To give some background, my heart has been hurting for so many of my friends lately. So one night, I couldn't sleep and I wrote this. They don't know it's to them, but it is. This is my heart for them.
I wish you could understand how much He loves you. I pray that you see that all the things you want in life are meaningless without Him. I wish you could be content and not have to go doing things you might regret. I pray that you'll fall flat on your face with nothing. And crawl to Him on your hands and knees knowing you don't deserve it. I pray God grabs a hold of you by the shoulders. I pray for your heart, mind and purpose to change. I pray that God will show me how to be a better witness of His kingdom to you. I want you to see that all you need is Jesus. That He's all you'll ever need. But it's not now. It won't be soon. I know this, because I know you. How many times have I wanted to get your attention fro Him. How I have failed you, my friend. I'm truly sorry. Please know that more than anything, I want you to know Him like I do. He is my world. He can be yours too.
I know that most of us have friends that we feel this for; keep praying for them.
Love never fails.
God is love.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Truth, Justice and the American Way
How unjust is this world? How often do we actually live in truth? The American way is just another way of saying that we want to be rich.
I can't help but think this world is nothing but unjust. People thrive in their lies, but they remain dead inside. I don't know how it is possible for the authorities in this world to not be overwhelmed with guilt. Yes, we are all fallen. No one is perfect. But how are people okay with watching the injustice, allowing the lies to become truth, and only be concerned with their status.
Sometimes this world just makes my heart sad. I have to admit, there are days that I just want to be with Jesus. Heaven sounds mighty fine.
I was talking to one of my pastors today and he told me that people are messy. It's just as painful walking through and carrying the burden of someone else's pain as it is for the person dealing with it. Welcome to my life. I get the privilege of hearing other people's stories. More than anything, I just want to live life with people. That's my heart. But man, I'm not gonna lie, it's hard. Watching someone you know and love make decisions that you don't agree with. Giving advice that is never heard. Understanding that it's not my responsibility, but His.
My heart has been so burdened for the souls of many.
What do I do? Pray. Pray a lot. And cry. Cry for those people who need Him more than anything. They don't see it. One day they will.
I can't help but think this world is nothing but unjust. People thrive in their lies, but they remain dead inside. I don't know how it is possible for the authorities in this world to not be overwhelmed with guilt. Yes, we are all fallen. No one is perfect. But how are people okay with watching the injustice, allowing the lies to become truth, and only be concerned with their status.
Sometimes this world just makes my heart sad. I have to admit, there are days that I just want to be with Jesus. Heaven sounds mighty fine.
I was talking to one of my pastors today and he told me that people are messy. It's just as painful walking through and carrying the burden of someone else's pain as it is for the person dealing with it. Welcome to my life. I get the privilege of hearing other people's stories. More than anything, I just want to live life with people. That's my heart. But man, I'm not gonna lie, it's hard. Watching someone you know and love make decisions that you don't agree with. Giving advice that is never heard. Understanding that it's not my responsibility, but His.
My heart has been so burdened for the souls of many.
What do I do? Pray. Pray a lot. And cry. Cry for those people who need Him more than anything. They don't see it. One day they will.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Saying No
Apparently, I have this problem saying no. I think what it comes down to is the fact that I'm a busy person. Most of the pastors at my church say that busy people can always make time for more. That is so me. Everyone knows it. Usually, I have at least one person tell me that I need to say no to things. I don't want to. I really like getting to have a hand in things, being responsible for stuff, and making time for new things. Yeah, that's me. But seriously, it can be unhealthy sometimes. Okay, most of the time.
Because when you say yes to most everything, you hardly get any rest time. Today, I got called a ray of sunshine. Hearing those things helps me know that what I'm doing and who I am is not of myself. There is no possible way that I could be the way that I am without God. Which means, the answer to saying no, is asking God for the ability to do so.
For I am the LORD your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Because when you say yes to most everything, you hardly get any rest time. Today, I got called a ray of sunshine. Hearing those things helps me know that what I'm doing and who I am is not of myself. There is no possible way that I could be the way that I am without God. Which means, the answer to saying no, is asking God for the ability to do so.
For I am the LORD your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Responsibility, Change, Truth
Let me take a minute and talk about the burden of responsibility.
Responsibility is something that I was given long before I knew the concept of it. I'm a first born :) You probably already know that by now. Anyways, even as a younger child, I knew that I was responsible for a lot more things that any of my friends. Granted, there were people who understand, like other first borns, but at the time, we didn't know. As I've grown up, I have seen other people come in and out of my life who were amazingly awesome people but they sucked at responsibility.
