Humans have a need to belong and feel welcome. We as a species have always had this need and we feel it is important. People want to feel welcome. Not saying it's bad to want to belong, because I want to belong with other people as well. However sometimes people lose sight of what life is meant to be and get caught up worrying about the superficial side of belonging, it becomes more about being "cool".
I've seen people completely change themselves and their beliefs to "fit in with the crowd" and I've seen some things that I know the Lord would not approve of and that takes you away from the path to Heaven. People want to fit in so they treat another person in a terrible manner to be a part of a group, or they partake in illegal activities to fit in. Celebrities drastically alter their looks to become more attractive. All of these are the types of ways the world will try to conform you, but you have the power to say "no" to the world! Here's what God has to say about conforming:
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God" Romans 12:2
God wants us to change the way we think so we can show the world what is good and acceptable to Him and His vision of perfect. We don't need to be like the world to prove whats good in God's eyes. There's really no point in conforming to the world according to this verse:
"And those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away." 1 Corinthians 7:31
Use the world for the right purpose. Because the world as we no it will be gone some day. Pleasing humans is nothing compared to pleasing God.
Posted by Desi
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Food for thought- What the Bible Has to Say About Being Angry.
Some verses to get you thinking. ((This is a short post, don't expect to spend a good thirty minutes or anything. Just something to think about for the day..week... year... rest of your life.))
"My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do no becoem angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of live God wants."
James 1:19-20
"When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day."
Ephesians 4:26
"A gentle answer will calm a person's anger, but an unkind answer wil cause more anger."
Proverbs 15:1
Okay, get real. All of us get angry. It's designed to be in us. We all have emotions, and we all get flustered. We have anger because God Himself has anger. We were made in His image. Though we cannot fathom the depths of our Holy Lord's anger, we have a pretty good thought on ours.
Think about a time you wre angry... Face it, you know you have one. I know you have one. So go ahead think. Maybe it was a sibling, parent, or a friend. You were flustered, maybe some yelling was involved. Maybe you were smacked or hit, or cussed out.
Think of that person right now...are you still mad at them? Are you holding your grudge?
The bible tells us that we shouldn't get angry quickly, because it leads to foolishness (Eccesiastes 7:9) And that patient people have great understanding, whilst the quick tempered are foolish. (Proverbs 14:29) It stresses the point of forgiveness.
"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[a][b] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[c] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."
Matthew 5:22-24
Go make peace with them, and be patient. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. God will judge them, not you, so forgive and let live.
Matthew 6:14 says "Yes, if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you for your sins."
Besides, what good does a grudge do? What good is it to be angry and hostile, bitter and mean?
"Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city."
Proverbs 16:32
Just some food for thought.
"My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do no becoem angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of live God wants."
James 1:19-20
"When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day."
Ephesians 4:26
"A gentle answer will calm a person's anger, but an unkind answer wil cause more anger."
Proverbs 15:1
Okay, get real. All of us get angry. It's designed to be in us. We all have emotions, and we all get flustered. We have anger because God Himself has anger. We were made in His image. Though we cannot fathom the depths of our Holy Lord's anger, we have a pretty good thought on ours.
Think about a time you wre angry... Face it, you know you have one. I know you have one. So go ahead think. Maybe it was a sibling, parent, or a friend. You were flustered, maybe some yelling was involved. Maybe you were smacked or hit, or cussed out.
Think of that person right now...are you still mad at them? Are you holding your grudge?
The bible tells us that we shouldn't get angry quickly, because it leads to foolishness (Eccesiastes 7:9) And that patient people have great understanding, whilst the quick tempered are foolish. (Proverbs 14:29) It stresses the point of forgiveness.
"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[a][b] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[c] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."
Matthew 5:22-24
Go make peace with them, and be patient. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. God will judge them, not you, so forgive and let live.
Matthew 6:14 says "Yes, if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you for your sins."
Besides, what good does a grudge do? What good is it to be angry and hostile, bitter and mean?
"Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city."
Proverbs 16:32
Just some food for thought.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd and the Big Mystery - A short story I wrote today.
I know this isn't exactly christian, but I'm going to put in on here for lack of my posting this week. Enjoy.
