In youth group we have been studying the commonly asked question, 'why'? More specifically, “why is this happening to me?” Or, “why do bad things happen to good people?” We all go through times in our lives when we ask 'why' questions.
Remember Job from the Bible? He was the victim of Satan's hand as he did everything possible to tear Job down, and crush him. Job had incredible faith however, and did not curse God, even when the he was infested with sickness and his children were killed. I don't know about you, but that brings on a BIG “why?”. The question shouldn't be 'why' here though. The question is, would we be able to still trust God if hard times come? Hopefully the answer is yes. Aren't you glad God promised He would never leave us nor forsake us?
In John 16:33 it says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." That is so comforting, especially in this day and age. It seems everywhere you turn, there is trouble, but we as Christians can take heart! Be brave! God is here with us always. You can make it through the dark night, into the bright and shining morning.
I hope everyone had a great weekend! I know Mondays can be hard, but carry John 16:33 with you into the week, and trust God to help you in anything and everything you struggle with.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Amazing Grace
Yesterday our church youth group went to see Amazing Grace. It was an awesome movie, and I found it to be educational and touching. I must admit, I don't know much about William Wilburforce... so I don't know how truly accurate the movie was, but it was certainly an eye opener. Not many people appreciate their freedom as much as they ought to. I am a guilty party for this as well, and now I am thankful for God's grace and mercy on us. I would recommend this movie to you and your families. It's a great discussion prompter.
That movie brought the words of Amazing Grace alive for me. Now I don't think I'll ever listen to that song again, without remembering what it really means. The real story. I like the part in the movie, as John Newton remembers his song, and the line, “was blind, but now I see.” It's amazing how such a simple movie can open your eyes to grueling, yet courageous journeys of the millions of slaves.
We stopped at Cici's on the way home to get something to eat. They have WEIRD varieties of pizza, that's for sure. I think I had some kind of BBQ one... and a taco one, and there was some kind of macaroni pizza too. Anyway, while I was pouring over my pizza... (literally... I was almost convinced I had entered heaven =] ) the others went to spend all their loose change on arcades. Every two minutes I would hear screams of disappointments as they lost. Ha! Good times, good times. I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend!
God bless, and I leave you with this verse:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. --Ephesians 1:3
That movie brought the words of Amazing Grace alive for me. Now I don't think I'll ever listen to that song again, without remembering what it really means. The real story. I like the part in the movie, as John Newton remembers his song, and the line, “was blind, but now I see.” It's amazing how such a simple movie can open your eyes to grueling, yet courageous journeys of the millions of slaves.
We stopped at Cici's on the way home to get something to eat. They have WEIRD varieties of pizza, that's for sure. I think I had some kind of BBQ one... and a taco one, and there was some kind of macaroni pizza too. Anyway, while I was pouring over my pizza... (literally... I was almost convinced I had entered heaven =] ) the others went to spend all their loose change on arcades. Every two minutes I would hear screams of disappointments as they lost. Ha! Good times, good times. I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend!
God bless, and I leave you with this verse:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. --Ephesians 1:3
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Keeping It Real
Lately I've been wondering how we can have a relationship with God, and keep it at its fullest. When you first become a Christian, you are filled with a new hope. You have a great passion to change your life. However, as you continue in your walk, sometimes its hard to keep that beginning perspective. The newness wears off, and you're left with a daily grind. Day after day, just living your life in a routine, until you loose the passion of being a person on fire for God. I want keep it real.
In Lamentations 3:22-23, it says, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
God's love and mercy never fails. Praise God for His daily renewal of hope in our hearts. I find myself caught up in my schedule, wondering if it will ever end. I know that in Christ, I am set free from being bound by the world. He gives us a wonderful hope of things to come.
So look foward to tomorrow, and the next day. We could use those days to live for our Lord Jesus, and live with His unfailing love and faithfulness constantly covering us. Keep it real!
In Lamentations 3:22-23, it says, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
God's love and mercy never fails. Praise God for His daily renewal of hope in our hearts. I find myself caught up in my schedule, wondering if it will ever end. I know that in Christ, I am set free from being bound by the world. He gives us a wonderful hope of things to come.
So look foward to tomorrow, and the next day. We could use those days to live for our Lord Jesus, and live with His unfailing love and faithfulness constantly covering us. Keep it real!
Monday, March 5, 2007
Hymns
A hymn is defined as "A song of praise or thanksgiving to God or a deity." Yesterday in church, as I was singing a hymn with the choir, I realized how powerful hymns are. A lot of modern churches have moved away from traditional hymns, and focused more on praise and worship. That's fine, but they sometimes don't realize how hymns can be songs of praise and worship. Here are the simple, but amazing words of Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness; To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth; Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
God does supply all our needs, no matter what happens. God has everlasting faithfulness, that surpasses all understanding. Next time you hear a hymn, don't just tune it out. Let it speak to you, as words about our wonderful, loving Father.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness; To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth; Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
God does supply all our needs, no matter what happens. God has everlasting faithfulness, that surpasses all understanding. Next time you hear a hymn, don't just tune it out. Let it speak to you, as words about our wonderful, loving Father.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Dear Dad
Last night our church had a father/daughter banquet. It was lovely, and we had a great time! I know it's not Father's Day yet, but I'd like to say a few words about fathers. They have a tremendous job, raising girls... I can imagine it must be hard... especially if they never had sisters, like my dad. (Beware, I'm biased, my dad is the best in the world) =]
Don't be afraid to spend time with your dad. Laugh with him, cry with him, tell him how you're feeling. A relationship with your dad is precious, don't let it waste away. We had a speaker at the banquet, and he expressed how if he could raise his girls again, (they're all older now) he would spend more time with them. While you're still young, don't let the days pass without letting your dad know how much you love him. You never know, spending time with your dad may create the best times in your life!
