Pages

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Sunday Verse - Day 194

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Saturday Night - Day 193

I need to go to bed early on Saturday nights so I'm not so tired on Sunday mornings. So goodnight!!!

Or maybe I should just drink coffee.. ;-P

Friday, July 29, 2011

Friendly Friday - Day 192

Man is meant to live in relationship. We need friends. Just like a bird needs a nest or a plant needs water, we need friendship. There is nothing better than having old friends. But without a lot of growth, there will never be old friends. I don't want a friend who says things perfectly. I would rather a friend who is willing to stand by me and say the wrong thing than to have a friend who stays away. A friend is one of the most wonderful things I can have, and a true friend to others is one of the best things I can be.

I'm thankful for the best friend of all Jesus Christ. And I strive toward being a friend like him.

"Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty."  ~Sicilian Proverb

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Thankful Thursday – Babies – Day 191


Today I’m thankful for life. I’m thankful for the birds as they chirp early in the morning. (Not that I’m ever up early in the morning…) I’m thankful for merry children. I’m thankful for little barky dogs. I’m thankful for the flowers as they are swayed by the wind.  

I’m thankful for each little baby that comes into the world.

I’m saddened that people take life so lightly. They like to belittle things like abortion, which are destroying new life everyday. They say it’s not life. They make up little words like fetus to destroy the meaning of that little baby’s life. And then they destroy that life. The adorable little laughter will never be heard. The cute little children’s voices as they grow up will be destroyed and never enjoyed. The cries of the infant as it tries to communicate; snuffed out forever. The little runny noses will never be wiped off. The inquisitive looks on their faces will never see the light of day. The wonderment of life as they see it through their beautiful eyes will never be there. And instead people laugh it off and look to make profits off of each little child’s cruel death.

Oh how hypocritical it is. They look in mock horror at the slavery of those in the 1700s and 1800s. They can’t believe they would be such fools as to think of those with a different skin color to be lesser human beings. But now instead, they take small little humans, call them fetuses, and then murder them. Both of them are done for convenience sake. One, you can’t afford not to have them. The other you can’t afford to have them. They’re opposite, but both driven by the exact same desire to gain materially and kill or brutally treat another human being to get there.

Christians love life. We don't kill our children. We don't kill our parents when they get old. We love a God who has given us eternal life. 

Psalm 139:13-14: For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.







Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Direction - Day 190

I sometimes wonder if where I'm going is the most opportune thing that I could be doing. I know I have gifts and need to use them. I just am oftentimes confused as to what to do. I have this vision for later in my life. But finding the right goals for now has been difficult. Lately I've just decided to do things and stick with them. I know it might not be the best use of my time. But it's much better than sitting around and becoming stuck in the never ending cloud of indecisiveness. The one thing I don't want is to become stuck and bury my talents in the ground.

Goal: Glorify God.

Picture of the day:

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Tact Tuesday - Day 189

Don't let schooling interfere with your education. ~ Mark Twain

Picture of the day:



Monday, July 25, 2011

Fragile - Day 188

I had a glass figurine. Beautiful trophy from years ago. It was fragile, yet beautiful. When one chip appeared on it I was horrified. I learned how to fix it. I put tons of time into fixing it. And when it was done it looked just as good. Years began to pass. The trophy would collect dust. I would push it aside to put new trophies there. I would carelessly toss it around. I chipped it and at first it hurt to look at, but eventually I didn't care. But on that fateful day when I picked it up and threw it onto my bed, I still remember how it rolled slowly toward the edge of the bed and fell off to shatter on the wood floor below. I rushed over to it. I wanted to fix it. But it was gone. The millions of shattered pieces could never be picked up and be put together perfectly. I may be able to fix it to some extent, but it'll never look the same.

People are fragile. I'm finally starting to learn this. I tend to be fairly careless with my friends and family. Either I'm tossing them all over the place or I'm leaving them to collect dust. I don't see people as these fragile human beings. I'm trying to treat them like a machine that you push buttons on, slam against a wall, and then expect it to work. We have emotions. We have thoughts. We have memories. We believe things. We love. We like. We trust. We fear. People sway from one thing to another. At times I'm amazed by how much people change just from week to week.