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd was a curious lad. No. Scratch that. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd was an adventurous lad. Yep, that's more fitting. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd was an eleven year-old boy with the imagination of a 7 year-old and the courage of a mountain lion. At least he hoped it was as big as a mountain lion's. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd wished everything about himself to be grand. And that's why he wanted to be a detective.
Detectives were fearless, and caught the villains. They always solved the case, and usually has some AWESOME fighting skills. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd had been dreaming of being a detective since he was born...(though maybe a bit after that. He wanted to be a superhero first, but of course, superheros never got paid enough.) Plus, who doesn't want to have AWESOME fighting skills? Lame-o people, that's who.
Right about now, Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd was tiptoe-ing around his house at the devastatingly late hour of 10, magnifying glass practically glued to his face and sherlock holmes-esque hat perched haphazardly atop his flaming red hair. His blue eyes darted back and forth as he scanned the kitchen floor. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd had heard some noises like footsteps and a door slamming earlier in the night. Since both of his parents had gone to sleep after their argument, now was the absolutely perfect time to go detective-ing. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd thought of this as his big break into the detective world. He just couldn't screw it up!
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd padded his way in spiderman pajamas up to the fridge, which at the moment vaguely reminded him of the Hulk. But he shook that notion off. He was a detective, and detectives didn''t think about superheros! But the fridge was kind of big and hulk-like. It was silver though, and not green, so everything was okay. Right?
Opening the door as quietly as one 11 year old boy named Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd could at that time and place, he blinked his eyes to the bright light of the fridge and looked at the food through his trusty magnifying glass. What was different? He saw the milk and the eggs, some weird pasta dish. The chinese from last night. He took a whiff of the air and immeadiately the hand holding the magnifying glass flew to his nose. That smell, it was awful! What could create such an odor?
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd grasped the magnifying glass once again. Remember when I mentioned that it was practically glued to his face? Turns out it really was glued to his face. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd thought it weird, for he did not remember putting glue on his magnifying glass. But it was not as weird as the strange stench from the fridge, so he shoved it away for now, choosing to focus on what had created the smell.
There! Third shelf on the left next to the pasta dish! The culprit of the smell was apprehended! A small shiny package shaped like a piece of pie. Pie usually didn't smell that bad though. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd quickly grasped the item from the fridge and shut the door quietly. His folks did not need to be awake at this hour. He held his breath and took it over to the table, wher he got up on a chair and stared at the object. It definitely had a stench, but he was very curious to find out what was inside. A good detective always followed up on his leads. This was his biggest lead, so he decided to find out was was inside.
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd left the table to get some supplies. A good detective always had gadgets and gizmos to help him in his... detective-y-ness. Rummaging through the kitchen drawers, he found the perfect tools. Yes, these would do nicely. He took his loot in his arms and went back to the table.
A safety knife - to cut it in case something needed to be cut.
A pair of tongs - to pick up pieces or the whole thing after he restrained it if it started a retaliation.
A big spoon - to kill it if the above situation happened.
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd sat back down at the table and looked at the mysterious foil wrapped object through his magnifying glass that was glued to his eye. Carefully he pulled back the foil, holding his breath as the stench hit him in waves. His eyes were watering, but he continued on. A good detective never quit anything. So Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd wouldn't quit either.
It was slightly yellow and smooth, with some holes all around. The object was kind of lumpy and odd shaped too. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd didn't know what to make of it. The smell seemed to be made in the object. He touched it, and quickly pulled his hand away. It wasn't alive, it seemed. but something was off. A good Detective used all of his senses to find out weird things.
Okay, so Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd already covered sight. Smell, well, that was obvious. It reeked. Touch, it was smooth and lumpy. Smooth lumps, really. It didn't make any noise, so no sound. That left....taste. Taste? He thought it would taste nasty. It sure smelled nasty. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd wanted to be a good detective, but he didn't think he could muster up the courage to eat the strange smooth lumpy thing. Maybe he didn't have the courage of a mountain lion.
