Today was a pretty great day. My father and I went to Bowling Green to get some church clothes and FBLA clothes, and it turned out that God had something else in store for me. Last night I had bought the book "The Shack," but later found out my sister had it already. So as I was exchanging it today, I decided to get Jeremy Camp's new cd "Speaking Louder than Before." On this album, Jeremy has a song called "So In Love," which has quickly become one of my favorites because of its meaning!
In the song, Jeremy talks about God's everlasting love and mercy for us, and how it can make us so in love with our maker, our best friend. The chorus packs a serious punch, It really showed me how deep my love really runs for my God and how I need to give God my everything and leave nothing behind.
I hope if you download this song or buy his new cd, that you too are shown how much you love God as well.
So many times I've fallen
So many ways I've failed you
So many times I've stepped out on my own
I know I'm undeserving
But I feel You are preserving
The only good that I have shown
The only word that I can bring
Are these very words I sing
To sing to You now
[CHORUS]
Cause I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You
Nothing can separate me
From the grace that You gave free
I know You'll never let me go
Even though You know my frailties
Every single thing about me
You show the greatest love that's known
The only word that I can bring
Are these very words I sing
I sing to You now
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You
[Chorus]I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You now
[BRIDGE]
Time and time again You show
The depth and love that You bestow
I never fully understand
It's too great for me to know
But I always try to bring
I try to bring You everything
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for you now
[Chorus]
I am so in love with You
There's nothing else I choose
You've stolen my heart
Yes, I'm all for You now
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Procrastination..naughty, naughty!
Hey, I'm back! For those of you that have noticed I haven't written a blog in about a week, there was a reason behind it. I had been procrastinating when it comes to writing this blog, because I thought there were better things to do.
Of course, I did it for a reason. As I walk around school and I go about my days, I see people who know Christ, but yet when I ask them if they've prayed today or if they had read scripture, they find an excuse as to why they haven't gotten to spend time with God.
Our time on this Earth is limited, we never know when Christ is going to come back and take us home. That doesn't leave us much time to put things off anymore. What if Jesus had come back today, and you didn't the chance to accept Him into your heart? Scary thought, huh?
Think about this as you go throughout the rest day of your day, are you procrastinating when you should be spending time with God??
Of course, I did it for a reason. As I walk around school and I go about my days, I see people who know Christ, but yet when I ask them if they've prayed today or if they had read scripture, they find an excuse as to why they haven't gotten to spend time with God.
Our time on this Earth is limited, we never know when Christ is going to come back and take us home. That doesn't leave us much time to put things off anymore. What if Jesus had come back today, and you didn't the chance to accept Him into your heart? Scary thought, huh?
Think about this as you go throughout the rest day of your day, are you procrastinating when you should be spending time with God??
Friday, February 20, 2009
21 questions.
First off, I give major props to Meghan for providing me with this idea even though she has no clue what I'm gonna talk about! Her and I decided to play 21 questions even though I'm dead horrible and I usually forget what question we're on. Just us playing made me think of a crucial part in my people's lives..our ability to doubt.
So often we get so caught up in trying to figure things out, and alot of times we try to do it alone. I myself have questioned several things. Some of them don't make a lick of sense, and just make me dumber in the end. However, I have debated many things that have made me a stronger, smarter, and all around better person. Here is a list of the most common things i've wondered.
-What did I come to the kitchen for?
-What makes this food taste so good?
-What would be good for supper?
-How am I going to work out this problem in the shortest way possible?
-Why are we required to take three science classes in order to graduate high school?
-What point is this piece of scripture trying to make?
This last one I'm about to mention is something many people, including myself, have spent hours upon hours of thinking trying to figure out...
-Why can things so bad, so tragic happen in my life to people around me when God is supposed to be loving, compassionate God?
If you haven't figured it out, I once doubted God's love for me and everyone else because of things that have happened in my life. Things I couldn't really understand before I really came to know Christ. Tragedies are going to happen, whether we like it or not. I've lost many friends, including a cousin to automobile wrecks. We aren't promised a peaceful death, the only sort of death we are promised is death itself. Nothing more, nothing less.
It was May 26th, 2007. I was fresh out of middle school, ready for summer! I was on the phone late one night just getting my charm on, when I got a call from my aunt on the other line. She was obviously in tears and torn up about something, I had no idea what was going on. At first, I thought something had happened to my 70+ year old grandmother. My Aunt demanded to talk to my dad, so I took him the phone. As I stood in the living room, waiting on dad to get off the phone, I noticed a change in his appearance. His skin had become pale and his eyes were spread wide. After about another minute or so, Dad tells mom and I that my cousin Malia had just been killed in a car accident. All faith I had in God was diminished. If He truly loved me, then why did He take my 16 year old cousin?
