Ok sorry for the long break!! Summer school and lifting has started so my schedule has been a little up in the air…
Ok first things first! I love how I go to a Christian school. I am taking a summer class at a non Christian school and it’s a statistics course, you wouldn’t think it would be very easy to throw Christ into a math lecture, but I find myself thinking of things to add and interject in my professor’s lecture that would relate Christ to math and stats. It makes me happy that we live in a world where we can openly express our love for the Lord and don’t have to be shy to say we love Jesus!!!!
I love how when I got a free Bible from my team chaplain and had to carry it back across campus; I didn’t feel like I stuck out like a sore thumb, I felt like I was starting to fit in, like I was being accepted into this Christian environment. The Lord has finally called me to come out and express myself in a way that praises and worships Him in the way He deserves.
I have started fostering for the ASPCA and it feels great! I love helping animals and it’s a great way to give back to your community too!!!!
Ok well that’s all for now! Keep an eye out for a Bible verse laden blog later this week.
“Peace begins with a smile.” –Mother Teresa
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Power of Prayer
Ok, so can I just suggest pulling over when an amazing idea hits you and you need to write it down instead of trying to write while driving… Very dangerous and not a good idea!! However, I did make it with no accident so that I could bring this fantastic new chapter of the Lord’s greatness to you. Warning, there will be tons of Biblical references, so be ready!!!! :)
Ok so a few nights ago, I was out driving and I saw this man; now I had heard about him from a few people before but I had never had the chance to witness him myself, anyway, he carries a wooden cross up and down a street near my school. The cross is about 7 feet tall and has wheels attached at the bottom to make it a bit easier to pull up and down the street. This man is a true evangelist, I think. He really made me stop and ponder Christ and his battles that he faced on his way to be crucified.
Jesus had to carry his cross, John 19:17 “Carrying His own cross, He went out to what is called Skull Place, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.” Can you even imagine carrying this huge wooden cross over treacherous terrain and not only that; to have people mocking you, throwing stuff and you, and being beaten along the way too? I can’t. Our Lord is so strong and wonderful, but even He needs help sometimes, just like us. Ok, here it is a huge spew of Bible nonsense I’ll explain after :). Matthew 27:31-32, “When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.” Mark 15:20-21, “When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’ cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus.” Luke 23:26, “As they led him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.”
So, Jesus had help carrying this huge burden of the cross, and carrying the burden of our sins. Simon didn’t really have a choice in whether or not to carry Jesus’ cross, but I am sure he was rewarded splendidly in His kingdom. Jesus never one complained about having to carry the burden of our sins, He never complained about carrying that heavy cross, He never had trouble accepting the fact He was being put to death for being Himself. What a wonderful Lord we have. Now, why do I bring this up? Well we are faced with many trials and tribulations in our day to day life. We are definitely not as strong as our Lord Christ, but we do have Him as our support. Never be afraid to look to God for help.
My grandmother, who basically raised me my entire life, when my mom went back to work after the pregnancy, was so close with me and I love her with all my heart. She was a crass and smart woman who spoke her mind and wasn’t afraid to let her feelings show. She was diagnosed with breast cancer while I was in high school. I was devastated, I knew cancer was bad and I knew there was a chance she could die. How could I ever survive without my main base of support? She was my best friend. We shared a bedroom since I was in the 6th grade until I left for college, we shared secrets and stories, we shared a love for Christ. She got a mastectomy and went in to remission. I was overjoyed. She did it she beat cancer! A few months later, they found another malignant mass. She went through the chemo and radiation again; she lost weight all her hair had the awful nausea and vomiting that comes with such strong medicine. The medicine was working she told us, although no one ever went into the doctor appointments with her. It was around this time she started attending daily mass. I hadn’t seen my grandmother attend a mass since probably when I made my last sacrament, (I’m Catholic so if this is confusing Google Catholic Sacraments, it’s a long grueling process to be accepted in the Catholic Church ;)).
