A Resolution

I was really touched by a pastor friend of ours whom we have known for a very long time. I don't even remember when was the last time I saw him, probabaly a couple years ago, but he left Texas when I was probably 6 or 7 (wow, it was a long time ago, I don't even remember). But after all these years, he still keeps in contact with us, visits us whenever he's in town or just gives us a little phone call. It's amazing how out of all the people in our old church, my family is the one he remembers. But the one thing that really touched me was when he told us that every Friday, he prays specifically for my family. I find that so encouraging, that after all these years he even sets a specific day to pray for us every week.

I'm not sure if you are already doing this, but I'd like to encourage you to incorporate prayer with your Bible reading. To be more specific, I'd like us to take up this challenge...
CHALLENGE: Choose a specific person to pray for on a specific day (ex. Joe on Monday, John on Tuesday, Jeremy on Wednesday, etc. whoever your friends/family are) and pray for that person once every week.

I'm doing it. Take this challenge with me. If you feel comfortable, you can share any prayer requests you'd want the bloggers to pray for in the comment section. Happy New Year! You know, I have a good feeling about the year 2009. Something BIG is going to happen this year.

As a little extra, I'd like to share this blog by Anberlin's singer Stephen Christian that really touched me and might touch you as well:
http://modesty.blogspot.com/2008/12/reject-acceptance-accept-rejection.html

*Wow, a lot of things touched me! Sorry, I've got no other word to describe it.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you so much for sacrificing so much for all of us sinners. You have given us the greatest gift of all, eternal life with you. There are some awesome gifts out there, iPods, CDs, Games, Toys, Movies... But nothing compares to you. Thank you so much! Please remind us of that day, the day you came to earth and the day you saved the world. I Love You sooo much! Happy Birthday.

YPC

Okay, I have been working on the site for 2 days, and I have most of the functions working. I think this website will help with the expansion the group, also it is a good way to get the word out.
http://caprockypc.tk/
Please feel free to explore, register, and comment on anything.
P.M me (emorocker or admin) for any problems that you encounter.

I Look Towards the East and See a Star

It seems that I've been observing some people around me and becoming more and more thankful for the life I have. I have seen a recently married couple leaving in two separate cars one night. When one pictures newlyweds, they often see a handsome man and a beautiful woman, basking in each other's love and exchanging smiles. Love is still in the air after honeymoon. But this couple I saw...they didn't get married because they were in love. They got married for immigration papers. Married and living in separate houses with separate lives.

On the other side of town is a woman raising her grandchild, waiting for her young, rebellious, unmarried daughter to come and take responsibility for her child. The child's father? Forget it.

They are only representatives of many more people out in the world with messed-up lives and broken homes. How can two people be married not because of love? What will happen to the child when he grows up and wonders who his parents are? Honestly, how many more people in the world are living lives like that--even worse? The world is not wonderful. It is dirty, left out, dying, and drenched in sin. So how in the world are these people supposed to find hope and peace on Christmas?

These are the people that Jesus came to save. He came to give us peace on earth. We use these terms so often--"Peace on Earth," "Hope," "Joy to the World"--but why? How can they say such things when they don't even believe in who brings the peace, hope, and joy of Christmas?

As Christians, we should be thankful for the hope that we have in Jesus. We've complained about how hard life is with Him, but we've never stopped to think how much harder life would be without Him.

What we need to do is give. Give until there's nothing left, and even if the world doesn't listen, we need to keep trying.

*Sorry to quote so many songs!

Why the World Hates Christians

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/05/atheists.christmas/index.html

This is Christianity to the Christians: Jesus, worship, peace, church, missions, youth group, Bible, love, joy, help, teaching, singing, hope, family, etc.

This is Christianity to everyone else: religion, hate, hypocrisy, conservatism, boredom, modesty, slavery, disappointment, anger, discouragement, rules, etc.

If Christianity on the inside is something good and beautiful, why is it, that on the outside, it appears to be a complete mess?

You may or may not agree with me. I addressed an issue like this in a past blog entitled, "Cool Jesus." I feel very strongly about this: Christianity in America needs reform.

When one hears the word "church," he thinks of a solemn service, chanting hymns, a quiet prayer, a long sermon...the modern world has attempted to change that by creating a lively service, adding a band to enhance worship and having the pastor preach in jeans and sandals. Not only have they changed the service, but they added other things as well to attract the audience. The average large church today has a bookstore, a coffee shop, and a playground--one can easily mistake the place for a mall or an airport.

So what are the Christians doing wrong? They are gathering people, entertaining them, and leaving them empty--again. This is why America says that God, Christianity, and church doesn't work.

After Jesus' ascension into heaven, the very first churches that emerged were nothing like churches today. Roman governor Pliny wrote of them to Trajan in A.D. 111, "They [the Christians] affirmed that the sum of their crime or their error, whichever it was, was this: they used to meet on a stated day before light, and to sing among themselves, in turn, a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and to bind themselves by an oath, not to any wickedness, but that they would never commit theft, or robbery, nor adultery; that they would never break their word, that they would never deny a trust when called to give it up; and after these performances, their way was to separate, and then meet again to partake of ordinary food." A song, a lesson, a few refreshments.

