Has been mostly with my thoughts and my feelings, things that I think are out of my control. As of late, I have been envious of everyone and everything! I don't know why, I just know that giving into these emotions, allowing myself to think that my life should be about me-- has really brought me much further from God than I should be. I got to the point where I was truly questioning myself, and Him. The Devil is sly, sneaky. It came upon me so fast... Like a strike of lightning. If I were honest with myself, however, I would have to admit that I saw it coming--maybe from a distance, an inkling, if you will. I let myself believe that if I skip a day reading my bible and studying, that it would be okay. I let myself say again and again: Tomorrow, Tomorrow! I feel as if I'm a broken record, singing that song from Annie. Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'll read tomorrow, studying is a day away!
Also. I have become a tad bit rebellious. I hate that, I do, but I do it anyway. So if anyone happens to read this, please pray that I keep my goal, my desires for God, and don't let any of it slip away.
I'm making a pact to myself, and God. I'll do the very best I can to shine for the Glory of God, to show the world how truly magnificent He truly is. He truly IS. I will study, I will read, and I will do my very best to trust my entire self to God-- I'm stepping off my throne, taking the crown of my life, and laying it at His feet, for He made THE sacrifice.
And I will make it my motto-- I have not made a sacrifice, for to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
John Piper says that battling unbelief and sinful nature is to replace it with superior pleasure. Future Grace, as he calls it. His book states that our faith in the promises God has made to us, and our faith in future grace- replacing our fleshly desires with God-Superior pleasure- will be the key to defeating unbelief.
Pray for me as my eyes continue to open, and as I battle my sin and unbelief with the Superior Pleasure--- God.
Peace. ♥
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Hello!
Good Morning.
I think anyway. I'm tired and don't feel very well, but you know. Today, I think I am going to look through the book of Ephesians. I dunno why, but I picked that one. I'll blog about it later, right now: more sleep.
I think anyway. I'm tired and don't feel very well, but you know. Today, I think I am going to look through the book of Ephesians. I dunno why, but I picked that one. I'll blog about it later, right now: more sleep.
Friday, June 6, 2008
James and Jeremiah
Last night before bed, I read Jeremiah 5:10-31. It was rather unsettling. It definitely showed me that I have much to work on before I even begin planning my journey. I learned that it isn't my plan, first of all, that I can rely on. My youth group has been going through the book of James now for almost over a year. This small book, isn't small at all.
It tells us that
"'Today--at the latest, tomorrow--we are off to such and such a city for the year...'" You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You are nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sunlight before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit by saying, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that." James 13-15
It goes on to tell us that if we even know the right thing but do not do it, then it is sin. We don't even have to be doing anything wrong. If we don't do the right thing, and do nothing at all-- it is sin.
James wrote this letter to the early churches, the newer christians. They all came together under one central belief, that Jesus was their soveriegn Lord, and God was his father. James is explaining and reprimanding the early believers---Believing the right things about God is not enough; even demons believe in God. James urges us to be not merely listeners of the word, but doers of the word. He illustrates this with a man looking at himself in a mirror, walking away, and a few minutes later have no idea who they are or what they look like.
Faith in Jesus should bring about radical life change. Real faith should put you in motion, not waiting for the go-ahead and such.
I'm just now beginning to grasp that. I think I know something, but then I'm completely proven wrong: that isn't a good thing. I need to begin preparing now, not later. I can't wait until camp, until college, until Costa Rica: I need to start NOW. I believe that God has really been harping that into my skull over the last few weeks.
Well anyway, Jeremiah 5:10-31 is a warning, I believe, to the people of the church. We are called scatterbrains, and airheads in a manner of speaking. God tells us we have eyes that see but do not truly look, and ears that hear but do not truly listen. It is a warning against the sin in our lives. God is kind, but he is not soft. He tells us that our sin is what blinds us from the glory of God. The more we wander from Him, the more we sin, disobey and justify ourselves, the further we get from God.
Also, God warns that He is taking serious measures against this people. He harshly reprimands us for our sin, warns those with no conscience: right and wrong mean nothing to them. They stand for NOTHING and stand up for NO ONE but themselves, and it goes further:
"...throw orphans to the wolves, exploit the poor."
Have we truly become this bad? I believe in a sense, we have. The world has gone insane.
Even now, I'm feeling a heavy heart. Guilty, because I am.
Have a good day, and don't forget: doers of the word.
It tells us that
"'Today--at the latest, tomorrow--we are off to such and such a city for the year...'" You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You are nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sunlight before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit by saying, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that." James 13-15
It goes on to tell us that if we even know the right thing but do not do it, then it is sin. We don't even have to be doing anything wrong. If we don't do the right thing, and do nothing at all-- it is sin.
James wrote this letter to the early churches, the newer christians. They all came together under one central belief, that Jesus was their soveriegn Lord, and God was his father. James is explaining and reprimanding the early believers---Believing the right things about God is not enough; even demons believe in God. James urges us to be not merely listeners of the word, but doers of the word. He illustrates this with a man looking at himself in a mirror, walking away, and a few minutes later have no idea who they are or what they look like.
