Well, it will soon be 09. I don't know what all will happen. I am planning on getting through the first semester back at school. I am planning to be a teacher. I don't know what struggles I will have. I don't know what roadblocks, potholes, or traffic jams I will go through. All I can say is that I am ready. Bring it on. I am thouroughly excited and dreaming of the day I start teaching. Though I know it will not be as easy as I might think. These are individuals that I will have an influence on, I hope, and possibly make a difference in their lives. And I am sure that their lives will influence mine. I desire to work with inner city (at risk) kids because, I feel that I can connect with them. I just really feel called to this position for some reason. Please pray for me.
So, what are goals? I feel that in order to do life adequatly, you have to have goals. Even if you do not nessecarily reach them, they can propel you into something that you would have otherwise missed. I think about Jesus and the goal set before him. He was determined to carry out this goal, or call if you will. He did not let anyone, or anything stop this. Peter tried, Mary tried, even Satan tried. But through it all, he focused on what He was called to do. I know, you have heard this over and over and over. So have I, but it grips me. It keeps me coming back to the Gospel. I think the reason why is because this is the model set before us. We have to try and reach or attain our goals. That doesn't mean that their won't be obsticles along the way. That just means that we have to be alert and on point. So many beat themselves up everyday, because they do not feel they are good enough. So many Christians are the same way. The truth is, we can never be perfected and we can never perfect by ourselves. It is constant and persistant prayer, meditation, and relationship with our Father. I believe that has kept me going through all of my shtuff. We all have issues even if we are perfectly moral. If we don't have Christ at our center, we have nothing. I know some perfectly moral non-christians and some not so moral Christians. So there is no getting around it, we need God! You can't be perfect. You can't be without flaw or blemmish. But the One true Creator who is above us all loves us! He wants to wash away our sins, our imperfections, and our flaws. But we have to come to Him. We have to trust Him in faith. We have to hear His voice in our Hearts and minds. This is how we will prevail through lifes trials. My hope in this his that God will touch all our lives deeply and divinely.
Peace ><>
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Security
The World as we know it, or thought we know it sure has changed. Not only from a economic standpoint, but ethical, environmental, social, educational one as well. It is always changing, rapidly at times. I remember growing up and it was the norm to be outside all the time. All the time. And I remember how everything was cheaper, life felt secure. But it never really has been. Life is full of surprises and calamities. Just think back to November 11. Many people, I am sure, were not expecting to loose their lives. Those loved ones who survived were not expecting to loose anyone either. So what are we trusting in.
Are we trusting in our money? Is it not made of paper? Paper can burn. It can also be taken from us. Sometimes legally. Is it digital? Well, we all know that computers are not indestructible either. Are we trusting that if we have many possessions that we will be secure? Is it that if we have acquired all that we want, we can be fully satisfied for good?? There is always something new. Are we putting our security in our friends?? Well, we all know that friends can definitely let you down at times. So what is it?
I know that these questions are all so cliche, but there is truth in this. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you have security. For some, it takes a while. Others, instantly can feel the difference. Growing in faith in Christ for me has been the only thing that I cling to when times are rough. But also when times are great. I have found that the more trust I put in God, the more I feel at ease. He centers me, and comforts me. Even in the toughest times, he is my rock. All he wants from us is ALL of our worship. We were created to worship. Some worship nature, some money, some sex, some cars, some spouses, some children. But we were meant to worship God and God alone. I myself have had to check my heart at times to see what my idol has become. I have lusted over many things that I have had to turn from and turn back to God. But I always come back to worship Him. And I have learned to be content. Sometimes we get so caught up in success that we do not appriciate what we have.
I guess the point I am trying to make in all of this is that to truly worship The Creator, we must let go of some things. Only if we trust in God can we have true security in our lives. We must go to God in prayer and repentance and give our hearts fully to Him. If we don't, we can easily fall away. I am afraid most Americans are in this boat. It is time that we look to God for security and nothing else. I really believe that we can learn a lot from the under ground church in China and Russia to really fully understand what it means to truly surrender our lives to God. If you are reading this and you are not a believer, I hope that you will really consider pursuing God and starting a relationship with Him. It will change your life. If I offended you, good. I love you. And God loves you. I am offended everyday by our culture and by many Christians/Churches. But, I am not here to appeal to anyone, but God and God alone. I don't believe that I am better than anyone, but I am trying to walk the talk. I may fail, but I am trying, and I have a God who loves me and wants me to keep trying. What is your security in???
Are we trusting in our money? Is it not made of paper? Paper can burn. It can also be taken from us. Sometimes legally. Is it digital? Well, we all know that computers are not indestructible either. Are we trusting that if we have many possessions that we will be secure? Is it that if we have acquired all that we want, we can be fully satisfied for good?? There is always something new. Are we putting our security in our friends?? Well, we all know that friends can definitely let you down at times. So what is it?