Then I left for college, Grandma was still taking her medicine and still going in for treatments, I thought well, she beat it once why can’t she do it again, she’s strong. That first spring of my collegiate career I received the phone call that Grandma was with Jesus. At first I was mad, how could He take her away from me? But then I realized that she had been in pain, just like Jesus was while he was on his way to be crucified. Now that she is with Him in His kingdom of Heaven, I know that she is not in pain anymore and she looks down on me and smiles. I know that she and Jesus are proud of who I am becoming and of the work I am starting to do for Him.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! So let’s believe and have Jesus help us out when we need it. Believe in the power of prayer, Jesus is always listening and he always has a plan.
P.S. I started this a few days ago and when I finished it today God pulled me in a totally different direction than I had thought I was going to go with this post... I hope you enjoy it and don't be afraid to send me ideas questions or comments about anything!
“Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa.
Ok so a few nights ago, I was out driving and I saw this man; now I had heard about him from a few people before but I had never had the chance to witness him myself, anyway, he carries a wooden cross up and down a street near my school. The cross is about 7 feet tall and has wheels attached at the bottom to make it a bit easier to pull up and down the street. This man is a true evangelist, I think. He really made me stop and ponder Christ and his battles that he faced on his way to be crucified.
Jesus had to carry his cross, John 19:17 “Carrying His own cross, He went out to what is called Skull Place, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.” Can you even imagine carrying this huge wooden cross over treacherous terrain and not only that; to have people mocking you, throwing stuff and you, and being beaten along the way too? I can’t. Our Lord is so strong and wonderful, but even He needs help sometimes, just like us. Ok, here it is a huge spew of Bible nonsense I’ll explain after :). Matthew 27:31-32, “When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.” Mark 15:20-21, “When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’ cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus.” Luke 23:26, “As they led him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.”
So, Jesus had help carrying this huge burden of the cross, and carrying the burden of our sins. Simon didn’t really have a choice in whether or not to carry Jesus’ cross, but I am sure he was rewarded splendidly in His kingdom. Jesus never one complained about having to carry the burden of our sins, He never complained about carrying that heavy cross, He never had trouble accepting the fact He was being put to death for being Himself. What a wonderful Lord we have. Now, why do I bring this up? Well we are faced with many trials and tribulations in our day to day life. We are definitely not as strong as our Lord Christ, but we do have Him as our support. Never be afraid to look to God for help.
My grandmother, who basically raised me my entire life, when my mom went back to work after the pregnancy, was so close with me and I love her with all my heart. She was a crass and smart woman who spoke her mind and wasn’t afraid to let her feelings show. She was diagnosed with breast cancer while I was in high school. I was devastated, I knew cancer was bad and I knew there was a chance she could die. How could I ever survive without my main base of support? She was my best friend. We shared a bedroom since I was in the 6th grade until I left for college, we shared secrets and stories, we shared a love for Christ. She got a mastectomy and went in to remission. I was overjoyed. She did it she beat cancer! A few months later, they found another malignant mass. She went through the chemo and radiation again; she lost weight all her hair had the awful nausea and vomiting that comes with such strong medicine. The medicine was working she told us, although no one ever went into the doctor appointments with her. It was around this time she started attending daily mass. I hadn’t seen my grandmother attend a mass since probably when I made my last sacrament, (I’m Catholic so if this is confusing Google Catholic Sacraments, it’s a long grueling process to be accepted in the Catholic Church ;)).
Then I left for college, Grandma was still taking her medicine and still going in for treatments, I thought well, she beat it once why can’t she do it again, she’s strong. That first spring of my collegiate career I received the phone call that Grandma was with Jesus. At first I was mad, how could He take her away from me? But then I realized that she had been in pain, just like Jesus was while he was on his way to be crucified. Now that she is with Him in His kingdom of Heaven, I know that she is not in pain anymore and she looks down on me and smiles. I know that she and Jesus are proud of who I am becoming and of the work I am starting to do for Him.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! So let’s believe and have Jesus help us out when we need it. Believe in the power of prayer, Jesus is always listening and he always has a plan.