After the phone call, my dad and mom packed and started heading out the door to go to my aunts house. I didn't think I could handle being there, so I called my other aunt, and asked if I could come over and stay the night. As soon as I walked through the door, I saw my cousin Drake standing there. I had held in any sort of tear, until Drake hugged me, then I lost it. I still doubted God, but his hug seemed to provide me with comfort.
It wasnt until a few months later that I truly realized how significant Drake's hug meant to me after my cousin passed on. I had started to understand how God works in our lives, but I wasn't 100% clear about everything. I still didnt understand how we could be comforted by God calling one of our family members home at a young age. I was sitting at home one day just thinking about everything and finally it hit me! That hug Drake gave me wasnt a "Drake hug!" It was a hug from God. (Drake if you are reading this I am not calling you God!) Drake has never been a person to be emotional about anything. I'm not sure how I didn't catch on sooner, but I realized God was trying to show me His comfort through the one person who could really touch my life at the time. The comfort that just warms you up inside and makes you humble. The sort of comfort that you want to continuously feel. That is what God can provide you with if you just let Him into your heart.
Bad stuff can happen, but God never changes. He will continue to show his love even when we doubt His existence. We can sit here and play 21 questions with God all you want, but guess what, His answers always lead to one point. He is the real deal, the almighty, all loving God.
In scripture, you will find many things in the book of Matthew called the "Beautitudes." My favorite of these is Matthew 5:4. I found this verse not long after Malia's death and I've found it to be true without a doubt in my mind. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted!" Some of us find God's comfort and love in times of tragedy and mourning, and some of us just feel His love anyway. Just always keep in mind that God does love you, and He doesn't want you to suffer, but His plan in our lives is so much sweeter than we can even imagine. Everything He does has a purpose! A purpose we can't question!
So often we get so caught up in trying to figure things out, and alot of times we try to do it alone. I myself have questioned several things. Some of them don't make a lick of sense, and just make me dumber in the end. However, I have debated many things that have made me a stronger, smarter, and all around better person. Here is a list of the most common things i've wondered.
-What did I come to the kitchen for?
-What makes this food taste so good?
-What would be good for supper?
-How am I going to work out this problem in the shortest way possible?
-Why are we required to take three science classes in order to graduate high school?
-What point is this piece of scripture trying to make?
This last one I'm about to mention is something many people, including myself, have spent hours upon hours of thinking trying to figure out...
-Why can things so bad, so tragic happen in my life to people around me when God is supposed to be loving, compassionate God?
If you haven't figured it out, I once doubted God's love for me and everyone else because of things that have happened in my life. Things I couldn't really understand before I really came to know Christ. Tragedies are going to happen, whether we like it or not. I've lost many friends, including a cousin to automobile wrecks. We aren't promised a peaceful death, the only sort of death we are promised is death itself. Nothing more, nothing less.
It was May 26th, 2007. I was fresh out of middle school, ready for summer! I was on the phone late one night just getting my charm on, when I got a call from my aunt on the other line. She was obviously in tears and torn up about something, I had no idea what was going on. At first, I thought something had happened to my 70+ year old grandmother. My Aunt demanded to talk to my dad, so I took him the phone. As I stood in the living room, waiting on dad to get off the phone, I noticed a change in his appearance. His skin had become pale and his eyes were spread wide. After about another minute or so, Dad tells mom and I that my cousin Malia had just been killed in a car accident. All faith I had in God was diminished. If He truly loved me, then why did He take my 16 year old cousin?
After the phone call, my dad and mom packed and started heading out the door to go to my aunts house. I didn't think I could handle being there, so I called my other aunt, and asked if I could come over and stay the night. As soon as I walked through the door, I saw my cousin Drake standing there. I had held in any sort of tear, until Drake hugged me, then I lost it. I still doubted God, but his hug seemed to provide me with comfort.
