Change....

Change....

Ok, so this week, (actually mainly today) I've been dealing with change...not a new concept to me, but one that still hurts every time. So I decided to look up some stuff, and actually I like what I found. Some change is for the good, and some is for the bad. But all of it is how God wants it. Psalm 103:15-18 says "Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. the wind blows, and we are gone-as though we have never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandment." So people live and die, that's a given. We can't have someone here forever, and when we take them for granted, thats the big problem. But I like the wind analogy that David uses here. "the wind blows and we are gone as though we have never been here" Thats the one thats so hard to accept for me. I hate having someone here and then walk away, but I'm learning that maybe God has a much bigger plan; like maybe although it seems like we're losing them, there is really a bigger plan for both of them. I dont know, I'm just making an observation. But coudl that be true? I mean, change is somethign that everyone has to go through at one point or another, but I'm sure i'm not alone when I say that I'm not alone. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 talks about how there is a season for all things (which I think refers to change) "For everything there is a seson, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to harvest . A time to kill and a time to heal, A time to tear down and a time to build up. a time to cry and a time to laugh, A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A tim to tear and a time to mend A time to quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace." So basically, when I sum up the significance of that passage, I see that when there is a change, whether significant or insignificant, maybe this was written in order to show people that there really is a reason why change takes place. I mean, basically, there is an example of every change that occurs really. So are these changes in life right now good or bad?

So...theres testing the faith, and then there's testing us....

So last week I had the encounter that I had been praying for for like the last three or four months. Totally encouraged, I decided that I was ready to take on another challenge of the same type. Ok, so even though last week totally caught me off guard, this week I thought I was ready. Wow, was I wrong. I thought that after the experience last week I would be ready for what ever came next, but well, thinking that we "know" something and actually knowing it are two completely different things. Lets just say that I blew it big time, and I need a lot more study time before I do that again. I know that I wasn't completely trusting God like last week, and know that next time I really have to commit the time to him.

And then there are those who chose to test the faith...

So last night at Bible study, I had a very interesting experience, and ironically, one I've been praying for for about the last three or four months; the opportunity to actually witness to someone. So I won't go into details, but this guy came in and started questioning things about God and how this whole thing called salvation works. Everybody, and this was amazing, was just throwing back truth after truth about everything we've known from church and personal study. It was amazing, and I just hope that we get the chance to explain somemore.

Today just is.

So have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to go right, and nothing at ALL turns out the way you want it?

What do you do? Do you give up? Do you just keep reflecting on all the bad and figure that tomorrow will just be the same way?

Of course not! Don't dwell on tomorrow, or the mistakes of today. Tomorrow may never come, and a minute ago is history. But rather than thinking about all the things that went wrong and worrying about them and stressing out about it (sound familier? Oh right, I do that all the time) reflect on your mistakes with an open mind and think about what you can do different. Don't just forget about them or the consequences, fix it! If there is a tomorrow, make sure to make the most of it.

God is Truly amazing!

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks where everything that has been bothering you for like a week, a year, or a really long time just kind of falls into place? I've finally had one of those weeks, and it's taught me how to really trust God. I love this. I feel like I'm finally trusting God with everything in me, and it feels like everything is finally getting to a good spot. God is truely amazing!

An Amazing Verse

An amazing verse

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all out roubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer." -2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Ok, so I didn't even realize this verse existed until a really good friend pointed it out to me, and it really cleared things up. Hope it helps! I know it did me.

Grief and Loss

This is somthing that isn't new to me, and I'm sure that it isn't new to anyone else. But I know it is somthing that everyone, young and old, has to deal with at some point in their life. I didn't really know what was going on this summer, but I've figured it out now and I'm having to deal with it. It sucks, big time. I don't know what to do or who to go to, and it's always a lonely journey. But for anyone who is having to deal with this, I have to encourage you; DON'T WAIT! If you've lost somone close to you, or are dealing with any kind of greif, reguardless of what it is, deal with it now. Don't get five years down the road and then deal with it. It's not fun. And please don't make the same mistake I have by simply making yourself busy so you don't have to deal with the emotions. Anyone in his or her right mind should understand that your going through something hard, and if they are criticizing you, they have no right to. Don't just do everything you possibly can so you don't have to deal with the greif and pain, because believe me, it will only get worse with time fi you don't deal with it now.