Friday, March 9, 2012
Trust. It's Difficult, but Absolutely Necessary
There's always going to be a time of difficulty. Choose to overcome it, and you will succeed; wallow in doubt, and you'll get nowhere. I know you can do it. Believe you have it in you to do great things. Believe you are a warrior, and you will fight strong. The funny thing is, sometimes overcoming, just means keeping silent. We don't always have to say what we think. A battle cry doesn't scare off everyone. Imagine if an army went to war in absolute silence? Intimidating, I dare say, but extremely powerful.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Crying Since Last Tuesday.
This week has been tremendously chaotic.
IB slammed a bunch of homework in my face at the beginning of October/November... and hasn't stopped since. It's like an avalanche of projects and essays have overflowed into my life.... burying me deep underneath its weight.
I put all this effort into writing essays, and they've been torn apart and given low grades. I think the issue, was me going into it, expecting a lot... and getting little out of myself, as that is what seems so apparent. Amongst getting back essays covered in red ink, I've also been spending my time volunteering for Key Club activities... getting involved in the community. That's been a real great experience, and usually during whatever task it is, I'm happy and content. I'm where I want to be. Then... I get home... and I realize that I could have spent that time doing homework... or practicing my piano.
This week, I only got to practice my piano once. It didn't last long. I was super frustrated. I've not only let work get the best of me, but emotionally I've been distraught. Friendships are tearing me apart... and not in the usual sense. I'd rather not explain.
It was hard. I spent a good five days tense and angry. Since last Tuesday, I've gone home balling my eyes out to my Mumsie and Pops.
Then... come Saturday night... .and then Sunday night, I just broke down and told my Mum a ton of stuff that was bothering me. It was great. I cried a ton. Hahaha.
But you see, as soon as I did that, all the good stuff started to happen.
And God had to tell me something three times before it finally sunk in.
First.... my parent's advice:
a.) Don't lose track of the things you love most.
b.) I should never enter/leave a friendship/relationship feeling sorry for the person
Second... the Dinkles' advice:
a.) He gave me some tips on handling how the teachers grade my work, and how I can progress in a way that's good for the both of us.
b.) In short, I need to stick to what I love.... that I will excel no matter what.
Thirdly.... my piano teacher: Noftle's advice:
a.) God's blessed me with some incredible talents, and I shouldn't forget the things that I love. It's good to prioritize... and to just not forget the things that I love most.
b.) Piano Practicing Tips for People With Little Or Next To No Time :)
What was amazing was the fact that I hadn't told the Dinkles and Noftle (esp. Noftle!) any of the immense details that were stressing me out... and yet their advice covered it all. It was all deeply motivating and encouraging. There's a ton of details from all of these inspirational people written within the pages of my diary...
But the point of this blog was to encourage you.
Maybe you're going through some unbearable things... maybe you've booked up your calendar with a lot of stuff, and on top of all the work, emotional friendships are tying you down....
Just don't forget the people and the things you love most.
It hurts me to say this, but I think that over all... There was just a simple line hidden within the caverns of my complex brain :P (psht, hahaha. complex. HA. Emotion wise, yes!)... a line I had simply forgotten:
Follow your dreams. Love. Forever... love.
I knew what it meant to be loved... but I had forgotten to keep loving.
When I wrote that line in my diary... I almost started crying again.
Even during this busy Christmas season, we can forget what's most important.
Don't.
Never let it happen.
Always remember the things you love most.
IB slammed a bunch of homework in my face at the beginning of October/November... and hasn't stopped since. It's like an avalanche of projects and essays have overflowed into my life.... burying me deep underneath its weight.
I put all this effort into writing essays, and they've been torn apart and given low grades. I think the issue, was me going into it, expecting a lot... and getting little out of myself, as that is what seems so apparent. Amongst getting back essays covered in red ink, I've also been spending my time volunteering for Key Club activities... getting involved in the community. That's been a real great experience, and usually during whatever task it is, I'm happy and content. I'm where I want to be. Then... I get home... and I realize that I could have spent that time doing homework... or practicing my piano.
This week, I only got to practice my piano once. It didn't last long. I was super frustrated. I've not only let work get the best of me, but emotionally I've been distraught. Friendships are tearing me apart... and not in the usual sense. I'd rather not explain.
It was hard. I spent a good five days tense and angry. Since last Tuesday, I've gone home balling my eyes out to my Mumsie and Pops.
Then... come Saturday night... .and then Sunday night, I just broke down and told my Mum a ton of stuff that was bothering me. It was great. I cried a ton. Hahaha.
But you see, as soon as I did that, all the good stuff started to happen.
And God had to tell me something three times before it finally sunk in.
First.... my parent's advice:
a.) Don't lose track of the things you love most.
b.) I should never enter/leave a friendship/relationship feeling sorry for the person
Second... the Dinkles' advice:
a.) He gave me some tips on handling how the teachers grade my work, and how I can progress in a way that's good for the both of us.
b.) In short, I need to stick to what I love.... that I will excel no matter what.