He had to try it though. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd didn't think it was poisoness. His parents wouldn't put it in the fridge....unless....it wasn't them! It all made sense now! Someone was trying to poison his family! Why though...why? That's it! Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd wasn't taking one bite of the stuff. He was going to save his family, it didn't mater what the motive was! He took the seemingly poisoness object and tossed it in the trash. There! Wiping his hands, Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd crawled into bed with a smile and a magnifying glass glued to his eye.
In his dreams, he was the best detective around.
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd was a curious lad. No. Scratch that. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd was an adventurous lad. Yep, that's more fitting. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd was an eleven year-old boy with the imagination of a 7 year-old and the courage of a mountain lion. At least he hoped it was as big as a mountain lion's. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd wished everything about himself to be grand. And that's why he wanted to be a detective.
Detectives were fearless, and caught the villains. They always solved the case, and usually has some AWESOME fighting skills. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd had been dreaming of being a detective since he was born...(though maybe a bit after that. He wanted to be a superhero first, but of course, superheros never got paid enough.) Plus, who doesn't want to have AWESOME fighting skills? Lame-o people, that's who.
Right about now, Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd was tiptoe-ing around his house at the devastatingly late hour of 10, magnifying glass practically glued to his face and sherlock holmes-esque hat perched haphazardly atop his flaming red hair. His blue eyes darted back and forth as he scanned the kitchen floor. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd had heard some noises like footsteps and a door slamming earlier in the night. Since both of his parents had gone to sleep after their argument, now was the absolutely perfect time to go detective-ing. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd thought of this as his big break into the detective world. He just couldn't screw it up!
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd padded his way in spiderman pajamas up to the fridge, which at the moment vaguely reminded him of the Hulk. But he shook that notion off. He was a detective, and detectives didn''t think about superheros! But the fridge was kind of big and hulk-like. It was silver though, and not green, so everything was okay. Right?
Opening the door as quietly as one 11 year old boy named Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd could at that time and place, he blinked his eyes to the bright light of the fridge and looked at the food through his trusty magnifying glass. What was different? He saw the milk and the eggs, some weird pasta dish. The chinese from last night. He took a whiff of the air and immeadiately the hand holding the magnifying glass flew to his nose. That smell, it was awful! What could create such an odor?
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd grasped the magnifying glass once again. Remember when I mentioned that it was practically glued to his face? Turns out it really was glued to his face. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd thought it weird, for he did not remember putting glue on his magnifying glass. But it was not as weird as the strange stench from the fridge, so he shoved it away for now, choosing to focus on what had created the smell.
There! Third shelf on the left next to the pasta dish! The culprit of the smell was apprehended! A small shiny package shaped like a piece of pie. Pie usually didn't smell that bad though. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd quickly grasped the item from the fridge and shut the door quietly. His folks did not need to be awake at this hour. He held his breath and took it over to the table, wher he got up on a chair and stared at the object. It definitely had a stench, but he was very curious to find out what was inside. A good detective always followed up on his leads. This was his biggest lead, so he decided to find out was was inside.
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd left the table to get some supplies. A good detective always had gadgets and gizmos to help him in his... detective-y-ness. Rummaging through the kitchen drawers, he found the perfect tools. Yes, these would do nicely. He took his loot in his arms and went back to the table.
A safety knife - to cut it in case something needed to be cut.
A pair of tongs - to pick up pieces or the whole thing after he restrained it if it started a retaliation.
A big spoon - to kill it if the above situation happened.
Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd sat back down at the table and looked at the mysterious foil wrapped object through his magnifying glass that was glued to his eye. Carefully he pulled back the foil, holding his breath as the stench hit him in waves. His eyes were watering, but he continued on. A good detective never quit anything. So Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd wouldn't quit either.
It was slightly yellow and smooth, with some holes all around. The object was kind of lumpy and odd shaped too. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd didn't know what to make of it. The smell seemed to be made in the object. He touched it, and quickly pulled his hand away. It wasn't alive, it seemed. but something was off. A good Detective used all of his senses to find out weird things.
Okay, so Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd already covered sight. Smell, well, that was obvious. It reeked. Touch, it was smooth and lumpy. Smooth lumps, really. It didn't make any noise, so no sound. That left....taste. Taste? He thought it would taste nasty. It sure smelled nasty. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd wanted to be a good detective, but he didn't think he could muster up the courage to eat the strange smooth lumpy thing. Maybe he didn't have the courage of a mountain lion.
