I don't know about you, but I'm always looking at the time. Even when I don't have to be somewhere or do anything for a certain amount of time. There's always something to do or somewhere to be. Someone to talk to or something to read. Life is so hectic and busy. ALL THE TIME. It's like we're just go go going, and never take time to simply stop and breathe. If you barely have time to stop and take a breather, how about that daily prayer time?
Since school started I've been slacking in my relationship with God. Majorly slacking. Don't get me wrong. I still go to a Christian school, church a few times a week, and do my own bible studies. I pray too before I go to sleep at night. But I don't really spend as much time with God as I should.
I feel like I'm crumbling underneath all of this stress. During the week it's school and homework. I still have friends and family that I spend time with. On weekends I go to church and work. So I don't have a lot of time for homework and begin to fall behind a little. The entire day will go by and I'll realize that I didn't spend much of it with God.
It really hit me tonight when I was at college group. I really felt the stress and just a bunch of negative feelings. After thinking about it, I knew why I felt like this. It's because I haven't been talking to anyone about anything. Not just that. But that I haven't been talking to God about anything. About what makes me happy or sad or frustrated or peaceful.
I talked to Him when I got home tonight. All the weight on my shoulders was gone. Simply because I opened up and poured out my heart in prayer, in a conversation with Him.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
What's it worth?
On average, how many times a day do you look in the mirror? You do it when you wake up in the morning, before you leave for school or work, before you hang out with friends, while you're out and about, as you're stopped at a red light, every single time you visit the bathroom (this alone is several times a day for women), when you return home, and before you go to sleep. This doesn't even mention the little glimpses you catch of yourself as you're walking by mirrors or see your reflection elsewhere. Why is it so important to look at yourself in the mirror several times a day?
Because appearance matters. You want to make sure you're dressed appropriately and in style. You have to make sure you didn't forget to zip up your pants, button your shirt, or brush your hair. Face it: You care about what other people think of you. Acceptance is a must, and you want others to like you. In order to be accepted you buy certain clothes, live in specific places, pay lots of money for a fancy car, work in "higher class" jobs, and seek attractive friends. All of this is to keep up with your image and how others view you.
How do YOU view yourself? Truthfully, underneath it all. Every single person has been jealous of someone else for some odd reason. Usually it's because someone else has something that we want. Girls get jealous of other girls easily. For being skinnier than they are. For their best friend's really cute, nice boyfriend. For having a good sense of fashion. For passing that math test the rest of the students failed. I can't speak from experience, but I know most guys are envious of that really nice Mustang parked right next to them.
Why are we envious? Because we aren't comfortable with who we are or what we already have. We want all of these THINGS that society says we need in order to be happy. Without them we feel empty or self-conscious. We let others define us and what we're worth by what we own and how we look. We end up feeling worthless or like we don't make the cut. Ultimately, we feel like we're not good enough.
You can't define my worth. No single person can tell me I'm not good enough. No teacher can tell me I'm not smart enough. No beauty magazine or make-up advertisement can tell me that I'm not pretty enough. I don't measure my self-worth by the standards of this world. If I did, then I would be worthless.
My self-worth is measured in the eyes of God. Though I have my faults and flaws, I am perfect to Him. He loves me regardless and I am worth more than anything else this world has to offer. Gold and diamonds are ashes compared to my love for Him. He offers forgiveness and true inner peace. When I am weak and feel I can't make it on my own, He is my strength and keeps me from crumbling. My self-worth is defined by this: I am complete in Him.
I am no different than you. How do you measure your self-worth?
Because appearance matters. You want to make sure you're dressed appropriately and in style. You have to make sure you didn't forget to zip up your pants, button your shirt, or brush your hair. Face it: You care about what other people think of you. Acceptance is a must, and you want others to like you. In order to be accepted you buy certain clothes, live in specific places, pay lots of money for a fancy car, work in "higher class" jobs, and seek attractive friends. All of this is to keep up with your image and how others view you.
How do YOU view yourself? Truthfully, underneath it all. Every single person has been jealous of someone else for some odd reason. Usually it's because someone else has something that we want. Girls get jealous of other girls easily. For being skinnier than they are. For their best friend's really cute, nice boyfriend. For having a good sense of fashion. For passing that math test the rest of the students failed. I can't speak from experience, but I know most guys are envious of that really nice Mustang parked right next to them.
Why are we envious? Because we aren't comfortable with who we are or what we already have. We want all of these THINGS that society says we need in order to be happy. Without them we feel empty or self-conscious. We let others define us and what we're worth by what we own and how we look. We end up feeling worthless or like we don't make the cut. Ultimately, we feel like we're not good enough.
You can't define my worth. No single person can tell me I'm not good enough. No teacher can tell me I'm not smart enough. No beauty magazine or make-up advertisement can tell me that I'm not pretty enough. I don't measure my self-worth by the standards of this world. If I did, then I would be worthless.
My self-worth is measured in the eyes of God. Though I have my faults and flaws, I am perfect to Him. He loves me regardless and I am worth more than anything else this world has to offer. Gold and diamonds are ashes compared to my love for Him. He offers forgiveness and true inner peace. When I am weak and feel I can't make it on my own, He is my strength and keeps me from crumbling. My self-worth is defined by this: I am complete in Him.