It wasnt until a few months later that I truly realized how significant Drake's hug meant to me after my cousin passed on. I had started to understand how God works in our lives, but I wasn't 100% clear about everything. I still didnt understand how we could be comforted by God calling one of our family members home at a young age. I was sitting at home one day just thinking about everything and finally it hit me! That hug Drake gave me wasnt a "Drake hug!" It was a hug from God. (Drake if you are reading this I am not calling you God!) Drake has never been a person to be emotional about anything. I'm not sure how I didn't catch on sooner, but I realized God was trying to show me His comfort through the one person who could really touch my life at the time. The comfort that just warms you up inside and makes you humble. The sort of comfort that you want to continuously feel. That is what God can provide you with if you just let Him into your heart.
Bad stuff can happen, but God never changes. He will continue to show his love even when we doubt His existence. We can sit here and play 21 questions with God all you want, but guess what, His answers always lead to one point. He is the real deal, the almighty, all loving God.
In scripture, you will find many things in the book of Matthew called the "Beautitudes." My favorite of these is Matthew 5:4. I found this verse not long after Malia's death and I've found it to be true without a doubt in my mind. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted!" Some of us find God's comfort and love in times of tragedy and mourning, and some of us just feel His love anyway. Just always keep in mind that God does love you, and He doesn't want you to suffer, but His plan in our lives is so much sweeter than we can even imagine. Everything He does has a purpose! A purpose we can't question!
RIP Malia Brooks Robertson
February 5, 1991-May 26, 2007
I Love You and Miss You!!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
I'm a VIP!
So I was thinking just a second ago about this, how cool would it be if you could live the V.I.P. lifestyle? All the fancy houses, and the parking places! What about the reserved seating in fancy restaurants? Sounds like a fantastic life, huh?
What if I told you that you were living like that already, or you could be..free of charge? I realized this, as Christians we have the best lifestyle, even if we don't have the best parking places, or the picture perfect relationships. All of these factors that we think make a fulfilling life are only secular and have no meaning to us in Heaven.
In Heaven, we are the VIP's! We are the Very Important Persons in Christ's Kingdom. You know that big ol' fancy house up there..yeah..we have a big ol' fancy room reserved for us! The best part is that its all free. God sent Jesus to die for us, that way we can have each and every bit of that in Heaven.
The riches we accumulate on Earth doesn't follow us to Heaven, it stays here on Earth to be passed around amongst our families. Who we give our life to is what matters most! Christ is what has given us everything we will acquire in Heaven.
and by the way, Meghan Ray is pretty awesome! Just letting you know!
What if I told you that you were living like that already, or you could be..free of charge? I realized this, as Christians we have the best lifestyle, even if we don't have the best parking places, or the picture perfect relationships. All of these factors that we think make a fulfilling life are only secular and have no meaning to us in Heaven.
In Heaven, we are the VIP's! We are the Very Important Persons in Christ's Kingdom. You know that big ol' fancy house up there..yeah..we have a big ol' fancy room reserved for us! The best part is that its all free. God sent Jesus to die for us, that way we can have each and every bit of that in Heaven.
The riches we accumulate on Earth doesn't follow us to Heaven, it stays here on Earth to be passed around amongst our families. Who we give our life to is what matters most! Christ is what has given us everything we will acquire in Heaven.
and by the way, Meghan Ray is pretty awesome! Just letting you know!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Poetic Gospel Message by Lebo
Ask me about my religion
My way of life
Ask me about my God
Who shines his light
Ask me why I’m loved
And what I did to deserve it
Ill tell you the answer just as I learned it
Its not that we earned a life on earth
But that God had grace to give us a turn
He gave his son for you and I
So when it’s over, and we all die
We don’t get what we deserve
But a spot in heaven so lovely reserved
Because Christ died for our sins
Letting us fall and come back again
Learning from each and every mistake
And using it to help us in our daily take.
For all my sins, I deserve hell
Death and damnation would do me well
But God has a love, like no other
Accepting us just as brothers
And again, what did we do to deserve all this
Nothing, it’s just that grace and mercy of his
The sweetness of his perfect will
Helping me get up the hill
Yes, sometimes pain was thrust
But that’s when all I had to do was trust
Trust that he had it under control
And that I shouldn’t worry, and bother my soul
God had it planned, and knew from the start
That this would happen, and I would depart
But he called me back in
Again and again
Because I couldn’t do anything,
With out him.
So now you see
That the love I receive
Isn’t deserved
But is still for me.
But not only for me
But for you too
Just ask Christ in your heart
And just see what he will do
---------------------------------------------------------------------
God works in ways that are beyond imagination. This poem I didn't just stumble across on the internet or get through a chain email. No! I was on facebook and I notice I have one new message. I check it, and I see a poem, the same poem you just read. One of my best friends im'd me, urging me to read it. After I read it, he asked what I thought! I loved it, just as I know you did. I later found out God spoke to him, and put this poem in his head. The message this presents is spot on with the gospel of Jesus Christ! Thank you Lebo, and Thank you God!!!
