So these are the things i want to do before summer "ends"....
1. go to the cummer museum of art.
2. finish re-designing my bedroom.
3. finish reading a few books i started.
&that's basically it.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
never be complacent.
that is basically all i wanted to say, in the title of this specific blog. i never want to be complacent with where i am in life, and i hope that you feel the same way. i always want to strive to be closer to God and to be continually growing in my walk with Christ(:
okay, now go read the blog below this one(: it's a good one, i promise(:
okay, now go read the blog below this one(: it's a good one, i promise(:
let's get high(:
so, lots of people have heard about that "camp high" and then how they "don't want to lose it," and how "this year, it will be different, this year...things WILL change and they won't fade away." has anyone else noticed that this year isn't much different for most people? sure, some changes could have been made, but how many people are still on that "high" and still completely on fire for God? it doesn't seem like too many. well, today on my way home from work, i was thinking about this....and i was wondering why it seems like such a "high" while at youth camp and stuff. and i think i figured something somewhat logical out. well, while we're up there, we spend time with God more than usual, we do not have as many distractions, and there is sometimes a schedule that we follow that include quiet times and worship services. we put more time towards God and less time towards ourselves. we pray more, we read His word more, we worship Him more. basically, instead of life being about ourselves or about the world, it's all about Him. we spend a lot more time with God. and i put it together in my head, the simple solution, if we truly want to be that close with God all the time, it doesn't matter where we are, we just need to re-organize our lives and spend a lot more time with God. if we want to grow closer to Him, we cannot just pray and rely on that alone, we have to strive to be closer to God. we have to be able to make plans around our time with God, and not make time for God AROUND our plans with friends. lots of people did the whole rock and sand in a jar thing when younger, i never did, but i've heard about it; i'll explain it here for those who have no idea what i'm talking about. basically, take a jar, or even just imagine this, and place sand in it, then try to place lots of rocks in it, you can't fit that many rocks, there's too much sand. WELLLL, if you put rocks in first, and THEN the sand, then you can fit a lot more rocks, and still fit just about as much sand. the rocks represent God and your time with Him, the jar represents your life and day, and the sand represents the earth and other worldly items. basically, if you place God into your life FIRST, then things seem to fit into place better, and you still have enough time to go out into the world. but if you put the world first, then it seems harder to fit God in as much as you should. i really like that little illustration, i hope you do, too(: it's funny how i thought about this today, because earlier at youth group, Ryan, the youth pastor, spoke about something that is somewhat relative to this topic, and it really hit me how amazing God is and how greatly He works. i love God a lot. and i want to be able to spend more time with Him, i just need to make the time. i write this blog, not in a sense of: this is how i live my life, you guys should, too. but rather in a sense of: man, i am just like the rest of you, and i really need to flip that around and i want to tell the world about this idea and maybe light a spark in other's minds, too. i really do want people to realize how amazing God is. i want to tell the world, tell the world that Jesus lives(: He is more amazing than i, or anyone else for that matter, could possibly explain. and i truly want to make this change. i want to and need to spend more time with God than i do already, i need to reprioritize and make sure that God is number one. He placed me on this earth, He saved me, i want to share this glory with others. (:
okay, well, these were my thoughts of the day(: i hope you enjoyed them. thank you for taking the time out to read this(: !!!(:
okay, well, these were my thoughts of the day(: i hope you enjoyed them. thank you for taking the time out to read this(: !!!(:
Thursday, July 12, 2007
myspace blog 4 -05 July 2007
this song probably has some of my favorite lyrics ever, because prayer truly is more powerful than we tend to give credit to. when our friends are hurting or sick, we tend to say things like: 'well, i hope things get better soon,' or, 'aww, i hope you feel better.' how about we stop just "hoping" and start doing something about everything going on in this world, including your life and relationships with friends & family, and start with prayer. next time you hear about somebody hurting in any way, whether physically or emotionally, or even spiritually, pray for them, let them know that they are in your prayers. honestly, prayer can change the world, so you expect Miss America to bring world peace? how about you start expecting yourself and others to start bringing our own worlds peace.
