ANON

Never Again

2008-05-06T00:05:00.000-07:00

It seems that yes, things move on and change.. Sometimes more over dramatic than other times, and it seems my life has hit one of those HUGE changes. Things will never be the same again. They just won't. People change a lot, and sometimes, it's you who has changed and realizes really what someone is about... and how they never really were any different.
I've decided that I am going to stop trying to salvage relationships in which people have turned ill towards me. I am here open hearted when they are ready. I am not putting anymore effort into it. I know who I am in Christ and will let them think what they will.
I just wish things were different, but hey, I will remember at least the good times I've had...

If we are the body

2007-10-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

Paul's beautiful picture of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 demonstrates this 'unity in diversity', and reminds us that every Christian needs every other to grow to full maturity. Each of us has an essential role to play and, if any one of us fails in playing our role the whole body suffers. The greatest threats to the proper functioning of Christ's body are the attitudes of pride[5] ('I don't need you') and self-pity[6] ('I do not belong'). We are all needed and we all need everyone else.

The diversity of the church Jesus prayed for had a purpose; each member was to help every other member come to maturity. 'From him the whole body... grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work'.[7] Christians are meant to be bearing one another's burdens[8] and laying down their lives for each other,[9] just as Christ himself did for us. Loving each other means always being committed to each other's good, and being willing to sacrifice ourselves for each other. When we approach disagreement with a concern for truth and unity, and for building each other up, we are already a long way to resolving our difficulties.

Holding unity and truth together requires great patience, endurance, love, grace, mercy, humility and courage, which is why most people (and most churches) prefer to sacrifice either truth or unity for the other. But each of us as Christians has a responsibility to be committed to every other Christian, not just those who think like us, or who belong to the same branch of the church. Being a truly committed member of Christ's body means that every other Christian is my brother or sister to whom I owe responsibility.

God is...

2007-09-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

God is so many things, faithful, love, good, self-existing. Those are only a few of the many things.
I was really hit by something that was said in a sermon last sunday. That God is self-existing. He doesn't need us, he doesn't need anything. He has been, is now, and forever will be. It is so hard to wrap your head around, and it gets me into a deep mind maze thinking how it could work.
Sometimes we often by play our sins thinking that since the price is paid, (which it is) and that it doesn't really affect the pain that Jesus went through. But the reality is that God holds the time line, and even to this day it still pains him when we sin. It can really impact your decion to sin, when you are on the line of sining and not sining. Also, it is so amazing to think that God really loves us enough to continually forgive us over and over agian.
God is still the same God he was thousands or even millions of years ago. He still is the creator, he still is that powerful God that made walls fall, and armies surrender to God's children. He never learns anything; He knows everything about us, and everything we will be or do in the future and he still holds out his hand to us.
Amazing.

Faithfulness

2007-08-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

The LORD is faithful!

Blind?!?!

2007-08-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Why are people so blind? I just can't seem to grasp it. People always want to stay where they are comfortable, and are not willing to examine things, and possibly see things that are wrong.
If a group of people feel something isn't right, then why do we want to write it off instead of really take a look at what could potentially be a problem?
Shouldn't there be a longing to make things right?

Pondering myself

2007-08-11T00:40:00.001-07:00

Well, I have been pondering once again....
About the body of Christ...What can we and should we expect from one another?
Shouldn't we be willing to sacrifice for our brothers and sisters?
If we all helped one another.. then nobody would be left without help, struggling with no one to help them though.
If we are the body, why are his arms reaching, why is his love not showing?

Vernon

2007-07-20T00:22:00.000-07:00

For anyone who still reads my blog:

I went on an amazing trip to Vernon, and Summerland, this past week, and it was amazing.
I never thought how many first time things that can happen to you in one time.

My first time:
Being in summerland
Going camping
Playing in a storm
Going to the drive in
Going camping
Swimming in a lake
Having a bird poo on my head

Times you never forget, and events, and people that make you never want to come back.

Pondering

2007-07-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night, the subject of the debt of love came up. That we owe love to each other in the body of believers.
So how much should we expect from other's? Or to what extent does that love go? Do we stop at a certain point, or should we be so willing to even change our schedules, plans, or lifestyles, to help somebody, or show them the love that Jesus talks about?

Drifting

2007-06-28T02:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like your mind was so far away from your body, that you forget what you were doing at that moment in time??

Girl that's after

2007-06-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Only human,
nothing more,
why must you go after,
again agian.

You said you didn't feel,
the way I thought you did,
in the end
you were wrong.

Taking again,
what shouldn't be yours,
trying to slip in,
not noticed, accepted.

Runnung after,
what runs away,
what keeps you going,
never known.

Where is your mind,
did it run away,
you head not there,
at random.

My beef

2007-06-21T23:03:00.000-07:00

What I find very anoying to me is when people send me off to do something, without telling me how to do it!!
People will tell me seek God, he will comfort you, and as much as I know that, I am new to a lot of this stuff ans I am trying to figure stuff out... why don't people tell me how to do it, or what their experiences are before they leave me stranded not knowing what to do...

Well that's my beef...:P

Inside

2007-06-17T23:20:00.000-07:00

The world around shatters,
pain is all that's felt,
death an infliction,
hidden inside a cave.

Anger a foundation,
of actions that arise,
longing to find,
an understaning.

Peace no longer present....
Signs, escape, wonder....
unpleasent sight....
filth...

My song

2007-06-14T23:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I've just been pondering these lyrics for awhile now actually...dig in..

There's a song in my heart,
There's a song in my soul,
Of your great love,
And How I long for more.

Your worthiness, never changes,
Your soverign grace, never deminishes,
Through ths storm, my heart still longs to worship,
Send your flood, to wash away unworthiness.

There's a yerning in my heart,
There's a longing in my soul,
A faithful heart be mine,
And for your light to show.

In the depths of my heart,
When I feel afraid,
I still choose to worship

When you seem far away
and I just dont' understand

When dispair is in my heart,
And doubt is in my my soul,
Remind me of your blessings,
And I'll praise you through this storm.

Prasie you, Hallelujah!

Amen.

Voice of truth

2007-06-04T00:41:00.000-07:00

I find it very interesting how we tend to sift through suff we hear and belive to find what we want to hear or what feels okay or good.
I think this goes hand in hand, when we can be so consumed by what we think is right or true, and yet be blinded and miss what really was true and right.
We live in a world that says that we shoud follow what we think is right, but really how can we justify anything if everyone did what they thought was right, when it could be totally wrong?
I mean how far, and how sucessful is anyone who goes by their own truth?
It could include anything such as that they see stealing as okay, and a true thing to do, and yet is it right, or even close to the actual truth?
Can anyne of us actually say what is "true" unless we have taken it from God's word?

Word of God speak

2007-06-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what
You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of
YouBeyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

Darkest Hour

2007-05-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

Today I was reminded about praising God in our darkest hours. If you really think about it, how easy is it to praise God when it's sunny outside, and life is going great? Anyone can sing praises to God when things are all good, happy and sunny, but your faith really shows when you praise God the toughest storms.

I can't remember the scripture, however, there were these two men who were sent out to preach and tell people the way to be saved. However, along their journey they get thrown into jail because they were accused of causing an uproar, due to casting out a demon from girl who could predict the future, making huge profits for her owners. They were severely flogged and tortured, and thrown into the deepest darkest cell of the jail. And yet despite all that was going on, they sung praises to God in their Darkest hour. Now that's faith!

It just gets me thinking.... and makes me see what real faith is!

Another world??

2007-05-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

Well, things have been quite weird for me in the last week or so. Just things seem to be everywhere, and not in their place, which brings about a feeling of unsettledness. Like I am in another world, somebody else's. I wonder what's going to happen, where I am going to be next. If I do well in things, and succeed in things of the future...

I am trying to look to the Lord for strength and wisdom. I pray that he will just cover me with a feeling of security and comfort.

Dance

2007-04-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

I am preparing for a solo dance that I am doing at my school dance performance, and I can't help but feel some anxiety as I am preparing with such little time... I had been off for a little while, due to a knee injury and I just got back to it not too long ago. I am kinda freaking out tho because I only have less than two weeks before the performance and it's not done yet.. So, please pray that God will fill with me the holy spirit as I prepare my dance, heart and mind...
For the LORD's love is extravagant!

Today....