Christianity was never intended to be a religion. The cliche is true: it's not a religion, it's a relationship with God. I believe that God and Christianity is a turn-off in America because it is not what it's supposed to be. In a third-world country such as Africa, missionaries are seeing more changed lives there than in the United States. Things there are much simpler; things here need to be grand.

I am personally proud of my church. All we have is a small building and a little band that just does whatever as long as people are able to follow along. We don't have a thousand members; we have but 70-80 people in our congregation. But here is what makes us different: we all know each other; we all love each other. Here is our church motto: anybody, everybody. Of course, we don't tolerate sin; but no matter who you are or what you've done, we'll take you in and love you.

So what is one to do? I believe the answer is simple. Jesus told us, "This is my command: Love each other."

If the world saw the Christians as a loving group of people, we would be seen, embraced, and envied--and everyone would want to be a part of it.

And that's how things are supposed to be.

Finding Beauty in the Heart

All of those Models we see in Magazines, Signs, in Commercials might be real people but they have had a lot of work done. There is so much behind the scenes that we know nothing about. Here is a video to prove it.

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/flat4.asp?id=6909

The Women and Models that little girls look up to can't be considered as role models. I feel so sorry for girls who try to compare themselves to them when it is impossible to do!!!

The world revolves around beauty, everyone revolves around beauty.



That is why all these beauty companies make so much money. They get women to believe that if you buy their product you will be beautiful. No matter what they do, women will never be beautiful enough in their eyes. We, as children of God, should focus ourselves on the beauty of our heart. How we present ourselves through our actions is way more important. I'm not saying women shouldn't take care of themselves and be sloppy. We just obsess over ourselves, spending hours looking in our full length mirrors trying to figure out what is wrong with us and how we could be if only we had longer hair, a smaller nose, a better tan, to just be skinny...etc. The list goes on and on. Rather, spend all of that other time with Jesus. He brings the joy out in us. :)

What's Wrong with the World?; What's Wrong with Me?

"The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." -John 12:25

I don't know everything, but I think I can assume correctly that none of us have any significant addictions. My parents and everyone else can sigh with relief as I say loud and proud--no, I am not addicted to drugs or alcohol. However, I find that I am addicted to something probably even worse than those:

Myself.

There's always one main thing I learn from our reading. When we were in Proverbs, the big thing that stuck out to me was wisdom. Now in John, I think what I'm learning the most is humility and denying myself. For so long, it seems like I've been so into myself lately. Sometimes, instead of praying for an array of things such as my family, church, etc., I fill the entire prayer crying out for myself, saying, "Why does life have to be so difficult? Why can't I have more good friends (I am so thankful for Grace; why can't there be more people like her??)? Why can't I write any good music or play my instruments well enough? Why does so-and-so have to be in the government? Why doesn't the world understand?" I know my problems are probably not like other peoples' problems, but everyone has their own. I understand David cried out to God as well, and there is nothing wrong with praying for yourself and venting out frustration to God. However, it does become a problem when you begin to focus only on your problems. Here is my main problem: what is wrong with the world?

It was during my Bible class when I began to see that it wasn't the world that was the problem; it was me. The Bible teacher on my DVD stated that self-pity is selfish. It's selfish to always be concerned about yourself. Jesus was the ultimate of example of denying self. Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, entered the world, not in a glittering carriage or limousine, but in a dirty manger, born to average, unknown parents whom He created yet had to obey even though he could easily wipe them off the face of the earth. He was rejected in his hometown, most people only loved Him because He could heal, and on the night He was arrested, a time when He was going through unbearable anguish, He prayed in the garden--alone, while His disciples slept on. Jesus never focused on Himself, only on His Father, on others--on us.

Now the problem changes: it's not "what's wrong with the world?"; it's "what's wrong with me?" Perhaps, rather than focusing on myself and how others can change for me, I should focus on others and how I can change for them. We are to be like Jesus. If Jesus was a servant, then I should be a servant as well. Instead of waiting for people to give to me, I will give to them first. The best way to escape the valley is to climb the mountains beside. It's not easy, but it's better.

"When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,

I all alone beweep my outcast state,

And trouble deaf Heaven with my bootless cries,

And look upon myself, and curse my fate,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,

Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least:

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

Haply I think on thee,--and then my state

Like to the lark at break of day arising

From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;

For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings

That then I scorn to change my state with kings"

- William Shakespeare ("Sonnet 29")

On Morality and the Actual Existence of God

I know the title seems like this blog is going to go into some deep territory; but when you are involved in the Abeka curriculum, a fan of someone named Stephen Christian, and reading books like The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, all that philosophy starts getting to you. I would have to say it is both mind-boggling and satisfying. This is something I am really big about right now. I want to learn more, especially when it comes to God.