P.S. I started this a few days ago and when I finished it today God pulled me in a totally different direction than I had thought I was going to go with this post... I hope you enjoy it and don't be afraid to send me ideas questions or comments about anything!
“Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Some music and word...
Ok… My boss inspired this one. I asked him about his favorite verses and such and he sent me 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” He also gave me a song by the 77’s and Mike Roe that talks about this verse in its lyrics which I have included below and I guess I’ll have to figure out how to link the song in too, it’s a live version but it’s pretty rad.
So what does this passage have to do with day to day living and us as Christians? Well this passage is basically saying that the Lord doesn’t make us lust after others and doesn’t induce pride in us. These longings are created by man, and have made man fall from Christ. We saw the epitome of lust in Genesis when Eve ate the apple from the tree of knowledge. Dang you Satan for ruining our chances of eternal happiness, or did he? If Eve hadn’t eaten that apple man would never have the chance to learn to love Christ and to work hard and earn a spot in heaven, I personally like to work hard to earn things. My place in His kingdom included. I feel like everything happens for a reason, God knew what he was doing when he created Adam and Eve and when he created each one of us. We now have to work a little harder to get into the kingdom of God, but I think that for everything we will receive when we join Christ that a little hard work on our part is only expected.
Webster defines lust as an intense longing. I believe that we as Christians lust after Christ. We long to join him in the awesome kingdom that has everything you will need or want. This song that was brought to my attention really helps shed light on how we should be concentrating on being with Christ and not going after things that will only last one night or for a short time. God is eternal life. With Him anything is possible, and He has the power to make you happy forever, how many people can say that? Only one person, the Lord can.
So live everyday like it’s your last and praise and worship the Lord in the way he deserves and at the end of your long hard life here on Earth, you shall be rewarded more than anyone could have possibly dreamed.
Well, I feel
Like I have to feel
Something good all of the time
With most of life I cannot deal
But a good feeling I can feel
Even though it may not be real
And if a person, place or thing can deliver
I will quiver with delight
But will it last me for all my life
Or just one more lonely night
The lust, the flesh
The eyes
And the pride of life
Drain the life
Right out of me
Well, I see something and I want it
Bam! Right now!
No questions asked
Don't worry how much it costs me now or later
I want it and I want it fast
I'll go to any length
Sacrifice all that I already have
And all that I might get
Just to get
Something more that I don't need
And Lord, please don't ask me what for
The lust, the flesh
The eyes
And the pride of life
Drain the life
Right out of me
And I love when folks
Look right at me
And what I'm doing
Or have done
And lay it on about
How groovy I am
And that I'm looking grand
And every single word
Makes me think I'll live forever
Never knowing that they probably
Won't remember what they said tomorrow
Tomorrow I could be dead
The lust, the flesh
The eyes
And the pride of life
Drain the life
Right out of me
“Peace begins with a smile,” –Mother Teresa.
So what does this passage have to do with day to day living and us as Christians? Well this passage is basically saying that the Lord doesn’t make us lust after others and doesn’t induce pride in us. These longings are created by man, and have made man fall from Christ. We saw the epitome of lust in Genesis when Eve ate the apple from the tree of knowledge. Dang you Satan for ruining our chances of eternal happiness, or did he? If Eve hadn’t eaten that apple man would never have the chance to learn to love Christ and to work hard and earn a spot in heaven, I personally like to work hard to earn things. My place in His kingdom included. I feel like everything happens for a reason, God knew what he was doing when he created Adam and Eve and when he created each one of us. We now have to work a little harder to get into the kingdom of God, but I think that for everything we will receive when we join Christ that a little hard work on our part is only expected.