2007-04-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

Today I am pondering God's reasoning for things... sometimes I just sit and wonder why things happen and why the things I dream of aren't coming true, even though I pray with all my heart. Aware that these things must fall under God's will for my life, sometimes, things seem dull and dreary as they are not anything I want. Only time will tell, and in the end I will see these things work out to God's plan.. but it's so hard when you don't see the end product or have no idea what will happen next or what tomorrow will bring. The comfort of knowing what will happen sometimes feels as if it has been robed from us, and makes us feel very down and discouraged, making it hard to "trust" in God. However trust comes in not know the future, and deciding that regardless of what the future holds, we are in God's hands.
Just some thoughts, would love to hear what everyone thinks.

Understanding

2007-04-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

It truly amazes me how people can be so blinded as to how things are. Sometimes, as well as tonight I just feel frustrated, as people just assume things are one way, when they aren't in the situation, and judge it by how it looks, all wrapped in pretty paper, that may be slightly riped, however still looks pretty great.
Its so hard now these days to find someone who will believe you and understand that the way a situation is, is not what they think. That there is so much hidden, and that can't be explained only experienced.

Rescue....

2007-04-11T23:17:00.000-07:00

This song is my cry to the LORD...

You are the source of life
And I can't be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of you

I need You Jesus
To come to my rescue
Where else can I go
There's no other name by
Which I am saved
Capture me with Love

My heart is yours for life
And I need your hand in mine
No one else will do
I put my trust in you

I will follow you
This world has nothing for me.

I just need the LORD to rescue me, from all my fears and worries, and just this world....

Made to worship

2007-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Before the day
Before the light
Before the world revolved around the sun
God on high
Stepped down into time
And wrote the story of His love for everyone

He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember

You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be

All we are
And all we have
Is all a gift from God that we receive
Brought to life
We open up our eyes
To see the majesty and glory of the King

He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember

You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be

And even the rocks cry out
And even the Heavens shout
At the sound of His holy name
So let every voice sing out
And let every knee bow down
He is worthy of all our praise

You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free, yeah
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see, you and I will see

You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free, yeah
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be

Worship

2007-04-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Extravagant:

1.spending much more than is necessary

2.excessively high

3.exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.

4.going beyond what is deserved or justifiable

5.Obsolete. wandering beyond bounds.

The LORD's love is extravgant!

Your love is extravagant

Your friendship, it is intimate

I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace

Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place

Cause Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin

No greater love have I ever known that

You considered me a friend

Capture my heart again

Your love is extravagant

Your friendship, it is intimate

I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace

Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place

Cause Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin

No greater love have I ever known;

You considered me a friend

Capture my heart again

Your love is extravagant

Your friendship, it is intimate.....

I've been thinking about worship lately, and how when we get in times of sorrow, and we feel lost and distant from the LORD, we need to push though and seek truth. I've been feeling like this for the last while. It's been hard to get into worship, and I've let myself get distracted. It seems to hard to let go of things, but God has already loosen those chains, we just need to let them go. It's so hard, but it's something we need to do.

LORD I pray that you just make your presence know and felt. Help in this battle! Give me strength, and encouragment, as I fight for your prasie!

More pics!!

2007-03-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

Pics!!

2007-03-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

Everywhere.......

2007-03-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

My head seems to be everywhere... I'm truly on an emotional roller coaster. I'm having some feelings of me being such a burden. It's hard, because I can't do as much as I would like to, but I just don't have time, or ability to. I just feel frustrated. Like a huge rock dropped on me, and I can't get it off until someone helps me...I'm just so hurt.
I apologize to whoever reads my blog, for all this non-insightful stuff, but I feel sometimes it's just somewhat of release for me.

Overflow from my heart...

2007-03-11T23:32:00.000-07:00

Just to warn anybody who cares, this blog isn't really insightful or revealtion filled... my my heart is overflowing with pain... so I will let it out here....
Life is just really complicating right now, I feel so scared, even though I try hard to trust in God knowing that he has a plan for my life... However, I just am worried about the outcome of teh situations in my life will be.. from people who love me, who just don't understand what is going on in certain situations, to just having so much going on that makes the situation harder....
I just feel my life is in a whirl wind, everything I couldn't possibly imagine happening to me is happening, it just goes to show how messed up things can be...
I just want to be so close to God right now, except I just feel held back by something... but I just can determin what.... I just really want things to stop... I want things to be different... I wish I could be somewhere else...
I'm just sad and hurt and need God right now.... Help me LORD I pray.

The start of something new....

2007-03-10T01:16:00.000-08:00

There seems to be a lot of change and new things soon to come... changes, and decisions.....
As a new season comes upon us, spring time, a season of newness, blossoming and growth. Although hard rain fall on the land, it causes growth and renewal...
May the LORD bless you all....

Psalm 5:1-2

2007-03-05T22:40:00.000-08:00

Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.

Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

Thoughts

2007-02-25T23:20:00.000-08:00

I've been drowning in my thoughts that last few days...

Many thoughts about where I want to be and also about my relationship with God. Truly, I'm longing for a deeper relationship with the LORD, and am having some difficulty in really understanding and connecting. I tend to look at other peoples lives with Christ and just long for more passion and closeness with Christ.

Hebrews 13:7 says:
"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."

I love this scripture and have been really have been thinking about it over the last little while. God places us in the body of Christ not only to build each other up, but to teach and set example.

What's left of me.

2007-02-16T12:51:00.000-08:00

I love this song so much. If you really take in account the words to this song, it's really great! Take a read.

What's Left of me

Watched my life pass me by -- in the rearview mirror
Pictures frozen in time -- are becoming clearer
I don't wanna waste another day -- stuck in the shadow of my mistakes -- yeah

Cause I want you -- and I feel you -- crawling underneath my skin
Like a hunger, like a burnin -- to find a place I've never been
Now I'm broken, and I'm faded -- I'm half the man I thought I would be
But you can have -- what's left of me.

I've been dying inside -- little by little
Nowhere to go -- I'm goin outta my mind
An endless circle -- runnin from myself until
You gave me a reason for standing still

And I want you -- and I feel you -- crawling underneath my skin
Like a hunger, like a burnin -- to find the place I've never been
Now I'm broken, and I'm faded -- I'm half the man I thought I would be
But you can have -- what's left of me.

Fallin' faster -- barely breathing
Give me somethin to believe in
Tell me it's not all in my head
Take what's left of this man
Make me whole once again

Cause I want you -- and I feel you -- crawling underneath my skin
Like a hunger, like a burnin -- to find the place I've never been
Now I'm broken, and I'm faded -- I'm half the man I thought I would be
You can have, all that's left, (yeah, yeah, yeah) what's left of me

I've been dying inside you see
I'm goin outta my mind (outta my mind)
I'm just runnin' in circles all the time
Will you take what's left? x3 -- of me
I'm just runnin' in circles in my mind
Will you take what's left? x3 -- of me
Take what's left of me

Nick Lachey

Foundation

2007-01-27T16:04:00.000-08:00

Wow, I haven't posted in quite awhile.
Anyways, alot has been going on lately. For those who haven't heard, my sister moved out a few weeks ago. It's been really hard, and not having her there is very unsettling and awkward.
Alot has changed and alot of challenges have arose in the last little while in which frankly I don't know what to do. I feel like everything that was familiar to me in my life, my sister living at home, the people at my church, my friends, my uncle, my pastor, has changed and made a huge difference in my life. And then I realized that my so called "foundation" in my life was gone. But now I see that my "foundation" should not be in things of the world, but rather in God, the one who never changes. Altough I feel like I have been slipping away from God, and even more so since all these trails and difficulties I'm now in the midst of experiencing, I find myself realizing that I cannot let go of God. He's the foundation I need, beacause the reality is that the whole world around me is going to continue to change and the people I once trusted will not be there, and the person I see as a mother, I won't be in contact as much with anymore do to a job change, but God will always be there. He will never leave nor forsake us, and as trials continue to push us over the edge and sadness overtakes our hearts, and decions and situtations that just make us overwhelmed and that makes us cry, will still come. Regardless the LORD our God, the Almighty, must be our foundation, and he is forever worthy to be praised at all times and forever and ever, Amen.

Scared

2006-12-30T21:18:00.000-08:00

I hate how things that thought would happen for so long, doesn't, then ends up happening and scaring the crap out of you when you least expect it...

Worthy

2006-12-27T13:07:00.000-08:00

The LORD is worthy to be praised in all circumstances, good or bad.
The LORD is worthy to be praised at every moment.
The LORD is worthy to be praised everywhere.
The LORD is worthy to be praised by everything that has breath.
The LORD is worthy to be praised, and even the rocks will cry out!
Our Almighty God is worthy to be praised!
Worthy, worthy, worthy, are you LORD to be praised!