The textbook definition of responsible is:
"liable to be called on to answer."
My definition:
"the person who gets in trouble if something goes wrong."
I'm not at all trying to be cynical. It's the truth though. When you are asked to do something, you are not being asked to do it half-way. You are being asked to do it, and as Christians, we should be going the extra mile for it.
The other night I was getting told that I need to not be stressed so much and just don't worry about it. The problem was that I was responsible for something. And it wasn't so much stressing me out as it would be nice for the 3 people still standing in the room to help. You're right, it's not their responsibility to do so. As I have learned, you can't depend on people. My expectations were too high.
When the pastor comes back to me and asks why the room wasn't cleaned, it's on me. It doesn't matter what my friends told me about the room. They don't have to answer for it; I do. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not standing on my soap box or having a pity party for myself. I'm simply trying to illustrate to you what responsibility looks like.
Then there is also a balance of knowing what you need to take responsibility for and when you need to let go. Most of the time, I end up holding on to responsibility that isn't mine. It's not our job to make sure everything is okay with the people we love and care about. It's not our responsibility to help people change. Cause the reality is that people won't change because of you. It's because of Him.
God is the only reason why people change. One of my friends used to tell me that people don't change. He said that a lot. And for a while, I started to believe him. Then I realized that everyone around me had changed. Their values, their lives, their friends, their ideals, they morals and ethics. People change. Maybe not for the good, maybe for the bad. Regardless, they change.
Don't be afraid of change.
Embrace it.
God will work through the situation and in you as life changes.
Responsibility is something that I was given long before I knew the concept of it. I'm a first born :) You probably already know that by now. Anyways, even as a younger child, I knew that I was responsible for a lot more things that any of my friends. Granted, there were people who understand, like other first borns, but at the time, we didn't know. As I've grown up, I have seen other people come in and out of my life who were amazingly awesome people but they sucked at responsibility.
The textbook definition of responsible is:
"liable to be called on to answer."
My definition:
"the person who gets in trouble if something goes wrong."
I'm not at all trying to be cynical. It's the truth though. When you are asked to do something, you are not being asked to do it half-way. You are being asked to do it, and as Christians, we should be going the extra mile for it.
The other night I was getting told that I need to not be stressed so much and just don't worry about it. The problem was that I was responsible for something. And it wasn't so much stressing me out as it would be nice for the 3 people still standing in the room to help. You're right, it's not their responsibility to do so. As I have learned, you can't depend on people. My expectations were too high.
When the pastor comes back to me and asks why the room wasn't cleaned, it's on me. It doesn't matter what my friends told me about the room. They don't have to answer for it; I do. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not standing on my soap box or having a pity party for myself. I'm simply trying to illustrate to you what responsibility looks like.
Then there is also a balance of knowing what you need to take responsibility for and when you need to let go. Most of the time, I end up holding on to responsibility that isn't mine. It's not our job to make sure everything is okay with the people we love and care about. It's not our responsibility to help people change. Cause the reality is that people won't change because of you. It's because of Him.
God is the only reason why people change. One of my friends used to tell me that people don't change. He said that a lot. And for a while, I started to believe him. Then I realized that everyone around me had changed. Their values, their lives, their friends, their ideals, they morals and ethics. People change. Maybe not for the good, maybe for the bad. Regardless, they change.
Don't be afraid of change.
Embrace it.
God will work through the situation and in you as life changes.
Truth
I know I've talked about truth before. So I'm sure you're all wondering why I'm talking about it again. But it's because it is so prevalent in our lives. Every day we deal with our mind battle. We push out the lies and try to live in truth.
Truth lies in the promises that Christ made us. The promises that WILL be fulfilled.
Go doesn't try to trick us by dangling lies in front of our faces.
NO!
Our God is bigger than that.
He promises us so much and has fulfilled or WILL fulfill each of those promises.
Live in his truth.
Be willing to listen to his promises.
Don't give into the lies.
His TRUTH will set you free.
Let truth be your soul armor.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
People
I don't think anyone fully grasps the joy that I have when talking, interacting and loving people. Sometimes, I don't even understand it until after it's happened. This week I have had such great moving conversations with friends. Just last night I was able to talk with a friend on the phone who recently moved back home after being in Arizona. It was a conversation filled with laughter, catching up and Jesus.