About half of the teenage Christians in America today are not solid in their faith. Sure, they have accepted Jesus in their heart and know all the answers to all the questions the church-people ask, but they never stopped to think, "Why do I believe this? Is this really the truth?" (Now, be careful if you ask yourself this question. We will not understand everything about God, but that does not mean we stop believing in Him just because we don't understand something about Him. If you were to ask this question, ask it with the mindset that Jesus is the truth, not with the mindset that something else may be the truth.)


Christianity is not just a religion just like all the other religions. God is real. God exists. He is actually there whether we like it or not. I do not believe that Christianity is just "I believe in God" and that is the end of it. We need to know what we believe, and why we believe it. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."



There are many things that seem to prove that God exists, but I will just focus on one for right now: the existence of morality. Let us just temporarily think like an atheist: there is no God. Now that we have that settled, let us ask this question: "How did people know what was right and what was wrong?" C.S. Lewis put it this way in Mere Christianity, "Human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it." It seems like people just decided somewhere deep inside of them what was right and what was wrong. Murder is wrong. That is not an opinion; it is a fact. If we see someone declare that murder is right, we strongly disagree. It is not right, which means that our morality is better than that person's morality. Lewis also said, "If your moral ideas can be truer, and those of the Nazis less true, there must be something--some Real Morality--for them to be true about." What does this mean? It means that there is such thing as absolute truth, and there is no other place absolute truth could have come from except for a higher, more intelligent Being.



Sorry, I make things so long. After all, I am a girl, and girls like to elaborate on things. I hope it all made sense and strengthened your belief that God really does exist. If it did not make sense, feel free to say so in a comment, and I will try my very best to explain it better. I am not at all smarter than anyone else; I am just learning. JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!



And the ONLY way, truth, and life.

The Vine and the branches

1"(A)I am the true vine, and My Father is the (B)vinedresser.

2"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

3"(C)You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

4"(D)Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

5"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he (E)bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

6"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is (F)thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

7"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, (G)ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.


In other words, talk to Jesus often. This passage also means be active for Christ, but I want to concentrate on the relationship part.

Lately I've been getting up late and having to either rush through devotions or skip them entirely. I've noticed the difference. Don't spend quality time with God and things get out of wack pretty fast.

It's so important once your a Christain to devote valued time to talking to Jesus, reading the Bible, and praying for others. And not just fifteen minutes of your time either, although that's a start.

Hmmm, not much else to say, although I do know this is way ahead of what we are supposed to be reading.

Science and Faith

As some of you know, I've been taking a college science class outside of my "school" for extracurricular work. It is a lot of fun and I'm learning a lot. Something really bothered me at the beginning of class though, evolution. Evolution is the belief that everything God made, was actually created by something or someone else. Some people call it, "The Big Bang Theory" where everything was suddenly just here. Others say that humans were animals once, well, where did the animals come from...the trees? Some people just don't care and don't want to have to care. The earth is here, so what? I was watching a movie with my brothers called, "Expelled" well I didn't watch all of it, but I got enough. This man was interviewing all of these Science teachers who had lost their jobs. Why did they lose their jobs? They suggested that there was a possibility that there actually is a God who could have created this earth. The reason so many scientists don't believe in God is because they have been taught "If it can't be proven, it doesn't exist." What a sad way to live. There is no "scientific way" to prove that God exists. That is what faith is for.

Mathew 17:20

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Mathew 6:30

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

And my personal favorite:
Mathew 14:31

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Faith and Science...

I am not judging scientists or even science. science is an amazing and beautiful thing :)

Hearts

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." - Proverbs 31:10

Several weeks ago, my parents and I went to the State Fair on opening day. We had a great time, doing mostly one thing--eating. Well, at one point we grabbed some roasted corn and cotton candy and just sat down at the picnic tables to enjoy when I couldn't help but notice a group of teenagers at another table, each girl with a guy, each guy with a girl. They looked about our age. As I observed, I wondered what their parents thought about the girls wearing shorts shorter than they're supposed to be and guys touching them in places they shouldn't be touching. And it wasn't just at the picnic tables. Everywhere we went, we could see a guy and a girl loving on each other, and they couldn't be married. They didn't even look 20.

The Proverbs verse above doesn't need to apply to just wives, but it can apply to husbands as well. How many people out in the world are people with noble character? It's probably easier to find a ruby than a person who truly loves and serves God with all of his heart. There aren't too many of them out there anymore.

As teens, "falling in love" and all that type of stuff is a big thing in our lives. All of us have at least one person we have a crush on, we've got to admit that. Some of us wonder why it's so easy for the rest of the world to find a girlfriend or boyfriend; however, more than half the time it's a shallow relationship where the girl and guy just want each other for the wrong reasons. As Christians, we don't dress up with slinky clothes or flirt around, yet that's the only reason why the world is able to pair up. What about us? What if we never get a girlfriend or boyfriend?

