Sometimes, given the time to think, just sit in silence and think, can be more of a curse than a blessing. Maybe you start to think of good memories with that person who did you wrong, but that makes you sick. So you start to think about the fun you're about to have where you are going, but you begin to get sad when you realize that some of those people who bring that joy are not here anymore. So your mind switches to something that you pray to God will not make you want to cry, like how much fun you're about to have at your churches youth conference, but of course, your mind shifts to the expectations people have for you, to the hope people hold out for you and all you can do is pray that you will not disappoint them. It is almost as if no space in your mind is safe. When you are given the time to just sit and think, your mind wanders to those things that you've tried to put aside, in a little box away from the rest of your thoughts for good.
I urge you, do not be overcome by the hardships of this world. The Lord took you down this path for a reason, and I guarantee he will lead you through it. So therefore, if you are given that time to sit and think, pray. Put yourself in his word if you can.
1 John 5:4 "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world- our faith."
So, take that person who did you wrong, forgive him/her, and then put their memory in a little box in the back of your mind. When the time is right, pull out only the good memories, and do not dwell on the pain they caused you. Pray for strength, the Lord will help you through it.
James 1:19 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."
When you begin to think about that fun loving person who is no longer with us, think only of the good times, the times of laughter and of joy. Keep a good image of that person in your mind and in your heart, and find peace in knowing that they are in a better place now and you will see them again one day. Pray for courage, the Lord will bring you past this hard time.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
And finally, when you think of the expectations people have for you, and how you do not want to disappoint them, remember that it is impossible to please everyone (see "Sacrifice all for HIM, not him") All you can do is be yourself and do what is best for you. Pray that God will protect the hearts of those with high expectations. Do not let yourself become overwhelmed by the "ifs" "ands" or "buts" of things that you do not know the answer to. The Lord has a plan for both you and that other person, so just put your trust in God, He knows what is best for you, and He will make it happen.
2 Corinthians 12:20 "For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish-- that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, gossip, conceit and disorder."
SO, I guess having this time to think was both a blessing and a curse this time around. Remember, as our friends on veggie tales remind us, "God is bigger than the boogie man, he's bigger than you and me."
Go to God for everything. He will help you through the hardships of life because he is the joy in life.
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything be prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God"
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
mirror, mirror on the wall, I'm too skinny, I'm too tall
1 Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"
Especially as teenagers, our idea of our self image becomes twisted. All of the sudden every part of us seems wrong. For some, this image is more dramatic than others. Girls, in particular, are not happy with how they look. We've all fallen into the trap at least once, I will honestly say I have done it a lot. Sometimes, people have this idea that they need to be "perfect". Perfect for that special guy or girl you have a crush on to like you. Perfect for your parents to be proud of you. Perfect so that people will look at you and they will not be able to point out one flaw, therefore you can sit there and point out all of theirs. When we get this idea of being perfect in our minds, it's really our sinful nature wanting to be higher than others. Wanting to "out do" everyone else. We can never just be happy with our bodies the way they are. Say that you have something disproportional on your body. You sit there and think that everyone can see it, no matter how miniscule it may or may not be. There may even be man made things to cover it up, but you will always sit there, self conscious of your body. Here's the thing though,
Genesis 1:27- "So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them."
God created us, in his own image. How amazing is that? He created us, from him. He took his time on every single one of us, and in his eyes, we are perfect, because his son came and died on the cross to save us from our sins. So, maybe you do have a disproportion on your body, or your not as skinny as you hoped to be. Just remember, God created us all, in his image, and He loves each and every one of us equally. He has a plan for you, and he made you that way for a reason. So the next time you look at your body and think "Man, I wish I looked normal", remember that you are perfect in God's eyes, and that is all that matters. You can go ahead and cover your flaw with the man made items, but do not dwell on your problem, for the Lord loves you, no matter what. If you go through life with this idea in mind, you will find 'joye' in your life.
God Bless.