What I want for Christmas

2006-12-18T22:10:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, I want more of Jesus. Yes, maybe a box of chocolates is nice, or a shirt or some socks. But in the end, the one thing that would not be used up and fade away, is the Lord Almighty!

I want to have a desire to,
know him more,
feel him,
hear him,
have a greater love for him,
have zeal for him,
sit with him,
fear him,
be comforted by him,
run to him,
WORSHIP HIM,
be used by him,
serve him,
long for him,
seek for him,
understand him,
LIVE FOR HIM.
for him to be my God,
my Father,
my Lover,
my Shepard,
my Guide,
my Saviour,
the one who rescues me,
the only one I long for.

Desire for unity

2006-12-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

My life right now, just seems like it's going in the wrong direction. I feel so broken and bitter, that I have no desire to let myself work on "unity" in some of the areas of my life. I feel like I should just give up. There seems like so many other better oppertunities, that I don't want to stay where I am. I just want to search for something better, something that will make me feel happiness. I'm really struggling with accepting that things can change, but I feel if I let them change that everything that happened in the past in okay, and continue in this cycle of hurt and distrust. Why I feel this way, I don't now or understand why. I seem to feel like I don't see anyting bright in m future. It just seems so unfair. I don't want to stay in this place of feeling this way.
LORD, give me a desire for unity, and give me understanding.

If anyone has any advice, just let me know. Thanks.

I want to be where you are

2006-10-28T22:58:00.000-07:00

At times, God can seem so overwhelmingly complicated.
Right now, that's exactly how I feel. I just want to understand God, be in a place of imtamncy with him, and hear him speaking to me.
The LORD is the only one that does not leave us empty. The one who gives us the water that will make us never thirst again. He satisfies, and that is what I'm looking for, him. God, the Almighty, our Healer, our Comforter, our Shepard, the one who tells us what to, when and how.
Jesus, I want to be where you are, LORD I want to be where you are. Be in your arms, you comforting me, form my overwhleming life. And, I want everyone in the world to know that the LORD, is gracious and compasionate, slow to anger and rich in Love!!!!
Oh how I long for passion, the passion I felt before.
LORD, change my heart, and make it ever true to you.

LORD, I just want to be where you are. I know that in your presence, I will be restored.
There is no one else for me, none but Jesus!!
You were crucified to set me free, and I want to live to bring you praise!!

Change

2006-10-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

Life always changing,
surprises we find,
when things we once loved,
are now left behind,
but, just thank the LORD,
he will never change.

Life will be bad,
and life will be good,
people will die,
who we don't think should,
but, just thank the LORD,
He will never leave us.

Our feelings will change,
to the mood of a song,
people who love us,
may not for long,
but, just thank the LORD,
he loves us forever.

This is all I got so far.. I'll post more when I think of the rest...

Living like Jesus

2006-10-06T18:06:00.000-07:00

The number one way of evangilism is example. Being like christ. Love being the foundation of what is said and done in any situation, good, bad, annyoing or unfair.
I keep letting myself slip when it comes to being the example of Christ at school. I find myself doing things that at the moment that seems okay, or seems like it will make me cool or something of the sort. Then I stop and I wonder why I did it in the first place.
Just today at school, I did something that wasn't christ like at all, and someone stoped and said, "Hey I thought you church people don't do stuff like that."
It kinda hit me hard, and I felt so like crap. Now how do I reedeem myself? How do I change that bad example I set and show them Jesus?
I want to be like Jesus in everything I do!

LORD, Please forgive me from myselfish act, and lead me on strait paths. Show me more of you, and give me strength and wisdom. Jesus you are worthy of all praise and I want to worship you in obeying your commands. Amen.

In my face

2006-09-16T22:24:00.000-07:00

In the last while, alot of things have been in my face. Pacticularly today, kids hitting me in the face, while running the bouncy castle at Family fun day. I was really tired, and it was definitly not the wake up call I was excpecting....
Anyways, today I was thinking about service and the heart of service and my mind came back to intamincy with Jesus.
Well, why do we serve? We serve Jesus by serving others. So, if our heart is not in the right place, and we aren't tight with Jesus our service is emty and we are not being effective. So, being right with Jesus is where our service flows from. We must seek God first.
(I'll post scripture tommorrow)

God will never fail

2006-09-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

Although sometimes we may feel like God screwed up cause we didn't get what we wanted, the truth is he never fails. We do. No wonder we should be relying on God not each other. People will hurt you, we will hurt people.
So, why do we keep getting fooled by what the world says. That we are more important. That is so far from true. We are so beyond lucky to even be here. God is the one. We need him more than anything.

God be with me. Help me constantly remeber that you will NEVER fail me. That I shouldn't put all my hope and trust in other people, but to put my trust in you, and you alone. Cause you are never failing. Amen.

Surface

2006-08-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

How long are we going to stay on the surface? When are we going to dive in? Are we afraid of drowning or what?

What would you rather do?

2006-08-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

Well, last night I found myself really wondering about priorties in our Christian lives.
As, I was walking to the skytrain station with a few friends, they were having a discussion about what they were going to do that night, beacause they were having a sleepover. My suggestion was that they should maybe have a bible study. And as a response to my suggestion, one of my friends had said, "how about I don't want to." At this I was actually quite shocked. Coming from people who commited their lives to christ and who want to know God better. How are we sopose to know God more, if we don't do anything about it. We can't expect it to just be placed in our laps.
Truly, where are our hearts if we are not even wanting to read the bible, but instead watch TV. Also, I'm not saying that watching TV is bad or anything, or that I'm expecting my friends to be "perfect" or anything. I just find that there needs to be more focus in our Christian lives, and have our priorties strait. Also, I'm not saying that I'm perfect either, or that I have this all down, but I reconize it, and know it needs to change.
God first, then other things flow from it.
If you notice that something is not right, or that you know your not doing well in bible reading or whatever it might be, fight it and change it!

Searching, fully

2006-08-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been thinking about my relationship with Jesus.
I'm really confused about some stuff. Like how hard it is to be "intimate" with God. I find it so hard to grasp the concept. How we can be intimate with our God, who is not in the flesh, but in spirit.
I see others, who seem to understand, and be satisfied with this intimancy, I just don't get.
I say to myself, I should be in a great relationship with God, close and intimate. I long for it, but why? Beacuse I really long for it, or because I see people who have it, and it just seems like the right thing to do.
But in my heart I know something is missing. I need that realationship, it's sopose to be the foundation of what I belive in.
I want to be authentic. And do what is right.

At a church service I was at a few weeks back, our pastor was asking people if they wanted to be prayed for to be filled with the Holy spirit, and I was scared to go up by myself, so I had asked my friend to go up with me, and they had said no. I was at first shocked, but then they said something, that really stuck with me untill this very day.
If you really want it, your going to do anything to get it.

Jesus, this is really what I want.
Give me answers and guidance.
I want you.

Powerful words

2006-08-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hillsong United - Sovereign Hands

Sovereign hands
Nailed to a humble cross
Scars You bear
Speak of Your redeeming love
No wonder I call You the Saviour
No wonder I’m singing
God of all the heavens
Now and ‘til forever
High above the universe
God of our redemption
God of my surrender
The glory is Yours
Sovereign God
Laying down a holy life
Heaven’s Son Willing to be
crucified

Holy
Holy
Holy Lord
Open hands Given to a sovereign cause
All I have
God will be forever Yours

HIllsong United-Came to the rescue

Falling on my knees in worship,
giving all I am to seek your face,
Lord all I am is yours
my whole life I place in your hands,
God of mercy,
humble I bow down
in your presence at your throne,

I call, you answer, and you came to my rescue and I,
want to be where you are.

my whole life I place in your hands
God of mercy,
humble I bow down
in your presence at your throne

I call, you answer, and you came to my rescue and I,
want to be where you are.

I call, you answer, and you came to my rescue and I,
want to be where you are.

In my life , be lifted high,
in our world, be lifted high,
in our love, be lifted high,
high lord, high lord,
In my life , be lifted high,
in our world, be lifted high,
in our love, be lifted high,
higher, higher,
In my life , be lifted high,
in our world, be lifted high,
in our love, be lifted high,

I call, you answer, and you came to my rescue and I,
want to be where you are.

Jehovah Raffa

2006-08-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

God our healer.
He is amazing.

Poetry phase

2006-07-29T21:47:00.000-07:00

Today

Yesterday, I saw things.
Tomorrow, I'll see things.
Today, I'm in things.

Standing, sitting, running, walking.
Where am I going?
Where will I stay?
Coming, going.

