Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
it’s been so busy for the past few weeks,
people have always been over, and there has always been someone/something to attend to
and now that things have slowed down just a bit this week
it feels kind of empty.
weird.
Friday, June 20th, 2008
Imagine being tossed and sold out by your family, and yet staying strong in your faith to God. staying humble, teachable, and trusting in all aspects towards. How hard would that be?
Joseph was sold, and was also very blessed. But God doesn’t bless just anyone, he blesses those who honors Him. And can you imagine what Joseph must have been feeling after he was sold? But yet he still chose to honor God and keep that attitude of faithfulness and trust that enabled him to gain God’s blessing.
Joseph was given this huge vision, and then he shared it with his family and shortly after he was stripped of everything he had and put into some of the worst of times in his life. But Joseph still remained in God and in the end everything turned out okay.
So when we apply this story into our lives – when we say we know this is where God wants us to be, but dont back down! When that vision/calling doesn’t pan out the way you want it to. Or that you’ve been given a unexpected struggle. Trust God that he will provide for you. Honor him and he will honor you! And then follow in Josephs footsteps and watch the blessings come.
Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
I believe, that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe, that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and, you must forgive them for that.
I believe, that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
I believe, that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe, that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe, that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them
I believe, that you can keep going long after you can’t.
I believe, that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe, that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe, that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I believe, that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe, that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe, that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time!
I believe, that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe, that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
I believe, that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.
I believe, that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I believe, that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe, that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I believe, that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe, that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other, And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
I believe, that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I believe, that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I believe, that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.
I believe, that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you – you will find the strength to help.
I believe, that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe, that the people you care about most in life are the essence of life.
Tell them today how much you love them and what they mean to you.
Friday, June 13th, 2008
I’ve been extremely busy this past week (it was so death) but I’ve decided to turn my econ lectures into blogging sessions. What a way to waste my tuition, right? But we’re forced to bring our computers to class, and I can’t find a better activity.
I’m currently reading through Luke, and I get a lot of the “Oh, I’ve read this before” moments. But the scripture never ceases to teach me new things, even with old stories. So a few weeks ago, I came across the story of the “Good Samaritan” and I was deeply tempted to just skip it, but decided against it in the end.
And the first few verses, really spoke out to me..
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Then Jesus proceeds to tell the story of the Good Samaritan. But I was shocked to find those first few verses there, because pastors never talk about it, and we just tend to forget the context of this story. I mean these experts knew exactly what they had to do, to love God and then love the people around us. And when I read this, the first thing I thought about was us, Christians. We know what we SHOULD do, the experts of the laws knew it as well, but Jesus still gave it to them straight up and lectured their faces off. And so I asked myself do we really act on what we know?? Do we demonstrate God’s love and actively show compassion to our neighbours?
And it’s sad, cause the answer that came back was ‘no.’ We tend to just stick within our Christian bubbles and care for one another more than the ‘outsiders.’ And when I see non-christians demonstrating more compassion towards others than we do, I seriously question how well I’ve measured up to what God has called us to do. Do we really love those around us? Cause I know I needed the good reminder. Scripture is good.
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” – Luke 10:36
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
Sam Weatherfield, a brother in Christ that lead me in Beijing at the Embassy, reminded me to always take a good look at the past. To remember all things things that God has done for you and be renewed by the experiences we have with Christ. Especially when we’re going through a low time in our lives.
Instead of focusing on the things that we are facing, dig back into the times where God was most prevailant in your life and just know that the God back then is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. And let that be enough to sustain your passion, and dig you out of times of struggles.
Don’t let the worries of today, and the uncertainty of tomorrow suddenly make you forget what God has done, and how He has provided. Remember the things that are concrete and let that be your proof that our God is a living God that continues to work and do miracles today.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
- Hebrews 13:8