One thing that has surprised me is how many Christians are rude and cruel. I wonder why they call themselves Christians. (A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ~ John 13:34) Christ showed the ultimate act of love by dying for those that killed him. Too many people want to defend themselves up one street and down another. They don't want to die for others. It's about winning the debate. I understand there is a place for debates. But that doesn't mean because you debate someone that you detest them or act in an unloving manner toward them. It's an utter disgrace that love is not shown between Christians. It seems even the world can pull off a fakey looking love between each other, why can't we truly love one another? We have a real motivation to love. But do we?

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Romance Novels?! - Day 187

Several years ago I was somewhat enthralled with romance novels. (I know, really manly.. Hey, I liked to read everything......) The books that I found around my house and others were the ones through which I browsed. Grace Livingston Hill, Janette Oke, H. Rider Haggard, etc. I never read any modern Christian romance. Most of the books were written to appeal to women (shocker) and to create an image of a perfect man. Each book would create this beautiful romance. It was full of passion. It was full of love. It was filled with low lights and pretty colors. There was romance. And then they got married.

I do understand the books to some extent. You're trying to appeal to single women(married women to some extent) who don't have a perfect romance in their lives and encourage them to lust after it? It's going to sell... I honestly don't comprehend why there is anything good about them. I understand that women tend to want to have that perfect man with all the right words, the sensation of fluttery feelings, and get that handsome prince of your dreams. But I'm sorry to break it to you. It's not all about you. I think that romance novels for women can possibly turn into the way a man uses pornography. It's all about you. It's about satisfying your emotions, your feelings, your desires, and your dreams. Both have a way of satisfying desires in a sinful manner.   Albeit women and men have a different way that they interact with fulfilling these desires. In the end, if it's not going to be all about you, it's going to need to be all about God. It's about honoring God with everything you do.

It's not about you. It's not about me. It's about God. That's something that I have to remind myself of constantly.

God created men and women to fulfill these desires in a marriage. These desires are good things, and there is a proper place for them to be fulfilled. Romance novels, pornography, selfishness, and fornication are not the place.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ~ Galatians 5:16

Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. ~ James 1:15

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Sleepy Saturday - Day 186

If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying.  It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep.  ~Dale Carnegie

Friday, July 22, 2011

Fantastic Friday - Day 185

If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want.  ~Oscar Wilde

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Thankful Thursday - Day 184

Well, I just noticed that I'm more than halfway done with my little personal challenge.Yay!

I'm thankful for the ability to do things. I'm thankful for the ability to type, to talk, to run, to give Xs and Os, to eat, to enjoy the taste of chocolate, to be able to see the beautiful sky, to be able to hear the sound of a brook, to smell flowers in a bouquet, and to read. I'm extremely blessed.

What are you thankful for today?

P.S. Thanks to those of you who read my random/short/nonsensical posting. You all are a blessing.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Breathing - Day 183

You breath in, you breath out. Very simple. You almost never think about it, yet it's just another very needed blessing from God.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Thoughtful Tuesday - Day 182

Sometimes I think I over think things. I think so hard that I forget that I have to do. It's quite an odd thing. I think so that I can do but never get around to doing.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Merry Monday - Day 181

"I always advise people never to give advice." ~ P.G. Wodehouse

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sunday Verse - Day 180

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Purify - Day 179

Purity is refreshing to see. It's honestly hard to find in today's day and age. When most adults today have lived in a fornicating relationship sometime in their lives, and the rest having browsed through the porn of the internet I think I sometimes forget what it looks like. When you watch any movie, television show, youtube videos, etc. there is a constant encouragement to live in a sinful manner. The good guy of today's movies is the one who is only an adulterer, the other guy is a murderer and for some reason that makes him worse than the adulterer? Okay.. 

I've struggled with temptations and still do. I'm thankful for parents, peers, and other elders who love me enough to keep me accountable. But ultimately if one wants to live an impure lifestyle they can. They can go live in a fornicating relationship, hack around accountability software, etc. Others can try to help you but ultimately it's in your ball park.