When Jesus was talking about the greatest commandment, he said to love God and love others. Obviously, I'm paraphrasing. Still though, we are called to love others. Love others in a way that is not our own. Cause honestly, people are hard. Relationship is hard. It takes work, support, love, patience.
Just the other day I was reading a blog by a pastor and he was talking about being in relationship. He went over different points that he thought were important to have in any type of relationship. Here is what he said:
1. Begin with the guy in the mirror. (Matthew 22:39 – love your neighbour as yourself). We can only love others to the degree that we love ourselves, and we only love ourselves to the degree that we know the love of God.
2. Be a faithful friend. (Prov. 17:17 – a friend loves at all times). We need to love our friends even when they are being unlovable, for it is then that they need our friendship the most.
3. Speak only encouraging words to everyone. (Prov. 18:21 “the power of death and life are in the tongue” & Eph. 4:29). You’ve heard the rhyme, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." That’s not true. Words can wound greater than sticks and stones!
4. Be friendly to everyone you meet. (Prov. 18:24 – he who has friends must be friendly). If you have a real negative, grouchy attitude all the time, you will have a hard time making friends!
5. Practice love everyday. (READ 1 Cor. 13:4-8a). Don’t just say, "I love you." Love is patient, love is kind, love believes the best, etc.
6. Help people in trouble all the time. (Gal. 6:2 – God wants us to share each others troubles & problems).
7. Pray for one another daily. (James 5:16 – pray for one another). Never pass up an opportunity to pray with someone.
8. Pursue peace with all men. (Rom. 12:18 – as much as possible). This is not easy, but this is very important.
9. Know how to deal with offenses. (Matt. 18:15 - if someone offends you, go and talk to them about it, don’t go and talk to others about it). Jesus said, “Offenses will come,” but its how we deal with it that makes the difference.
10. Forgive one another. (Eph. 4:32 - forgive each other as Christ forgave us). In any relationship, you will have to choose to forgive the other person when they hurt or offend you.
I read these and I really liked the way he put it into words. These are things that can make you a better friend to people. He puts it in a bit nicer sounding words than I would I think. :) But all of these things ring true.
If you've read my blogs recently you've seen how much of a mind battle I've been haivng, and especially while interacting with people, Satan tries his hardest to tear me down. But in those moments when I'm sitting in my car by myself, I just get to commune with God. I find myself praying, constantly...for others. When there is one specific person on my mind I just get to talk to God about them. I don't always know if it's doing anything, but I'd rather pray than just let it sit on my mind. Our minds are vulnerable things. If you've been thinking, stressing, worrying, whatever...I really encourage you to just pray. Take your mind off of what is happening, because the reality is that God has control. He's always got your best interest in mind. He knows exactly what he's doing and it's going to be better than you EVER imagined. I'm being for serious right now. Trust him. And pray :) Lots and lots of prayer.
When Jesus was talking about the greatest commandment, he said to love God and love others. Obviously, I'm paraphrasing. Still though, we are called to love others. Love others in a way that is not our own. Cause honestly, people are hard. Relationship is hard. It takes work, support, love, patience.
Just the other day I was reading a blog by a pastor and he was talking about being in relationship. He went over different points that he thought were important to have in any type of relationship. Here is what he said:
1. Begin with the guy in the mirror. (Matthew 22:39 – love your neighbour as yourself). We can only love others to the degree that we love ourselves, and we only love ourselves to the degree that we know the love of God.
2. Be a faithful friend. (Prov. 17:17 – a friend loves at all times). We need to love our friends even when they are being unlovable, for it is then that they need our friendship the most.
3. Speak only encouraging words to everyone. (Prov. 18:21 “the power of death and life are in the tongue” & Eph. 4:29). You’ve heard the rhyme, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." That’s not true. Words can wound greater than sticks and stones!
4. Be friendly to everyone you meet. (Prov. 18:24 – he who has friends must be friendly). If you have a real negative, grouchy attitude all the time, you will have a hard time making friends!
5. Practice love everyday. (READ 1 Cor. 13:4-8a). Don’t just say, "I love you." Love is patient, love is kind, love believes the best, etc.