You know what? That's GREAT! It's a lot better for us to have no one than to have someone we're not truly happy with. I encourage you--DON'T JUST SETTLE FOR ANYONE JUST FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING SOMEONE! The song "Adelaide" by Anberlin comes to mind: Shouldn't need anyone just scared of being alone. To be honest, I have thought thoughts like, "What if I never find anyone?" But then I ask myself, "Would you rather have anybody just because, or be alone and away from an unsubstantial relationship?"

CHALLENGE: Make a list of what you are looking for in a guy/girl. Don't forget that #1 on your list should be that the other person is a Christian; 1 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" And don't write that list based on a particular person. Here are some instructions:

1. Write the list with the qualities you want in him/her. Add things you want in his/her personality, his/her interests, etc. And it's okay--you can put looks too, though it might not matter in the future.
2. Look over your list. Are those qualities pleasing to God? Cross out anything that might not be.
3. PRAY OVER YOUR LIST! Ask God to give this person strength to wait for you! Ask God to send you this person, and He'll most likely send you someone even better.

I've done this, and it's proved to be helpful in "filtering," so I don't just like every cute guy I see. Looking over the list today, I thought, "Wow, this is a really special guy"; not just any average guy you see at the mall or the State Fair.

Becoming Less

• Since the beginning of John, I've been impressed with how much he lowers himself and gives all glory to Jesus. Starting in the first chapter in verse 15, John stated, "He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me." In our second day of reading, priests and Levites asked him, "Who are you? Are you Elijah? Are a you a prophet?" He (v. 19) "confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ.'" John only replied in verse 23, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" John was the one born first, yet he always made Jesus first--no questions, no complaints.

• Everyone knows I always picture myself as a princess, and though we all are princes and princesses, sometimes I forget that I'm only royalty because Jesus is King. I've noticed, particularly this week, that I had been acting selfishly. I've realized that I'm not as selfless as I thought I was. Trying to live as if I can do everything and figure out everything by myself, I've almost forgotten to rely on God. In fact, I'm so much into myself that it's starting to get sickening, not just to myself, but moreso to the people around me. I know I might be called a hypocrite for writing this blog. To this day, I'm still trying to let go of myself. It's not easy.

• I think most of us here have spent a great deal of time in front of people. I know Grace and I are fond of performing on stage, and Justin and I both play in church band. Though it's your job to entertain people in a stage play, it's different when you're leading worship. I've got to admit I struggle with pride while playing. At first, I try to focus my heart and mind on worshiping God. Then, I get concerned whether or not I'm playing the right chords. Eventually, someone new or someone good-looking walks in, and I am so concerned with impressing them. Finally, I'm completely sidetracked and, afterward, begging God for forgiveness before taking the Lord's Supper. I hate things to be that way. I don't want to be fighting myself during worship time, then asking for forgiveness afterward, every Sunday. This is why I totally agree with my favorite Bible character, Paul: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do (Romans 7:15)."

• I wish I could be like John: "He must become greater; I must become less (John 3:30)," or maybe I should quit wishing and start doing. Yeah, that's a better idea.

Living Loud?

James 2

18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.


15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.


Just a few fragments from James.
I didn't get my point from James but it's good backup.

What I wanted to say is that it hit me suddenly today what part of the reason is that businesses collapse and organizations struggle and Churches split.

It's partly because of example.
All those who are leaders or who have control over something, have great influence.
Greater than you might think.

For example, a pastor is caught in something ungodly. Instead of just getting a new pastor the church is not only discouraged but might as well cease to exist.

Every person over eighteen can vote, but how many do?
this has a great influence over who becomes president.

The head of a business makes bad decisions and as a result the whole company is losing money.

The way you live your life will not only influence you, but can a have a very, very strong influence over others.

No matter who you are.

Not that it's all about what you do, just like faith without works is dead so works without faith in Jesus are dead.

But you will still influence others more by what you do than what you say.

And I know you might say that you don't influence anybody but trust me, you do, whether you
know it or not.

"Cool" Jesus

I was at Mardel the other day, and I've never felt so in awe at a store before. Looking around, I was amazed at all the "Christian" things we have: Christian books, Christian t-shirts, Christian music of every genre, Christian movies, even Christian Guitar Hero. We've got it all. We've taken what the world has and made the "Christian version" of everything. What more do they want? Our stuff is just as cool as theirs.

And yet, Jesus is still not "cool" enough for the world.

Don't get the wrong idea. There's nothing wrong with expressing yourself and wearing your faith on a t-shirt. There's nothing wrong with writing a song or a book about God. However, it seems like we've created so many things that have caused us to lose touch of who Jesus really is--a loving, gracious, merciful Savior.

I remember seeing a Christian music video online. While Christians raved about the song, one person commented, "I hate it when Christians are trying to be cool." We always try to sugar-coat Jesus, giving Him an electric guitar, making Him wear blue jeans, and dressing Him up to look pleasing to the crowd.