There are two things that have been really important to me in the battle against the flesh. Number one, staying in God's Word and crying out to him for forgiveness and help. I' don't know why I'm surprised by it, but staying in God's Word has been one of the best things. When I'm keeping my mind out of the gutter and in God's Word and doing everything I do for His glory, the fight is much easier. Number two, staying busy is also big. Having my schedule put together so that I wake up with something to do and feel exhausted by the end of the day.

We're in a battle. We're fighting against our flesh, the world, and the devil.  We can't just ignore the fact that people struggle and sometimes fall. But we should be willing to help drag their face out of the mud and push them forward. I think instead of passing judgement we should genuinely care about and love people and pray for them, give them advice, and be there for them. People will struggle with a million things over their lifetime. Your friends are going to fail you. They're going to fall. But don't give up on them. God is mighty and powerful and can turn anyone around.

Have a blessed Sunday. ^_^

Friday, July 15, 2011

Friendship Friday - Day 178

 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. ~ Proverbs 27:17

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Fog - Day 177

I can't see. Looking through the mist all around me I'm mystified by how little I can see, but I know so much is out there. I run faster to escape the fog. Panic sets in and I run frantically through the trees. I tear my clothes on the gnarly brambles in my haste. I wonder where to go. Where am I? Am I lost? It all looks the same. Was I here before? It all looks the same. Then I look up. The sunshine embraces my face and I feel the panic leave me, just like the darkness runs before the sunlight. I look back down around me and the fog is moving away quickly and quietly.

It's easy to get lost in the fog of life. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."~ Psalm 119:105

And I must say that today I'm thankful for the Word of God. I'm amazed at how not reading my Word for just one day can destroy me. The Word addresses every situation of life. I receive encouragement, reproof, wisdom, and oh so much more. I'm beyond grateful that God gave us his Word. 

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Faith :-) - Day 176

Augh! So many different things to do. So much to think of for the next couple of years. So much uncertainty. So much that requires faith. It's not about worrying where our next meal comes from, what we will do our gifts, who we will marry, where we will be in the next 10 years, etc.

We serve a great God who loves us and takes care of us.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Schedule?! - Day 175

Why is it that I'm 5x more efficient when I schedule out my days and yet I don't take 10 minutes to schedule it all out? o.0

Monday, July 11, 2011

Merry Monday - Day 174

"A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour." ~Author Unknown

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Sunday Verse - Day 173

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." ~ 1 Peter 4:8

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Hills and Valleys - Day 172

Everyone's going to go through hard times and easy times in life. The question is how will you do in the hard times.

When you're not under pressure and life is going well, that's not the times you're going to struggle with stress, anger, fear, etc. People always do well during the good times. But the time that one's character is tested, stretched, and built upon is when things are going out of control.When life is crushing you with boulders is the time that you'll show what kind of person you are.

The only way to have true joy and to be able to get through the valleys is with Christ. People will worship money and power, drown themselves in drugs and alcohol, etc. They want to escape the valleys they're in. But ultimately none of these will get you through the deepest and darkest valley. Death. Our friends can't save us. Well, I take that back. There is one friend who can. And that is Christ and the faith we have in him.

Have a good Sunday guys. ^_^ :-)

"Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." ~ Psalm 55:22

Friday, July 8, 2011

Friendship Friday - Day 171

“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you. ~ Winnie the Pooh”

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Thankful Thursday - Day 170

Today I'm thankful for modern bathroom facilities. Backpacking doesn't exactly afford you that luxury ;-P

And, I'm thankful for rain showers. I'm thankful for green grass. I'm thankful for huge and beautiful mountains. I'm thankful for family and friends. And most of all I'm thankful to God for making all of it.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Feminism Encouraging Rape?! - Day 169

Feminism is doing a great job. They're trying to destroy any honor held by women at one time or another. A bunch of misogynists?! The argument is that the role of a helpmeet to their husband is degrading to a woman. Instead they would rather create some sort of demented world where women aren't respected in a God honoring way. Just take a look at statistics about rape. Rape is 3x worse in America today compared to 1960. The 1960s were when feminism got a massive booster, through Gloria Steinem and others, and now explain to me why violence against women such as rape is much higher than they were back then.

