Tuesday, August 19, 2008
prayer
I want to do a post that has been burdening on my heart. I am planning to do it by Monday maybe earlier. I need prayer that God will give me the words that will reach out the most to those who might need to hear this.
Monday, August 18, 2008
School
It is the first day of school and I am so nervous it feels like my stomach is burning. I can wait until it starts but then again I am excited to be able to use my brain in a useful, more productive way. School can be tough, but I been praying.
But even though I have been praying it still hard for me to let go of this nervousness. I can't seem to stop being scared of what this first day of school is going to be like. By the end of the week, I will probably be just fine, but I so hate first day of school.
So if you could pray I would be ever so grateful.
But even though I have been praying it still hard for me to let go of this nervousness. I can't seem to stop being scared of what this first day of school is going to be like. By the end of the week, I will probably be just fine, but I so hate first day of school.
So if you could pray I would be ever so grateful.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Patience Rewarded by: Hester Mundis
I was reading Chicken Soup. This is an awesome story.
"Albert Payson Terhune, the famed dog writer of the 1920s and 1930s who authored the Lassie books, often told this story about his friend Wilson to illustrate the deep love that people and dogs share. It also shows how sometimes what seems to be in the best interest of all concerned may not apply when one of those concerned is a dog.
Wilson's dog, Jack, was an energetic, six-year-old collie that would meet him every day at the trolley station when Wilson returned from work. This was a ritual that had begun when Jack was a pup. The dog knew the route to and from the station like the back of his paw---and following that route was the highlight of his day. So when Wilson changed jobs and had to move to California, he thought it best to leave Jack on his home turf in Philadelphia with a relative. He explained all this to the dog upon leaving and told him that they both would have to adjust to new homes.
But Jack didn't want a new home. He would not stay with the family he'd been left with. He returned to WIlson's old house,even though it was boarded up, and there he passed his solitary days beside an abandoned chair beneath the portico. But every evening, tail wagging, he trotted off to the trolley station. For as long as Jack had been in the world, Wilson had always taken the same trolley home from work, and Jack had been there to greet him. But evening after evening, there was no sign of the devoted dog's master. Confused and sad, he would return alone to the deserted house.
The dog's depression grew. He refused the food left for him, and as the days passed, he became thinner and thinner, his ribs noticeable even through his thick blond coat. But every evening , ever hopeful, he'd go to the stationto meet the trolley. And every evening, he'd return to the porch more despondent than before.
No one knows why Jack's new family didn't contact Wilson, but Jack's deteriorating condition did not go unnoticed. A friend who lived nearby was so upset by it that he took it upon himself to send a telegram to Wilson in California, informing him of hte dog's situation.
That is all it took.
Wilson bought a return train ticket immediately; he knew what he had to do. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, he waited several hours just so that he could take the same trolley that he always did when coming home. When it arrived at the station, sure enough, there was Jack, waiting and watching as the passengers got off. Looking and hoping. And then suddenly there he was, his beloved owner. His master had returned at last! Jack's world was whole once more---and so was Wilson's.
Wilson later told Terhune, "Jack was sobbing almost like a child might sob. He was shivering all over as if he had a chill. And I? Well, I blew my nose and did a lot of fast winking."
Wilson took his devoted dog, Jack, back to California with him. They never separated again."
Sometimes we think we should just leave God behind for what ever reason. He lets us but he waits for us patiently as patiently as Jack did. When finally someone might tell us of how sad God is for our leaving Him and we come back. I believe that when we do He will be as happy and thrilled as Jack was.
"Albert Payson Terhune, the famed dog writer of the 1920s and 1930s who authored the Lassie books, often told this story about his friend Wilson to illustrate the deep love that people and dogs share. It also shows how sometimes what seems to be in the best interest of all concerned may not apply when one of those concerned is a dog.
Wilson's dog, Jack, was an energetic, six-year-old collie that would meet him every day at the trolley station when Wilson returned from work. This was a ritual that had begun when Jack was a pup. The dog knew the route to and from the station like the back of his paw---and following that route was the highlight of his day. So when Wilson changed jobs and had to move to California, he thought it best to leave Jack on his home turf in Philadelphia with a relative. He explained all this to the dog upon leaving and told him that they both would have to adjust to new homes.