I don't think the world wants a "cool" Jesus. The world right now is hurting, dying, and desperately crying out for Him without even knowing it. They don't need any shirt, rock song, book, or movie. They need His love, His grace, His hope. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." He didn't say, "Wear a t-shirt with My name on it so everyone will see it and think I'm cool and praise your Father in heaven." He said, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds." But, unfortunately, American Christians aren't exactly like that, are we?

Our life should be more Christian than our t-shirt, book, whatever. I think the world would better respect a Jesus that loves and cares for them than a Jesus that wears blue jeans and aviator sunglasses.

So, as we read John, let's pay attention to who Jesus really is and vow to show it to the world.

1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
3 A ruler [a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD

and so on......

The top collum takes the fragements of todays reading on the wicked and contrasts it with
the bottem one on the righteous.

This is pretty much what Proverbs is like, but it's making a very important point,
evil and good should not, cannot, exist together in harmony.


In our lives, to be specific.

Its a simple concept, but hard to follow.

But thank God He has given us the strength to
fight our old nature and live in the light!

Oh yeah, and remember to smile.
Its really important as you already know.
=D

Lost Keys, Wrong Directions and a Text Message

It was fifteen minutes before Biology class. Grace slipped on her shoes, grabbed her cell phone and lugged her book bag over her shoulder. She rushed downstairs not wanting to be late for her biology class. Grace overhears her mother(Jill) "I can't find the car keys!" Everyone went into panic mode searching for the lost keys. Where could they be? The clock kept ticking and still no keys. Grace's mom went to plan B, our wonderful neighbors. Thankfully, our good neighbor Jennifer got Grace at her biology class only eight minutes late.
Class was dismissed and Grace had totally forgotten about the missing keys or even who would take her home! She checks her phone for any text messages. One, "We found the keys". Immediately, Grace called her mom, who clarified the message. Grace didn't realize how amazing it was until she learned the whole story...
Jill didn't know what to do, her eleven year old son, Benjamin, had soccer practice and she still didn't have the keys. So she went to the only solution she could think of...bikes! She gave her older son, Christopher, instructions on how to get to the soccer field, and off they were! Christopher kept looking behind him to make sure his little brother was still there. Then he stopped! Laying on the paved streets of Colleyville lay the lost keys! Without giving it a second thought, he picks up the keys and races back home. He runs inside to find his mom still looking for the keys which he now had in his hands. Later Jill recalls that she told them the wrong directions to get there! Yet, if they would have gone any other way they wouldn't have found the keys! If thats not proof of a living God, what is?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6

The Beauty of Impossibility

This has nothing to do with Proverbs, but this has been something God has been teaching me these past few weeks. As some of you might know, I have been really emo(tional) lately, the reason being many various things, the main thing being the fact that I lost the songwriting contest, which had been the highest part of my life until its door closed on me. Eventually, one door after another closed on me, leaving me in a dilemma whether I should continue to pursue my passion or pursue something reasonable. In my confusion, I resorted to seeking God Himself, reading His word and spending more time in prayer. Two-thirds of the time I was crying out to God, complaining about my crummy circumstances. I was even irritated by Christian alternative band Leeland for putting up a blog about dreams and God "designing you to change the world," right after I lost the same contest that discovered Leeland Mooring himself. I prayed for some sort of solution or, at least, comfort. I didn't get a solution; however, God gave what He always gives--comfort, in an unexpected way.

Everyone knows this story, but who cares? :)

So my best friend and I went to the mall last Saturday. While browsing through Barnes and Noble, we nearly ran into a man, maybe twenty-something and wearing black from head to toe--vest, t-shirt, tight pants, not to mention the aviator sunglasses covering his eyes. Grace and I couldn't help but chuckle at "Mr. Cool," who even hang around the philosophy section like some kind of smart guy. Okay, I knew we shouldn't have been judging him, but for lack of better words, Grace+Samantha=Crazy. We kept running into him, around the store and at the coffee shop, while just barely supressing our giggles. Eventually, he noticed us and left the store with his two companions. Hours later, my mom and I went to Guitar Center to buy a much-needed amp for my guitar, when suddenly, I saw him again! He was with the same two people from the mall, but this time, his sunglasses were over his head. He glanced at me for a second, startling me, then looked away.

You might not see anything significant or unique about my story, but it reminded me of God's power to do what seems impossible. I mean, what are the odds of seeing the same person twice on the same day in separate places? Today, my mom's work called and told her to stay home today, while my dad (who usually doesn't work on Mondays) worked 'til noon. It was perfect, since my dad got paid for my mom. This all reminded me that God can do anything, and everything that He does is perfect. After all, He did say in Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" God never lies. In fact, I can think of a bunch of reasons why God would close the music door on me. Right now just isn't the right time yet. However, when my time does come, I will be praising God for making everything work out perfectly.

Sorry it's so long.

The Time Has Come!