My way of life
Ask me about my God
Who shines his light
Ask me why I’m loved
And what I did to deserve it
Ill tell you the answer just as I learned it
Its not that we earned a life on earth
But that God had grace to give us a turn
He gave his son for you and I
So when it’s over, and we all die
We don’t get what we deserve
But a spot in heaven so lovely reserved
Because Christ died for our sins
Letting us fall and come back again
Learning from each and every mistake
And using it to help us in our daily take.
For all my sins, I deserve hell
Death and damnation would do me well
But God has a love, like no other
Accepting us just as brothers
And again, what did we do to deserve all this
Nothing, it’s just that grace and mercy of his
The sweetness of his perfect will
Helping me get up the hill
Yes, sometimes pain was thrust
But that’s when all I had to do was trust
Trust that he had it under control
And that I shouldn’t worry, and bother my soul
God had it planned, and knew from the start
That this would happen, and I would depart
But he called me back in
Again and again
Because I couldn’t do anything,
With out him.
So now you see
That the love I receive
Isn’t deserved
But is still for me.
But not only for me
But for you too
Just ask Christ in your heart
And just see what he will do
---------------------------------------------------------------------
God works in ways that are beyond imagination. This poem I didn't just stumble across on the internet or get through a chain email. No! I was on facebook and I notice I have one new message. I check it, and I see a poem, the same poem you just read. One of my best friends im'd me, urging me to read it. After I read it, he asked what I thought! I loved it, just as I know you did. I later found out God spoke to him, and put this poem in his head. The message this presents is spot on with the gospel of Jesus Christ! Thank you Lebo, and Thank you God!!!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Yasin
Thursday night was an amazing night. Hailey Mcginnis, Allen Lebo, Josh Brown, and I all went to the Matthew West and Sanctus Real concert in Bowling Green. I need to throw in the fact that I had never talk to Hailey before in my life, but we became good friends in one night.
I found this out during intercession when recording artist Jason Gray came on stage and started talking about the mission of WorldVision, an organization working to save the many kids in Africa with AIDS or exposed to an area infested with the disease.
In 2006, I first felt led to sponsor a child at a youth conference called Dare2Share. My youth group and I had our hearts attached to a organization with the same goal as WorldVision, but we never got around to sponsoring a child. Thursday night, God laid the same dream on my heart. After praying about the idea, Hailey turned to me and asked me if I would sponsor the child with her and Josh. I knew right then it was God's plan.
After the concert, we went outside in the atrium where the WorldVision booth was set up to pick our child. We looked at several kids and then Josh kept pointing at a certain one. The kid's name is Yasin. He is nine years old from the country of Ethiopia. The main reason we chose Yasin, well other than the fact he has a mohawk and his name is easy for Hailey to pronounce, but we chose him because God had drawn us so close to him just through reading his profile on the WorldVision card. We felt we needed to help this young boy.
Although I'm new to sponsoring a child, I know it's going to be worth the while. In later blog posts, I will keep you updated on Yasin and his health. Please be in prayer for us!!
I found this out during intercession when recording artist Jason Gray came on stage and started talking about the mission of WorldVision, an organization working to save the many kids in Africa with AIDS or exposed to an area infested with the disease.
In 2006, I first felt led to sponsor a child at a youth conference called Dare2Share. My youth group and I had our hearts attached to a organization with the same goal as WorldVision, but we never got around to sponsoring a child. Thursday night, God laid the same dream on my heart. After praying about the idea, Hailey turned to me and asked me if I would sponsor the child with her and Josh. I knew right then it was God's plan.
After the concert, we went outside in the atrium where the WorldVision booth was set up to pick our child. We looked at several kids and then Josh kept pointing at a certain one. The kid's name is Yasin. He is nine years old from the country of Ethiopia. The main reason we chose Yasin, well other than the fact he has a mohawk and his name is easy for Hailey to pronounce, but we chose him because God had drawn us so close to him just through reading his profile on the WorldVision card. We felt we needed to help this young boy.
Although I'm new to sponsoring a child, I know it's going to be worth the while. In later blog posts, I will keep you updated on Yasin and his health. Please be in prayer for us!!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Life will throw some curveballs, sit back and wait on the pitch!