He had to try it though. Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd didn't think it was poisoness. His parents wouldn't put it in the fridge....unless....it wasn't them! It all made sense now! Someone was trying to poison his family! Why though...why? That's it! Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd wasn't taking one bite of the stuff. He was going to save his family, it didn't mater what the motive was! He took the seemingly poisoness object and tossed it in the trash. There! Wiping his hands, Carter Louis Willowala the 3rd crawled into bed with a smile and a magnifying glass glued to his eye.
In his dreams, he was the best detective around.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
A Forgiving God
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14
Basically what this verse is trying to say is "If you forgive people when they wrong you, God will forgive you for wronging Him." Why is forgiveness so hard to cope with? Some people find forgiving and very hard thing to do. It may have been someone spoke to harshly to you or they spreaded a rumor about you, or whatever the reason may be. Forgiving is hard at times, but it's only because we let pride get in the way.
Or think of it this way, you are playing baseball with your friends and you hit the ball and it goes smashing into your neighbors livingroom window. Your stomach sinks and your heart starts pounding, and you know you are going to be in a world of consequences for your actions. The neighbor is furious and your parents are just as upset, and as punishment you give up a month's worth alloowence to fix the window. After being grounded for a few weeks imagine you go up to apologize to your neighbor again but they don't except your apology. You feel bad enough about breaking the window and now your neighbor wants nothing to do with you. That's bad enough that humans do that to each other right? Not being forgiven for things you have done wrong hurts pretty bad. God doesn't like it when we hold grudges and only think of how we feel. He feels that everyone desevres a second chance. He forgives you for your sins no matter what. While it may take time to forgive someone, it's better than not forgiving them at all. Being upset with someone is one thing, but being unforgiving is unacceptable in God's eyes.
"Any grudge you hold is just a gurdge on your heart." - unknown sorce
-Desi
Basically what this verse is trying to say is "If you forgive people when they wrong you, God will forgive you for wronging Him." Why is forgiveness so hard to cope with? Some people find forgiving and very hard thing to do. It may have been someone spoke to harshly to you or they spreaded a rumor about you, or whatever the reason may be. Forgiving is hard at times, but it's only because we let pride get in the way.
Or think of it this way, you are playing baseball with your friends and you hit the ball and it goes smashing into your neighbors livingroom window. Your stomach sinks and your heart starts pounding, and you know you are going to be in a world of consequences for your actions. The neighbor is furious and your parents are just as upset, and as punishment you give up a month's worth alloowence to fix the window. After being grounded for a few weeks imagine you go up to apologize to your neighbor again but they don't except your apology. You feel bad enough about breaking the window and now your neighbor wants nothing to do with you. That's bad enough that humans do that to each other right? Not being forgiven for things you have done wrong hurts pretty bad. God doesn't like it when we hold grudges and only think of how we feel. He feels that everyone desevres a second chance. He forgives you for your sins no matter what. While it may take time to forgive someone, it's better than not forgiving them at all. Being upset with someone is one thing, but being unforgiving is unacceptable in God's eyes.
"Any grudge you hold is just a gurdge on your heart." - unknown sorce
-Desi
Friday, May 20, 2011
Words of Grace: The China Horse
Words of Grace: The China Horse: "I have a little china horse sitting on a shelf in my bedroom, simply waiting to be held and fondled by a pair of young, admiring hands. Th..."
This is an awesome post I found on a blog I am following. Check it out and follow this person. They are awesome!
This is an awesome post I found on a blog I am following. Check it out and follow this person. They are awesome!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Witnesses not Judges; A short.
There once were two people. Walt and James. These two were best friends. They did many things together, built forts, talked about cars. They both aspired to be the best car racer ever. But Walt and James had differences.
James spent his time critcising and judging the other racers and compared them to himself.He was spiteful and egotistical. Only Walt was his friend.
Walt on the other hand spent his time watching and praying for the other racer's safety and happiness. He watched other racers not to judge, but because he cared about everyone. And everyone cared about Walt.
