7|29|08

Why am I a Christian?

I think that's a question we have to be prepared to answer, not just for ourselves but for anyone curious to our life style. Are you a christian because you believe its your birthright? Are you a christian because its become a routine? Are you a christian because you've been told you were one all your life?

I don't really have a big testimony- yet. There hasn't been one moment in my life that I can hand pick and point to stating that was when my whole life turned around. I accepted Christ into my heart at the age of Four, sitting in the bathroom- where my imaginary friends and I used to meet as well- I don't know whether I gave up on imaginary friends that night or not but its kind of amazing to me that at the age of four- when most people can hardly remember what they day last week, the memory comes so clearly in my mind. From then on I've tried growing from that point but I've hit some pot holes along the way, speed bumps, and mole hills have given me humility and wrong turns have shown me that the harder road makes the destination that much more worthwhile. Now I've lived a blessed life- I have amazing parents, enough resources to keep me happy and healthy, but most of all being born into a christian family.
But why in the world do i believe in Jesus Christ?

One of the very first verses I remember falling in love with was from
John 15:13

13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Friends! You know it amazes me that in all the religions of the world- do any of the divine beings ever try to be anything more than tyrants? It seems they give their followers a set of rules and regulations and leave them to fend for themselves. My God doesn't do that. My God sent his one and only Son- Jesus Christ- to us. He sent him here so we would feel connected to him. Everything we go through, every bead of sweat, every churn of hunger, every joy that has enlightened our lips- Christ felt that. And while other gods and other religions leave their people to fend for themselves- leave their people trembling in terror- my God calls me his friend.

You know, he didn't even stop there- you see, when Christ chose to live here- he also chose to die here. Not just die but to die FOR us. That, as he said, is the greatest love. While we deserve to burn or at least live in anguish for all our horrible ways- and yes, no matter how many wonderful things you do, not matter how many people you help or how many diseases you cure- God is perfect! He is unbelievably perfect and amazing and pure- so look at us. We are like filth compared to him but LOOK he still loves us. He took all that pain.
He took all those burdens.
Every spiteful word we spit out. Every Jealous will that suffocated our minds. Every murderous thought we tried but failed to suppress. He bore it ALL. Although the physical burden was disastrous, think about the spiritual, the mental- everything he took on because we are his friends. Because he loves us.

So that is why I love my Jesus. That is why I chose to live separate from everyone else. I love my Jesus because he loves me. Because he would do ANYTHING to have me by his side. I love him because he is my friend- not because he looks at me as just another soul- but because I am special in his sight. The Bible says that every time a new soul is saved ALL of heaven rejoices- just for that one person. I also believe in Christ because he didn't STAY on that cross. 3 days later- just like he promised- he rose from the dead. See- how much hope he reflects. Even in death he still had the potential of something so much greater.
SO where is my lord? Right now he's sitting on the right hand side of God, he's in my heart where he will forever stay, and his spirit is by my side as I write these words to you.

Its a thing we all have to remind ourselves, why did we chose this lifestyle? Its not an easy road, there aren't riches waiting for us at every corner and there aren't crowds of friends ready to give us a hand- but we chose this because Christ chose to suffer death- even death on a cross- because he loves us.

John 14:1-4

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God^[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."

God Bless.

7|26|08

So i think I'll dedicate this blog post to all the girls out there, mainly because I'm not a boy and I'm not exactly sure what kind of advice to give on this matter but you're welcome to read as always :]
I'm seventeen years old and it seems that even though i try my hardest to put God number one in my life- my mind really is a mind of its own- It's interesting to observe myself, how at one moment I can be praying earnestly to God to really getting encouragement from a verse and suddenly within the blink of an eye my mind shifts to things, not so benefiting.
Of course there is school- homework, tests, grades clawing at us at every which way
But i think that Guys- crushes or infatuation or whatever you might call it, is a topic that is always laying out on the shores of our conscience.
Of course society blames this on hormones or natural progression but while that might be true- what you have to look out for is how much importance you give to this portion of your life.
Proverbs 31:30

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Flirting shamelessly, wearing skimpy clothing, and doing whatever possible to capture the eye's of a man is not the way to gain the right kind of man. Charm and Beauty are just as temporary and insufficient as the breakfast you ate yesterday- but one thing that holds so much more is the faith and love you have for God. While flirting and short skirts might attract a moments happiness- they also attract years of regret. But if you go seeking a relationship- whether its with a man or family or friendship- if you fear the Lord and use him as the foundation, there's no end to the blessings God will pour out on that relationship. Remember that the way you dress or the way you present yourself also reflects your relationship with God, your body is the temple of God- treat it with as much respect as God intended you to.

So 1) Dress to Impress- God. Don't let the world sour the innocence that God intended

Secondly, Don't let your search for a boy friend or your need to be liked by the opposite sex be your cause for life.

Romans 8: 37-39

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Love is always conditional with anyone you meet. Another person cannot be there for you 24/7, they cannot read your mind or understand exactly what you're going through or how you're going through it, but there is someone who does- there is someone who knows you better than you know yourself- and his love transcends all things. Before you can love another person- you have to know the love of Christ. By first putting Christ in your life- making him the bridegroom, then only will another relationship be truly worthwhile. Christ should be the number one priority.

3) "Dance with God, and he will let the right man cut in"- Face Book Bumper Sticker :]

It seems that Girls are always trying to write their own love stories- we have all these dreams and "Disney" fantasies- with the knight in shining armor- and we take this long 10 mile list and trudge about the world on a quest to find him. Wrong approach and wrong intentions

Mathew 6:33-34

33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Call on God and he will answer you, first seek him and then he will give you all the desires of your heart. God has already hand picked someone for you to spend the rest of your life with. He has been shaping the both of you, creating both of you in a timely way so that when the time comes for the two of you to meet- it will be perfect. Talk to God first- and he will provide everything in your life. Don't be afraid to ask God about things like these- God is really your best friend, there is nothing he wont listen to, nothing he wont help you out with. Trust in him.

Remember that every choice you make creates your personality and creates your future- be wise in the boys you let enter your life- if God is at the center of your life, everything in your life will gravitate towards him

God bless <3