You know, despite being only sixteen, I've been through a fair share of life's curve balls! The situations that you don't anticipate and you are always scared of. It is all to often, yet many people consider these curve balls to be punishments. However, they aren't, just new tests to make you stronger as a Christian.
Growing up, I've always played baseball. I loved baseball more than anything (except Jesus, of course!) I'm one of the defensive-minded players. I focus so much on having sound defense with few errors that I completely take for granted how important batting is. Have you ever thought of Christians as every now and then being "defensive-minded?" The defensive-minded Christians tend to worry to much about doing all the right things, saying the right prayers, putting the right amount in the offering plate on Sunday mornings. They mold their life around being perfect in God's eyes and the eyes of those around them.
Fastballs were always the easiest pitches for me to hit, because the ball would remain in a straight line. All I had to worry about was having the right timing. It's the same way with Christians, the simplest things in our lives are the times when we just have to know the right thing to say and when to say it.
For me and my poor batting, I've always been scared of curve balls. They appear to be going in a straight shot the whole way, but when we least expect it, it breaks inward. It always gets me tangled up, throwing my swing out of whack trying to adjust to it. For me, every time the pitch was thrown with two strikes, I'd normally strike out. That fear stayed with me every at bat, I was so scared I was going to have to feel the shame that follows a strike out.
Life isn't always like a fastball, every now and again you'll get the dreaded curve ball. Those moments where a difficult situation comes your way, and everything you learned completely leaves your train of thought. Sometimes you will strike out, it's a fact of life, but the humility we suffer is what makes us stronger in our faith. We understand the pain, but yet we try to capitalize on our mistakes.
A quote I'm reminded of as I talk about this means so much to me. "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!" The fear can scare you so bad, you are tempted to quit, to say enough is enough. Major League baseball players have all experienced a strike out, but the reason they have made it so far is they had to make a choice, stick it out or give it up!
Today, if you are facing a curve ball in your life, I urge you to never give up. God will always grant you the strength overcome any obstacle in your path. His love and His mercy is everlasting and never-failing. Philippians 4:13 says it best, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That includes hitting the once feared curve ball in life!
Growing up, I've always played baseball. I loved baseball more than anything (except Jesus, of course!) I'm one of the defensive-minded players. I focus so much on having sound defense with few errors that I completely take for granted how important batting is. Have you ever thought of Christians as every now and then being "defensive-minded?" The defensive-minded Christians tend to worry to much about doing all the right things, saying the right prayers, putting the right amount in the offering plate on Sunday mornings. They mold their life around being perfect in God's eyes and the eyes of those around them.
Fastballs were always the easiest pitches for me to hit, because the ball would remain in a straight line. All I had to worry about was having the right timing. It's the same way with Christians, the simplest things in our lives are the times when we just have to know the right thing to say and when to say it.
For me and my poor batting, I've always been scared of curve balls. They appear to be going in a straight shot the whole way, but when we least expect it, it breaks inward. It always gets me tangled up, throwing my swing out of whack trying to adjust to it. For me, every time the pitch was thrown with two strikes, I'd normally strike out. That fear stayed with me every at bat, I was so scared I was going to have to feel the shame that follows a strike out.
Life isn't always like a fastball, every now and again you'll get the dreaded curve ball. Those moments where a difficult situation comes your way, and everything you learned completely leaves your train of thought. Sometimes you will strike out, it's a fact of life, but the humility we suffer is what makes us stronger in our faith. We understand the pain, but yet we try to capitalize on our mistakes.
A quote I'm reminded of as I talk about this means so much to me. "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!" The fear can scare you so bad, you are tempted to quit, to say enough is enough. Major League baseball players have all experienced a strike out, but the reason they have made it so far is they had to make a choice, stick it out or give it up!
Today, if you are facing a curve ball in your life, I urge you to never give up. God will always grant you the strength overcome any obstacle in your path. His love and His mercy is everlasting and never-failing. Philippians 4:13 says it best, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That includes hitting the once feared curve ball in life!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
My Fave 5
You know, today I was sitting in class thinking about the concert I'm going to tomorrow, and I realized something. Pop Culture has a huge impact in the lives of many teenagers. Pop culture consists of movies, music, and tv. . . just to name a few.
Like most teenagers, Music is probably the most influential for me. Something about the beats, the lyrics, and several music videos just grabs my heart and doesn't let go. So I decided to share 5 of my favorite songs with you and see if you can spot the pattern of the songs.