Laughing, crying, yelling, silence.
My mind boggled, confused, or just right.

Seeing, hearing, feeling.
Yesterday, tomorrow, today.

Hoping, praying, seeking, finding.
Knowledge, wisdom, and more.

Up, down, around and around.
Never ending circle,
wanting to be a line.

Yesterday, I saw things.
Tomorrow, I'll see things.
Today, I'm in things.

But Today I'm different.
Not the same.
As before.

Changed....my heart.
The LORD came in.
I dicovered his Love.
Accepted it, held on, Responed.

Nothing, nothing, nothing.
Nothing else, was better news.
And will forever be.

Life? Death?
Good? Evil?
God? Satan?

Meaning, purpose, truth, love.

I turned around, my back to Satan.
Now facing God.
And now today I'm different.

And I'll never be the same.

-MJ Grondines:2006

Ways of the world

It started with a big bam,
and will end with a big boom.
Said by many.

No reason or purpose,
why we wake in the morning,
or work through the day.

We live for retirement,
or acheiving our goals,
to just die, when we get old.

Lets pretend to understand,
why were are here.
Petend to be happy,
when were are searching for truth.

Lets just keep living in this messed up world,
that's not getting better,
when we all wish it would.

What's the point,
to your life today?
To live then die,
for no reason at all.

I know there is more,
more to this life,
life after death,
with the almighty one.

To have hope in this promise,
is not at all pointless.
Afterall, what else is there,
in this world of hate?

-MJ Grondines:2006

Camp

2006-07-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

So, I have been gone for about six days.
I went to teen camp at camp sunrise. So much happened, it was amazing. God made himself known there!
The whole time I felt like I was in a different world. It was scary and amazing at the same time. I learnt so much, not only about myself but also about others. My head was seriously messed, or so I thought. But, I worked through it, and God showed me the way through it. PRAISE TEH LORD! As much as I'm happy to be back, I wish I was still there hanging out with the girls in my cabin.
They have blessed me soo much. The girls in my cabin were awsome, getting to know them was a great experince.
Sharing my testimony, helped them see what God has done in my life, and gave them courage to open up as well. I'm so thankful to the Lord for what he has done. Helping me through this last week, and giving me strength, to share his love. (even though I screwed up quite a bit. And I know kinda feel bad I didn't do as much as I wanted to/ should have, but there is no guilt in Christ...)
God is great.
My girls are great.
And I love the ways God shows himself.

LORD, I pray that you will help me to show your love in my daily life, God you are my rock and protector! Give me wisdom, and light the fire in me. Give me passion. The passion I once had, light the fire again LORD!
Amen!

The end is coming!!!

2006-07-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Wow, so much in my head right now...
So many dreams, messsages, confirmations.. ect.
THE END IS COMING! Like really soon.

I've been really stuck on the whole wittnessing to non-belivers, and just the reality of what's going on. The signs. I see revalation come true.

It's really scary acctually. When I look at the world getting worse, and I see no "world peace" that people say they want!

I feel there is soooo much to do. So many to tell that Jesus is coming! I just know there is so much more we can be doing. I've acctually been thinking about this for quite awhile, but it seems to be coming up more.

I'm scared to step out of my comfort zone, and look like a freak, or whatever.. but times are deperate!

Dear LORD, I pray for strength and wisdom for all belivers. LORD, I pray for yuor light to shine through us!

RAWR!!!... hmmm...

2006-06-27T23:39:00.000-07:00

When I was little, my mom told me that she had a dream that she had knit a scarf that went around the world. She had always said that she would.
Tonight when I had a conversation with my mom, she mentioned her scarf again, and she's like I'll knit a square a day untill I get my scarf around the world.
This satement can mean so may things.. Hope, perseverance... ect.
But anyway, I've been so blah lately, like I can't speak, or anything.
My mind is so set on getting out of the problem, wanting to be happy for once. I think and I think, about everything trying to seperate my thoughts, so I can deal with them but it's all fluttering around in my head.
I don't want to have the rest of my teenage years feeling like crap, like there is no way out, like I DON'T TO LIVE!!! (kelly, that's what I wanted to say to you.. but the words wouldn't come out.)
But in the midst of all of that, I want to be a wittness, of christ. I keep having dreams of the end coming and me wittnessing and also, there are so many thoughts about the end, and I KNOW FOR A FACT that the end is coming like really soon.
I just ask for all your prayers.
May God bless you and keep you, and make his face shine apon you.

A day to remember...

2006-06-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

New uniforms, a queezy stomache, and alot of thoughts.....

Today, I've been enrolled as a soldier in The Salvation Army New Westminster.
I have to say, today has been crazy yet amazing.
Commiting my life under the Artiles of War, (for those fo you have no idea what I'm talking about, I will post tommorrow what I'm talking about.... cause right now.... I'm tired....)agreeing to future behavior with God's help, and sharing my testamony in front of the whole church.
Wow, It's amazing to me how big this whole thing is.
God is so great, and I want this to be all about him, commitment to him, living for him, loving him, serving him, worshiping him, and being like him.
He is the King of Kings, and My father!
Happy Father's Day!!
Amen!

The Body of Christ

2006-06-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

We are called to be one in the Church.
To show exceptance and love not only to other believers, but for the rest of humanity as well.
(Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

I've been very...umm... not only fustrated but sad, in what I've seen. Such disunity.

I've been really thinking about this song and what it means....

If we are the body
By Casting Crowns

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
trying to fade into the faces
the girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
farther than they know

CHORUS
But if we are the body
why arent His arms reaching
why arent His hands healing
why arent His words teaching
and if we are the body
why arent His feet going
why is His love not showing them there is a way
there is a way

A traveler is far away from home
he sheds his coat
and quietly sinks into the back row
the weight of their judgemental glances tell him that his chances
are better out on the road
CHORUS
But if we are the body
why arent His arms reaching
why arent His hands healing
why arent His words teaching
and if we are the body
why arent His feet going
why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
for us to pick and choose who should come
and we are the body of Christ

Chorus (2x)

But if we are the body
why arent His arms reaching
why arent His hands healing
why arent His words teaching
and if we are the body
why arent His feet going
why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way

Love without words

2006-06-07T21:48:00.000-07:00

Today is indeed my birthday.
Cake, cookies and ice cream. Lovely friends gathered to show their love. Great times. (thank you to everyone who shared in this happy day with me.. praise the Lord) Anyways, this really wasn't the purpose of my blog.

Love without words.

About a few months ago, I met one of the greatest people in my life.
I always said, "I love you." But in response a smile or a see ya later. I kept saying I love you to see if it would be returned. But yet again, it wasn't said. Then I thought, well this person must not love me then. And just yesterday, at refuge, a cake was brought out to me by the person. I then saw what God had been trying to show me for a while. Talk is cheap.
Instead of saying I love you, they showed that they love me.

Like God, He isn't going to come to us in a big loud voice and say I love you. He shows us his love by what he did for us, and is doing for us.
Praise the LORD!
(Thanks Kelly)

Tears

2006-06-03T23:13:00.000-07:00

All I want to do these days is cry.
I feel so overwhelmed, and all I want to do is cry.
I don't know what to do, and all I want to do is cry.
I miss someone so bad, and all I want to do is cry.
I wish I never did the things I've done, and all I want to do is cry.
I feel emty, and all I want to do is cry.
I can't understand why I am thsi way, and all I want to do is cry.
I love somebody so much, and rejected is what I feel. And all I want to do is cry.
I want to sit in Jesus' lap, and all I want to do is cry.

Chained

2006-06-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

I seem to be chained to an uneasy feeling... well many feelings.
The thoughts they consume are many. They follow me every where I go.
Hold me captive to their weapons of the enemy. I don't undersatnd. I can't make up my mind. My heart is heavy and my body is stiff. I feel emty, and hungry. Hungry for answers from the almighty one. Holiness seems so out of reach. I feel deserted by things of earth, that I feel foolish for ever beliving they could satisfy. Longing for something that doesn't make sense. Feeling of wanting something different, that I can't change. No smlies I find stareing back at me, when I peer in the mirror in fear. Love without return. A longing for what use to be. A fear for what's to come. A regret of what has passed. A hurt lying benthe me, keepinmg me chained. Chained to what shouldn't be.
All I have is the one who's love is extravagent. And it's all I need.
My heart is in the worng place. Move it to your desire LORD.

A new song.....

2006-05-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

This song brought me to tears the first time I heard it..... Lovely!

Your Love Is Extravagant
by Casting Crowns

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, is intimate

I feel like moving to the rhythm of your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating, in our secret place

Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ, is the love that covers sin.
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me your friend.
Capture my heart again.