Webster defines lust as an intense longing. I believe that we as Christians lust after Christ. We long to join him in the awesome kingdom that has everything you will need or want. This song that was brought to my attention really helps shed light on how we should be concentrating on being with Christ and not going after things that will only last one night or for a short time. God is eternal life. With Him anything is possible, and He has the power to make you happy forever, how many people can say that? Only one person, the Lord can.
So live everyday like it’s your last and praise and worship the Lord in the way he deserves and at the end of your long hard life here on Earth, you shall be rewarded more than anyone could have possibly dreamed.
Well, I feel
Like I have to feel
Something good all of the time
With most of life I cannot deal
But a good feeling I can feel
Even though it may not be real
And if a person, place or thing can deliver
I will quiver with delight
But will it last me for all my life
Or just one more lonely night
The lust, the flesh
The eyes
And the pride of life
Drain the life
Right out of me
Well, I see something and I want it
Bam! Right now!
No questions asked
Don't worry how much it costs me now or later
I want it and I want it fast
I'll go to any length
Sacrifice all that I already have
And all that I might get
Just to get
Something more that I don't need
And Lord, please don't ask me what for
The lust, the flesh
The eyes
And the pride of life
Drain the life
Right out of me
And I love when folks
Look right at me
And what I'm doing
Or have done
And lay it on about
How groovy I am
And that I'm looking grand
And every single word
Makes me think I'll live forever
Never knowing that they probably
Won't remember what they said tomorrow
Tomorrow I could be dead
The lust, the flesh
The eyes
And the pride of life
Drain the life
Right out of me
“Peace begins with a smile,” –Mother Teresa.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Inflated egos can take up a LOT of room...
Proverbs 11:2 when pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. One of my good friends texted me this quote today and it just made me laugh. Another mutual friend of ours recently won a huge award and honor and she has been walking around like she is "Miss Thang." She is also graduating from college in two short weeks and she will be beginning Graduate studies. She is a marvelous down to Earth girl and we love to tease her. But honestly she is one of the nicest humblest people I know; except when it comes to being a disciple of Jesus!
This verse really struck home for me; pride can be a very humbling experience. If you flaunt it then you will have shame the bible says... I believe that you must have some pride. Be proud to know Jesus, be proud that you are a Christian, be proud that you can openly talk about Jesus.
I called my mom today to let her know I am starting this blog and I had a hard time talking about it. The church and God have become taboo in my home. Jesus is never mentioned and He is forgotten. This really upset me. I have had a hard time expressing my love for the Lord and becoming closer to Him. I hope this blog will be an outlet and that I can share my beliefs with others out there. So back to Proverbs... I am proud to be a Christian and I will not be humble about it, but I will not have shame nor will I be disgraced. I love Jesus and I want to shout it out. You can't just sit on your couch and watch the world pass you by... When this life ends and you are standing in front of the Lord waiting to see if you get into Heaven what will you say when He asks what you did to deserve to go to heaven and spend eternal life with him?
Feel free to leave comments and ask questions!!!
Berle
"Peace begins with a smile" -Mother Teresa
This verse really struck home for me; pride can be a very humbling experience. If you flaunt it then you will have shame the bible says... I believe that you must have some pride. Be proud to know Jesus, be proud that you are a Christian, be proud that you can openly talk about Jesus.
I called my mom today to let her know I am starting this blog and I had a hard time talking about it. The church and God have become taboo in my home. Jesus is never mentioned and He is forgotten. This really upset me. I have had a hard time expressing my love for the Lord and becoming closer to Him. I hope this blog will be an outlet and that I can share my beliefs with others out there. So back to Proverbs... I am proud to be a Christian and I will not be humble about it, but I will not have shame nor will I be disgraced. I love Jesus and I want to shout it out. You can't just sit on your couch and watch the world pass you by... When this life ends and you are standing in front of the Lord waiting to see if you get into Heaven what will you say when He asks what you did to deserve to go to heaven and spend eternal life with him?
Feel free to leave comments and ask questions!!!
Berle
"Peace begins with a smile" -Mother Teresa
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