Wednesday, October 18, 2006

time for a test!

It is time for a test! In my life I go through cycles. It all starts with a test. Next is a period of conquering. The third phase is peace. Then, the cycle starts over when another test arises. I might be confusing you, so let me further explain.

Like I said, it all starts with a test. Tests are a good gauge of where we're at in life. My pastor back home recently said, "You are in one of three places when it comes to trouble. You either you are in it, you just came out of it, or you are about to be in it." I see troubled times as tests.

Phase 1: The Test
In school and in work environments we are tested to gauge progress. The tests tell our teachers and bosses if we are ready to move on to the next task. Tests can come in all shapes and sizes. For me, it usually comes in the form of temptation. By this I mean that the tests, or in other words, the life lessons usually make me choose between taking matters into my own hands and letting God take control. Temptation is a struggle in my thought life more than anything. I tend to worry about things instead of trusting God with everything.

Phase 2: Coming Out of the Test
The second phase is conquering. Conquering is probably the hardest and most exciting part! You got an A+! You are ready to move on. Conquering takes so much time and effort. Conquering temptation is something that, at least in my life, can only come with the help of God. My Old Testament professor, Dr. Watson said this, "God doesn't call us to do anything we can do on our own." This is true for me. Without God I cannot conquer temptation. Without Him I cannot pass the tests of life.

Phase 3: Peace
Peace is my personal favorite! It is the sigh of relief after the test where I can close my eyes and really rest soundly. Peace is what I believe most people strive for. Peace usually doesn't last long though, so it should be cherished! Ah, peace. "Breathe in. Breathe out." I think peace is the reward given for persevering through the test. It is the few moments of peace that gear us up for the next fast approaching test. Enjoy it while it lasts!

I am currently in phase one! I thought to myself today, "Just when I thought I was in the clear another temptation/distraction arises. Just my luck!" The test phase for me is where I make a decision. After playing with the idea of straying away for just a little while I decide to let God have it. I cannot conquer temptation on my own. I choose to trust Him to take care of it. I believe that by doing this I will conquer and achieve peace a lot faster. There is a down-side. Deciding to let God take control doesn't mean the lesson will be easy. The lessons are meant to be challenging. With God, our faith and strength are made stronger so we can be prepared for the next test.

I love what Paul, Silas, and Timothy said to the church of the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 [Amplified Bible] "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), Comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word." I love this because it encourages us to stand firm in who God is, and to take hold of His favor in times of testing. Tests are necessary, and by the grace of God we can conquer them and achieve peace.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

pure (i am not the same)

I have been thinking a lot about what I feed my mind. What are the things that consume my thoughts? What purpose do those things serve? Do they build people up or tear them down?

It is so hard to escape worldly things. We are constantly surrounded with profanity, pornography, expectations of attractiveness, and trash on T.V. and in music. It is hard to think pure thoughts and act appropraiately when we are saturated with all of it. God does not condemn us for watching T.V. or listening to secular music. The Bible does say in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. If worldly things are changing who you are, or are hindering who Christ has called you to be, then there is something seriously wrong.

Ephesians 4:17-5:2 encourages us to live as children of light, and to imitate Christ. It says to put off the old self, with all the dirt and grime of the world, and to put on the righteousness of Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for all sin. It is because of this sacrifice that we are able to be pure in God's sight. There is forgiveness in him. Hallelujah for redemption! However, it is our responsibility to daily examine our lives (2 Corinthians 13:5) to make sure we are glorifying God with what we do and say. We have to rid ourselves of things that hinder us.

I am writing this because I am dealing with it right now. Sometimes I check my email so many times a day, but spend very little time reading the Word or doing homework. I get consumed by my favorite show and watch the characters live in sin. My attitude is so judgemental sometimes because the world has trained me to be. But here is the good news!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5:1). The world cannot have me! God has me! I am wraped in his arms and he loves me. I am pure in his eyes. I am washed clean from the dirt and grime.

I encourage you to examine your life. What are some things that hinder you? Just think about it.

Here is a little poem I wrote! Enjoy!

Pure (I am not the same)

What once was black
Now is white
The red that flowed
From the brightest eyes
Cleansed me pure
And won the fight
Between dark and light
Shades of gray
Now the purest white
I am not the same.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

you are beautiful

Beauty, in my mind, is the very essence of God displayed in creation. It is so impossible for me to look at the mountains, sunset, and human life without seeing God in it. I am captivated by the beauty of the Lord.

Mary (mother of Jesus) has been on my mind today. Luke 1:26-38 (Message Bible) tells of how Mary came to know she was pregnant with Jesus.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you. She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called 'Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob's house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom." Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man." The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. "And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her.

I am amazed by verse 30 in which the angel of the Lord, Gabriel said to Mary, "Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out!" What a way to wake up in the morning. First you have an angel of God in your room. Then, the angel tells you of your amazing beauty before telling you that you'll be impregnated by the Holy Spirit with the Son of God! I imagine Mary was a little overwhelmed by all this. I would be. I want to focus on Mary's awakening because it is a good example of what God really thinks of us, and how he takes us through our struggles.

For Mary and in my opinion most women, feeling beautiful is a struggle. Now, guys please understand that this is not me saying that all women feel ugly all the time. I just want to emphasize the importance of women knowing they are beautiful because God says they are. I can't even count the number of times I have felt insignificant, felt like someone else is prettier than me, wondered if I could turn heads when I walk into a room, or thought that I am not going to be pursued. I also can't count the number of times I have heard other girls say the same things. I love how Mary treated this situation. Her first response was, "why me?" She couldn't understand why God would choose her. God chose Mary because she was "beautiful inside and out". She accepted this challenge of carrying Jesus because she believed that God would take care of her. He called her favored and blessed.

This is how we should react in our struggles (easier said than done). We may not get to choose our circumstances, but God knows our hearts and he will follow through with all he has promised. He has called us beautiful and has surrounded us with his beautiful creation. He is beauty. He will reveal his beauty in us so that we may glorify him.

You are beautiful!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

My ALL

My ALL

My hands
My feet
My voice
My song
My dreams
My attitude
My goals
My everything

ALL you are is ALL I need
ALL the dreams your mind conceived
ALL the things I can't control
My heart
My soul
MY ALL

I give my ALL
For the sake of your cALL
Not for myself
But ALL for you

ALL you are is enough for me
ALL sacrifice upon that tree
ALL the worries, fears, and pains
My heart
My soul
My ALL

My hands
My feet
My voice
My song
My dreams
My attitude
My goals
My everything

I give my ALL
For the sake of your cALL
Not for myself
But ALL for you