Thursday, December 27, 2012

Changes

Have you ever felt a little lost with yourself? You look in the mirror and realize you aren't who you were yesterday. It's nothing bad. Simply interests and hobbies change during different phases of life.

I am dealing with changes such as these now.  Thinking on them, though, I realize they're not as much a change as a nurturing of dormant interests.

For example, I will be editor of the school paper next year. I am a math major. I am a science person. How did I end up here?  The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.  I have been writing on this blog, started a few books, and written some articles for different things in the past.  Due to other interests, though, my interest for writing was never nurtured.  Now, it has a place to grow and has thus grown.

There are many other interests such as this that have seemed to come out of nowhere, but in reality were just not cared for.

Unlike what I normally write, there is not much of a lesson to this I wish to share with you.  This is more of a personal reflection.  However, for me there is quite a lesson. I am learning  that it is okay to look back 5 years and realize that things have changed so much.  That is okay.  In fact it is good. It shows I am growing. I am learning.

I tend to be stubborn to change, so I pray God will continue to help me grow and mature as he takes me through life.

Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

A Gospel as Thick as Molasses

It's basic physics.

A liquid with low viscosity flows quickly, such as water.
The water quickly coats what it is on, and soon evaporates.

A liquid with high viscosity flows slowly, such as molasses.
The molasses slowly coats whatever it flows down. It's hard to remove. It's thick.
Such is the Gospel.

Religion, generally speaking, is man's search for God.  Man has been trying to reach God through good deeds, kindness, and other acts throughout history.

There is another story, though.

It is delicate, and yet thick.

God, in his infinite power and overwhelming glory, became His own creation. He did so in the most natural way for humans - as a baby. And yet in the most unnatural way - through a virgin.

God then demonstrated how to live a holy, pure life.  He was kind to those who would listen, even if they were considered the deepest of sinners.  Respectively, he was harsher to those who would not lend an ear.

Then, he was killed by those he loved. Painfully. Brutally.

Why would an almighty, all-powerful God do this? Why?

Love.

And so in love for his creation, he rose again and lives to this day guiding his creation to Him if they only listen and receive.

~

Recently, my boyfriend, Phill, and I have been doing a study of John.  One night during our devotional time I asked him why he was a Christian. He is knowledgeable of many other religions and so I wondered why he stuck with Christianity.  Given a little thought his answer was simple.

"There is a thickness to it.  When I think about Christ it's just... thick. Nothing else is."

~

And so my friends, in this week before Christmas I encourage you to be coated with the thickness of the gospel beginning with the miracle of the virgin birth. Allow it to stick to your heart and change you. Remember to thank God for what he's given you.


Merry Christmas.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Simplicity

First of all, to a certain degree this post is going to be contradictory.  Why? Because in explaining simplicity, I am making it complex.  What I really want to do is make this post one word: Simplicity.  Sometimes, though, an explanation is necessary.

The Christian life is simple.
The Christian life is not easy.

The Christian life has one purpose: spread the Gospel.
That's it.

We each have our own paths which Christ has given us.

For some, simplicity is living and teaching, poor as dirt.
For some, simplicity is living and teaching with many riches, but knowing the riches amount to nothing.
There are many paths besides this.

What does God have planned for you?

To pursue Him with...
Constant Joy
Continual Prayer
Persistent Gratitude

He will guide you from there.

Spread the Gospel.
Speak the truth.

Whether you live to 100 or die young, life is short.

Love life while you live in the midst of strife.  Someday, in eternity, there will be no more strife. Just joy.

Be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best in people.
Sometimes all people need is someone to say "I think you can do it".

God is judge.
You are not.

You are alive.
In Christ, you will be alive forever.

Praise be to God forever!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Protecting the Innocent

"There's too many shootings! Increase gun control!"
"There's too many shootings! Get guns out to the people!"
"Quit bring politics into something as terrible as a shooting!"

How many times have you heard these statements recently? A lot, right?

Regardless of what side you're on, you want to keep people safe.  Here's my thoughts.

When I say the people need to carry guns, I don't say this lightly. It's not for everyone. It's a serious business and involves a willingness to kill another human being if it is necessary.

However, my view is not political, though it could be taken this way.  I want those who are emotionally (and spiritually) able to be able to buy and carry guns in order to protect human life. The police are great, but they don't always come in time.  A well armed, well trained citizen sometimes is what it takes.

I am not a crazy gun nut. I just want to protect those I love and the innocent.

Imagine this:

Your best friend, brother or sister, mother or father, or anyone else close to you is at gunpoint.  You have a way to take out the gunman. Would you do it? It's not about the fact that yes, you may have to end human life.  Unfortunately, it is the consequence of their actions.  I'm not saying your answer should be yes.  That is up to each of us to decide.  As for me, IF I had a way, I would. It is the protecting of human life.

Again, I am not trying to be political. I just want you to understand this perspective.  It's not about power. It's not about politics. It's not even about killing.

It IS about protecting the innocent. Yes, God is the judge, but remember King David, he was a warrior and a man after God's own heart.