I know that these questions are all so cliche, but there is truth in this. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you have security. For some, it takes a while. Others, instantly can feel the difference. Growing in faith in Christ for me has been the only thing that I cling to when times are rough. But also when times are great. I have found that the more trust I put in God, the more I feel at ease. He centers me, and comforts me. Even in the toughest times, he is my rock. All he wants from us is ALL of our worship. We were created to worship. Some worship nature, some money, some sex, some cars, some spouses, some children. But we were meant to worship God and God alone. I myself have had to check my heart at times to see what my idol has become. I have lusted over many things that I have had to turn from and turn back to God. But I always come back to worship Him. And I have learned to be content. Sometimes we get so caught up in success that we do not appriciate what we have.
I guess the point I am trying to make in all of this is that to truly worship The Creator, we must let go of some things. Only if we trust in God can we have true security in our lives. We must go to God in prayer and repentance and give our hearts fully to Him. If we don't, we can easily fall away. I am afraid most Americans are in this boat. It is time that we look to God for security and nothing else. I really believe that we can learn a lot from the under ground church in China and Russia to really fully understand what it means to truly surrender our lives to God. If you are reading this and you are not a believer, I hope that you will really consider pursuing God and starting a relationship with Him. It will change your life. If I offended you, good. I love you. And God loves you. I am offended everyday by our culture and by many Christians/Churches. But, I am not here to appeal to anyone, but God and God alone. I don't believe that I am better than anyone, but I am trying to walk the talk. I may fail, but I am trying, and I have a God who loves me and wants me to keep trying. What is your security in???
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Secret to my Success
What defines success in your life? Is it how many toys(cars, guitars, clothes, ipods, etc...)you have? Is it your job, finances, status? Or is it making it through life with no cheating, no fighting, no problems? Marriage, kids, friends do they make a person a great success? How about a person who works so hard all their life, provides for their family, takes care of those in need and has no debt, retires and lives the rest of their life in a retirement community?
Here is another scenario; a person works hard all their life and doesn't ever make it to that really nice neighborhood, gets jumped ever other day on their way to work, gets made of because of their looks, clothes, hair cut. They never seem to get ahead, but perseveres through it. Everyone rips them off and they don't even know it. They try and try to get people to like them and it is no use. But they are content. They love God, they love their family, they love their community. They go out of their way even doing small jobs and chores around the neighborhood that no one knows about. They like being in the back ground. What if also they had an incurable decease and no health care to help pay all the medical bills. But through all of this, they are so filled with joy. They are totally satisfied. Does that sound like success to you?
I am not saying that having things are bad, but what I am saying is, we have such a high standard for success in America, sometimes I think that we have forgotten to enjoy the little things. The 99 cent menu, the tiny $20-$50 dollar check we get in the mail, getting a 50 cent raise. We are sometimes all too focused on the future that we forget to live in the present. It is easy to fall into this. Again, I am not saying that making a big check is bad, I am just saying, it has become our Idol, our God. We worship money if we are not careful.
Success by our definition as humans has made us selfish. I myself am trying to change this about myself. I am not saying that we should get lazy and let things go, but I am not going to live my life chasing this "American Dream" when my mission on this world as a Christian is to die. Die to myself. Becoming meek, selfless, caring, loving, compassionate, humble, content and giving. Of my heart, my time, my MONEY, my things, my house, my life. What would it look like if the Church, the World, would become like Christ. What if we all gave up on being all about OURSELVES and actually poured out all of this upon each other? I may not be a success to the World, but I feel I am. Not because I have reached a goal. This is not my life. It is not my money, it is not my car, it is not my house. It is all Gods. The God. I know not many will read this, but I felt this was on my heart. I pray that it will speak to everyone. That it will speak to me. That it will speak.
Here is another scenario; a person works hard all their life and doesn't ever make it to that really nice neighborhood, gets jumped ever other day on their way to work, gets made of because of their looks, clothes, hair cut. They never seem to get ahead, but perseveres through it. Everyone rips them off and they don't even know it. They try and try to get people to like them and it is no use. But they are content. They love God, they love their family, they love their community. They go out of their way even doing small jobs and chores around the neighborhood that no one knows about. They like being in the back ground. What if also they had an incurable decease and no health care to help pay all the medical bills. But through all of this, they are so filled with joy. They are totally satisfied. Does that sound like success to you?
I am not saying that having things are bad, but what I am saying is, we have such a high standard for success in America, sometimes I think that we have forgotten to enjoy the little things. The 99 cent menu, the tiny $20-$50 dollar check we get in the mail, getting a 50 cent raise. We are sometimes all too focused on the future that we forget to live in the present. It is easy to fall into this. Again, I am not saying that making a big check is bad, I am just saying, it has become our Idol, our God. We worship money if we are not careful.
Success by our definition as humans has made us selfish. I myself am trying to change this about myself. I am not saying that we should get lazy and let things go, but I am not going to live my life chasing this "American Dream" when my mission on this world as a Christian is to die. Die to myself. Becoming meek, selfless, caring, loving, compassionate, humble, content and giving. Of my heart, my time, my MONEY, my things, my house, my life. What would it look like if the Church, the World, would become like Christ. What if we all gave up on being all about OURSELVES and actually poured out all of this upon each other? I may not be a success to the World, but I feel I am. Not because I have reached a goal. This is not my life. It is not my money, it is not my car, it is not my house. It is all Gods. The God. I know not many will read this, but I felt this was on my heart. I pray that it will speak to everyone. That it will speak to me. That it will speak.