Thirdly.... my piano teacher: Noftle's advice:
a.) God's blessed me with some incredible talents, and I shouldn't forget the things that I love. It's good to prioritize... and to just not forget the things that I love most.
b.) Piano Practicing Tips for People With Little Or Next To No Time :)
What was amazing was the fact that I hadn't told the Dinkles and Noftle (esp. Noftle!) any of the immense details that were stressing me out... and yet their advice covered it all. It was all deeply motivating and encouraging. There's a ton of details from all of these inspirational people written within the pages of my diary...
But the point of this blog was to encourage you.
Maybe you're going through some unbearable things... maybe you've booked up your calendar with a lot of stuff, and on top of all the work, emotional friendships are tying you down....
Just don't forget the people and the things you love most.
It hurts me to say this, but I think that over all... There was just a simple line hidden within the caverns of my complex brain :P (psht, hahaha. complex. HA. Emotion wise, yes!)... a line I had simply forgotten:
Follow your dreams. Love. Forever... love.
I knew what it meant to be loved... but I had forgotten to keep loving.
When I wrote that line in my diary... I almost started crying again.
Even during this busy Christmas season, we can forget what's most important.
Don't.
Never let it happen.
Always remember the things you love most.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
I Owe You A Post.
I apologize for my lack of writing on this blog...but it's because I've started a new one: http://decidedlysmiling.blogspot.com/
Most of my writing, both casual and formal, is now done there.
But, you see, today, I thought I'd rummage through my old blog....and write.
I'm not too sure what I should talk about though.
I've been going through a great life journey.
I've been in this stance....where I am so struck by awe at the glory of God.
I mean; take a look around you. Look at the sky, the earth, the flowers, the dirt. The trees....they stand so tall. Look at the people in your life.
God created them.
And we have to love them...whether we want to or not.
To be quite honest with you, I have struggled with my faith over the past few months.
But...then all this hit me.
Only a beautiful, supernatural, loving God could have created all this.
Not science....not a dead man....but an awesome God!
Regarding these people that we have to love whether we want to or not...well......what has also struck me is that we are here for such a short time, in the grand scheme of things....and in reality....these people who don't like us....these annoying friends who don't care.......well.......the best we can do is pray for them. Because we are all just struggling to get through this rat race called life.
We all have problems.
We all have issues that we must face.
We're all, to some degree, afraid.
I wish we could all move past every hindrance just to be able to love one another.
Because...to some extent, we are all so equal...we are all just the same.
I'm struggling with a lot of friendships.....
But I've realized....it doesn't matter how many friends you have...but the quality of friendship you have with just a few.
And I've realized that my God is so great...so big....so mighty......He'd move mountains for any of us.
His awesome, worthy, power, can change anything in a split second.
Just take a look around you.
He made all this.
The way I see it....if He can make all this......He'll make a way for us to see the sunshine, in whatever storm we're in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q6o4sbndVE&feature=feedf
check that vid out. ;)
Most of my writing, both casual and formal, is now done there.
But, you see, today, I thought I'd rummage through my old blog....and write.
I'm not too sure what I should talk about though.
I've been going through a great life journey.
I've been in this stance....where I am so struck by awe at the glory of God.
I mean; take a look around you. Look at the sky, the earth, the flowers, the dirt. The trees....they stand so tall. Look at the people in your life.
God created them.
And we have to love them...whether we want to or not.
To be quite honest with you, I have struggled with my faith over the past few months.
But...then all this hit me.
Only a beautiful, supernatural, loving God could have created all this.
Not science....not a dead man....but an awesome God!
Regarding these people that we have to love whether we want to or not...well......what has also struck me is that we are here for such a short time, in the grand scheme of things....and in reality....these people who don't like us....these annoying friends who don't care.......well.......the best we can do is pray for them. Because we are all just struggling to get through this rat race called life.
We all have problems.
We all have issues that we must face.
We're all, to some degree, afraid.
I wish we could all move past every hindrance just to be able to love one another.
Because...to some extent, we are all so equal...we are all just the same.
I'm struggling with a lot of friendships.....
But I've realized....it doesn't matter how many friends you have...but the quality of friendship you have with just a few.
And I've realized that my God is so great...so big....so mighty......He'd move mountains for any of us.
His awesome, worthy, power, can change anything in a split second.
Just take a look around you.
He made all this.
The way I see it....if He can make all this......He'll make a way for us to see the sunshine, in whatever storm we're in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q6o4sbndVE&feature=feedf
check that vid out. ;)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tough Stuff
"If someone slaps you on one check, offer the other cheek also." Luke 6:29
Okay. So....starting from this verse i guess....maybe a little before, I read on through the chapter. It discusses the necessity of love and how we must push on, spreading the love. Jesus tells us that we need to keep on loving....no matter the circumstance.
THE NEXT DAY ( I read that last night!!! The next day = today)
I WAS TESTED.
No joke.
See I was tested with someone from school who I'm not even friends with...she was demeaning and bothered me to a T. You know...one of those preppy girls who just needs Jesus.