My heart breaks for the families of the children, teachers, and administration of the Connecticut shooting as well as the Colorado shooting back in the summer.  May God heal their hearts.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Beauty Veiled with Beauty

Anna Walls
A beautiful girl on the outside, a beautiful girl on the inside.
Because of this Beauty, I know that every second counts.
Pursue your dreams even when they’re against all odds.
Put your everything into the things you do.
Get excited about the little things.
Never, ever give up. Fight.
Know God is in control.
Work hard.
Love.


Anna Elizabeth Walls
November 29, 1993-November 15, 2012

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

We The People

I'm going to add to the choir of election talk. However, though I am conservative, I am going to try to keep my opinions out of this. I may fail, but I will try. Also, I am talking about average citizens here, not politicians.

So if you're tired of election talk, move along with your life. I understand!

If you are wondering what an opinionated person like me is going to write about without inserting my opinion... read on!

As with every 4 years, someone wins, someone loses. A little more than half the country cheers, and the other less than half pouts.

However, I wonder if a lot of people in this country, Democrat or Republican, actually want the same thing.  Maybe we're not SO different. Warning: I am about to make some generalizations here. If you don't fit in the category - don't take it personally.

Let's start with a big issue: abortion.

Of course, Republicans are typically pro-life, and Democrats typically pro-choice. Republicans scream at Democrats "You're baby killers!", and Democrats scream at Republicans "YOU don't try to control a woman's body!".  Pro-lifers want to save lives. I think, though, so do a lot of people pro-choice. If you HAD to pick between not getting pregnant and all and getting an abortion, I am sure most would say not get pregnant at all. Neither is going I WANT an abortion. Both want people to be able to have children and have them in family settings. Though we see it from two very different angles, don't we sort of want the same thing?

Another issue: healthcare.

Democrats want, for example, Obamacare. They want everyone to be able to get access to healthcare.
Republicans want everyone to be actively working, and be able to get Healthcare through their job.
BOTH want healthy people. Again, though we see things differently, are we so different?