Walt and James never raced each other before, but that day, they were slated against each other. Walt turned to his friend and wished him good luck. James smirked and told Walt he didn't need luck because Walt was the worst racer he saw.
The race started.
They were neck and neck, James and Walt. They rounded turn after turn, but neither pulled ahead. James was mad, he was so sure that he could beat Walt. But he didn't know how Walt raced because he was always thinking about how Walt paled in comparison. Walt knew exactly how James raced because he went to all of James's races to cheer him on. So he knew that James slowed down on corners without knowing.
The last turn in the race Walt sped past James and won. James was astounded at Walt, for no one ever beat James before. He turned to his friend and asked him how he did it.
"I am a witness to your growth in racing, so I know your style very well. You must not have known mine because you are a judge at the racetrack; constantly comparing and judging everyone else." Walt explained.
James didn't understand, and thought of how Walt rambled on and on. It was quite un-becoming in James's mind.
"...If we spent half as much time praying for the Lord to give guidance and wisdom to these people whom GOD has called--- first, we would not have enough time to point our fingers and secondly and most importantly we could be standing in the gap and making up a hedge around them to keep them from falling or doing something wrong.God called us to be witnesses---NOT JUDGES. More can be done praying that talking---so here's your chance to do something productive---lift every servant of the Lord up in prayer instead of putting them down."
Bobby Webb Kingsport TN
James spent his time critcising and judging the other racers and compared them to himself.He was spiteful and egotistical. Only Walt was his friend.
Walt on the other hand spent his time watching and praying for the other racer's safety and happiness. He watched other racers not to judge, but because he cared about everyone. And everyone cared about Walt.
Walt and James never raced each other before, but that day, they were slated against each other. Walt turned to his friend and wished him good luck. James smirked and told Walt he didn't need luck because Walt was the worst racer he saw.
The race started.
They were neck and neck, James and Walt. They rounded turn after turn, but neither pulled ahead. James was mad, he was so sure that he could beat Walt. But he didn't know how Walt raced because he was always thinking about how Walt paled in comparison. Walt knew exactly how James raced because he went to all of James's races to cheer him on. So he knew that James slowed down on corners without knowing.
The last turn in the race Walt sped past James and won. James was astounded at Walt, for no one ever beat James before. He turned to his friend and asked him how he did it.
"I am a witness to your growth in racing, so I know your style very well. You must not have known mine because you are a judge at the racetrack; constantly comparing and judging everyone else." Walt explained.
James didn't understand, and thought of how Walt rambled on and on. It was quite un-becoming in James's mind.
"WE ARE MEANT TO BE WITNESSES; NOT JUDGES."
- A church sign I saw while riding the bus home today.
- A church sign I saw while riding the bus home today.
"...If we spent half as much time praying for the Lord to give guidance and wisdom to these people whom GOD has called--- first, we would not have enough time to point our fingers and secondly and most importantly we could be standing in the gap and making up a hedge around them to keep them from falling or doing something wrong.God called us to be witnesses---NOT JUDGES. More can be done praying that talking---so here's your chance to do something productive---lift every servant of the Lord up in prayer instead of putting them down."
Bobby Webb Kingsport TN
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
God's Undying Love
Have you ever done something so bad that would get you in so much trouble that you were afraid your parents would hate you? Or you felt like you could never go home? I'm sure everyone has had one of those moments. You were afraid to disappoint someone you love and look up to. But you know in your heart your parents will always love you. You can always come home no matter how bad you mess up. No one else seems to have that kind of forgiveness, right? Wrong, because God is the same way.
You can always come home no matter what you do. God will always forgive you no matter how unforgivable the sin may seem. God will love you and it is never to late to find Him. He loves you with everything he has.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the Earth, that he gave his only begotten son Jesus to die on a cross. And all who believe in him shall not parish, but have everlasting life."
God still loves you if you sin. For humans it's impossible NOT to sin. But when Jesus died on the cross, all of our sin is wiped away. We do not carry the burden of our sin, because Jesus already did.
Now is that true love or what?