Well.
I came home crying to be quite honest....and told the story to my parents...half way through realizing I had just read about dealing with this sort of thing LAST NIGHT.
Goodness me.
See....the dealio is, turning my cheek from this, probably one of the hardest things to do.
Here's the rest of the verses I read:
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Very very very very arduous.
But encouraging...because God's just revealed to me that He's here in the midst of a silence. He's here with me.
He's here.
And His love will carry on.
I wrote a song because of this.
Oh how God's love is so relentless.
Okay. So....starting from this verse i guess....maybe a little before, I read on through the chapter. It discusses the necessity of love and how we must push on, spreading the love. Jesus tells us that we need to keep on loving....no matter the circumstance.
THE NEXT DAY ( I read that last night!!! The next day = today)
I WAS TESTED.
No joke.
See I was tested with someone from school who I'm not even friends with...she was demeaning and bothered me to a T. You know...one of those preppy girls who just needs Jesus.
Well.
I came home crying to be quite honest....and told the story to my parents...half way through realizing I had just read about dealing with this sort of thing LAST NIGHT.
Goodness me.
See....the dealio is, turning my cheek from this, probably one of the hardest things to do.
Here's the rest of the verses I read:
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Very very very very arduous.
But encouraging...because God's just revealed to me that He's here in the midst of a silence. He's here with me.
He's here.
And His love will carry on.
I wrote a song because of this.
Oh how God's love is so relentless.
Friday, November 5, 2010
What is Love?
Just thought I'd share something that's on my heart.....
The fact that....love.
Love is such a strong word.
Love is everlasting. Love never lets go.
Wanna know something else that's strong? This verse.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails."
1Cor 13:4-8
It's just amazing....that the only everlasting love we are guaranteed to receive...forevermore....is the love of God.
So maybe you think I'm talking crap.
I'm not. I'm completely convinced that God will love through imperfections...through mistakes....through anything.
He doesn't care what we've done.....
and that....that's just epically amazing in my eyes. :)
It's comforting to know that through awful circumstances, the Big Guy upstairs is smiling down at me...ready to embrace me...ready to listen to me rant and rave about everything that's gone wrong in my day.
See...this love...this real love....it's none of that:
i luv you
i luv u
ilu
I (heart) U
junk.
It's simply...and deeply...
I love you.
The fact that....love.
Love is such a strong word.
Love is everlasting. Love never lets go.
Wanna know something else that's strong? This verse.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails."
1Cor 13:4-8
It's just amazing....that the only everlasting love we are guaranteed to receive...forevermore....is the love of God.
So maybe you think I'm talking crap.
I'm not. I'm completely convinced that God will love through imperfections...through mistakes....through anything.
He doesn't care what we've done.....
and that....that's just epically amazing in my eyes. :)
It's comforting to know that through awful circumstances, the Big Guy upstairs is smiling down at me...ready to embrace me...ready to listen to me rant and rave about everything that's gone wrong in my day.
See...this love...this real love....it's none of that:
i luv you
i luv u
ilu
I (heart) U
junk.
It's simply...and deeply...
I love you.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The Father's Love...
Sometimes not living up to our own expectations, expands our peripheral vision....we see things that we can change to benefit us...things that were blind to our eyes are now being seen by our hearts...it benefits our future. Its recognizing that what we haven't done...can be changed....
That it's never too late...
Our naked eye sees the outer object. Our heart sees the circumstance inside and out.
It's thanks to Jesus we have the will to want change. It's thanks to His death we have forgiveness. It's thanks to our Father God for eternal guidance....as much as we want it....as much as we need it.
The problem? We don't need to go through constant guilt trips about what we could have done....that's not to say we should take advantage of this! No; it's just that we have the freedom to bear nothing after...being...shall we say with God. Jesus' death forgave us of every wrong....and that is what grants us freedom. His love....surpasses every bit of knowledge. And when we find the strain of this world to be overly consuming...it's then we find peace in Him. In the Father's Love.
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Col 3:15
That it's never too late...
Our naked eye sees the outer object. Our heart sees the circumstance inside and out.
It's thanks to Jesus we have the will to want change. It's thanks to His death we have forgiveness. It's thanks to our Father God for eternal guidance....as much as we want it....as much as we need it.
The problem? We don't need to go through constant guilt trips about what we could have done....that's not to say we should take advantage of this! No; it's just that we have the freedom to bear nothing after...being...shall we say with God. Jesus' death forgave us of every wrong....and that is what grants us freedom. His love....surpasses every bit of knowledge. And when we find the strain of this world to be overly consuming...it's then we find peace in Him. In the Father's Love.
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Col 3:15
Saturday, September 25, 2010
There May Be Pain in the Night....but Joy Comes in the Morning
=)
Nothing is impossible....
Days can go by where we think everything will just pile up to amount to absolutely nothing....
That's when the Big Guy upstairs reminds us everything happens for a reason.