The time has come to give this blog a name.

BLOG NAME DISCUSSION

Hello, everyone! We will be discussing the blog name on the comment section on this blog!

You're Never Fully Dressed...

What is common about everyone in the picture above? Whether it's a businessman or best friends or cute little kids or Anberlin or whatever...everyone is smiling! Doesn't the picture above just make you happy???

The message of this blog post is pretty simple--SMILE! From the Pastors Retreat in Corpus Christi, I remembered what Pastor Ponnatee said about how a smile can go a long way. Something as simple as a smile can brighten someone else's day.

But you might say, "Why? Why should I smile if I have nothing to smile about? You don't understand what's going on with me right now." True, but no matter what's going on with you, if you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior--then YOU ARE SAVED! You are no longer condemned to hell! You are free from sin, and you're going to Heaven! Now, that's something to smile about!

So here's a challenge for next week (September 7-13): Smile at 14 people this week, that's two per day. Smile at anyone and everyone, whether it's someone you know or someone you don't know. And if someone asks you why you have that infectious grin on your face, you can tell them why...YOU'RE SAVED!

After all, you're never fully dressed...without a smile!

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful." -Proverbs 15:13a

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." -Proverbs 15:30a

Alexithymia

You may have looked at the title with a puzzled look on your face. After all...what on earth is "alexithymia"? First of all, "Alexithymia" is one of my favorite songs by Anberlin. It took me a while to fully understand the meaning of this song, until I learned what alexithymia actually was.

According to Wikipedia, alexithymia is a personality trait in which a person has a hard time expressing his feelings. That shed a whole new light on the meaning of the song. Pretty much the meaning of the song is how people have a hard time communicating with each other, especially when it comes to deep topics. However, my favorite line of the song goes like this:

"It's not that we don't talk; it's just no one really listens and honesty fades."

How true is that statement! Everyone wants to talk. Everyone wants to express themselves. Everyone wants to share what's deep inside of them. Everyone wants to tell one person--at least one person--what's really going on. The problem isn't that we don't talk. The problem is that no one wants to listen. No one wants to share their problems with others because not everyone is honest. There's always the fear of gossip, and that if we tell someone else what's happening, they'll be thinking things about us.

Today, we have so many ways to communicate--texting, emailing, IMing (instant messaging, in case you don't know!), blogging, Facebook, and of course, the classic phonecall. With all these ways to communicate, why is communicating still so difficult? Perhaps it's the selfishness inside every one of us. While I was in Corpus Christi, the pastor leading the youth told us that it's so easy to talk, but it's hard to listen (Justin remembers, right? :D). When we're listening, we get impatient. That's the problem with communication. It's not that we don't talk; it's just no one really listens. That's why we don't want to communicate at all, because we know that no one will listen anyways.

So what are we supposed to do? Proverbs 11:25:

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

Just like this verse says, instead of trying to "refresh" ourselves, we need to "refresh" others. Instead of wallowing in our own problems and hoping for someone to walk up and encourage us, why don't we encourage others first? Like what the pastor in Corpus Christi said, sometimes all we have to do is listen. We don't even have to say a word. We just need to listen. Not just hear, but listen. Have you ever vented to someone? Wasn't that so refreshing just to let everything out and have someone listen? Did the other person have to say anything? No, but you were still grateful that you had them there just to listen to you. And if we take the time to listen, to encourage, and to refresh others, we ourselves will be refreshed!

So many people need someone that will just take the time to listen to them and to encourage them. Unfortunately, not everyone wants to listen and not everyone is trustworthy. However, we can change that by starting with changing ourselves. Someone might be needing your encouragement and a listening ear.

Someone might be me.

Have you noticed......

To be honest I like to listen to mostly rock and hard rock, and not only Christian rock but also to some of the popular secular rock bands. But one thing I noticed that all the secular rock bands had in common was their lyrics. Most of them are about broken love, depression, suicide, and despair. Not that the music sounds bad, many of those songs sound really good, and there's a lot of skill involved in playing them. But when it comes right down to it, why are they so depressing? Because being a musician is kind if like being an artist. An artist often looks around them and paints what they see. I think it's the same with musicians, they look around themselves and see these things. And it comes out in music, often enough it's something that actually happened to them. Since they see no hope in life that's the kind of music they sing about.
And that's what I think is the BIG difference between Christian bands and secular, they have no hope, but praise God we have been given hope through our Lord Jesus Christ, when He died on the cross for our sins and rose again. And so Christian bands like David Crowder and 4Him have something to sing about, someone to worship, just like we were designed to do from the start.

Don't know if that makes any sense but I had to say that.

Can't you see the Resemblance?