Don't take this as me rationalizing on side or the other. I already said I'm conservative, so you can probably guess what I believe. What I am saying is WE THE PEOPLE are not all that different. WE THE PEOPLE are what make this country great. WE THE PEOPLE have a right to vote and speak our minds. As long as WE have that right and others, we are still living in the great, diverse, opinionated, and wonderful country of America.



~~~~ EDIT~~~~

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Fish are friends, not food.

Well, Betta fish aren't food.

Anyway, I got a fish! His name is Peanut.

Odd name? Maybe. I was riding back from the store with my friend Grace eating peanut m&m's and I said, "Hey! I'm gonna name him Peanut!" At first I thought it was silly, but it has stuck.

Nonetheless, here is a picture of my new friend!


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

A lot can happen in 116 years

1896. That's a long time ago, right? Well believe it or not there's still someone living who was born in that year: Mrs. Besse Cooper. She even lives in the state of Georgia. I approve.

I was looking at some posts about her on facebook and an article on msn.com and wondered how much has changed in her time here on earth. Let's explore together. (Also, I am getting all my facts from Wikipedia so if something seems wrong, that's why. If you want to see more go to en.wikipedia/wiki/[YEAR you want here])

In 1896...

The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens
John Philip Sousa composed "Stars and Stripes Forever"
William McKinley became President of the United States

In 1900...

New century
Hawaii became a U.S. Territory
Max Planck sparked the birth of Quantum Physics
Mr. Hershey introduced America to the wonderful Hershey's bar
Oscar Wilde, a popular writer, born

In 1914...

World War I began
Woodrow Wilson is President
Ford company continues to grow

In 1929...

Martin Luther King, Jr. born.

In 1930s...

Great Depression

In 1939...

World War II began
Manhattan Project goes underway
Batman appears in a comic book

In 1948...

Israel becomes its own country
Harry S. Truman becomes President

In 1954...

Civil Rights Movement begins to stir in the United States
Dwight D. Eisenhower is President
The first Burger King opens

In 1963...

Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his famous "I Have a Dream" speech

I'm going to stop here with the dates cause I think you get the point and I'm frankly tired of looking them up. At least I'm honest, right?
You get the idea. Women get rights. Colored people get rights. We go through many technological changes that I am sure I don't have to remind you of: computers, CD players, mp3 players, smart phones, tablets, etc. In addition, more tragedy has come upon us such as 9/11 and Katrina.

This woman has lived to see all that - the good and the bad.

Today is August 28th, 2012. 116 years from today is August 28th, 2128.

Imagine a child born today. Say they live 116 years and 8/28/2128 the world is celebrating their birthday. Imagine what changes and what all that person would have seen: good and bad. What are you doing to do to affect what that person knows and remembers when they are 116? How are you going to affect the world?

Oh, and Happy Birthday Miss Cooper.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Ready, Aim, Fire

Sin.

What does this word bring to mind for you? Going against what God wants? Doing something wrong? Or maybe the term seems antiquated and irrelevant.

In the original Greek the word sin means, "to miss the mark".

This past semester I took an archery class.  For those that don't know, I have horrible hand eye coordination.  The class was fun, but quite a challenge. It took weeks for me to actually hit the target! I tried and tried and tried. One thing I had to learn was how to aim. You hear people say "Ready, Aim, Fire", but sometimes when I shot it was more like "Ready, Fire, Aim"! Oh wait... Maybe I should aim BEFORE I fire...

Through the course of the class I did learn to aim and how to be in control of what I was doing. Am I a perfect shot? No. Not by any means. But I did make an A in the class.

Our life as a Christian is kind of the same way. We keep trying and trying to do the right thing, however, we keep missing the goal. The good news is the problem of sin is already taken care of. Jesus already died for my sins and yours and thank goodness he did! We, though, must keep in mind what Paul says in Romans, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (6:1-2 ESV). 


So what does that mean? What are we to do? Simply live. Don't allow yourself to be bogged down by sin because Christ has freed you from it! Keep standing your ground and be ready to shoot. Sometimes, yes, you will miss.  However, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.  So simply be the person God called you to be. Make sure to be ready and aim before you shoot. You are bound to miss if you don't keep that in mind.


So?


Ready.


Aim.


FIRE.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Resurrection Sunday!

Every year we get so excited over Easter because it is to celebrate the raising of Christ from the dead! Yes, I would say getting excited over that is fitting.

Think about it, most of the year we (or at least I tend to) focus on Jesus' death and what he did for us on the cross. He carried our sins and was the ultimate sacrifice so we could have life eternal. It wasn't an easy death either. It was painful. It was humiliating. It was the death of a criminal. 

Humbling, right? That GOD did that for us?

Well, the death would have been vain and pointless without today. Without Jesus' resurrection, he would have died just as all humans must die. But no, he rose again.  We've seen Jesus raise people from the dead before.  He raised Lazarus from the grave!

But he raised HIMSELF from the grave. Let that one sink in a minute. It's a lot "easier" to do something like that for someone else (I put easier in quotes because it's impossible without God but let's roll with it) than to do that for yourself. I can't even think of a good analogy for it. Just let it sink in. A dead man rose himself from the dead! Surely no one but God can do that!

So today, celebrate Jesus' resurrection which might just be the most incredible miracle of all times.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Goodness

As I was reading my devotions this morning I was struck by a common theme: the goodness of God. If you knew a lot of the stuff going on around me you would know that this particular theme is a little ironic, yet fitting.  Sometimes it is hard to see God's goodness. Sometimes we look at ourselves or the world around us and go, "Really, God? Are you really good? Then why did [fill in the blank] happen?".  Honestly, we are never going to know the answer to that question. We won't. That's the way it is.  If you know me or have read anything I've written you know that I like answers and I like to figure things out. I'm a math major for heavens sake. I solve problems.  Unfortunately, this is not one I can figure out.

However, I do know that I believe in Jesus Christ and in his promises. I believe that when he says that God is good, then it is true. I believe in the authority of the Bible in that it is the word of God (2 Tim 3:16).  Therefore, when the Bible says that God is good, I believe it. I have faith in it. Since my faith is grounded in what I know and what I see around me, I know my belief is valid. My belief is valid not because I believe it, but because God has revealed his truth to me and HE validates it. All this to say, God is good because He says He is.

Sometimes life sucks and we can't see God's goodness. I get that. I've seen plenty of bad things that I don't wish to talk about on here (feel free to confront me about them, though). But even in the midst of them and in especially in retrospect, I believe God is good and he has a plan. He is going to take care of you. Don't take my word for it, take His.


I encourage you to read this following verse and devotions that I have quoted below. Have a blessed day.


"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33 (NIV)


So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 
John 16:22 (NIV)

From God's Daily Promises For Students: Daily Wisdom From God's Word from the Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. March 13, 2012.

"Many people picture God as a stern and vindictive, just watching and waitin for the chance to zap humans with bolts of misfortune. But this verse shows the opposite. God loves you and wants only good things for you. He wants your future - both in this life and in heaven - to be bright and hopeful."

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. March 13, 2012.

"Learn to live about your circumstances.  This requires focused time with Me, the One who overcame the world. Trouble and distress are women into the very fabric of this perishing world.  Only My Life in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer.
As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart. Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances.  You gain My perspective on your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not.  Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you."

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Add on to yesterday...

This is so cool. I went to Bible Gateway this morning and this was the verse of the day:


1 Peter 3:15

The Message (MSG)
 13-18If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.


How cool is that? The day after I use that verse it ends up being the verse of the day. It's either a big coincidence or God having some fun, I would say. :)

Monday, February 27, 2012

Love

This Sunday I went to a church in Cartersville, GA. While I was there a conversation with a friend ended up with me doing this on the way home.  This was the bulletin from the church I went to. Now, it is a journal. I hope God speaks to you through it.
If you click on the picture you can get a bigger view of it.


Monday, January 9, 2012