Faith in Jesus should bring about radical life change. Real faith should put you in motion, not waiting for the go-ahead and such.
I'm just now beginning to grasp that. I think I know something, but then I'm completely proven wrong: that isn't a good thing. I need to begin preparing now, not later. I can't wait until camp, until college, until Costa Rica: I need to start NOW. I believe that God has really been harping that into my skull over the last few weeks.
Well anyway, Jeremiah 5:10-31 is a warning, I believe, to the people of the church. We are called scatterbrains, and airheads in a manner of speaking. God tells us we have eyes that see but do not truly look, and ears that hear but do not truly listen. It is a warning against the sin in our lives. God is kind, but he is not soft. He tells us that our sin is what blinds us from the glory of God. The more we wander from Him, the more we sin, disobey and justify ourselves, the further we get from God.
Also, God warns that He is taking serious measures against this people. He harshly reprimands us for our sin, warns those with no conscience: right and wrong mean nothing to them. They stand for NOTHING and stand up for NO ONE but themselves, and it goes further:
"...throw orphans to the wolves, exploit the poor."
Have we truly become this bad? I believe in a sense, we have. The world has gone insane.
Even now, I'm feeling a heavy heart. Guilty, because I am.
Have a good day, and don't forget: doers of the word.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Ahaha.
So the other day, I went to the movies with my friend, Matthew. I had lots of fun, we took pictures in the little photo booth, and then we went to taco bell. Then I had to park in a Gas Station to eat the taco. So, of course! I have to park by this SUV, in which there is a lady eating a corn dog, and crying hysterically. I was... I dunno. It was very awkward, and then people came out of the store and started talking to her. They laughed at us, and I was freaked out further, if at all possible. So my worst fear is now becoming that lady crying because she is eating a corn dog. Yay me. It was still a good night though, haha. I guess the lesson to learn from this is that although it may be a bad night, you can get through it. Don't obsess or worry. It says it in the Bible. "Do not worry, but cast all your fears on me..." or something to that effect.
So Tonight, I went to the movies again, saw Baby Mama, which despite the rumours was actually quite good. Predictable, but good. Then I went to the mall. Got some shirts for work. New sleeve for my phone. Yuh, quite uneventful day. It seemed to me though, that everyone I came into contact with today was having a bad day. I dunno if it was the day of the week or the whole "rain while the sun shines" thing, but you know. Not very encouraging. :) I'm gonna go to bed now, I have to get up really early.
So Tonight, I went to the movies again, saw Baby Mama, which despite the rumours was actually quite good. Predictable, but good. Then I went to the mall. Got some shirts for work. New sleeve for my phone. Yuh, quite uneventful day. It seemed to me though, that everyone I came into contact with today was having a bad day. I dunno if it was the day of the week or the whole "rain while the sun shines" thing, but you know. Not very encouraging. :) I'm gonna go to bed now, I have to get up really early.
So the First Blog is Written
Since everyone I seem to know is now blogging, I figured I might give it a whirl. Today has been quite uneventful, although I should be cleaning and such. (Haha, I'm the worst for procrastination.)
I've been having a good week. I'm now employed by Wal-mart, and it's going great. Still don't know all I need to, but I am slowly getting there.
Right now, I'm really interested in going into journalism. Not the gossip kind, but you know... ok, let me explain.
My Plan: Changes all the time, but somethings stay the same.
Go to Alabama University, to major in Journalism.
During the summers between school, I will hopefully be able to intern at VOM, or The Voice of the Martyrs and eventually work for them, reporting on persecution overseas.
After college, I plan to go to Costa Rica for a mission school.
I eventually hope to live in China, or another country that suffers frequent persecution, running home churches, and fighting back at persecution. It breaks me that the people that live in these third-world countries die everyday for Christ, and we just sit here, blissfully unaware. They love God more--- He is their TREASURE. I want to wittness this miracle. I don't like being civil. I long to be barbaric for Christ.
That's just a smidge about me. :D
Have a Beautiful day!
I've been having a good week. I'm now employed by Wal-mart, and it's going great. Still don't know all I need to, but I am slowly getting there.
Right now, I'm really interested in going into journalism. Not the gossip kind, but you know... ok, let me explain.
My Plan: Changes all the time, but somethings stay the same.
Go to Alabama University, to major in Journalism.
During the summers between school, I will hopefully be able to intern at VOM, or The Voice of the Martyrs and eventually work for them, reporting on persecution overseas.
After college, I plan to go to Costa Rica for a mission school.
I eventually hope to live in China, or another country that suffers frequent persecution, running home churches, and fighting back at persecution. It breaks me that the people that live in these third-world countries die everyday for Christ, and we just sit here, blissfully unaware. They love God more--- He is their TREASURE. I want to wittness this miracle. I don't like being civil. I long to be barbaric for Christ.
That's just a smidge about me. :D
Have a Beautiful day!
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