I am no different than you. How do you measure your self-worth?
"I will praise You,
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well."
Psalms 139:14
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Strength.
There is an amazing woman I know. She has been a great blessing to me since I met her the summer of 2007. She has been leading our church's youth group for over a year now. She also teaches the college group. You will never meet a more hard working or sacrificial person. Need any help? She is always volunteering and willing to lend a helping hand. This woman has been a role model for me when I really needed one. Her influence in my life this past year has been astounding: by helping me grow spiritually and teaching me what it means to be a true woman of God. I would like you to meet Ms. Patti Cain.
Recently, Ms. Patti has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The past few months have been really hard for her, and that is an understatement. After undergoing the necessary treatments, she feels drained. There are good days and bad days. Even on the bad days though, she doesn't give up. This woman is unstoppable! Even cancer cannot defeat or hinder her. Since May 31st she has had only one sick day. Yeah, I bet your jaw just dropped a little bit. Maybe even a lot. She still works at least 40 hours a week. There are some days where she doesn't have the energy to get out of bed. Yet, somehow she manages to keep up with her commitments. She is still involved at work, church, and family. Personally, I know she does more than expected and pushes herself further. She takes on extra activities with events at church and work. Even after having breast cancer, Ms. Patti is still living her life. She isn't letting it alter her lifestyle .When asked how she does it, she replies "the Lord." Without Him she wouldn't be functioning right now. She no longer relies on her own strength to get through the day. She relies solely on the Lord. Getting through this experience isn't going to be easy, but she is remaining faithful to the Lord. Instead of being bitter or resentful about the circumstances, she is accepting and learning from it. That way the Lord may be glorified through her hard times. Instead of surviving, she is thriving.
"Look at your circumstances and USE them." - Patti Cain
We should look at her experience and be inspired. I know I am. She is proof that God is there even when things look grim. Even when we can't stand on our own, He will help us stand. We run out of energy, but His strength will never fail you. Where is your strength coming from?
Recently, Ms. Patti has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The past few months have been really hard for her, and that is an understatement. After undergoing the necessary treatments, she feels drained. There are good days and bad days. Even on the bad days though, she doesn't give up. This woman is unstoppable! Even cancer cannot defeat or hinder her. Since May 31st she has had only one sick day. Yeah, I bet your jaw just dropped a little bit. Maybe even a lot. She still works at least 40 hours a week. There are some days where she doesn't have the energy to get out of bed. Yet, somehow she manages to keep up with her commitments. She is still involved at work, church, and family. Personally, I know she does more than expected and pushes herself further. She takes on extra activities with events at church and work. Even after having breast cancer, Ms. Patti is still living her life. She isn't letting it alter her lifestyle .When asked how she does it, she replies "the Lord." Without Him she wouldn't be functioning right now. She no longer relies on her own strength to get through the day. She relies solely on the Lord. Getting through this experience isn't going to be easy, but she is remaining faithful to the Lord. Instead of being bitter or resentful about the circumstances, she is accepting and learning from it. That way the Lord may be glorified through her hard times. Instead of surviving, she is thriving.
"Look at your circumstances and USE them." - Patti Cain
We should look at her experience and be inspired. I know I am. She is proof that God is there even when things look grim. Even when we can't stand on our own, He will help us stand. We run out of energy, but His strength will never fail you. Where is your strength coming from?
"Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,
because the Lord holds his hand." Psalm 37:24
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Riches.
These verses really stuck out to me while I was having my morning quiet time. I tried to keep reading, but I couldn't. I kept pondering theses verses and what they meant.
Isaiah 5:8
8 Woe to you who add house to house
and join field to field
till no space is left
and you live alone in the land.
I really had to meditate on this verse. The person is adding house to house and field to field. It sounds like they are gathering riches for themselves. They want all of this land to belong to them. Eventually, all of the land is theirs and there is no more space to acquire. They have all of the land they wanted, but they are alone. Why have everything you desire if there's no one to share it with?
Isaiah 5:12
12 They have harps and lyres at their banquets,
pipes and timbrels and wine,
but they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD,
no respect for the work of His hands.
Now this really hit home. These people have everything they want on earth. They have companionship, music, wine, and merriment. In the midst of all this, they forget what God has done for them. They were spiritually blind to the things He was doing all around them.
I'm convinced a lot of us do the same thing even now. We get caught up in our everyday lives with family, friends, work, school, relationships, and other distractions. When things are going good and we have everything we need on earth, we tend to push God to the side. He doesn't get the attention He deserves. Our eyes are closed to the work of His hands. Too soon do we forget that everything He's given us is a blessing. We focus our eyes on the things of this world and take them off of God. Forget earthly riches. It makes us spiritually blind to the things He's doing. Are your eyes open?
Isaiah 5:8
8 Woe to you who add house to house
and join field to field
till no space is left
and you live alone in the land.