5. Jesus Freak- Dc Talk
4. Made to Love-TobyMac
3. Fragile People-SONSOFDAY
2. You are Everything- Matthew West
1. God With Us- MercyMe
Heart's of Teens can be polluted by certain music, but the music I prefer is all christian. God wants us to surround of lives with positive influences, and even music falls into that category. I am easily moved by these songs because the message they send isn't about sex, drugs, and living the rough life in the streets like you see in alot of rap music, or being a womanizer according to Britney Spears, but they talk about God and how amazing He is and also how we are supposed to shape OUR live's around His life. If you haven't tried checking out some of these artists you should.
Also, on March 15th in Nashville, Winter Jam 2009 will host artists such as TobyMac, Brandon Heath, Hawk Nelson, etc. Coming along as well will be Tony Nolan, a special guest speaker! The concert is $10 at the door at the Sommet Center. If you would like more information, visit the link below. I will be there so if you are a reader of this blog, you might get to meet me!!!
Like most teenagers, Music is probably the most influential for me. Something about the beats, the lyrics, and several music videos just grabs my heart and doesn't let go. So I decided to share 5 of my favorite songs with you and see if you can spot the pattern of the songs.
5. Jesus Freak- Dc Talk
4. Made to Love-TobyMac
3. Fragile People-SONSOFDAY
2. You are Everything- Matthew West
1. God With Us- MercyMe
Heart's of Teens can be polluted by certain music, but the music I prefer is all christian. God wants us to surround of lives with positive influences, and even music falls into that category. I am easily moved by these songs because the message they send isn't about sex, drugs, and living the rough life in the streets like you see in alot of rap music, or being a womanizer according to Britney Spears, but they talk about God and how amazing He is and also how we are supposed to shape OUR live's around His life. If you haven't tried checking out some of these artists you should.
Also, on March 15th in Nashville, Winter Jam 2009 will host artists such as TobyMac, Brandon Heath, Hawk Nelson, etc. Coming along as well will be Tony Nolan, a special guest speaker! The concert is $10 at the door at the Sommet Center. If you would like more information, visit the link below. I will be there so if you are a reader of this blog, you might get to meet me!!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Alone Time
Spending time with God is more than just a simple prayer. It's about growing closer to God in many crucial ways. Listed are 10 ways that you need a quiet time with God.
1. It is an opportunity to fellowship with God. Your primary fellowship is with God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. God desires to fellowship with you on a personal basis (1 John 1:3)
2. It puts you in an atmosphere to hear the voice of God. As you read His Word, God will speak to you through it. It can also give you direction or counsel that you need right now. You are privileged to enjoy the counsel of “the only wise God” (Isaiah 30:21).
3. It gives you strength to resist the temptations of the day. Those who stay in God’s presence have the strength to overcome their weaknesses. A consistent Quiet Time with God is a great deterrent to sin because of your knowledge of the Word, and the strength to carry it out (Isaiah 40:10).
4. It helps you to know more about God. You know more of His character, His views and His heart (Isaiah 54:13).
5. It increases your knowledge of the Bible. Each day reading of God’s Word, increases your knowledge of God’s promises, His commandments and His person (2 Timothy 3:15).
6. It helps you to be more like God when you learn more of Him. Without fellowship with Christ, you cannot conform to His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
7. It gives you joy. As you fellowship with God, your joy life increases. In God’s presence is fullness of joy. In crisis, Quiet Time is indispensable for the presence of God is your source of joy, calmness and comfort (Psalms 16:11).
8. It imparts peace. The fellowship with God and His Word give peace (Isaiah 26:3).
9. It helps you to know more about God’s love for you. In His presence, the love of God is more real because you are daily in contact with God (1 John 3:1).
10. A good consistent Quiet Time is also a safeguard from backsliding. It keeps the fire burning (Isaiah 43:22).
1. It is an opportunity to fellowship with God. Your primary fellowship is with God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. God desires to fellowship with you on a personal basis (1 John 1:3)
2. It puts you in an atmosphere to hear the voice of God. As you read His Word, God will speak to you through it. It can also give you direction or counsel that you need right now. You are privileged to enjoy the counsel of “the only wise God” (Isaiah 30:21).
3. It gives you strength to resist the temptations of the day. Those who stay in God’s presence have the strength to overcome their weaknesses. A consistent Quiet Time with God is a great deterrent to sin because of your knowledge of the Word, and the strength to carry it out (Isaiah 40:10).
4. It helps you to know more about God. You know more of His character, His views and His heart (Isaiah 54:13).
5. It increases your knowledge of the Bible. Each day reading of God’s Word, increases your knowledge of God’s promises, His commandments and His person (2 Timothy 3:15).