Sure, certain circumstances happen because we make the wrong choices....but all in all God's just stickin' the broken pottery pieces of our life back together to make something as perfect as possible....
and we know that if it's God who's making it, obviously it's gonna look beautiful....
Nothing is impossible....
Days can go by where we think everything will just pile up to amount to absolutely nothing....
That's when the Big Guy upstairs reminds us everything happens for a reason.
Sure, certain circumstances happen because we make the wrong choices....but all in all God's just stickin' the broken pottery pieces of our life back together to make something as perfect as possible....
and we know that if it's God who's making it, obviously it's gonna look beautiful....
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Jazzy: Live
Dear me.
I am going to take up piano again.
:3
I haven't been to lessons in a year, and even so, I only have my level one.
Under pressure, I tried practicing today.
:O
Epic fail. :) Mainly because I was forcing myself to play and I wasn't exactly into it....or in "the moment." :P
Somedays I can do it, and other days (like the present) are just fumbling notes and missed keys.
Must be one of those off days.
:) Haha....I just thought of Jeremiah....
How God told him He had appointed him (to be a prophet to the nations)....
And Jeremiah instantly refused...or at least tried. I don't think you can refuse to do something that God wants you to do :) No matter how hard....But that's another story in itself.
Back to Jerry there.
God had complete confidence in Him. He needed Jeremiah to BE.
So maybe I'm not being appointed to do the exact same thing.
And maybe my task is small.
:)
But I know that any task, big or small, is still a task in itself.
Anywho....
I'm going to go to piano lessons.
I'll rock it.
:P
ahahahaha
That can be said in a good or negative demeanor. I mean....I'm sure no piano teacher really wants there piano to be rocked. =3
haha
man.
**dry humour**
This is one blog like no other I've posted.
I am going to take up piano again.
:3
I haven't been to lessons in a year, and even so, I only have my level one.
Under pressure, I tried practicing today.
:O
Epic fail. :) Mainly because I was forcing myself to play and I wasn't exactly into it....or in "the moment." :P
Somedays I can do it, and other days (like the present) are just fumbling notes and missed keys.
Must be one of those off days.
:) Haha....I just thought of Jeremiah....
How God told him He had appointed him (to be a prophet to the nations)....
And Jeremiah instantly refused...or at least tried. I don't think you can refuse to do something that God wants you to do :) No matter how hard....But that's another story in itself.
Back to Jerry there.
God had complete confidence in Him. He needed Jeremiah to BE.
So maybe I'm not being appointed to do the exact same thing.
And maybe my task is small.
:)
But I know that any task, big or small, is still a task in itself.
Anywho....
I'm going to go to piano lessons.
I'll rock it.
:P
ahahahaha
That can be said in a good or negative demeanor. I mean....I'm sure no piano teacher really wants there piano to be rocked. =3
haha
man.
**dry humour**
This is one blog like no other I've posted.
Friday, September 3, 2010
I'm pretty much sleeping, but still feel like writing...
Sitting here with my two best friends at 2:31AM has given me the idea to write a blogpost.
Weird.
I'm so dead right now it's unreal.
But here it is, and I'm ready to deliver it.
Through half-closed eyes.
The greatest friends willingly stay up all hours of the night just to watch movies with you and laugh at the most un-hilarious things.
It kinda reminded me...
God's like that.
He doesn't care what time it is.
What you have to say.
He'll talk with you....He'll listen....and even if we don't know it....He's probably laughing at the same things you find funny.
Weird.
I'm so dead right now it's unreal.
But here it is, and I'm ready to deliver it.
Through half-closed eyes.
The greatest friends willingly stay up all hours of the night just to watch movies with you and laugh at the most un-hilarious things.
It kinda reminded me...
God's like that.
He doesn't care what time it is.
What you have to say.
He'll talk with you....He'll listen....and even if we don't know it....He's probably laughing at the same things you find funny.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Peace.
Empty out your pockets....
the ones that have been weighed down
boulder after boulder
pebble after pebble
Empty out the stones
the ones you've gathered over years
bitterness with pleasure
agony with sneers
Cast them into the river
So they may sink into the past
Let them splash and skip
Amongst the carelessness of love
Turn your rocks into stones of gladness
Collectibles of rubies, emeralds, and diamonds...
Turn your rocks into blooming flowers
To be part of the Father's garden....
daisies....daffodils....and roses.
And allow God...to water your abundant, beautiful garden.
the ones that have been weighed down
boulder after boulder
pebble after pebble
Empty out the stones
the ones you've gathered over years
bitterness with pleasure
agony with sneers
Cast them into the river
So they may sink into the past
Let them splash and skip
Amongst the carelessness of love
Turn your rocks into stones of gladness
Collectibles of rubies, emeralds, and diamonds...
Turn your rocks into blooming flowers
To be part of the Father's garden....
daisies....daffodils....and roses.
And allow God...to water your abundant, beautiful garden.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Everything Dies a Little...in Order to Experience New Growth...
Take for instance a basket of flowers.