Here is a poem I found by Ginger C. Smith:
I'm just sitting here thinking about what you mean to me,
Remembering all the things you've done for me,
You've been there for me from the start,
Knowing what to say to keep me from falling apart,
Taking everything that comes your way good or bad,
Even though you're not my father you'll always be my dad,
I can't count high enough for every time you've went out of your way,
Knowing you're there keeps me going everyday,
When I need encouragement, you're the first to give it,
When I have a problem, you always have the best advise to fix it,
I could sit here and say Thank-you from now till I die but it wouldn't be enough,
I can only wish if I went through what you did I could be so tough,
I'll always love you unconditionally,
From now till an eternity.
Don't be afraid to spend time with your dad. Laugh with him, cry with him, tell him how you're feeling. A relationship with your dad is precious, don't let it waste away. We had a speaker at the banquet, and he expressed how if he could raise his girls again, (they're all older now) he would spend more time with them. While you're still young, don't let the days pass without letting your dad know how much you love him. You never know, spending time with your dad may create the best times in your life!
Here is a poem I found by Ginger C. Smith:
I'm just sitting here thinking about what you mean to me,
Remembering all the things you've done for me,
You've been there for me from the start,
Knowing what to say to keep me from falling apart,
Taking everything that comes your way good or bad,
Even though you're not my father you'll always be my dad,
I can't count high enough for every time you've went out of your way,
Knowing you're there keeps me going everyday,
When I need encouragement, you're the first to give it,
When I have a problem, you always have the best advise to fix it,
I could sit here and say Thank-you from now till I die but it wouldn't be enough,
I can only wish if I went through what you did I could be so tough,
I'll always love you unconditionally,
From now till an eternity.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Good Way
I am very excited, for I am finally getting out of the house today. We had a major ice storm, and all the events that I would have been part of, were cancelled. It may not sound all that impressive, but we live back in the woods (I'm very thankful for such a great place to live, don't get me wrong), and I have been stuck in this house for almost 6 days straight. For me, that's an eternity not seeing my friends, and just... people. =] I love my people... hehe!
When you are faced with a quiet world of ice and snow, however, something amazing happens. I looked up into the bright sky, with the ice shining from the trees, and I realized I wasn't as lonely as I thought. Sure I haven't talked to a person outside my family for 5 days, but that kind of melts away as I saw the brilliance of God's creation. It reminds me of how the simple love of the Father could create such a magnificent masterpiece. We humans have tried to be master minds and create things... but nothing compares to God's unfailing talent. It reminds me of Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
There is part of a song by Avalon, (The Good Way) that wraps up my point:
Traffic noise, expensive toys
A love that never lasts
Broken homes and self-made thrones
We're livin' life too fast
That we forget the things that His love brings
Beyond what this world is
I can hear it still today
What the preacher used to say
This is how you live
You've got to..
Believe in your heart
Right down to your soul
And speak the true things
And know that you know
'Cause this might be the day
So live like it is
Find the good way
And walk in it
Walk on
When you are faced with a quiet world of ice and snow, however, something amazing happens. I looked up into the bright sky, with the ice shining from the trees, and I realized I wasn't as lonely as I thought. Sure I haven't talked to a person outside my family for 5 days, but that kind of melts away as I saw the brilliance of God's creation. It reminds me of how the simple love of the Father could create such a magnificent masterpiece. We humans have tried to be master minds and create things... but nothing compares to God's unfailing talent. It reminds me of Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
There is part of a song by Avalon, (The Good Way) that wraps up my point:
Traffic noise, expensive toys
A love that never lasts
Broken homes and self-made thrones
We're livin' life too fast
That we forget the things that His love brings
Beyond what this world is
I can hear it still today
What the preacher used to say
This is how you live
You've got to..
Believe in your heart
Right down to your soul
And speak the true things
And know that you know
'Cause this might be the day
So live like it is
Find the good way
And walk in it
Walk on
Friday, February 16, 2007
Modesty
Check this out:
http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/
I think it's great that fellow teens still care about modesty. We should take a stand for what we believe. Since our bodies are temples of the Lord, we need to keep them holy, and pure. Till that one special person comes along, we need to guard our thoughts and actions, as we prepare ourselves for our true love.
God, give us the grace, and mercy each and every dayto live like you. As we dress every morning, keep it in our hearts and minds how we could dress to glorify YOU, not ourselves.
http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/
I think it's great that fellow teens still care about modesty. We should take a stand for what we believe. Since our bodies are temples of the Lord, we need to keep them holy, and pure. Till that one special person comes along, we need to guard our thoughts and actions, as we prepare ourselves for our true love.
God, give us the grace, and mercy each and every dayto live like you. As we dress every morning, keep it in our hearts and minds how we could dress to glorify YOU, not ourselves.
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