6. It helps you to be more like God when you learn more of Him. Without fellowship with Christ, you cannot conform to His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
7. It gives you joy. As you fellowship with God, your joy life increases. In God’s presence is fullness of joy. In crisis, Quiet Time is indispensable for the presence of God is your source of joy, calmness and comfort (Psalms 16:11).
8. It imparts peace. The fellowship with God and His Word give peace (Isaiah 26:3).
9. It helps you to know more about God’s love for you. In His presence, the love of God is more real because you are daily in contact with God (1 John 3:1).
10. A good consistent Quiet Time is also a safeguard from backsliding. It keeps the fire burning (Isaiah 43:22).
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Face Paint Christian
Last night was my high schools rival basketball game against Russellville High, better known as the Clash of the Cats. Of course, I'm gonna paint up, just like last year. My face was fully blue, I actually looked like one of the members of the Blue Man Group (it was quite hysterical!)
Now here comes the major point, in today's society, many young and old christians alike try to hide who they really are by putting on a front. Trust me, I used to be one of the ones to hide all my sins just by going to church and acting like super christian. These people will attend church every chance they can get, sit on the front row during service, talk all the time during youth group, but act completely different at school when they get around other peers.
One problem I suffered with in my middle school was foul language. I thought it was cool to cuss (I admit it mom, I know you are probably reading this) around my friends, except I'd go to church every chance I could get and act like I never had a problem. I would put on my blue face paint to go to church and hide everything that was wrong.
It took me until halfway through my freshman year to realize the mistake I was making. That paint could hide my actions from my friends and family, but it couldn't hide what I had done from the one who mattered most...God.
Overtime, I continuously prayed, asking God for strength to overcome all my sins, and guess what. He washed all the face paint off, and now He has helped me live life the right way. I don't need paint to hide my sins, I just need it to cheer on my high school teams.
Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. The good thing is when Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins, we were forgiven.
Who needs facepaint when you have Jesus?
Now here comes the major point, in today's society, many young and old christians alike try to hide who they really are by putting on a front. Trust me, I used to be one of the ones to hide all my sins just by going to church and acting like super christian. These people will attend church every chance they can get, sit on the front row during service, talk all the time during youth group, but act completely different at school when they get around other peers.
One problem I suffered with in my middle school was foul language. I thought it was cool to cuss (I admit it mom, I know you are probably reading this) around my friends, except I'd go to church every chance I could get and act like I never had a problem. I would put on my blue face paint to go to church and hide everything that was wrong.
It took me until halfway through my freshman year to realize the mistake I was making. That paint could hide my actions from my friends and family, but it couldn't hide what I had done from the one who mattered most...God.
Overtime, I continuously prayed, asking God for strength to overcome all my sins, and guess what. He washed all the face paint off, and now He has helped me live life the right way. I don't need paint to hide my sins, I just need it to cheer on my high school teams.
Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. The good thing is when Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins, we were forgiven.
Who needs facepaint when you have Jesus?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Kurt Warner loves him some Jesus!
To set the record straight, I'm neither a Steelers fan nor a Cardinals fan, but the other day while I was watching the Super Bowl Media Day, Kurt Warner's interview impressed me, and I'm here to share it with.
Some have said being famous can swell one's ego, Kurt Warner stared the beast of adversity right into the eyes and proved everyone wrong. Before his interview, Kurt, the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback walked on stage with a book in his hand, the Bible! To my knowledge, this was not a publicity stunt, just an act of faith.
When asked if he would play any more seasons in the NFL, Kurt stated his obedience and trust in the LORD. He told the press that he wasn't sure how much longer he'd be an NFL quarterback, and that if it's God's plan for him to keep playing, then he will.
Kurt's story is a profound one. After his college football days were over, Kurt was not drafted in the NFL Draft. He did attend the Green Bay Packers Summer camp but was cut before the season started. Kurt spent the next year as a stocker/bagger in a grocery store. In 1995, He went to play in the Arena Football League, where he became one of the top 20 AFL players of all time.
He was not an overly religious person until he was 25, when his teammates in the Arena Football League introduced him to new ideas. He really had been down on his luck and thought it might be time to put his life and faith in the hands of God. And from that moment, his life changed.
Then one day, Kurt was called up by the St. Louis Rams in 1998 and was signed. However, Kurt was the backup QB and played in only one game during that season. In 1999, Kurt's whole life changed in the NFL.