You know...those gorgeous hanging ones you can buy at the store.....? Luscious; beautiful.
Two weeks later....they're draggin along...not as wonderful as the day you bought them.....
So, as the experienced gardener you are, you trim them back....hack em down....they endure a little pain and end up flowerless. Then in no time, they're back to the way you got them--only even more flower-bearing! Superb! Sweet scented! Amazing!
We are the basket of flowers.
God is our gardener....
and for our own benefit, sometimes He makes us endure storms...sometimes he cuts us back a little...
But in the end we're only gonna be even more happier then how we originally came about to be.
God loves us. He always will. He has faith in us. Just as the experienced gardener trusts his flowers will come back even more beautiful then before, so does God trust we will be gratified and even more beautified given some time.
Know these hard times are for the better.
xoxo
You know...those gorgeous hanging ones you can buy at the store.....? Luscious; beautiful.
Two weeks later....they're draggin along...not as wonderful as the day you bought them.....
So, as the experienced gardener you are, you trim them back....hack em down....they endure a little pain and end up flowerless. Then in no time, they're back to the way you got them--only even more flower-bearing! Superb! Sweet scented! Amazing!
We are the basket of flowers.
God is our gardener....
and for our own benefit, sometimes He makes us endure storms...sometimes he cuts us back a little...
But in the end we're only gonna be even more happier then how we originally came about to be.
God loves us. He always will. He has faith in us. Just as the experienced gardener trusts his flowers will come back even more beautiful then before, so does God trust we will be gratified and even more beautified given some time.
Know these hard times are for the better.
xoxo
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Ponder.
Listening to this while drinking some green tea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGuDO7FfDWQ
i have no idea what it means....
but it prompted me to write this:
Don't forget to meditate. There's no need to keep yourself busy all the time...sometimes we need rest. So take a deep breath and inhale the renewing.
Much Love
xoxo
jazee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGuDO7FfDWQ
i have no idea what it means....
but it prompted me to write this:
Don't forget to meditate. There's no need to keep yourself busy all the time...sometimes we need rest. So take a deep breath and inhale the renewing.
Much Love
xoxo
jazee.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Know You're Not Alone, But Well Equiped.
Life is a choice.
Filled with choices.
And in those choices are choices.
So.....choose life.
Don't make things more complicated then they already are....and don't think they're complicated in the first place! Take a deep breath, inhale the love that surrounds you and implicate more of that love into your life.
I should start taking my own advice.
But....You know...I was re-reading this series I have: "Elijah Creek and the Armor of God" and this came up....
(Listen to this as you read: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSwov6Zp1hY )
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
New International Version (NIV)
Ephesians 6:10-18
It really struck me, because part of the plot in these books is a.) to find the armor and b.) to put on the full armor of God
Life is more then just living it daily, letting things pass, letting things go....just letting it pass us by. We're worth more then that! We have a momentum....we have meaning...we're meant to be....to BE. EXIST!
TRUTH: "that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality...."
~~my thoughts: Putting on the belt of truth is knowing God is the way, the answer, that He's blessed us with a life affirming richness...that His wonderful grace is what makes us live, what makes our hearts beat, what gives us the strength and impeding force to strike the evil forces in the heavenly realms!
RIGHTEOUSNESS:-->Righteous: "1. morally right or justifiable; virtuous 2. perfectly wonderful; fine and genuine"
~~my thoughts: The breastplate covers the chest, and "in ancient times, (it was) a jeweled vestment covering the chest of the Jewish high priest." I was thinking: God truly does love us, He didn't die for us without reason! We are meant to be and He WILL protect us as He chooses! He gave us the breastplate of righteousness to justify our actions against the enemy! We have a right to stand our ground. We have a right to praise His name! We are important! We are a vital piece to the Kingdom of God!
PEACE: "freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility."
~~my thoughts: Stand peacefully fitted with the gospel of peace. Know you did right. Know that the enemy isn't allowed to steal kill and destroy from you! Know that God LOVES YOU! Here's the second definition for 'peace:' "a.) Freedom from or the cessation of war or violence. b.) freedom from civil disorder. c.) freedom from dispute or dissension between individuals or groups"
~~God's love and never ending promise reveals itself again! The Gospel of Peace--> The Teaching of Freedom from Disturbance! When I read these definitions and put them together, I visualized the ark...and Noah....and that rainbow of Promise....
God will protect us through the storm. Through our battles there will eventually come a time of tranquility. We just have to be FITTED....FIRM....IN PLACE....ready to speak the quiet serene love and teaching of God's peace. God's peace will come to us. The battle will be won. God will help us. He will aid us with what He's provided. We need to "put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes." God's peace will come. His peace....will sustain.
FAITH: "complete trust or confidence in someone or something; a strong belief in God."
~~my thoughts: We have to trust God. It's the most necessary definite period of time. In fact, without trust, how else will we fight these battles? Our trust in God fights of the flaming arrows of the evil one! Our trust in God fends for us. Our faith holds us together and connects us to God, when we want to fall apart. When we're ready to give up, when we want to quit...faith...we just need faith. Hold on to that faith. As little as it is....in retrospect we will be delighted and thrilled that we grasped on to it with breaking arms and malfunctioning fingers.