I really had to meditate on this verse. The person is adding house to house and field to field. It sounds like they are gathering riches for themselves. They want all of this land to belong to them. Eventually, all of the land is theirs and there is no more space to acquire. They have all of the land they wanted, but they are alone. Why have everything you desire if there's no one to share it with?
Isaiah 5:12
12 They have harps and lyres at their banquets,
pipes and timbrels and wine,
but they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD,
no respect for the work of His hands.
Now this really hit home. These people have everything they want on earth. They have companionship, music, wine, and merriment. In the midst of all this, they forget what God has done for them. They were spiritually blind to the things He was doing all around them.
I'm convinced a lot of us do the same thing even now. We get caught up in our everyday lives with family, friends, work, school, relationships, and other distractions. When things are going good and we have everything we need on earth, we tend to push God to the side. He doesn't get the attention He deserves. Our eyes are closed to the work of His hands. Too soon do we forget that everything He's given us is a blessing. We focus our eyes on the things of this world and take them off of God. Forget earthly riches. It makes us spiritually blind to the things He's doing. Are your eyes open?
Friday, August 5, 2011
Boundless.
This heart is heavy,
as if weighed down by lead.
Your words cut like knives,
straight into my very core.
They will haunt me
until the day I return Home.
Your acidic utterance
has caused restlessness with my soul.
Nothing in this earthly realm
can make this anxiety recede.
With the Lord alone may I find rest.
Your arms, Father, hold me together
and keep me from crumbling.
In this hour of need,
when chaos is all around,
serenity dwells in Your boundless love.
as if weighed down by lead.
Your words cut like knives,
straight into my very core.
They will haunt me
until the day I return Home.
Your acidic utterance
has caused restlessness with my soul.
Nothing in this earthly realm
can make this anxiety recede.
With the Lord alone may I find rest.
Your arms, Father, hold me together
and keep me from crumbling.
In this hour of need,
when chaos is all around,
serenity dwells in Your boundless love.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
....♥?
Today when I was talking with one of my friends, she asked me what I thought love was.... I immediately responded with "God is love." That seems like a no brainer to me. I kind of feel that people have made it into a simple catch phrase. Do you know what it really means that God is love? Let's dig a little deeper.
So when you tell someone you love them, I hope you know what you're truly saying. You're really saying you love them despite their mistakes or screw ups. You love them the way God loves you. Once you know the unconditional love of God, NOTHING can ever take that away from you.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
1 John 4:8
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Have you ever had a really close friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, or family member that always seems find a way to hurt you? They always manage to do something. It might be lying to you or ignoring you. It might be not spending time with you. They might have even done something to lose your trust. Whatever the case is, you gave them love and you feel like they didn't return it. Somehow, some way, they hurt you and things will never be the same. I wonder how you reacted and treated them afterwards. Did you shun them or forgive them? We hurt God some of the same ways that others hurt us. Yet He loves us unconditionally. Even after we hurt Him, He still wants us to be His. In my eyes, THAT is love: Loving someone regardless of their follies.<3So when you tell someone you love them, I hope you know what you're truly saying. You're really saying you love them despite their mistakes or screw ups. You love them the way God loves you. Once you know the unconditional love of God, NOTHING can ever take that away from you.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Monday, August 1, 2011
Peace in a Medley of Emotions.
I debated just writing a poem about it. Right now I'm feeling a medley of emotions so I don't have the time or patience...
Yesterday my mom went over to my aunt's house to get a few things. Not even being there for five minutes, my mom witnessed my aunt have a seizure. Such a terrifying experience. I don't know what I would've done. I probably would've wanted to freeze up. My mom did the smart thing and called 911. Still, seeing someone that close to you in this kind of condition... That memory will never go away.
I'm really learning to trust God with everything, in every situation, whether it is extreme or trivial. Sometimes I veer away from Him for a little while, but He is always there with me. It's not something one can explain with words. Either you know the all encompassing feeling of His presence, or you don't. If you don't, then I genuinely hope you find it. I cannot imagine getting through some things if God had not been my rock. He is always my inspiration for moving forward. I always have some sense of hope that things will get better. Even when the outcome doesn't look so good, I always have this inner peace that everything will turn out for the best.
"You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the Lord forever,
For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3-4
Please pray for my aunt, my mom, and the rest of my family.
Yesterday my mom went over to my aunt's house to get a few things. Not even being there for five minutes, my mom witnessed my aunt have a seizure. Such a terrifying experience. I don't know what I would've done. I probably would've wanted to freeze up. My mom did the smart thing and called 911. Still, seeing someone that close to you in this kind of condition... That memory will never go away.
I'm really learning to trust God with everything, in every situation, whether it is extreme or trivial. Sometimes I veer away from Him for a little while, but He is always there with me. It's not something one can explain with words. Either you know the all encompassing feeling of His presence, or you don't. If you don't, then I genuinely hope you find it. I cannot imagine getting through some things if God had not been my rock. He is always my inspiration for moving forward. I always have some sense of hope that things will get better. Even when the outcome doesn't look so good, I always have this inner peace that everything will turn out for the best.
"You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the Lord forever,
For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3-4
Please pray for my aunt, my mom, and the rest of my family.
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