6. Help people in trouble all the time. (Gal. 6:2 – God wants us to share each others troubles & problems).
7. Pray for one another daily. (James 5:16 – pray for one another). Never pass up an opportunity to pray with someone.
8. Pursue peace with all men. (Rom. 12:18 – as much as possible). This is not easy, but this is very important.
9. Know how to deal with offenses. (Matt. 18:15 - if someone offends you, go and talk to them about it, don’t go and talk to others about it). Jesus said, “Offenses will come,” but its how we deal with it that makes the difference.
10. Forgive one another. (Eph. 4:32 - forgive each other as Christ forgave us). In any relationship, you will have to choose to forgive the other person when they hurt or offend you.
I read these and I really liked the way he put it into words. These are things that can make you a better friend to people. He puts it in a bit nicer sounding words than I would I think. :) But all of these things ring true.
If you've read my blogs recently you've seen how much of a mind battle I've been haivng, and especially while interacting with people, Satan tries his hardest to tear me down. But in those moments when I'm sitting in my car by myself, I just get to commune with God. I find myself praying, constantly...for others. When there is one specific person on my mind I just get to talk to God about them. I don't always know if it's doing anything, but I'd rather pray than just let it sit on my mind. Our minds are vulnerable things. If you've been thinking, stressing, worrying, whatever...I really encourage you to just pray. Take your mind off of what is happening, because the reality is that God has control. He's always got your best interest in mind. He knows exactly what he's doing and it's going to be better than you EVER imagined. I'm being for serious right now. Trust him. And pray :) Lots and lots of prayer.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Fight, Fight, Fight
13 Therefore put on the
full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able
to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:13-18
More than anything, I want to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Because in my mind, those arrows are lies that are shot into my brain. Yup, pretty graphic. But that's how I think. I want every thought that goes through my head to be glorifying to the Lord. It's not so much a battle in the physical for me, but a battle in the mind. And most people wouldn't even know there was a battle raging except that I've said it. The battle of the mind is hard. It's private and not others can always detect unless they know you really well. Regardless, it's the battle that is happening constantly.
Satan wants us distracted and vulnerable. And for me, that's my thought life. But when I put on the full armor of God, it's different. God wants us to be able to stand after we have done everything. That shows me that with all of this stuff I can battle well. Then it tells me to pray. If you don't know, I LOVE praying. Why, just today I had a phenomenal prayer session with my big brother. God is moving, my friends. Choose to see it.
The battle still rages, but I'm winning. Only because of Christ.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:13-18
More than anything, I want to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Because in my mind, those arrows are lies that are shot into my brain. Yup, pretty graphic. But that's how I think. I want every thought that goes through my head to be glorifying to the Lord. It's not so much a battle in the physical for me, but a battle in the mind. And most people wouldn't even know there was a battle raging except that I've said it. The battle of the mind is hard. It's private and not others can always detect unless they know you really well. Regardless, it's the battle that is happening constantly.
Satan wants us distracted and vulnerable. And for me, that's my thought life. But when I put on the full armor of God, it's different. God wants us to be able to stand after we have done everything. That shows me that with all of this stuff I can battle well. Then it tells me to pray. If you don't know, I LOVE praying. Why, just today I had a phenomenal prayer session with my big brother. God is moving, my friends. Choose to see it.
The battle still rages, but I'm winning. Only because of Christ.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Truth Will Set You Free
Emotion.
good; when not over used. bad; when it is all that is.
Joy.
only from Christ. happiness is fleeting. joy stays.
Facial Expression.
shows more than we think. can help people understand.
God gave us our emotions, joy, and facial expressions for a reason. Stand firm in knowing that God is going to use those things in your life. He wants us to remain in Him.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
My friends, I implore you, seek Him. For He is seeking you.
5 The islands have seen it and fear;
the ends of the earth tremble.
They approach and come forward;
6 they help each other
and say to their companions, “Be strong!”
7 The metalworker encourages the goldsmith,
and the one who smooths with the hammer
spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.
One says of the welding, “It is good.”
The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.
8 “But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:5-10
This passage was in the reading for one of the Bible studies that I'm in. God really spoke to me through it. It showed the community that God was speaking about. When all people of all types encourage one another and uplift each other, it brings about community. It doesn't have to be the people that you thought it was going to be. Let God be the one showing you who he wants you to encourage and be encouraged by. Most times, it's the people we least expect it to be. No joke.
Reread the Isaiah 41 passage and really let God speak to you through it. There is so much promise and love that he puts into those words. It's hard to digest the first time. But as you read it over and over, God moves in your heart. Let it wash over you.
The TRUTH will set you free
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