SALVATION: "1. deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ. 2. preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss"
~~my thoughts:The helmet. It covers the head. (I know, obvious.) But think about it! We "put on" the helmet of salvation, and it'll deliver us from sin and its consequences! It keeps everything in place--helps us remember the fight and not get screwed up. We're not a bunch of Christians with mental cases! No! We are delivered by Christ--> and it's all connected to FAITH! If we continue to trust God--if we continue to have faith--salvation will hold us together...draws us together....keeps us together... ♥
sword of the SPIRIT, which is the Word of God:
~~my thoughts: [I put the whole part together because I can't define SPIRIT without the whole sentence there for ya. ;)] Here's a mini blog for you. :)
The Spirit:
John 15: 26-27"When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start."
The Bible also states that God is three in one; the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the Word of God.
The sword is "used for thrusting or striking" it is "military power, violence, or destruction." The Holy Spirit is the Sword.
You making the connection? I think this is getting deep, and I plan to expand on it and add more verses, but I'll leave you with that to meditate on.
Don't be afraid of the Holy Spirt...nor of God...nor of Jesus. The three in one; they're here for us....and we are here for them. Him. God. God's given us the armor. Now it's time for us to put it on....spiritually. Fight the battles of the Heavenly Realms...and be unafraid.
Unafraid to live.
Unafraid to battle.
Unafraid. Period.
Filled with choices.
And in those choices are choices.
So.....choose life.
Don't make things more complicated then they already are....and don't think they're complicated in the first place! Take a deep breath, inhale the love that surrounds you and implicate more of that love into your life.
I should start taking my own advice.
But....You know...I was re-reading this series I have: "Elijah Creek and the Armor of God" and this came up....
(Listen to this as you read: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSwov6Zp1hY )
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
New International Version (NIV)
Ephesians 6:10-18
It really struck me, because part of the plot in these books is a.) to find the armor and b.) to put on the full armor of God
Life is more then just living it daily, letting things pass, letting things go....just letting it pass us by. We're worth more then that! We have a momentum....we have meaning...we're meant to be....to BE. EXIST!
TRUTH: "that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality...."
~~my thoughts: Putting on the belt of truth is knowing God is the way, the answer, that He's blessed us with a life affirming richness...that His wonderful grace is what makes us live, what makes our hearts beat, what gives us the strength and impeding force to strike the evil forces in the heavenly realms!
RIGHTEOUSNESS:-->Righteous: "1. morally right or justifiable; virtuous 2. perfectly wonderful; fine and genuine"
~~my thoughts: The breastplate covers the chest, and "in ancient times, (it was) a jeweled vestment covering the chest of the Jewish high priest." I was thinking: God truly does love us, He didn't die for us without reason! We are meant to be and He WILL protect us as He chooses! He gave us the breastplate of righteousness to justify our actions against the enemy! We have a right to stand our ground. We have a right to praise His name! We are important! We are a vital piece to the Kingdom of God!
PEACE: "freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility."
~~my thoughts: Stand peacefully fitted with the gospel of peace. Know you did right. Know that the enemy isn't allowed to steal kill and destroy from you! Know that God LOVES YOU! Here's the second definition for 'peace:' "a.) Freedom from or the cessation of war or violence. b.) freedom from civil disorder. c.) freedom from dispute or dissension between individuals or groups"
~~God's love and never ending promise reveals itself again! The Gospel of Peace--> The Teaching of Freedom from Disturbance! When I read these definitions and put them together, I visualized the ark...and Noah....and that rainbow of Promise....
God will protect us through the storm. Through our battles there will eventually come a time of tranquility. We just have to be FITTED....FIRM....IN PLACE....ready to speak the quiet serene love and teaching of God's peace. God's peace will come to us. The battle will be won. God will help us. He will aid us with what He's provided. We need to "put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes." God's peace will come. His peace....will sustain.
FAITH: "complete trust or confidence in someone or something; a strong belief in God."
~~my thoughts: We have to trust God. It's the most necessary definite period of time. In fact, without trust, how else will we fight these battles? Our trust in God fights of the flaming arrows of the evil one! Our trust in God fends for us. Our faith holds us together and connects us to God, when we want to fall apart. When we're ready to give up, when we want to quit...faith...we just need faith. Hold on to that faith. As little as it is....in retrospect we will be delighted and thrilled that we grasped on to it with breaking arms and malfunctioning fingers.
SALVATION: "1. deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ. 2. preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss"
~~my thoughts:The helmet. It covers the head. (I know, obvious.) But think about it! We "put on" the helmet of salvation, and it'll deliver us from sin and its consequences! It keeps everything in place--helps us remember the fight and not get screwed up. We're not a bunch of Christians with mental cases! No! We are delivered by Christ--> and it's all connected to FAITH! If we continue to trust God--if we continue to have faith--salvation will hold us together...draws us together....keeps us together... ♥
sword of the SPIRIT, which is the Word of God:
~~my thoughts: [I put the whole part together because I can't define SPIRIT without the whole sentence there for ya. ;)] Here's a mini blog for you. :)
The Spirit:
John 15: 26-27"When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start."