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship is intimate

I feel like moving to the rhythm of your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place

Spread wide, in the arms of Christ, is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known!
You considered me your friend.
Capture my heart again.

(REPEAT SPREAD WIDE)

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship is intimate

The Da Vinci Code

2006-05-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

I see more and more now, the work of the evil one. The enemy. He's fighting hard. Trying to bring as many down with him.
How long oh LORD?
It breaks my heart to see so many people each day, continually be lead away from the LORD.
I'm fighting a fight right now. So that my friends at school can be saved. But the thing that makes it hard is The Da Vinci Code.
I don't know what to say. The lies! It makes me so angry! What can I say that will prove the book wrong? What can I do to show them the love of christ, when I keep screwing up? I'm just so fustrated!

Here's a good post from Michael Badior's blog.. makes alot of sense.
I was telling my friends about it today.

Science vs. Faith

“Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand."You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent."No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From...God..."

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

Again, the student has no answer."Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question."Who created them? There is still no answer.

Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?""No sir. I've never seen Him." "Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not.""Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelled your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.""Yet you still believe in Him?"

"Yes.""According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. " And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet.

The student begins to explain: "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought." "It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it." "Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"The class is in uproar.

The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided."To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room."Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?"The class breaks out into laughter.

"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir." "So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"Now the room is silent.

The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or, at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

I love this post....
Just keep me in your prayers. Pray that I am able to keep strong in my fight to win the world for God.

May the LORD bless you, keep you, and make his face shine apon you.

Keep singing

2006-05-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

Another rainy day
I can't recall having sunshine on my face
All I feel is pain
All I wanna do is walk out of this place
But when I am stuck and I can't move
When I don't know what I should do
When I wonder if I'll ever make it through

I gotta keep singing
I gotta keep praising Your name
Your the one that's keeping my heart beating
I gotta keep singing
I gotta keep praising Your name
That's the only way that I'll find healing

Can I climb up in Your lap
I don't wanna leave
Jesus sing over me
I gotta keep singing

Can I climb up in Your lap
I don't wanna leave
Jesus sing over me
I gotta keep singing

Oh You're everything I need
And I gotta keep singing

-Mercy me

This is the theme song of my life....

Where are his feet?

2006-05-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

My life has been one word........ overwhelming.
Searching for answers, praying for change and crying. ( well, sorta)
I'm honestly not looking for sympathy. I'm looking for Jesus' feet. (or his lap, in other words)
I want to be like Mary, sitting at his feet, spending time with him. But I just don't know how.....
Please pray for me, in my search for his feet, no one elses.

Calling out

2006-05-05T14:19:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, I had April over for dinner before worship team. (It was yummy cheeseburgers, by the way!! Lol) Anyway, I had no hamberger buns so we had to go across the street to the store in order to get them.
Me, not bothering to bring my keys, I decided I would leave the doors unlocked untill I get back. Forgetting, I locked the door and me and April were locked out of the house.
The good news was that my uncle was home, but in the attic.
Anyway, when we returned home, I rang the door bell in hope that he would answer it. The doorbell can't be heard in the attic, so the only way I could get my uncle to let us in, is by taking the risk of embarrassment by yelling like an idiot in hope that my uncle would hear me.
So, the next thing I tried was getting my downstairs neighbour to open the door. No luck though.
So then I went to my next door neighbour's house to use the phone to call my uncle, but they weren't home.
So, then I was like to April, last resort, which was yelling like an idiot. (fun times....) My uncle heard me and answered the door. (PRAISE THE LORD!)
Anyway, my point is that in the first place I should have yelled like an idiot to the person I knew who could help me, instead of trying to find other ways that failed me.
So in the same way, we should call out to God first. ( a big time saver!)
Even if it may not seem to be the best solution. And were lucky that when we do go to God we don't usually get embarassed. (lol!)
Anyway, I'm just here to say I love JESUS!
May God bless you all!

The battle of truth

2006-04-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

The truth can set you free.
So why is it so many people choose not to become free?
I'm really stuck in a place of lies. Lies that are spoken about me.
Lies that determin weather my life will get worse.
Lies of the enemy.
I'm tired. I'm fustrated. I hate the ways of the world.
How do you overcome lies that are spoken about you, when all odds are against you?
How do you reveal the truth when no one has seen the truth but you?
All I know is that all I want is truth. I'm not scared of it, I'm awaiting it!
I want the truth to set me free!

Your will, not mine

2006-04-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've had to deal with alot of things.
Like when I did something I totally regreted like half hour later.
Getting mad at God when he doesn't heal me when I want him to, or have things that way I think they should be.
After getting really fed up of waiting, and wondering if things will change, I'm just like God if it's your will, let it be. That's really hard for me, because there are so many things that I've been having a hard time to accept.
All I can do is pray and just trust him.
God is love, and love always trusts!

Lord, reaveal yourself to me, I want a deeper realationship with you. Just let me climb in your lap. Give me wisdom, and make my paths clear! Your love oh Lord reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies! Amen.

Happy Easter! The LORD is risen indeed!

Trust

2006-04-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

At youth councils 2005.... we did a spiritual gift test.
There were statements that we had to rate be if this was us or not.
Here are a few that just grabbed a hold on me.

1. I have confidence that God will get me through both good and bad times
2. I belive that God can do things that seem impossible
3. I have confidence that God willl keep his promises even when things are bad
4. I trust that I can call on God and know that he will be there when "impossible" situations happen
5. When everything looks bad, I can still trust God

Definitly an eye opener!
God I pray that these things may always be truths! Amen!

Can I climb up in your lap?

2006-03-29T16:06:00.000-08:00

On sunday night after returning home from the evening service at Cariboo Hill Temple, I was on my bed and I was listening to the Mercy Me "Undone" CD, that my sister had lent me.
Then the song, "keep singing" was playing.

KEEP SINGING

Another rainy day
I can't recall having sunshine on my face
All I feel is pain
All I wanna do is walk out of this place
But when I am stuck and I can't move
When I don't know what I should do
When I wonder if I'll ever make it through

I gotta keep singing
I gotta keep praising your name
Your the one that's keeping my heart beating
I gotta keep singing
I gotta keep praising your name
That's' the only way that I'll find healing

Can I climb up in your lap
I don't wanna leave
Jesus sing over me
I gotta keep singing

Oh you're everything I need
And I gotta keep singing

I've heard this song many times, but this time the song was so different.
Like I was struggling so much with stuff in my life and I just really wanted to have someone there with me. But, as I heard the words, "can I climb up in your lap?" I was just like..... God that's what I want, to climb up in his lap and just be comforted by him.
But then rose the question how do we have that kind of a relationship with God if he is not in the flesh?
Well, on tuesday, my friend was telling me a story about how she went to her friend and was telling them that so many people was realying on her, but then her friend in response was like, there going to God through you.
So then a thought came to mind that we can have a realtionship with God through other people.....
Well, I'm not sure if this is true, so leave a comment with your thoughts!

RAW

2006-03-15T21:47:00.000-08:00

Well, Raw the program is over.... but in a way it has just a way it has just begun!
This week I went to a program, that was training and learning about serving.
We went on various "missions" and had many sermons and prayer. It was a great growing experience.
I found I made many new friends and formed many realationships.
I learned alot, although I didn't seem to have been challenged in the way I thought I'd be.
Also, We were dicussing bringing our passion and what we learned to our community.
Anyway, Praise the LORD for my new great friends, (and getting to know people, who went to my church the whole time but never noticed..... I love you Denise, Joel and Joe!!!
You rock Cory!! Your a fab leader!!
Anyway, Quoting from today....
"I don't want to get my tunic dirty!", said Steven Court.
God bless ya'll!

Downloads

2006-03-03T15:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I learned a great lesson. Don't download free things off the internet.
It turned out that when I downloaded "smileys" which were "free" it messed up our computer....
Slowing everything down, and making our computer prone to viruses and making it freeze all the time.

In the same way, satan is like those tempting free smileys on the internet.... (also like those pop ups) Tempting but yet dangerous and damaging.
Praise the Lord, that we have a 24/7 computer technition on call to help us clean out our systems, when we fall into those tempting pop ups.
Jesus' blood cleanses us from all those viruses (sins) in which we fall into.

God I pray that you help me when those pop ups come up, and that you will be the greater desire, then those smileys! Amen

Faith

2006-02-20T14:38:00.000-08:00

What is faith?

"Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe."
Author: Augustine

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Faith is the foundation of our realtionship with God.
I found myself, questioning my faith. Wondering if I really belived.