-Desi
"Inspired by Veggie Tales"
You can always come home no matter what you do. God will always forgive you no matter how unforgivable the sin may seem. God will love you and it is never to late to find Him. He loves you with everything he has.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the Earth, that he gave his only begotten son Jesus to die on a cross. And all who believe in him shall not parish, but have everlasting life."
God still loves you if you sin. For humans it's impossible NOT to sin. But when Jesus died on the cross, all of our sin is wiped away. We do not carry the burden of our sin, because Jesus already did.
Now is that true love or what?
-Desi
"Inspired by Veggie Tales"
Walks of Faith
A man, driven by the grace of God, stands in the water above the stage of our church; he's ready to publicly share his faith in Christ and be baptized in front of our congregation. I do not know him. Pastor asks him the same questions I was asked at age 8, standing in that water wearing a purple jumpsuit with a frog shirt. We have the same answers.
_
A woman, bound to her wheelchair for reasons I am not privy to, wheels her way down to the altar. Her husband follows; his arm is in a sling. The Congregation is still getting over the first baptism and a short worshipping before this event. I wonder what is happening. The pastor tells us that the lady wishes to be baptized as well. Murmurs spread. How is she to be baptized when she cannot be submerged? The pastor has a way though. Together with our assistant music pastor, they pour water over her forehead and into a bowl. We all clap.
_
An eight-year-old is escorted to the alter later. Her name escapes me. She is small and scrawny; a picture of a kitten leaps to mind. Pastor tells us that she wants to be saved and come to God. We all clap and congratulate her. She reminds me of someone. Oh yeah, me. Except I stood in our dimly lit gym, sweating through my sweater-vest. We are still the same.
_
We. Not I. Not 'Me', but WE. We may all be different. The Man, The Lady, The Girl and I; we all share the same qualities, we all have similar beliefs. Maybe that woman was like me as a child. Maybe that girl had sisters who'd accepted Christ and longed to do the same. Maybe that man was afraid of what his family would think; my friends were my worries. We share things in Christ without knowing it. All four of us are a We. We have a savior who loves us. We are saved by his blood, as are we forgiven of our sins. It doesn't matter whether I am a baptist and the girl who sits next to me in geometry is a Methodist. Not really. Labels schmables! We are both Christians. I can talk to her about God and respect her beliefs. That Lutheran down the street is my best friend. Is that so bad?
Pastor stops in the middle of the sermon. I look up from my bible as he tells people to help her. A lady across the walk is having a seizure. The lady next to her jumps to her aid as the man behind her holds her down. I don't know what the man, lady, or girl was thinking, but I knew one thing we all did at that moment. We were praying.
_
A woman, bound to her wheelchair for reasons I am not privy to, wheels her way down to the altar. Her husband follows; his arm is in a sling. The Congregation is still getting over the first baptism and a short worshipping before this event. I wonder what is happening. The pastor tells us that the lady wishes to be baptized as well. Murmurs spread. How is she to be baptized when she cannot be submerged? The pastor has a way though. Together with our assistant music pastor, they pour water over her forehead and into a bowl. We all clap.
_
An eight-year-old is escorted to the alter later. Her name escapes me. She is small and scrawny; a picture of a kitten leaps to mind. Pastor tells us that she wants to be saved and come to God. We all clap and congratulate her. She reminds me of someone. Oh yeah, me. Except I stood in our dimly lit gym, sweating through my sweater-vest. We are still the same.
_
We. Not I. Not 'Me', but WE. We may all be different. The Man, The Lady, The Girl and I; we all share the same qualities, we all have similar beliefs. Maybe that woman was like me as a child. Maybe that girl had sisters who'd accepted Christ and longed to do the same. Maybe that man was afraid of what his family would think; my friends were my worries. We share things in Christ without knowing it. All four of us are a We. We have a savior who loves us. We are saved by his blood, as are we forgiven of our sins. It doesn't matter whether I am a baptist and the girl who sits next to me in geometry is a Methodist. Not really. Labels schmables! We are both Christians. I can talk to her about God and respect her beliefs. That Lutheran down the street is my best friend. Is that so bad?