"What If His People Prayed"
by Casting Crowns
What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let Satan have one more
What if the church for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took and stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates
What if His people prayed
And those who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way
And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to doWhat if His people prayed
And those who bare His nameWould humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way
He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He's answered loud and clear, Yeah
If only we would pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
What if His people prayed
And those who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face, Yeah
And turn from their own way
He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He's answered loud and clear, Yeah
If only we would pray
What if His people prayed
"What If His People Prayed"
by Casting Crowns
What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let Satan have one more
What if the church for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took and stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates
What if His people prayed
And those who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way
And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to doWhat if His people prayed
And those who bare His nameWould humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way
He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He's answered loud and clear, Yeah
If only we would pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
What if His people prayed
And those who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face, Yeah
And turn from their own way
He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He's answered loud and clear, Yeah
If only we would pray
What if His people prayed
myspace blog 3 -19 June 2007
Voice of Truth
by casting crowns:
Oh,what I would do
To have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."
but the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
out of all the voices calling out to me
i will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me time and time again
"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."
but the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
i will soar with the wings of eagles
when i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe...
by casting crowns:
Oh,what I would do
To have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."
but the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
out of all the voices calling out to me
i will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me time and time again
"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."
but the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
i will soar with the wings of eagles
when i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe...
myspace blog 2 -03 may 2007
So basically, i love life. everything about it.
i love my family, my job is pretty good, the few true friends i have are amazing....things are seriously spectacular. i am so happy that God has blessed me with so much. i am also glad that i now find my life so wonderful compared to what i thought of it in the past. it is seriously a miracle and i owe it all 100% to God. to anyone who doesn't believe in Him, you can just look at people's lives and realize that He is real, He does work in our lives on a daily basis. the love is unconditional and it makes me smile and be happier than ever. Anytime that things go bad, i just think that it's only a matter of time until things blow over, so why waste time sulking and complaining to everyone about it? praise God in all times, especially those of trouble. Job praised God although so much was taken from him, Job is a great example in the Bible of constant praise. what a role model. we need to make sure that we show everyone love on a daily basis. just whenever you see people, smile at them, see how they smile back and be happy that you could have just improved somebody's day. making other people happy is a great deed. laughter is outstanding, make friends, talk to people, do everything in your power to shine your light for Jesus Christ. He is amazing and deserves all the notice He can get. and every morning and day that you're alive, thank God for that. He is obviously keeping you alive for a specific reason, think about that and don't forget to praise Him for allowing you to wake up all of these days. you never know when your time here on Earth will end, so make sure you live everyday for God. Leave your legacy as a christian, not as a party animal. sure the attention can be nice from those around you if you go out and get drunk or drink, but in the long run, people will be impacted in a positive way by those who live their lives the correct way, not be positively influenced by those who indulge in the evil desires of the world, which do include underage drinking. Also, don't try to hide your sin from people, it will all come out in the long run. Being two different people in two different places isn't the way to be, things just don't work that way. and if you're going to claim the title of a christian, live your life that way ALL the time. not just whenever you want, and don't forget that you're a christian and are supposed to be setting an example for others when everyone else goes out and drinks and parties, i think that we, as christians, should stay that way and not go out and party and drink and smoke and sex. it's not the way Christ intended us to live. especially at this age. and just because God forgives, doesn't mean that people should go out and purposely sin nonstop knowing that God will forgive them later, it isn't nice to take advantage of God like that, or other people. Life is seriously amazing, i hope everyone realizes that and can be happy as can be. definitely for everyone graduating this year, i hope that you all stay positive and live your lives for God, and if you're not currently living your life for Him constantly, it'd be great if you all did. [: God is amazing. He created us for a reason, try your best to fulfill your purpose and live for Him. [:He can seriously make your whole day and life better in ways that are completely amazing, ways that are difficult to believe. God is just that amazing and so is life.