On Friday night I went to a concert with my best friend, Samantha, featuring Skillet and The David Crowder Band. During one of the songs we got together with a youth group that was sitting in front of us. We all linked arms and started jumping up and down singing songs to our maker. We were covered from head to toe in sweat, our hair looked like a bird's nest (well, mine anyways), yet here we were singing out our hearts. I had no idea who was standing next to me (well, besides Samantha), but something kept coming to mind. We are all brothers and sisters, better than that, our father is God! I looked over the whole crowd thinking how cool it was that we all have the same dad! That all these people love God like I do. That's why I love going to christian concerts, it's just you, God, and your bros & sisses. You can't experience anything like that at a concert like, say, the Jonas Brothers : P God is a bazillion times more awesome than them! ~Grace

Not So Fabulous...

My thoughts for Proverbs 3:13-35:

"Ask for whatever you want me to give you." -God (2 Chronicles 1:7b)

FABULOUS! Okay, God's not telling this to everyone, just Solomon. *sigh* When Solomon became king, God told Solomon that He'll give him anything he wanted. If God asked you that, what would you ask for? I know some of us like to cheat and say, "I ask that You keep asking me," just like how we cheat on our birthday by wishing for a million more wishes when we blow out the candle.*

*I didn't do that, by the way.

But of all things, Solomon replied, "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people." (2 Chronicles 1:10a)

And as a result, God said, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)

I think Solomon wrote Proverbs 3:13-18 based on this experience. Wisdom is more valuable than riches.

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

I can think of a bunch of people with riches but no wisdom. Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan...big stars with big money, living a glamorous lifestyle, getting everything they want. But with everything they have, are they happy? When you hear the name Britney Spears what comes to mind? Issues...

Exactly.

There's nothing wrong with being rich; but without wisdom, we'll become like a very unhappy, very unfabulous Sharpay Evans.

Instead, let's be like King Solomon and CHOOSE WISDOM!

QUESTION:

Since I got verses 26-35 messed up on the schedule, let's give them some spotlight and discuss some of the "do not" verses. The one that stood out to me was verse 27:

"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act."

To me, this verse meant that I need to do good to others that "deserve it." Who are the people that "deserve" our good deeds? What are some ways we can do good to them?

Also, feel free to put which verse (v. 26-35) stood out to you.

WAKE UP! WAKE UP!

Here's what I thought about yesterday's and today's reading...

Half asleep...I'm so bored counting sheep.

From reading Proverbs before, I found these verses underlined:

Proverbs 1:32-33- "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complaceny of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me [wisdom] will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

Proverbs is all about wisdom. Of course, everyone wants wisdom! Everyone wants to be smart. Everyone wants to make the right choice the first time, right?

I honestly have to question that. Some people say, "Well, not everyone is born smart." Well, no one is born smart. Is a baby born already able to walk, talk, and solve algebra? No. We all had to learn. I believe that everyone, every person in the world can be intelligent--they just have to choose to be. I think that most of us kids these days literally don't want wisdom. Sorry to say, but no one really wants to think anymore. Kids like to spend the day sleeping, watching movies, texting our friends, and surfing the Internet. School is coming up...do we want to go back? No. Sure, I've said that I miss school, but I know deep in my heart that I don't miss school and I don't want to go back and start using my head again. I'd much rather stay here on the computer, googling music videos like "Wake Up! Wake Up!" by Everyday Sunday...not even thinking about what that song is trying to say:

'Cause I don't want to keep sleepwalking through endless days/I've had enough of going nowhere/God, I want to wake up! Wake up! WAKE UP!

Trey Pearson, lead singer of Everyday Sunday, says, "'Wake Up! Wake Up!'" is about realizing we all have a crucial role to play in God's story, not just going through the motions, wasting our life in boredom."

Even Wavorly tells us, "So many days go by where our focus is to be entertained, rather than loving and helping others and fulfilling the great commission."

Or Leeland, "We're not called to live a normal life, but to be constantly going forward, witnessing and advancing the kingdom of God."

Okay, so why are all the bands telling us to get off our seat? Because the complaceny of fools will destroy them! As much as I don't want to get out of my comfort zone, I have to. I don't want to be destroyed.

We always feel safe inside church--sing a few songs, listen to the preacher, chat with your friends, then go home. No danger. No risk. No worries...there's more to Christian life than that! We need to get out and change the world! We need to tell our non-Christian friends about Jesus, help our Christian friends grow in their faith--and as a result, we ourselves will get closer to God.

Do you want to be smart? If so, let's fear God, since it's the beginning of knowledge. Also, remember what we read today in Proverbs (verses 3-5):

"if you call out for insight and cry aloud of understanding, and if you look for it as silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."

WAKE UP! Search for wisdom, and you will find it.

In Full View of All the Birds

Here are my thoughts on today's reading!

Today, we all read Proverbs 1:8-19. This passage talks about being pressured by others to do the wrong thing.

Many teen movies like High School Musical and others stress the same message--be yourself. Be like Troy and Gabriella. Choose to do something different, and everyone else will understand and like you and dance around singing, "We're all in this together!" Reality is so totally like that...right?