In the 1999 season, Kurt:
--Started the season with 14 touchdown passes in four games. He had FIVE touchdowns in the game against San Fransisco to the shock of, well, everyone.
--Made the cover of Sports Illustrated in October with the headline “Who IS this guy?”
--Completed his breakout season by leading the Rams to the Super Bowl title.
--Set two huge records in the Super Bowl. He had 45 pass attempts with no interceptions and he also passed for 414 yards.
--He was named NFL’s MVP and the Super Bowl MVP. The only other players to accomplish the double MVP are Joe Montanta, Emmitt Smith, Terry Bradshaw, Steve Young, and Bart Starr. Pretty elite crowd!
Then, his luck began to change, he was cut from the Rams, and all he wanted was to find a home in the NFL. After a year, He became a backup QB to the young Eli Manning, and then started for the Giants until Eli was ready to lead the team. Once again, Kurt was out of a job after Eli was prepared.
The Arizona Cardinals spotted him, and he then became the backup QB to former USC quarterback Matt Leinart. He also then became the starter, and he stayed there.
As you can tell, Kurt and the Cardinals have had an amazing season, they are the underdogs who overcame all odds.
When Kurt is asked about about his incredible story, he says it was all possible because of Jesus.
We, as Christians, have to overcome many challenges in our lives to live for Christ and be known as a true God-fearing person. By hearing the Kurt Warner story, we are given a real life example as to the wonders God can perform, and how, what we consider, insurmountable odds can be easily defeated with the power of God.
“Many have said that if my life was a script in Hollywood, it would never be believed. But I am where I am because I believed and never gave up.” ~ Kurt Warner
Some have said being famous can swell one's ego, Kurt Warner stared the beast of adversity right into the eyes and proved everyone wrong. Before his interview, Kurt, the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback walked on stage with a book in his hand, the Bible! To my knowledge, this was not a publicity stunt, just an act of faith.
When asked if he would play any more seasons in the NFL, Kurt stated his obedience and trust in the LORD. He told the press that he wasn't sure how much longer he'd be an NFL quarterback, and that if it's God's plan for him to keep playing, then he will.
Kurt's story is a profound one. After his college football days were over, Kurt was not drafted in the NFL Draft. He did attend the Green Bay Packers Summer camp but was cut before the season started. Kurt spent the next year as a stocker/bagger in a grocery store. In 1995, He went to play in the Arena Football League, where he became one of the top 20 AFL players of all time.
He was not an overly religious person until he was 25, when his teammates in the Arena Football League introduced him to new ideas. He really had been down on his luck and thought it might be time to put his life and faith in the hands of God. And from that moment, his life changed.
Then one day, Kurt was called up by the St. Louis Rams in 1998 and was signed. However, Kurt was the backup QB and played in only one game during that season. In 1999, Kurt's whole life changed in the NFL.
In the 1999 season, Kurt:
--Started the season with 14 touchdown passes in four games. He had FIVE touchdowns in the game against San Fransisco to the shock of, well, everyone.
--Made the cover of Sports Illustrated in October with the headline “Who IS this guy?”
--Completed his breakout season by leading the Rams to the Super Bowl title.
--Set two huge records in the Super Bowl. He had 45 pass attempts with no interceptions and he also passed for 414 yards.
--He was named NFL’s MVP and the Super Bowl MVP. The only other players to accomplish the double MVP are Joe Montanta, Emmitt Smith, Terry Bradshaw, Steve Young, and Bart Starr. Pretty elite crowd!
Then, his luck began to change, he was cut from the Rams, and all he wanted was to find a home in the NFL. After a year, He became a backup QB to the young Eli Manning, and then started for the Giants until Eli was ready to lead the team. Once again, Kurt was out of a job after Eli was prepared.
The Arizona Cardinals spotted him, and he then became the backup QB to former USC quarterback Matt Leinart. He also then became the starter, and he stayed there.
As you can tell, Kurt and the Cardinals have had an amazing season, they are the underdogs who overcame all odds.
When Kurt is asked about about his incredible story, he says it was all possible because of Jesus.
We, as Christians, have to overcome many challenges in our lives to live for Christ and be known as a true God-fearing person. By hearing the Kurt Warner story, we are given a real life example as to the wonders God can perform, and how, what we consider, insurmountable odds can be easily defeated with the power of God.
“Many have said that if my life was a script in Hollywood, it would never be believed. But I am where I am because I believed and never gave up.” ~ Kurt Warner
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