Who are you? Teachings from the Pulpit 4

Hi Fans. So this week we had a guest speaker at Church - Tom Flick. He's a football superhero (apparently) and is now known for helping companies throughout the world get their corporate acts together. Anyhoot, he had some great questions (You know I love questions!) to ask and some great points about what life truly should.

So let's dive in, shall we? In today's society, Christians are not seen as something special because we are so mixed into the world and the influences of the world that Non-Christians can't tell the difference between themselves and their Christian Counterparts. Christians swear, Christians fail, Christians cheat, Christians lie, Christians get drunk, Christians use the Lord's name in vain, Christians abuse, Christians disappoint, Christians don't keep their word, Christians break promises, Christians are constantly disappointing a world that so desperately needs Christ - so the question arises - How are you living your life to be Christ like? Yes, please do get on people's level and don't be a stick up your butt, prudish Christian that is more worried about being religious than being spiritual. However, are you practicing what you are preaching? Or are you giving God a bad name by the way you're currently living your life? I know I'm a daily disappointment to God, but the wonderful thing about it is that I know that he still loves me even if I fail him a million times. But, how are we supposed to win people over and say that we're different if we don't act or look any different than our Non-Christian friends? How are people going to see that "something different" in our lives if we aren't living a life that's "something different"?

Often, Christians fake it. We fake our perfect lives living in our perfect little Christian Bubble. Well, I have news for you fans, I don't fit in the box that so many traditional Christians have placed me in. I'm a lover of life, not a quiet submissive woman that should never speak. I love passionately the things and people in my life. The box is the safety net of Christians today. We're too scared to venture out into the scary world that is the real world that Christ himself lived in. So we find our box and decide that we just shouldn't even try. How is that meeting our purpose for living? Hiding in a box forever, until Christ comes? Don't you remember the story of the talent and how the one servant dug a hole and buried it - just because he was too terrified of losing it? And what did Christ say to him?

People, there is a reason we have fear... thanks to the bad things of this world we will always be fearful. But we will continue to fail until we start trying. And even if you start trying, there is not guarantee of success at first... but keep trying until you meet with a success unseen in common hours. You will be successful even if it takes you a million different ideas and a thousand different ways of doing things. However, you will not fail until you fail to try. So get out there and start trying!!!

Ask yourselves some questions this week (As I am doing as well):

1. Who are you?
2. Why are you here?
3. Where are you going?
4. Do you stand out in the crowd? If so, is it good or bad?
5. At the end of your life, what do you want to be remembered for?
6. If you were to stand before Christ today - what would He say to you? Would he be proud? Embarrassed? Disappointed?
7. And if He were to be one of the negatives - how can you change?

I suppose this wasn't much about my sermon.... but all of this has really been weighing on my heart for the past few days. Hope all of it made sense. Stay safe my friends, and remember that God loves you no matter where you are, what you've done, or who you've become.... and He will meet you wherever you are at - I promise.

Thankful

It's Turkey Day Fans.... and it's almost over for me. As with every other year I have overeaten and am now feeling it! I love this holiday, and this year was no different. I spent the day with my amazing family, and was able to get up, have some cinnamon rolls with Sister and soon to be Brother, Nathan. Then Mama Sue and I started cooking and getting everything set up for the evening meal. We had a 31 pound Turkey... he was a BEAST! But everything came together so well and we all so enjoyed ourselves. I love the fact that there is always some random group of people that we don't know very well - usualy Sue invites someone that doesn't have family in the area. It's exciting to get to know a new person and have a different dynamic at the dinner table each year. I LOVE IT!! :-)

So, in the mood of the season, here are the things I'm thankful for:
I'm thankful for friends and family
I'm thankful for my Christian Faith
I'm thankful for being able to live in this amazing country
I'm thankful for the troops that are fighting and sacrificing their time for us.
I'm thankful for music and the joy it brings me
I'm thankful for my job and the mental stimulation it always brings
I'm thankful for new books to read
I'm thankful for being able to cook
I'm thankful for the struggles I've been through in my past
I'm thankful for this year and all the things I've learned throughout it
I'm thankful for being so blessed emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially
I'm thankful for the Sacrifice Christ made for everyone over 2000 years ago.
I'm thankful for the freedom I have to write
I'm thankful for being able to be myself and have the freedoms that I, as a woman, have.
I'm honestly so thankful for everything in my life - because good or bad it's all going to teach me something.