The Bible also states that God is three in one; the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the Word of God.
The sword is "used for thrusting or striking" it is "military power, violence, or destruction." The Holy Spirit is the Sword.
You making the connection? I think this is getting deep, and I plan to expand on it and add more verses, but I'll leave you with that to meditate on.
Don't be afraid of the Holy Spirt...nor of God...nor of Jesus. The three in one; they're here for us....and we are here for them. Him. God. God's given us the armor. Now it's time for us to put it on....spiritually. Fight the battles of the Heavenly Realms...and be unafraid.
Unafraid to live.
Unafraid to battle.
Unafraid. Period.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thank You Ms. H and Mr. S.
All i gotta say is
Thanks.
Thank you best friends for understanding me.
Thanks for being wonderful....amazing.....and ever loving.
Love you two.
Love you God for putting these besties in my life.
Thanks.
Thank you best friends for understanding me.
Thanks for being wonderful....amazing.....and ever loving.
Love you two.
Love you God for putting these besties in my life.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Trust. Keep up the Faith.
Sometimes waiting gets tiresome. Like...one doesn't know what to do....
It's a time for waiting though. It's a time for necessary rest.
Psalm 20:7
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."
Don't lose faith out there. Our awesome God always has something magnificent planned. Something that'll blow our minds. Even though He may feel silence is the best medicine for whatever we're going through...keep up the faith. It's what we have to grasp onto. It's what we must hold onto for dear life. Eventually...things will get better. Eventually...things will fall into the right spot. Eventually...we'll be eternally happy.
Trust.
Have faith.
He's not about to let go of you.
So..don't let go of Him.
As I always say....He loves us too much.
It's a time for waiting though. It's a time for necessary rest.
Psalm 20:7
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."
Don't lose faith out there. Our awesome God always has something magnificent planned. Something that'll blow our minds. Even though He may feel silence is the best medicine for whatever we're going through...keep up the faith. It's what we have to grasp onto. It's what we must hold onto for dear life. Eventually...things will get better. Eventually...things will fall into the right spot. Eventually...we'll be eternally happy.
Trust.
Have faith.
He's not about to let go of you.
So..don't let go of Him.
As I always say....He loves us too much.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Fearless
Just thought I'd encourage you guys to be ready and FEARLESS! to do God's works. Sometimes He makes us do things we don't necessarily want to do, cause we know that the outcome may be slightly embarrassing and what not--BUT IM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THE OUTCOME WILL ALWAYS BE OOBERIFIC! I speak from experience when I say this. The enemy (Satan) may try and distort our thoughts and release fear into our souls, but that's when we have to click in and REBUKE the enemy and whatever's trying to attack us. God's love will always remain in the end. His peace will always last when we call on Him. The Holy Spirit is amazing and will ROCK YOUR WORLD. Just be ready. Ready to spread the Good News. Ready to fight for what's right. Ready to make Him Number ONE in EVERYTHING we do.
So I'm READY TO BE FEARLESS!
Whoot!
I'm ready to talk about the Miracles of Jesus, what He's done in my life, to my friends at school. I'm scared--not all of them are Christians, in fact the majority (98%) aren't! But that's what makes this all so very exciting! How else are we gonna get our friends to experience our Creator's amazing love if we don't tell them about it!!!! God will give us the amazing strength, boldness, and eternal love, to share our faith with others. If we take that step, I know His peace is gonna be more overwhelming then anything else.
I'm ready to be fearless.
Are you?
I leave you with these link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7VOKQ0xJY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4EPnM62O8A&feature=related
Love Jazzy.
So I'm READY TO BE FEARLESS!
Whoot!
I'm ready to talk about the Miracles of Jesus, what He's done in my life, to my friends at school. I'm scared--not all of them are Christians, in fact the majority (98%) aren't! But that's what makes this all so very exciting! How else are we gonna get our friends to experience our Creator's amazing love if we don't tell them about it!!!! God will give us the amazing strength, boldness, and eternal love, to share our faith with others. If we take that step, I know His peace is gonna be more overwhelming then anything else.
I'm ready to be fearless.
Are you?
I leave you with these link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7VOKQ0xJY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4EPnM62O8A&feature=related
Love Jazzy.
Monday, May 10, 2010
With Sacrifice Comes Great Victory.
What sucks is when people only wanna listen to what they wanna hear. We as humans of the earthly realm...well...we can be kinda stupid.
Truth is...it's time to stop and listen to what God wants us to hear.
Thing is, He's not always a big voice BOOMIN in the air. (= I wish it was that easy. Then I'd know what to do in every moment of my life.
But God speaks through people, he speaks through your conscience.....yada......mainly: He speaks the way He wants you to hear it.