God I pray for a stronger faith, where I am lacking faith God fill that place.
Amen.

Changing my life around

2006-02-19T21:28:00.000-08:00

I want to change my life for the better.
I want to be a better person.
I pray God will fill me with a sense of understanding, a desire to seek him, a love greater than anything, compassion, kindness, patience, hope and a heart which will be able to be honest with him.
God show me where to go, I want to drink the water that will not make me thirst again.
Help me know why I feel so emty or why it's so hard for me to feel your presence.
Continually remind me, that you will never leave me nor forsake me.
Help me mean the words I sing to you.
Help me forgive, for my flesh is unforgiving and selfish.
Help me see others the way you see them.
Give me the strength to make it through days I could not go through on my own.
Be my all in all! I'm crying to you God, I want you.
Show me where my heart should be.
I lay my burdens down at the foot of the cross LORD!
For you are my refuge, and you love me, help me understand.
Help me cry, cry to you.
Help me live, for I'm foolish on my own.
Fill me with love, for I am nothing, if I have not love.
Show me you, God.
I'm nothing without you.
Show me how to make my worship to you pleasing and be a fragrant offering!
For you are love and that's all I really need!

I want to know him

2006-02-16T14:56:00.000-08:00

I Want To Know You

In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness You are there
In the secret
In the quiet hour I wait only for you
'Cause I want to know you more

I want to know you
I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you
I want to see your face
I want to know you more

I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward
Pushing every hindrance aside, out of my way
'Cause I want to know You more
-Unknown

Forgetting

2006-02-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

After reading my blogs, I realized something. I forgot what I learned. I seem to know how to do things then forget. And the way I see things change.
God help me seek you, father give me a desire to live for you, help me praise you in times of sadness and joy.
I want to know you God! Come into my heart.

My Great Friend Ashley Gray

2006-02-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

Check out Ashley Gray's Blog at Jesuslover18.blogspot.com Great thoughts and encouragement!

Deep thoughts and Questions

2006-02-15T20:53:00.000-08:00

I feel....too much.
I'm longing for something so much, but I don't think I can have. But I want so deeply. All my thought are about this very thing. If I pray enough can it happen? How do I stop longing for it? How do I know if it is going to happen? How do I let it go if it is not what is planned by God? How do I stop thinking about it, and focus on God? What do you do when this very thing becomes greater than God to you?
How do you know if it is greater than God in your life?
How do you tell someone what you long for, without making things awkward?
How do you find joy in the midst of sorrow?
What is joy? How is it obtained?
What do you do when so many lies and hurts and inside you?
What do you do when you love someone so much and you don't know how to express it more than you already have?
What do you do when you just don't know what to do?
What do you do when you don't remember how to run to God and ask him all these things?
Where do I go?
What do I do?
God Help!
I give my love.

God's Timing.....

2006-02-12T22:51:00.000-08:00

Wow, It's amazing how God uses us to wittness to others who are in the dark, hiding away in sin and on a road to disruction.
I just finished having a conversation with someone form school who in my eyes seemed hopeless and destined to Hell.. (harsh thought eh??) Anyway, i was talking to her on Msn, and I was telling her how I had just got back form church and stuff and we had a whole conversation about God and stuff.She was asking me a whole bunch of questions and most of them I was able to answer. I'm just really overwhelmed that she kept asking questions and stuff. the whole time I was just praying and asking God for just the wisdom to answer the questions and stuff and I think she seemed kind of interested in coming to youth group on tuesdays or fridays.. So I don't know.... But I just really am happy that I was able to have that conversation.

God I just Pray that you reveal yourself to Ashley and that you will just help me show her you. Thanks God!! Amen

Just keep my friend Ashley in your prayers!

Bad days with happy endings

2006-02-09T19:26:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had a really crappy day and then it has a really good ending?
Well that happened to me yesterday.

I thank God that he continues to provide me with encouragement! Even though alot of times I get down in the dumps and have really hard things to deal with, God gives me something to help me get through it!

Praise the Lord for people who care about me and love me! Praise the Lord for such a great person in my life!

Thank you Jesus for choosing me and giving me great joy in times of sadness!

God I pray that you will reveal yourself to me and give me understanding. I pray for strength and perseverance, and help me to see others through the way you see them.

Here I am. Take me I am your servant. Help me see truth and guide me through your will. show me the right way and reveal what I am to do.

Thank you God! Thank you for the cross!
Amen

Forgiveness

2006-02-08T15:51:00.000-08:00

"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."

Author: Lewis, C.S.

SUFFERING.......

2006-02-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

Suffering:
"The full acting out of the self's surrender to God therefore demands pain: this action, to be perfect, must be done from the pure will to obey, in the absence, or in the teeth, of inclination".
Author: Lewis, C.S.

Something someone emailed to me...

2006-02-02T17:20:00.000-08:00

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,

I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his
books.

I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?

He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends
tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.

They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so
he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet
from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around
looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks.

They really should get lives."

He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"

There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him
before.

He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends.

He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked
him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious
muscles with this pile of books everyday!"

He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends

When we were seniors, we began to think
about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I
was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a
problem.

He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football
scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.

I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous.

Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and
smiled.

"Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began.

"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those
tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your
friends...

I am here to tell all of you that being a
friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first
day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to
do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

"Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us
all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse.

God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.

Look for God in others.

Approval

2006-02-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Why do we feel the need to be "approved" by others around us? Why do we sometimes change who we are to make others like us... Or to even go against God in fear of rejection?

Well, lately I found myself doing this alot. Even to the point of swearing, helping people cheat on homework just so they would like me. Why does it matter so much? Maybe it's because we have to live with these people during the rest of our time on earth. But what matters more the way God sees us or how people around us view us? I know that God's view on us is so much more important, but I keep falling back into to this fear.

God I pray that you remind me of the truth that you love me no metter what and you are the one that I should go to for approval. Amen

Word of God

2006-02-01T22:23:00.000-08:00

Psalm 141
A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.
5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers;
6 their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, "As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave. "
8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Under a rock

2006-01-30T15:54:00.000-08:00

Imagine a huge rock fell on you....

Your stuck there in pain. Obviously you would want it off, but in the back of your mind you could fear the injuries that might come from it, or you consider that there may be a chance of feeling better and getting rid of all that pain.... what do you do?

Well, I'm in a simular situation.... do I risk all the "injuries" or do I take a chance in hope that things will turn out for the best?

Stuck...

2006-01-23T15:59:00.000-08:00

I'm stuck....

I feel like I'm superglued to something that's driving me insaine! A feeling of hurt, anger and unfairness...
What do you do when you're stuck somewhere and no one will belive you... The truth that can't be revealed...
A feeling of questioning what to do.... Or wondering what God is saying to do...
A feeling of fear and loneliness, and confusion.....
A feeling of being filled with joy and excitement to do good or change your life and then it being trampled and stomped on!!
I"m stuck... God help me!

Sunshine

2006-01-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

After 25 or 26 days of rain, this morning I woke up to the sun shining really bright, it was if I forgot what the sunshine looked like.
There are times when we turn away from God and it's like a contiual cycle of rain everyday. Without God we get depressed, sad and angry, kind of like what the rain did to me on a few accounts...
The thruth is that without God, our lives have no meaning and we continually do wrong because the enemy has got a hold on us. Even when we sin and don't repent we also, stay in this phase of depression because we choose to continue thinking we are perfect. But it doesn't mean God doesn't love us, it means there has got to be change. ( this was me a few months ago.)
But when we face God again and we repent of our sins, we get out of the rain. And God 's forgiveness is like that light shining on your face as you wake up in the morning!
Blessings.

The missing botton

2005-12-31T19:15:00.000-08:00

A shopping trip.

$40 dollars later, I had a fab pink coat.
Later on in the evening after getting home I was trying on all the stuff I bought and to my surprise, on the top of my new coat a button was missing, and there was no way to fix it. I was disapointed about it, but then as I sat in my kitchen thinking about how I didn't want to go back and exchange it, (because I liked it too much) I realized that the coat repersented me, and how I'm imperfect just like my coat.
Alot of times we feel that God loves us less because we are imperfect, or because of the wrongs we've done. After I had realized the missing button, it didn't make me like the coat anyless.
Like that, God doesn't love us anyless because we mess up.
I'll bet you can never find a perfect Coat, like nobody is perfect. It's better to point out the good features, instead of the bad. Like how God calls us to build each other up by pointing out the good things about each other.
And as for the coat, I'm not gona return it, I'm gona keep it in memory of this lesson.... and the fact that it is pretty fab coat!