Boys today are not trained to honor women. That would be what a bigot and misogynist would do. You have to understand that women are the same and should be treated as such. I don't know if you've taken time to just sit and watch little boys and girls. The little boys will punch and wrestle the little girls just like they will do to other little boys. And if they're not taught over time to honor women they will grow up to be the men who rape and abuse women.

Instead, if we taught boys to be men and honor women and put them first we should see much better results. Of course you always have exceptions to every rule, because men have wicked hearts, but I don't believe we'll see this overwhelming disgusting abuse of women that is overwhelmingly disgusting in today's culture.

One argument that is used by so called experts is that in ancient times women were treated as property and were in subordinate positions to men. This is true. Women in many pagan cultures were seen as property and lead to abuse. But then feminists use this argument to say that the Christian model of male headship is a bunch of hooey. Okay. Well let's compare. Puritans vs. today's modern system. Today they say that approximately 1 in 7 women have been raped or sexual abused. Puritans back in the 1600s, a smattering of isolated cases were reported in the first 80 years. Which is like .01%. (I don't have the book on the exact statistics but you get my point. The book is called "The Times of Their Lives") Cases of adultery today are probably around 50-60%+, I can't find exact statistics.  For the Puritans there were very few cases and were probably around .1% of people. I agree that the Puritans didn't get everything right but they sure did things better than today in regards to protection of women and family solidity.

We can conclude that women don't respect or honor men today and men don't respect or honor women. It's definitely more of an exception than the norm.

There are multiple people who speak out against a feminist agenda. They attempt to be those who try to put men and women into roles that fall under 1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God."

The reaction against this general philosophy is pretty large. They call these people misogynists. I disagree that this is misogyny, just like how a team captain being over his team is not because of hatred for his teammates.

Plus, so far how has the feminist philosophy helped us? If we were to compare statistics feminism has been crushed. If you want to live in fairy tale land go ahead, but it's not going to help those of us who live in reality. If your solution is to drug all the men so they won't hurt women, welcome to the world of the most unproductive society ever.

Maybe go and learn from the past. So far what you've done has been a horrible failure. Yet you think doing the same thing will fix all of our problems? Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?

I see God's system that is brought out in His word as the solution to all the problems we have today. Men loving and honoring women is what God calls for and women under the head of their husbands.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Serving Willingly - Day 168

“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Monday, July 4, 2011

July 4th - Day 167

Independence day. It's definitely a great day. It's a day where we celebrate the liberty that has been bestowed on us because of the great work of great men in the past. I'm thankful for those men who laid down the lives, their fortune, and their sacred honor to give us the country we have today. We've given up many freedoms because we would prefer to embrace the chains of slavery so that we can rest supinely on our beds. But we still have a day where we can honor the work and lives of the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and risked it all to give us the most free country that is in the world today and all because of the work they did 200+ years ago.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Sunday Verse - Day 166

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~ John 13:34-35

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Trials - Day 165

"Trials and hairbreadth escapes only strengthened my faith and nerved me for more to follow; and they trod swiftly enough upon each other's heels. Without that abiding consciousness of the presence and power of my Lord and Saviour, nothing in the world could have preserved me from losing my reason and perishing miserably. His words Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end became to me so real that it would not have startled me to behold Him, as Stephen did, gazing down upon the scene. It is the sober truth that I had my nearest and most intimate glimpses of the presence of my Lord in those dread moments when musket, club or spear was being levelled at my life." ~ John Paton

Friday, July 1, 2011

Joy - Day 164

Joy is wonderful. As a Christian, we have a right to be joyful. We have something to look forward to. There is an everlasting blessing. And that's why we need to be more joyful. Not just joyful, but more joyful. I think sometimes we spend way too much time criticizing others and forget to rejoice in the Lord.

Okay, goodnight it's late. :-P