What are you thankful for this year???

Quote of the day from Brother's and Sister's:

"The things and the people that are important your in life are those that you have to truly fight for"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! :-)

Something...

I heard this saying the other day, one of those cliche one's that you hear all the time, but for some reason it hit me as something I needed to learn.

"Stand for something or you'll fall for anything"

Wow! Is that not the truth? Looking back on years past I've realized that during the times in my life that I was struggling the most, I was the most lost. Unaware of who I was as a person, unresolved in the stand I needed to take, and confused about my role in this huge world. However, God has shown me through the years that when I'm faithful in standing firm for His plans for me and standing for the "something" He has called and directed me to, I'm a whole person - a person on a mission, a goal, and a focus - a person of success.

However, I often get back on the path well-traveled and two weeks, or two months, or even two years later I realize that what I am standing for is nothing.... nothing but myself. I'm taking the focus off the tasks I've been assigned, and I let myself wander from the very thing that I'm standing for. It's a constant uphill battle that is waged in the day-by-day grind that is my life. How do I keep my focus on the one thing that I'm standing for? How do I become successful at standing? I'm not quite sure... but I'm constantly on the learning curve and slowly, yet surely, I've been able to find out that I can get through anything when I realize that the one thing I'm standing for is my Jesus, my Savior, my Comfort, and my Strength. For with Him, I can do anything, and without Him I am nothing.

Teachings from the Pulpit Part 3

Well... Sunday again and more Jesus loving for one and all! I have forgotten how much I missed being 100% a part of the Church. I love the worship and the teaching and seeing people I haven't seen in awhile. Anyways... we finished up our Jonah reading today and here are some the great points/questions: How to Care about God's Grace (more than your reputation)

*Move your focus off yourself- "each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philipians 2:4
*Move your perspective to God's perspective - "We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, 'Be reconciled to God!'" - 2 Corinthians 5:20

1. Are you more concerned about what God thinks of you or what other people think of you?
2. Are you seeing people the way Christ sees them and not as lost causes?


*Recognize to move the focus off yourself, but move it to others- and your reputation will be blessed.

And the last thing on the docket that was so terrific is that once you are in the middle of your problems and struggles of everyday life don't get overwhelmed or angry at God for the issues going on in your life. Ask yourself - what can God teach me through this problem?

It's kind of short and sweet today, but I thought I'd share what I learned- pretty much don't be selfish - and love others more than yourself- look to the needs of others and your life will be greatly blessed in everyway. It's amazing and it's so true! I hope that I can share that compassion on you, my readers. Upward and Onward into the week!! :-)

A Daddy's Love

Well, here is the verse for today. It's been one of those weeks - I'm feeling overwhelmed with life in general and it's amazing how even in our most difficult times God has something to teach us. When we are overwhelmed and just beaten and confused - He is using those everyday problems to give us the compassion, love, respect, and equality with our brother's and sister's here on earth. Life's problems are given to us to help others who may go through the same or similiar circumstances. God doesn't want His children to hurt or to struggle, He only wants to bless us and keep us from the pain - He's our daddy, our one and only defense from the ugliness of this world.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


Count your mournings as blessings for with those mournings and struggles you will be Blessed. It may not be today or tomorrow, or even next year - but you will find joy in your darkest hours and you will find peace in the most tumultruous times in your life - Call Out to Jesus, Find that Missing Person within you, and Live the Life you were called to live - one worthy of the words "Well Done my Good and Faithful Servant".