I think we're old enough to understand that life is not High School Musical. Even the real Troy

and Gabriella have made mistakes. At our age, everyone wants to fit in. Everyone wants to have friends and feel accepted. So if no one accepts us, we find ways to make others accept us. Then we adjust our tastes...change our wardrobe, buy new CDs, and maybe add or subtract a few words from our vocabulary. Eventually, we're so sucked in that we change into "one of them."

Remember the first two verses we read today? When we go back to school this year, let's remember who we are. Homeschooled kids are not exempt--don't leave the house forgetting what you've learned at home. We are Christians first and foremost. We need to put our foot down, draw the line, and be who we are whether people accept it or not. At the Liberate Conference I recently went to, one speaker said, "Let's quit being pressured and be the peer pressure."

"Do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood." (Proverbs 1:15-16)

Sure, there's nothing wrong with making friends; but friends aren't perfect. We should be careful with who we decide to hang out with.

Right after Proverbs 1:15-16 is obviously verse 17: "How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!"

QUESTION

I thought this verse was pretty interesting. A net in full view of all the birds--an obvious trap. What do you think Solomon meant by this verse?

Thanks for your time!

~Samantha

Proverbs

It's not fun to have a car and not drive it...it's not fun to have a Bible and not read it!

It's time to begin! Together, we will be reading the book of...

PROVERBS

Here is what The Holman's Illustrated Study Bible has to say about it...

Proverbs gives positive and negative principles of successful living, no matter the situation. The book applies to everyday life; the great commandments to love God supremely and to love one's neighbors as oneself. Proverbs shows that humans may live by a right way or a wrong way, a wise way or a foolish way. The right way is not the easy way, but those who live by it find great reward. All of life's relationships may be governed by the wise teachings of this book.

Here is the August reading schedule for Proverbs starting Sunday, August 10. A good idea would be to print this out and stick it in your Bible:
August 10- Proverbs 1:1-7
August 11- Proverbs 1:8-19
August 12- Proverbs 1:20-33
August 13- Proverbs 2:1-11
August 14- Proverbs 2:12-22
August 15- Proverbs 3:1-12
August 16- Proverbs 3:13-25
August 17- Proverbs 4:1-19
August 18- Proverbs 4:20-27
August 19- Proverbs 5
August 20- Proverbs 6:1-19
August 21- Proverbs 6:20-35
August 22- Proverbs 7
August 23- Proverbs 8:1-21
August 24- Proverbs 8:22-36
August 25- Proverbs 9
August 26- Proverbs 10:1-15
August 27- Proverbs 10:15-32
August 28- Proverbs 11:1-15
August 29- Proverbs 11:16-31
August 30-Proverbs 12:1-15
August 31- Proverbs 12:16-28

As you read...

• Watch for verses that stick out and underline/highlight them.
• Think about how the passage relates to your life today.
• Pray and ask God to help you apply what you learned.
• Think, What exciting things has God done to me since I started reading this week?

Another good idea would be to get yourself a journal and write down your thoughts about the day's passage and what you've learned. Journaling will help you keep track of what you've been learning, and you can use this journal to help you when you blog.

Remember--It's not fun to have a car and not drive it...it's not fun to have a Bible and not read it! Christian life is an adventure! With that said, let's start! Ready, set, go go go!*Also, be thinking about what we can officially name our blog! This is YOUR blog (unless, of course, you haven't accepted your invitation yet!) Post your ideas in the comment section, and I will make a poll so we can vote on an official name!

The Challenge

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

-Jesus Christ (John 10:10b)

Jesus came so we can live life to the fullest, so why does being a Christian seem so boring? Sitting in church, listening to Christian music, wearing the Christian t-shirt...is that all there is to it?

The answer is plain and simple: NO!

Many of us have taken the cliche "knowing God" for granted. Think about it--knowing God. Imagine...the God that created the universe, the God that planned the story of the earth...imagine being as close to Him as you are to the computer you're staring at right now.

Life is an adventure--good times, bad times, making friends, losing friends, school, marriage, careers, success, and failure. What if you had a friend that was there with you to walk you through the seasons of life? Yeah, right. Nobody's perfect. But God is. And to have God holding your hand every step of the way, that's huge.

So how do you get that close to God?

GETTING INTO GOD'S WORD!

Picture it like this:

• Reading the Bible - God talks to you.


• Praying - You talk to God.

Sound like fun? Together, we will be reading a certain book in the Bible. Everyone will read the same passage, on the same day, and head to the same blog (this blog!) to discuss what God has been teaching us and what He has been doing in our lives.

I guarantee when you join this challenge, God will do something amazing to you. I can't tell you what it is, but I will tell you things have been happening to me since I started seriously getting into God's word and praying regularly.

It's about time we stopped thinking that Christianity is a religion and start knowing that Christianity is a forever friendship with God!

If you want to join, post a comment on this blog with your email address and I will send you an official invitation for access inside this blog so you can start posting your own blogs.

I can't wait to see what incredible things are going to happen! ~Samantha