First noel, lights and a new commitment to God

2005-12-16T20:35:00.000-08:00

This year it's my first Christmas. Yes, your not reading wrong it is my first christmas. For practically my whole life, I was a Jahova Witness. Not the funnest experience.... no christmas, no easter, no birthdays... yup.. But that all changed about 7 mounths ago. I gave my life to Christ in hope of finding my purpose and finding answers to the many questions I had searched for in the last 9 years.
Lately I've been thinking about being lights in the darkness.... If you were at my bible study you would know what I'm talking about, but that's another story..... Anyway, I really never took in account God's great sacrifice for all of us! It is just so amazing!! I totally changed the way I think about life! I was always searching for something more, but I didn't really realized how much I had in front of me already! More than enough to do everything for him!! He gave his life, because he loves us! It makes me really question how much more I was expecting... Things at home have been slowly getting better, and I now know what is truly important...( Thanks karyn for your great advice, God really spoke to me through you.... All glory to God!!)
But, I just ask for all your prayers for God to strenghthen me in my journey of being an example of christ... because I want to be a true example of Christ and not shame his name as I've done in the past... and I'm working towards the day when I can truly call myself Christian... But, God is making that come true by helping me through this hard time expecially at school... all glory to God for my new attitude, and new commitment to him!!

The Line

2005-11-16T16:59:00.001-08:00

Someone was talking to me about how they were unsure of where the line was between depening on God, and depending on the body of Christ. I also was unsure where that line was as well.In English, I am reading a book called speak. ( GREAT BOOK! ) It's all about this Girl who got raped and was an outcast through her whole first year of high school. During class today, we had questions that we had to first discuss with a small group at first and then with the whole class. One of the questions were about a quote that the girl in the book's teacher ahd said to her. It was, "You must walk alone to find your soul." As we were discussing it, God just spoke to me. He told me that, to walk alone doen't mean to be alone. Our walk in our lives is not to be alone in life, because why else would God place us with a body of belivers. But to walk alone is to figure out who you are and to solve your problems by yourself, but with God in you to guide you along the way....So the line there is that we are to be with the body of belivers, encourage each other, and just love each other. We are not to expect that someone will give us all the answers to our problems.... We are to go to God because after all he created us, who better to tell us what to do in crappy situations. He is the only one who can satisfy our needs, because if he wasn't, he wouldn't even be there. So I say this that we can surrender our lives to God, so that we may find our true selves.

Timeless plans

2005-11-11T18:32:00.000-08:00

You could say I had a pretty crazy week. It all stated on monday.
Monday- Go to school, start feeling sick.... come home after school not in the best mood to find out my mom was diagnosed with Cancer... A pretty crappy way to start of the week.
Tuesday- I go to the Planetarium with all the grade 9's in the school. It's sopose to be fun. I didn't want to go, so i take my sister Angel along. ( THANKS JESUS....) Anyway, When we are back at the school, Angel and I are waiting for my friend that usually takes the bus with me after school. Her stuff is in my other friends locker.... Her other friend hasn't come back from the planetarium yet.... uh oh!! If we don't leave soon we will miss the bus and we will have to wait half hour for the next bus...... so I'm at her friend's locker...and I'm just like.... " God please give me the # so we can get out of here and catch the bus".... and oddly enough God gives me the #, and i open the locker!!! I almost faited from shock. My friend grabes her stuff and we leave. I tell both my sister and my friend to start running, and we catch the bus!! Yeah.. that was cool.
Thursday- I leave early mornings for choir , and I was waiting at 6th and 10th street waiting for the bus. a few minutes after i get to the stop, a girl is crossing the street, and all of a sudden a car comes and she gets hit!!!! In shock, I see her get up, and start walking to the bus stop.... me not knowing what to do... I ask if she is okay. She says she is, but she seemed to have hurt her wrist. Another guy comes and talks to her and gives him her his Information, and the dude askes if I have a peice of paper. I do, so i give it to him with my name and # on it, because I saw everything that happened as well as the guy. Doing this fast cause my bus was coming, so I couldn't stay with the girl.
All that ran through my head was I wittnessed a hit and run... I was just so shocked.
As I got off the bus, I'm just like... "I wonder how God is gona use all of this to shape me like Christ and be a wittness to the world."
What I learned from this is that, God tends to catch us off gaurd. He tests us, so we can learn to be aware of things. Not only what he has to say, but, stuff the devil throws at us.... Consider this another lesson learned.

Everyday

2005-11-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

Everyday

What to say Lord?
It's you who gave me life and I
can't explain just how
much you mean to me now
that you have saved me Lord
I give all I am to you
that everyday I can
be a light that shines your name

Everyday Lord I'll
learn to stand upon your word
and I pray that I
might come to know you more
that you would guide me
in every single step I take
that everyday I can
be your light unto the world

Everyday. It's you I live for
Everyday. I'll follow after you
Everyday. I'll walk with you, my Lord

It's you I live for, everyday
It's you I live for, everyday
It's you I live for, everyday

This song, was introduced to me at Youth councils 2005. Make your mark. During that time I learned so much, and I grew so much closer with God.
The meaning of this song is so important. Everyday, we should live for God. Everyday we should be an example of Christ. Everyday we should praise God, give him the glory and honor. Everyday. Not just once a week at church, not two days a week, not five days a week. Everyday.
Me being a person who had so many different attitudes. At church I'd be one person, at school I'd be another person, and at home I'd be another person. I did this for the longest time, untill I truly knew what it was to be a christian, and what it is to live for God.
Do we sleep once a week? Do we eat once a week? Obviously, the answer is no. So what's the reason that some of us choose to only act Godly, lets say once a week. It because most of us actually don't realize it. We are so caught up in our own little world that we don't see what's around us. God calls us to witness his love and act as Christ would EVERYDAY! This is so important. If we expect to have change in the world and fufill God's perpose for us, we need to daily do as God would. It's not easy, but that's where prayer comes in.
God, I pray that you can help me live everyday for you, briging you the Glory and honor. Everyday.

Math is tremendously Fun!!

2005-11-05T00:48:00.000-08:00

"I hate math"

This was my statement a few days ago. I was really struggling with math and was very stressed about it and worried i would fail math 9.

I kept praying to God, that he would help me find a way out of all this worry and stress and he did.

It all started on Tuesday morning. Karyn, Angel, my mom and I went for breakfast early (very very early!! -.- zzzzzzzzzzzzz) in the morning. That's when we got on the subject of school, after me repeating about 17 times how i didn't want to go to school following breakfast. During that conversation I mentioned how i hated math and that i was struggling with it. That's when Karyn brought up that she offered to help any of the youth who was struggling with math at school.

Later on, during lunch, i emailed Karyn and told her I'd take her offer for the math tutoring thing. We both agreed to meet Thursday and she would help me.

Later on Tuesday night Angel told me not to worry about my math anymore, because God had answered my prayers and everything would be fine. So i just totally didn't worry about it at all.

On Thursday, Karyn and I got together and she helped me with my math, and i totally got everything!

By trusting in God and praying God helped me out of a bad situation!

God is so faithful!

And truth be told...

MATH IS TREMENDOUSLY FUN!

By my side

2005-10-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

A little while ago, I was feeling distant with God and was very confused. After writing my previous Blog, I was thinking of how Jesus was right beside me, and I relized that not only was God fiercly watching over me, he is right by my side. When I went back to school I was able to do things with more confidence knowing that God was right beside me helping me through everything. As I was in gym class I pictured him running right beside me, and I had a whole conversation with him, and afterwards before I knew it I had ran more than I ever had before without stopping. Which makes me think back to , If you focus your mind on Jesus your able to do things better, and more confidently. Like how in one day, by focusing on God I was able to relieve so much stress. So, let us not forget that God is right by our side, all we have to do is look to him and spark up a conversation.

Life changing

2005-10-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

Wow, yesterday was a day I'll never forget. I'm so overwhelmed after such a great experience. For the first time, I really heard God speak to me. He reaveledto me what I am to do with my life right now. It all started when I woke up after a weird dream. Since I recently discovered that one of my spiritual gifts is interperting dreams, as soon as I woke up I knew what my dream ment. It ment that there would be change, and the way I was feeling and my perspective would change for the better. I thought that was pretty cool, but I was unaware of how soon it would happen. After hanging out all day with April, we headed to Cariboo Hill church, to go to the youth group there. At first we just hung out, but later we were split into three groups to do activities. There was also the option to go to the prayer room, so me and April decided to go the prayer room to have some time with God. During part of that time, I wrote a poem, and it was my prayer to God.....

