
Now, as for the name: I'm Still Laughing?!
Well, you're probably laughing about it right now. This name was inspired by the verse of scripture Proverbs 31:25:
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
Why laugh at the days to come?
Because I don't actually KNOW what's coming next. I don't have a clue what the days to come will bring...but I refuse to sit around and worry about the possible negative things that could happen to me. And even when those days do come around, I'm still going to smile, rejoice, and take it all in with contentment.
Sounds easy enough, huh?
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