Truth be told bluntly, we humans want everything quickly and right here and now. We don't wanna go through the work, we want it handed straight to us.
The learning process....the steps we take to achieve a new level, are all part of growing.
We learn our ABCs, we grow.
We learn about food, we grow.
We eat the food, we grow.
We learn about other countries, nation-building, colonization, ideology, etc....we grow.
We learn about other languages we grow.
We learn about things we grow....I think you get the point.
Then there's the other side of the line, where when we go through something tough, we see it later on and know how to deal with it. We grow spiritually.
All in all, whatever He's gonna tell us to do, I can honestly say that no matter what we'll have to take steps in order to accomplish it, but we're always gonna grow in the end.
Just be determined to finish the race.
And listen.
Let's be Samuels....and listen.
"Here I am."
Truth is...it's time to stop and listen to what God wants us to hear.
Thing is, He's not always a big voice BOOMIN in the air. (= I wish it was that easy. Then I'd know what to do in every moment of my life.
But God speaks through people, he speaks through your conscience.....yada......mainly: He speaks the way He wants you to hear it.
Truth be told bluntly, we humans want everything quickly and right here and now. We don't wanna go through the work, we want it handed straight to us.
The learning process....the steps we take to achieve a new level, are all part of growing.
We learn our ABCs, we grow.
We learn about food, we grow.
We eat the food, we grow.
We learn about other countries, nation-building, colonization, ideology, etc....we grow.
We learn about other languages we grow.
We learn about things we grow....I think you get the point.
Then there's the other side of the line, where when we go through something tough, we see it later on and know how to deal with it. We grow spiritually.
All in all, whatever He's gonna tell us to do, I can honestly say that no matter what we'll have to take steps in order to accomplish it, but we're always gonna grow in the end.
Just be determined to finish the race.
And listen.
Let's be Samuels....and listen.
"Here I am."
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Faith Enough.
So lately I've been wanting to go on a missions trip.
Like...passionately been wanting to....and ironic enough, I went to this Worship Invasion nite, and this is a story that was told:
This guy, like....a teen....who's one "skill" was being able to speak a second language of Spanish...and he really wanted to go on a missions trip to South America; he felt God wanted him to go there. So this boy set out on asking his pastor for some help...but the pastor told him that he wouldn't help, because this boy didn't go to Bible College, hadn't even finished highschool, etc. So, determined, the boy went to another pastor, and this pastor saw something different in the boy's story. He saw the passion and fire in the boy's eyes. This pastor said he would sponsor him....but all that he could do was send him over there, and give him $10 a month.
This boy walked all over South America. He went from village to village doing what God had asked him to do: share his testimony, share the gospel. He soon grew into a man and married a woman he met and they continued to travel all over South America. Soon people were building churches because they had grown to know Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, thanks to this boy who had decided to share his faith.
Eventually they started a family, and decided to stay in one spot in South America; there they planted their own church...
Amazing.
See? No matter what the circumstance is--God will make a way. God will get you there.
You just gotta have faith enough. ♥
And you think God can't get you through something: PFFFFT.
God LOVES you and can do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.
He'll make a way.
I know He will. ♥
Like...passionately been wanting to....and ironic enough, I went to this Worship Invasion nite, and this is a story that was told:
This guy, like....a teen....who's one "skill" was being able to speak a second language of Spanish...and he really wanted to go on a missions trip to South America; he felt God wanted him to go there. So this boy set out on asking his pastor for some help...but the pastor told him that he wouldn't help, because this boy didn't go to Bible College, hadn't even finished highschool, etc. So, determined, the boy went to another pastor, and this pastor saw something different in the boy's story. He saw the passion and fire in the boy's eyes. This pastor said he would sponsor him....but all that he could do was send him over there, and give him $10 a month.
This boy walked all over South America. He went from village to village doing what God had asked him to do: share his testimony, share the gospel. He soon grew into a man and married a woman he met and they continued to travel all over South America. Soon people were building churches because they had grown to know Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, thanks to this boy who had decided to share his faith.
Eventually they started a family, and decided to stay in one spot in South America; there they planted their own church...
Amazing.
See? No matter what the circumstance is--God will make a way. God will get you there.
You just gotta have faith enough. ♥
And you think God can't get you through something: PFFFFT.
God LOVES you and can do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.
He'll make a way.
I know He will. ♥
Friday, April 9, 2010
Silver-Lining in the Distance
...because to face thundering storms is to enhance our growth period and in the end, we'll always be satisfied with what He's provided. Completely and totally blessed.
For what the future has I do not know, but I trust my Saviour and know His plan is greater then my own.
For what the future has I do not know, but I trust my Saviour and know His plan is greater then my own.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Intercede. Don't Quit.
It's during times like these, that we're challenged to keep on praying. <3 God...I will not stop praying. And although this is like another storm...I thank you for this challenge...because all in all...I think it's strengthening every one of us who are involved.
We will not be stopped.
We are interceders.
We will not be stopped.
We are interceders.
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