Help me find you Lord,
help me see your face,
I know you are there,
and I know of your grace.

I want to hear you Lord,
and what you want to say,
I want to feel you there,
and say, come what may.

I want to be filled with joy,
in all that I do,
go out in the world,
and do everything for you.

I cry at night,
longing to be freed,
from all the weight on my sholders,
and replace it with good deeds.

As emtiness surrounds me,
and the darkness caves in,
the light in the darkness,
seems so very dim.

I know you are there,
I've experienced your grace,
help me find you Lord,
help me see your face.

And God answered this prayer.....
Later before it was time to go, I just closed my eyes and asked God to reveal to me, what my passion will be in Winning the world for God. He told me I needed to get the word out. I need to help people who need love, feel they are mistakes, or feel they have no perpose. The experience
I went through, I am to use to win the world for God by helping others. Also, me and a few other youth are planning to Start up a worship band, and this is one of the ways we will get through to people about the good news of Jesus Christ!
Later on, last night as we led into musical worship, and for the first time in awhile, I was able to really mean the words that I sang. As I wrote in a previous Blog, that I was in a pit and I kept reaching for the rock that is too high, well now I've got a hold on God's hand, and slowly he is pulling me out.
Although I still have things on my mind, and problems to work out, my whole perspective changed . I'm not gona let the enemy stand in the way of God's great plans for me! I want to hear from God, "you good and faithful servant."

Who wants eternal life?

2005-10-20T16:31:00.000-07:00

I'm sure many of you have heard of, or seen the show, "Who wants to be a millionaire?" I think the better question is, who wants eternal life? As I read in the perpose driven life, Every trial we go through we should think of the Kingdom of God, eternal life with him. Just like Jesus thought of us when he was enduring such a brutal, painful death for us, on the cross. ( WOW, how amazing...) In the show, "who wants to be a millionaire?" There a varies of questions that they have to answer in order to win the money, some hard, some not so hard. Throughout the whole show you can imagine what the person is focusing on. In a way, our lives are like that game show, the questions being trials, and our mind set on the kingdom of God. Our lifelines, being able to talk to God through prayer. Except there's not just a chance of winning, it is assured, because God spoke and It will be so. God I just pray that during all the trials that come my way, you will be what I focus on, and I'll know that every trail that I endure, it will be used to develop my character, to be like Christ. Amen.

Win the world for God

2005-10-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Mia, Angel and I were hanging out. When we were at the bus stop, I commented how everyone was on strike. Then it came up that we should go on strike, but for what, was the question. We then said we should go on strike for Jesus. Soon after, we crossed the street, and oddly enough, there were two people who had signs saying "Jesus loves you," and so on. We went up to them and told them that we just had a discussion about going on strike for Jesus and how afterward we saw them. It was actually pretty funny. As we walked into the mall we said we should seriously do what those two people were doing, but we laughed it off, acctually not really serious. Later that night, I was watching Law and Order with Angel, and had a case that there were two people who had an uncurable Aids virus, and a man killed them both in oder to save many more people and they were discussing this case. And later I saw the news telling about how the avain flu had spread and stuff like that. And then I remembered what was said at youth councils, "Let's win the world for Jesus." If you think of all the time that we spend watching TV, playing games on our computer, and so on. How muh more can we be doing to win the world for Jesus?Imagine, If every minute we waste watching our TV or whatever, how many more lives could we be winning for God? I'm pumped, Lets Make our mark and save the world for Jesus!!

Focus on God

2005-10-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, at refuge we were watching the second video for the 40 days of purpose, and something stuck out to me. It was when it said that if we make God our #1 focus and the thing we worship, it will take stress away from you. In the last few weeks, I've been stressed out because of school, struggling in math, lots of homework assignments and so on, and I thought if I keep focused on God, all this stress will go away. And so through the day I went, thinking more about God, then I usually do. As a result, in one day, I was free from three weeks of stress. I had sorted pretty much everthing that needed to be sorted out. In one day, I was able to do this, and imagine, if all my days are focused on God and my whole life is devoted to him, what kind of things are coming in the future?
All Glory to God!

God speaks through people

2005-10-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

Last night me and Angel ( my sister, for those who don't know) were chatting as we were walking home, from the mall that is close from our house. I was telling Angel that I felt alone and how I was struggling to get close with God. And as Angel's reply, she said how she went through the same thing, and she told me a whole bunch of stuff. There was one thing that stuck out the most. It was when she told me, I am in a pit, and God is reaching out his hand, offering it to me, but, I keep reaching for the rock that is too high. That's when I'm just like okay Angel, that was soooo not you. It was a cool experinence, and I'm sure not my last.
Thanks God for speaking through Angel and showing me something I needed to hear. Amen.

Homesick

2005-09-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

Let's take for example...... you are at let's say a sleepover, and you start to feel homesick.... What are you gona do? The chances are you probably go home, walking, driving, whatever. Right?
Anyway, "mercy me" as some of you might know, wrote a song called homesick. And in the song they mention.... "if home's where the heart is, then I'm out of place" so I'm guessing "home" would mean heavan... does that make sense? As christians we desire to go to heavan, so in a way were, as you call it, homesick. In our lives we must obey God's commands, desire to do good, serve others, and overcome tests. So , those things would be considered walking, taking small steps home. Are you homesick? If you answer yes, lets always fix our eyes on jesus and get home.

Marathon of hope

2005-09-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today, my school participated in the Terry Fox Run, or better know as the "Marathon Of Hope." And later I was thinking, shouldn't our lives be a Marathon of hope for God's kingdom? But instead of running, we face trials and obey God's commands. In a way we Christians, are already running the marathon of hope. Lets stay strong and keep our eyes on Jesus, and win the prize, the "cure" for our sinful lives, Jesus Christ!

" Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." 1 Peter 4:1-2

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be over joyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

Tough stuff

2005-08-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

For those who don't know, me and my sister Angel, have been Christian for not too long now. But, my parents aren't. Lately things at home have been tough, and there has been many disputes about religion, and what we belive in. We have a really hard time getting along. I've prayed many times, and it seems so hopeless. Also, I've prayed for my mom and dad's salvation, and I just can't seem to belive. Luckly, God placed wonderful people in my life at this time, and without them I don't know what I'd do. But, I pray that God will help me belive and to have the wisdom to know what to say when were having fights. But, just keep me and my sister in your prayers, that would be well appreciated. Lots of love everyone!

Mistakes

2005-08-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

When it comes to making stupid little mistakes, I take home the gold. ( Not that I'm proud of it)
Wheather its asking a rude question or saying something that offends someone, which can sometimes lead to guilt or emabarrasment. And sometimes it can lead to someone not wanting to forgive. It says in God's word that we are to love one another.
"This is my command: Love each other." John 15:17
God also tells us what love is. That love does not keep any record of wrongs.
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
So therefore, if someone asks for forgiveness, shouldn't we forgive and forget? I'm not saying that it is easy or that I always do forgive and forget. God forgives us, if we ask for forgiveness with an honest heart, and he says that we should look towards the future instead of focusing on the past. ( as I read in my devotional bible )
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me hevanward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1:7

" But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, The author and perfecter of oyur faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

And I pray that God will help me forgive others mistakes, and to be like him in the way he forgives us.

More thoughts on joy

2005-08-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

I was doing chores on tuesday before refuge, And I was upset about some stuff. But, as a was listening to my music, and all of a sudden, felt full of joy! It was really comfotring, the fact that the Lord can fill you with joy, in times of trouble! It gives me hope, that things will get better. And if you set your mind on things that the Lord gives you that is good it totally helps you forget what your upset about!
" For the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

"and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting jy will crown their heads. Gladness and joywill overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
Isaiah 35:10

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as yo utrust in him, so that yo umay overflow with hopeby the power of teh holy spirit." Romans 15:13

"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:18

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
John 15:11

"Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4

Laughter and joy

2005-08-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

There's nothing more pleasing than seeing someone laughing, or full of joy! It's contagious, when I see someone smile, I can't help but smile! Laughter makes you forget all your problems and brings you joy!
'When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouthes wre filled with laughter, our tounges with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.' Psalm 126:1-3

'A cheerful haert is good medicine, but a chrushed spirit dries up the bones.' Proverbs 17:22

'Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all cercumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.' Thessalonians 5:16-18

'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trialsof many kinds , because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.' James 1:2-3

As I read in my devotional bible, Laughter is God's good friend!
Lots of love everyone, and be full of joy in the Lord!