Smile always. [:
Happiness is key. <3
i love my family, my job is pretty good, the few true friends i have are amazing....things are seriously spectacular. i am so happy that God has blessed me with so much. i am also glad that i now find my life so wonderful compared to what i thought of it in the past. it is seriously a miracle and i owe it all 100% to God. to anyone who doesn't believe in Him, you can just look at people's lives and realize that He is real, He does work in our lives on a daily basis. the love is unconditional and it makes me smile and be happier than ever. Anytime that things go bad, i just think that it's only a matter of time until things blow over, so why waste time sulking and complaining to everyone about it? praise God in all times, especially those of trouble. Job praised God although so much was taken from him, Job is a great example in the Bible of constant praise. what a role model. we need to make sure that we show everyone love on a daily basis. just whenever you see people, smile at them, see how they smile back and be happy that you could have just improved somebody's day. making other people happy is a great deed. laughter is outstanding, make friends, talk to people, do everything in your power to shine your light for Jesus Christ. He is amazing and deserves all the notice He can get. and every morning and day that you're alive, thank God for that. He is obviously keeping you alive for a specific reason, think about that and don't forget to praise Him for allowing you to wake up all of these days. you never know when your time here on Earth will end, so make sure you live everyday for God. Leave your legacy as a christian, not as a party animal. sure the attention can be nice from those around you if you go out and get drunk or drink, but in the long run, people will be impacted in a positive way by those who live their lives the correct way, not be positively influenced by those who indulge in the evil desires of the world, which do include underage drinking. Also, don't try to hide your sin from people, it will all come out in the long run. Being two different people in two different places isn't the way to be, things just don't work that way. and if you're going to claim the title of a christian, live your life that way ALL the time. not just whenever you want, and don't forget that you're a christian and are supposed to be setting an example for others when everyone else goes out and drinks and parties, i think that we, as christians, should stay that way and not go out and party and drink and smoke and sex. it's not the way Christ intended us to live. especially at this age. and just because God forgives, doesn't mean that people should go out and purposely sin nonstop knowing that God will forgive them later, it isn't nice to take advantage of God like that, or other people. Life is seriously amazing, i hope everyone realizes that and can be happy as can be. definitely for everyone graduating this year, i hope that you all stay positive and live your lives for God, and if you're not currently living your life for Him constantly, it'd be great if you all did. [: God is amazing. He created us for a reason, try your best to fulfill your purpose and live for Him. [:He can seriously make your whole day and life better in ways that are completely amazing, ways that are difficult to believe. God is just that amazing and so is life.
Smile always. [:
Happiness is key. <3
myspace blog 1- 24 Oct 2006
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
This kind of talk spreads like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples of this.
The Lord's servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people.
They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will believe the truth.
Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
verses from 2 Timothy, chapter 2.(New International Version and New Living Translation)
This kind of talk spreads like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples of this.
The Lord's servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people.
They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will believe the truth.
Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
verses from 2 Timothy, chapter 2.(New International Version and New Living Translation)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
you're never too far down, i promise you'll be found.
so on this pathway we call life, i have come to realize that i could not possibly have made it this far as successful as i have without God. sure, i already knew this, but it's just so great to know. He is more amazing than i could possibly put into words. the miracles he has performed in my life are awe-inspiring. my testimony is one that i will share with the world, although i have had struggles in my life in several different areas, i know that God has put me through everything I have been through for a reason. sure, when i was younger, i just said that i didn't like it and didn't like my family or my friends or my life, but over the years, God has blessed me with certain wisdom beyond my years and i realize that everything truly is in His name. i have gone through everything in my life for a specific reason. the most impacting are for my testimony i believe. if you care to hear it, just let me know, i'd share it. you'll be in shock, i'm sure. i have gotten to the point in my life where "i just don't care" what others think. i want to live to worship God. i don't care if people make fun of me for it, if people look down upon it, and i believe that nobody else should feel that way either. God has been more than helpful in my life and He can be in yours as well. prayer is so strong, just like the Casting Crowns song says: What if His people prayed? honestly....what if everyone called upon the name of the LORD to be broken, to be humble, to start a revolution. it could happen. the Savior that fed 4 thousand and 5 thousand with less than 10 loaves of bread, the LORD that raised people from the dead, out of the tomb even, and the Jesus Christ that died upon the cross for each and every one of our sins....is the same God that exists today. people may wonder why those things "don't happen nowadays" and it's simple. our faith. we need to strengthen it. be honest and pure with God. He gave us life, therefore we should live this life He has blessed us with for Him. tell the world that Jesus saves as Hillsong sings. worship Him in everything you do, whether it be opening a door for somebody, helping somebody pick up dropped belongings, just do random acts of kindness. always be wondering how you can help people. give a homeless person food and water, talk to them, they'll really appreciate it and it will bring a huge smile to your face, possibly even tears. and even though it's surely not required, try to spend time with Him on a daily basis. pray to Him, talk to Him, read His word, sing to Him, worship Him in some way. stop caring what people think, people are not forever, God and His love is. live for Him, it will definitely be worth it "in the end." i love God. i love praising Him. He has blessed me with so much, and i will surely live my life for Him forever. He deserves all the attention He can get, and although i am human and do fail at that at times, i want to strive to give Him everything. it will be difficult and it will take time, but i think i'm ready to do this. lay it ALL down for Him. afterall...."I'd leave ninety-nine, leave them all behind, to find you." Jesus got my attention, He "found" me, and i am surely glad i returned to Him. my life is more than amazing all because of the grace of God. stay happy and never be complacent. (:
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