But Jack didn't want a new home. He would not stay with the family he'd been left with. He returned to WIlson's old house,even though it was boarded up, and there he passed his solitary days beside an abandoned chair beneath the portico. But every evening, tail wagging, he trotted off to the trolley station. For as long as Jack had been in the world, Wilson had always taken the same trolley home from work, and Jack had been there to greet him. But evening after evening, there was no sign of the devoted dog's master. Confused and sad, he would return alone to the deserted house.
The dog's depression grew. He refused the food left for him, and as the days passed, he became thinner and thinner, his ribs noticeable even through his thick blond coat. But every evening , ever hopeful, he'd go to the stationto meet the trolley. And every evening, he'd return to the porch more despondent than before.
No one knows why Jack's new family didn't contact Wilson, but Jack's deteriorating condition did not go unnoticed. A friend who lived nearby was so upset by it that he took it upon himself to send a telegram to Wilson in California, informing him of hte dog's situation.
That is all it took.
Wilson bought a return train ticket immediately; he knew what he had to do. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, he waited several hours just so that he could take the same trolley that he always did when coming home. When it arrived at the station, sure enough, there was Jack, waiting and watching as the passengers got off. Looking and hoping. And then suddenly there he was, his beloved owner. His master had returned at last! Jack's world was whole once more---and so was Wilson's.
Wilson later told Terhune, "Jack was sobbing almost like a child might sob. He was shivering all over as if he had a chill. And I? Well, I blew my nose and did a lot of fast winking."
Wilson took his devoted dog, Jack, back to California with him. They never separated again."
Sometimes we think we should just leave God behind for what ever reason. He lets us but he waits for us patiently as patiently as Jack did. When finally someone might tell us of how sad God is for our leaving Him and we come back. I believe that when we do He will be as happy and thrilled as Jack was.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The longest day in history
Well....today I woke up at like 6:30 am and had my devotionals. I went to work around 8:30 am and then when I got home I cleaned my room. And I mean major cleaning! I moved my bed around, threw a lot of things away that were useless. What made the day so long was that yesterday I had bought this desk and now today I put it together. At first we thought is was going to be easy. We started to do it maybe around 11:00 am and we were almost done when we realized that we had put the desk together backwards!! Can you believe it? Well, I was getting frustrated and I broke the thing. But finally we found a way of putting it together----the right way of course---and set in my room. So you wanna know what time it was done? 3:30pm. It was so long to deal with and I am still not done. I have to deal with switching dressors with my brother. If he ever gets home, that is. Well, that was my longest day. But God blessed it. It was productive and worth the effort.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Moonwalking Bird
Really cool. Think you'll enjoy watching this amazing bird...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Bsu4z9Y3k&feature=related
I got this through an email. Its awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Bsu4z9Y3k&feature=related
I got this through an email. Its awesome!
Today, I kept thinking over and over about what had happened yesterday. I wrote about going to talk to someone about some of the questions. Well, it was a great meeting. I found the answers that I was looking for which I posted. But I also posted it on Xanga where someone and I was talking about this subject.....we got into an argument and, well, it hurted. It hurted big time to think that he would think that the way I was serving was completely wrong. I was going to let what he said make be discouraged and upset....and it did for awhile, but now all I can say is praise the Lord. For I was taught a lesson through it all. Yes there is different ways to witness and others might not believe that but I dont have to proof it. God will either open this persons eyes or this person will ignore it. This person has a heart for God and he is doing what God called him to do. SO, as I realized, I can't argue with that. Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Is preaching the only way to witness?
In one word: No.
If you would read 1 Corinthians 12-14. You would find how there is other gifts of the spirit that people use to witness to others.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individuallly as He wills."
1 Corinthians 12:27-31: "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mircales? DO all have gifts of healing?Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you more."
Prophecy is like going to a neighbor who might need some encouragement and giving them that encouragment through bible texts, comforting them through words of kindness. Prophecy is not always foretelling the future.
As you have noticed in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 that it gave a list it didn't say there was only one gift to witness to others by but many. And there was a gifts of helps. Which is to say that if someone needed their tire changed and you had a spare and you help them. Now someone told me that someone who isn't a christian do the same. Yes, they do BUT they do it without the love of Christ. They are not doing for God and the person they are helping. But us who have the love of Christ in us who do that do.