Pastor stops in the middle of the sermon. I look up from my bible as he tells people to help her. A lady across the walk is having a seizure. The lady next to her jumps to her aid as the man behind her holds her down. I don't know what the man, lady, or girl was thinking, but I knew one thing we all did at that moment. We were praying.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Daily Answers: Hebrews 13:8
How has Jesus been constant in your life?
Jesus has been constant in so many areas. He's been constant in my struggles, helping me to get back up from falling. He's been in my joys, because I know that nothing would be possible without Him. The limits are non-existant.
In what ways can you find Him in your daily life?
I can find Him on the radio when I'm just sitting along. I can find Him whenever I need to, because I know he's there for me.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Daily Questions May 16
Ah, I can't believe I forgot to add this on my post yesterday. Hardlya day in and already I've messed up. I think I might keep it like this though. One day ask the questions, the next answer. I know it's easier on me. I'll think about it. Okay, on to the DQ!
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus Christ Never Changes
Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Questions to think about:
How has Jesus been constant in your life?
In what ways can you find Him in your daily life?
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Take up your cross, DQ Syd's Answers
How are you taking up your cross and following Him?
How? This site, plus going to youth and constantly bringing Him up in debate and praise with my friends.
In what ways can you be a better disciple?
I can be a better disciple for him by being more active in my youth group and talk about Him to my unsaved friends.
How can you follow Him even more completely?
Like before, by emersing myself even more completely into His word and praise the Lord constantly.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Take up your Cross... Daily Question
Luke 9:23 (New International Version)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Just think about this for a bit.
How are you taking up your cross and following Him?
In what ways can you be a better disciple?
How can you follow Him even more completely?
In what ways can you be a better disciple?
How can you follow Him even more completely?
Introducing... Daily Questions!
Okay, so first and foremost I apologize for being absent a total of....well, several months. I had life catch up and over take me, and I think it's time to start the revival of The Revivalution! (Corny I know.) As a sort of promise to the readers and myself that this will actually be an active site, I am starting the Daily Questions! With the Daily Questions, I am going to give you a verse and a corresponding media (picture, video, etc.) After that, I'm just going to give you two or three questions to think about for your day (mine as well.) The next day I will answer the questions myself and give a new Daily Question. Besides, I want to know how long this will last. Hopefully, things are going to start changing on this site. Maybe some new writers, perhaps? I don't know yet, but I know God will help us through it. Thanks for reading and may God bless you.
~ Syd.
~ Syd.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
WHO AM I?
I am your constant companion. I am
your greatest helper or heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down
I will push you onward or drag you down
to failure. I am completely at your command.
Half the things you do you might just as
Half the things you do you might just as
well turn them over to me and I will be able to do
then quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed - you must merely
be firm with me. Show me exactly how you
want something done and after a few
lessons I will do it automatically. I am the
servant of all great individuals and, alas, of
all failures, as well. Those who are great, I
have made great. Those who are failures,
I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work
with all the precision of a machine plus
the intelligence of a human. You may run
me for a profit or run me for a ruin - it
makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me,
and I will place the world at your feet. Be
easy with me and I will destroy you.
Who Am I?
I am Habit.
Who Am I?
I am Habit.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
There Once Was a Prince...
Okay you guys, the topic of this post is something I believe is very important in every christian teen life. Yeah, you guessed it. Abstinence. And where did your mind go? Probably where mine used to go every time I heard that word. Far away, tuned out because you’ve already heard so much about it. Don’t fret, this isn’t going somewhere where your mind shouldn’t follow. But, everyone needs to truly learn about Abstinence, and what you can do to keep your body ‘a temple for God’.
In fact, I have a little story for you guys. It involves a prince, and some hard-core morality.
King Louis (XVI of France) had been taken from his throne and imprisoned. His young son, the prince, was taken by those who dethroned the king. They thought insamuch as the king’s son was heir to the throne, if they could destroy him morally, he would never realize the great and grand destiny that life had bestowed upon him.
They took him to a community far away, and there they exposed the lad to every filthy and vile thing that life could offer. They exposed him to foods the richness of which would quickly make him a slave to appetite. They used vile language around him constantly. They exposed him to lewd and lusting women. He was surrounded twenty-four hours a day by everything that could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip. For over six months he had this treatment - but not once did the young lad buckle under pressure.