Questions of all Questions

Fans... it's been a wonderful day filled with new items to ponder the brain about. I've been chatting with a friend of mine about possibly moving out when I graduate, instead of waiting for the planned 2009 move out. Thus, she began challenging me with the questions below, and she actually answered the questions on her own... it was terrific!

1. What are the pros and the cons of moving out?
Answer:
Pros- you build equity(if we decide to buy), you gain responsibility, you are in charge of everything, you answer to no one but yourself, you make all decisions, you learn about yourself, and it builds character for you to be out on your own without others holding you back.
Cons- Financial - you can't save as much money- but really, am I putting all the money I would spend on housing into a separate account to save for my future, relationally/companionship - you may not have anyone around to talk to

So honestly, the pros do outweigh the cons, and really the cons can be made into pros because you could have a roommate, and you will be more financially responsible this way. I thought she made a good argument - gotta love a friend that will challenge you!

2. What's holding you back from doing so or wanting do to so when you're done with school?

Now this is the kicker- what's holding me back? I feel like I can't leave because my family needs me - I'm the cook, the cleaner, the grocery store shopper, the organizer - how will my house run without me?

My friend was nice enough to explain that I'm hiding behind the needs of my family which are not even relevant because my mom has already lived without me for two years - she can take care of herself.

So I guess the only other reason is financial - right now I have too much stuff to pay for to move out, so I can't really think about doing so - however, there is no reason that 6 months down the road I can't make that transition into a new life and a new home....

3. And again with the questions, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I did say in an earlier post that I wanted to own a condo by the time 5 years comes around, so . . . what's the problem with owning one a little sooner than 5 years, right?

I know, this is a super random post, but I thought it was thought provoking. At least I learned something from the conversation - that I make FAR too many excuses in my daily life, and I need to learn to say no, grab life by the horns, and just do what's best for me, not for everyone else. Because the world will still be spinning even if I were not around - life goes on and I need to accept that! :-)

Realizations

In my Non-Profit class today I began to realize something. Actually, we had one of those days where we list out where we want to be in 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years down the road. And I was shocked at my answers - all this growth I've had in the past month is incredible... here's what I found out:

In 5 years, I'll be in my late twenties. And as I sat in that classroom I started writing things like: I want to own a condo, I want to start my own business, I want to write a book. Then I started thinking about my relationships and my future marriage to someone, and I was sitting there thinking "Oh no, I can't be married by 5 years... I'm still so young!". WOW! What a realization to have. A lot of my friends have gotten married recently, and I am so glad that each of them found the right person to fit their lifestyles. However, I find it difficult in the Christian community to discuss marriage. For some reason we have this thought in our mind, or this pressure from other's that we need to be married now - especially if we're in a relationship. That is just not the case for me. I could not be married right now... I still have so much growing to do, and honestly, I'm scared out of my mind for marriage. So from now on, I'm not worrying about what other people say about my relationships- me and my mate are the one's that will be making the decisions, and honestly it's none of anyone's business if and when we're getting married. I STILL HAVE TIME PEOPLE!!! Let me live my twenties and have some fun!

And 10 years, now that's where I'm thinking that I'll be married. I would probably like to have kids around 30 or so, and start a family. I want to be the #1 soccer mom - but still somehow connected to the business world (that's where my own business comes into play). In 10 years I want to have a house with some land somewhere, and still make time for my family and my friends.

And 20 years, I can't even think that far. It would be great to have enough money to be retired and start traveling the world. I'd love to see all the sites and just go out and have some fun with everything. I'll still be the #1 soccer mom, and I'll still be enjoying myself. I want to entertain a lot - have dinner parties with friends and business associates of my future husband. Honestly, I have no idea where I want to be in 20 years, but I want to be happy!

SO now I ask you, where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10? In 20? These are GREAT questions to ponder! :-)