Especially as teenagers, our idea of our self image becomes twisted. All of the sudden every part of us seems wrong. For some, this image is more dramatic than others. Girls, in particular, are not happy with how they look. We've all fallen into the trap at least once, I will honestly say I have done it a lot. Sometimes, people have this idea that they need to be "perfect". Perfect for that special guy or girl you have a crush on to like you. Perfect for your parents to be proud of you. Perfect so that people will look at you and they will not be able to point out one flaw, therefore you can sit there and point out all of theirs. When we get this idea of being perfect in our minds, it's really our sinful nature wanting to be higher than others. Wanting to "out do" everyone else. We can never just be happy with our bodies the way they are. Say that you have something disproportional on your body. You sit there and think that everyone can see it, no matter how miniscule it may or may not be. There may even be man made things to cover it up, but you will always sit there, self conscious of your body. Here's the thing though,
Genesis 1:27- "So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them."
God created us, in his own image. How amazing is that? He created us, from him. He took his time on every single one of us, and in his eyes, we are perfect, because his son came and died on the cross to save us from our sins. So, maybe you do have a disproportion on your body, or your not as skinny as you hoped to be. Just remember, God created us all, in his image, and He loves each and every one of us equally. He has a plan for you, and he made you that way for a reason. So the next time you look at your body and think "Man, I wish I looked normal", remember that you are perfect in God's eyes, and that is all that matters. You can go ahead and cover your flaw with the man made items, but do not dwell on your problem, for the Lord loves you, no matter what. If you go through life with this idea in mind, you will find 'joye' in your life.
God Bless.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
~Don't Forget to remember me~
Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'"
So, we did it! Graduates of 2012, we made it. I know I am a few weeks late, but here it is. We worked so hard to get here. 12 years of school, working our bottoms off till the very end(well, some of us), and what for? College. Our future. We worked so hard to get to what we finally want to do. We are headed off to college in the fall, most of us leaving the dust of these little towns behind us, or so we would like to think. As much as we are ready to move on to the next chapter in our lives, we want some characters to remain in this next chapter. Haven't any of you thought, "what if I'm gone so long that they don't remember me when I come home?"? I, personally, have thought about that because of my little niece and nephews that I am leaving behind. What if they don't recognize me when I come home? For my senior recital in May I sang Carrie Underwood's "Don't Forget to Remember Me", and let's just say my mom, along with all of my sisters were touched, a lot. Judging by their reactions, I can imagine I won't be forgotten very easily, but I do encourage you to make your mark and take your time with your family seriously before you leave for college. Friends will come and go, and those that matter will not forget, but family is always there, and will always remember, no matter what. God's plans are not to harm you, but to make you prosper and to give you hope and a future. He is going to use those in your life now to help with those plans, so put all of your trust in the ONE true God, and I guarantee you will find the 'Joye' in your life.
So, we did it! Graduates of 2012, we made it. I know I am a few weeks late, but here it is. We worked so hard to get here. 12 years of school, working our bottoms off till the very end(well, some of us), and what for? College. Our future. We worked so hard to get to what we finally want to do. We are headed off to college in the fall, most of us leaving the dust of these little towns behind us, or so we would like to think. As much as we are ready to move on to the next chapter in our lives, we want some characters to remain in this next chapter. Haven't any of you thought, "what if I'm gone so long that they don't remember me when I come home?"? I, personally, have thought about that because of my little niece and nephews that I am leaving behind. What if they don't recognize me when I come home? For my senior recital in May I sang Carrie Underwood's "Don't Forget to Remember Me", and let's just say my mom, along with all of my sisters were touched, a lot. Judging by their reactions, I can imagine I won't be forgotten very easily, but I do encourage you to make your mark and take your time with your family seriously before you leave for college. Friends will come and go, and those that matter will not forget, but family is always there, and will always remember, no matter what. God's plans are not to harm you, but to make you prosper and to give you hope and a future. He is going to use those in your life now to help with those plans, so put all of your trust in the ONE true God, and I guarantee you will find the 'Joye' in your life.
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