King Louis (XVI of France) had been taken from his throne and imprisoned. His young son, the prince, was taken by those who dethroned the king. They thought insamuch as the king’s son was heir to the throne, if they could destroy him morally, he would never realize the great and grand destiny that life had bestowed upon him.
They took him to a community far away, and there they exposed the lad to every filthy and vile thing that life could offer. They exposed him to foods the richness of which would quickly make him a slave to appetite. They used vile language around him constantly. They exposed him to lewd and lusting women. He was surrounded twenty-four hours a day by everything that could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip. For over six months he had this treatment - but not once did the young lad buckle under pressure.
Finally, after intensive temptation, they questioned him. Why had he not submitted himself to these things - why had he not partaken? These things would provide pleasure, satisfy his lusts, and were desirable; they were all his. The boy said, “I cannot do what you ask for I was born to be a king.”
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Page 15
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Page 15
Right now you are probably wondering why I even put this story in here. In all actuality, it was originally used to explain paradigms, or the way we view things, our perspective. But more on that later. Remember how the men wanted to destroy the prince’s spirit? Well, they wanted to so the boy would never realize that he was supposed to be better; they wanted to literally destroy it. now think of the men as sin, and the boy as you. Would you have given in? Sin wants to constantly destroy your spirit, it doesn’t want you to recognize that you’re supposed to be something greater. As 1 Corinthians 3:16 states,”Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?”
Well, don’t you? if you know that you’re the temple for His spirit, why do we continue to sin? It’s because we give in to the temptations of sin. All the time, Satan is whispering in our ear. And it is no help that the media helps him. Ever have thoughts like:
“Oh, this show is a little wrong, but it is alright, it isn’t going to hurt.”
“How can one drink get me addicted?”
“How can one drink get me addicted?”
“Cutting classes is fine, everyone does it.”
“Besides, all my friends are doing it, why shouldn’t I?”
Or anything similar? We all sin, it is our sinful nature. Romans 3:23 reminds us of it. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. And since God’s Spirit lives inside us, it’s getting little attacks from all the sin you commit. If God is in our body, why are we trying to make him leave with the continuous sin? We should not be defined of things of this world, but rather, by our God.
Romans 8:9 “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”
Even according to the bible we are not controlled by our sinful nature. That is why we have the ability to say no, to abstain from things we know will do us harm. And God wants us to. Every time we sin, we fall short of the glory of God, doesn’t that just wrench a soul in your heart? Every time you participate in something you know is going to do you harm, you just got farther from God; farther! God doesn't want that, he wants to have you near him, you should want that too! The prince wanted it. He abstained from all of those horrible things that “could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip.” Just think, the prince could’ve added one word, and would have been a model for you to follow even more. He could’ve said this: “ I cannot do what you ask for I was born to be with a King.” All of us were born to be with the King, (and not Elvis!) 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”
Even according to the bible we are not controlled by our sinful nature. That is why we have the ability to say no, to abstain from things we know will do us harm. And God wants us to. Every time we sin, we fall short of the glory of God, doesn’t that just wrench a soul in your heart? Every time you participate in something you know is going to do you harm, you just got farther from God; farther! God doesn't want that, he wants to have you near him, you should want that too! The prince wanted it. He abstained from all of those horrible things that “could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip.” Just think, the prince could’ve added one word, and would have been a model for you to follow even more. He could’ve said this: “ I cannot do what you ask for I was born to be with a King.” All of us were born to be with the King, (and not Elvis!) 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”
Remember in the first post were I talked about walking with the wise? I know remembering things again... But anyway, the second part of Proverbs 13:20 says that “the companion of fools suffers harm.” Guess, what! Those ‘fools’ aren’t just people. Think if the ‘fools’ as anything that can damage your temple. The media, drinking, foul language, partaking in sin, generally. So what can you do? You can abstain from things that do you harm. Or ABSTINENCE! See, now we’ve come full circle. Abstinence is keeping your body holy for use as a temple for God’s Spirit. And that is for the good of everybody. Even if you do end up sinning once in a while, the point is to keep trying, to persevere. After all, “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.”
-Ecclesiastes 7:20
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)