Also, this same person said that if I found one thing that Jesus did that wasn't preaching. Okay I found some. His first thing he did was to go to a party. John 2:1-12 He didn't preach or give a sermon. He just went and fellowshipped with others and did a miracle for the bride and groom.
And before Jesus even started His true ministry he was ministring to others. He was a carpenter. Do you think that He didn't serve others through his job as a carpenter? I think he did.
Also,an example from the bible about someone who was serving others(a gift of the Spirit as to witness) is Dorcas. Acts 9:36-43 This woman, served others by making clothes for those who couldn't afford them, when she died she was raised from the dead by Peter. She didn't preach or give sermons but she served and when she died she was mourned and people said how good of a person she was. "Then Peter arose and went with them. WHen he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them." Verse 39
I also told this person that God is love and that people would rather see the love than be preached at. He didn't know the verse. So here it is: "He who doesn not love does not know GOd, for God IS love." 1 John 4:8
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." John 15:9
" FInally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God OF love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through LOVE serve one another." Galations 5:13
"But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," Galations 5:22
" Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us."1 John 4:17-19
There is many other verses that talk about God's love for us. John 3:16 for example. I am not saying that preaching is out, but I am saying that some people dont have that gift, and some people do. There is not just one way to spread the Word of God out. And Acts speak louder than words. Love speak louder than words. Lets seek out God's will and find what our gift is. And remember God might put you in one place then decide that you need to be somewhere else. Pray hard, pray daily.
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It was so great to search this all out. Because I have been feeling like I was doing nada---nothing. But in reality I have been. I just didn't see it in that way. The small things we do might actually big and the big things we do might be small. But we cant judge that only God. Oh Praise the Lord! He answered my prayers! Hallelujah!
Is preaching the only way to witness?
In one word: No.
If you would read 1 Corinthians 12-14. You would find how there is other gifts of the spirit that people use to witness to others.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individuallly as He wills."
1 Corinthians 12:27-31: "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mircales? DO all have gifts of healing?Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you more."
Prophecy is like going to a neighbor who might need some encouragement and giving them that encouragment through bible texts, comforting them through words of kindness. Prophecy is not always foretelling the future.
As you have noticed in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 that it gave a list it didn't say there was only one gift to witness to others by but many. And there was a gifts of helps. Which is to say that if someone needed their tire changed and you had a spare and you help them. Now someone told me that someone who isn't a christian do the same. Yes, they do BUT they do it without the love of Christ. They are not doing for God and the person they are helping. But us who have the love of Christ in us who do that do.
Also, this same person said that if I found one thing that Jesus did that wasn't preaching. Okay I found some. His first thing he did was to go to a party. John 2:1-12 He didn't preach or give a sermon. He just went and fellowshipped with others and did a miracle for the bride and groom.
And before Jesus even started His true ministry he was ministring to others. He was a carpenter. Do you think that He didn't serve others through his job as a carpenter? I think he did.
Also,an example from the bible about someone who was serving others(a gift of the Spirit as to witness) is Dorcas. Acts 9:36-43 This woman, served others by making clothes for those who couldn't afford them, when she died she was raised from the dead by Peter. She didn't preach or give sermons but she served and when she died she was mourned and people said how good of a person she was. "Then Peter arose and went with them. WHen he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them." Verse 39
I also told this person that God is love and that people would rather see the love than be preached at. He didn't know the verse. So here it is: "He who doesn not love does not know GOd, for God IS love." 1 John 4:8
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." John 15:9
" FInally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God OF love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through LOVE serve one another." Galations 5:13
"But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," Galations 5:22
" Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us."1 John 4:17-19
There is many other verses that talk about God's love for us. John 3:16 for example. I am not saying that preaching is out, but I am saying that some people dont have that gift, and some people do. There is not just one way to spread the Word of God out. And Acts speak louder than words. Love speak louder than words. Lets seek out God's will and find what our gift is. And remember God might put you in one place then decide that you need to be somewhere else. Pray hard, pray daily.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was so great to search this all out. Because I have been feeling like I was doing nada---nothing. But in reality I have been. I just didn't see it in that way. The small things we do might actually big and the big things we do might be small. But we cant judge that only God. Oh Praise the Lord! He answered my prayers! Hallelujah!
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