It wasn't until the fall semester of my junior year that I began to love reading again. I used to love it when I was younger, but then we started doing AR and my love for it grew dim in most areas. One of my teachers had me read a book called 12 Pillars that sparked my interest in it once again. Since that time I have become a book fanatic, and have expanded my library by quite a large number.
You can tell the really good ones because they contain Godly principles in them, principles you find within the pages of the Bible. It's amazing how successful people have found God's Word to contain the very things they model their lives after. Many times, I would venture to say, they don't even know that it is a Biblical concept, but even if they don't know the origin they still find it to work in their life. It's incredible how much wisdom is contained in the Bible and how compact it is for its purpose.
One of my aunts said that she wanted me to make her a book list, I don't know how serious she was but here are some of my favorites:
The Bible (should be read over and over and over and over and over :] also different versions provide different perspectives.)
The Eternal Purpose by Jack Carter (You have to order it through his brother. I can get you the address.)
Anything by John Wooden my favorite is Wooden: Observations on and off the court
Monday Morning Choices by David Cottrell (not through but its been great!)
The University of Hard Knocks by Ralph Parlette
See You At the Top by Zig Ziglar
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris (they don't follow the Bible's plan of salvation, but everything else is just about right on the money)
5000 Year by Leap W. Cleon Skousen (first glimpse of the brilliance of the US Constitution)
Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
The Winner's Manual by Jim Tressel
I Dare You! by William Danforth
US Constitution (Its important we know it!)
As with any book that isn't the Bible each one has certain things that may not be 100% accurate, but I have found these to be inspiring, uplifting, and helpful in my own life. I believe the more we can learn from others the less we have to repeat their mistakes, and the more we can do with our own lives because of the insight that comes from other people's life experiences.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.
To Him belongs eternal praise." Psalm 111:10
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
May I Suggest You Stun the World
Dad and I were watching part of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium tonight (for those who have not seen it... it's a must!), and Mahoney said to Mr. Magorium, "I'm stuck." After she explained it to him, Mr. Magorium said to her, "May I suggest you stun the world." Can you imagine taking on this attitude every time life tried to knock you down? If you did, can you imagine staying down for long?
Something I have noticed a lot when bad things happen to people they ask "why?" But how much different would things be if we asked, "How?" "How can we use this to make us better, stronger, smarter?" "How do we use this to glorify God?"
I see a huge difference in my life in the times I ask the question why and the times I ask the question how. Asking why usually leaves me dissatisfied with present circumstances, unless I'm asking why to understand what to do with it. Sometimes dreams don't turn out as we originally planned, or they take longer to come about. Maybe that is to test us to see how bad we really want it, or maybe it is to lead us in another direction entirely. Whatever the case, I have seen in my life if I will seek God's glory and His will first, I have never been disappointed with His answers. So when life tries to knock you down, next time, may I suggest you stun the world.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:6 (RSV)
Something I have noticed a lot when bad things happen to people they ask "why?" But how much different would things be if we asked, "How?" "How can we use this to make us better, stronger, smarter?" "How do we use this to glorify God?"
I see a huge difference in my life in the times I ask the question why and the times I ask the question how. Asking why usually leaves me dissatisfied with present circumstances, unless I'm asking why to understand what to do with it. Sometimes dreams don't turn out as we originally planned, or they take longer to come about. Maybe that is to test us to see how bad we really want it, or maybe it is to lead us in another direction entirely. Whatever the case, I have seen in my life if I will seek God's glory and His will first, I have never been disappointed with His answers. So when life tries to knock you down, next time, may I suggest you stun the world.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:6 (RSV)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
All Good Things Take Time
"We tend to forget that all good things take time." ~John Wooden
Have you ever wished you could have exactly what you wanted exactly when you wanted it and then looked back and realized it would have been a total disaster had it worked out that way? The quote by John Wooden is so applicable to our daily lives, and is a great reminder that we should start today to become the person we want to be if we haven't already.
It can be so easy to get caught up in what we want that we forget to prepare for these very things. If we want to one day be a husband or a wife to someone are we becoming the person that will help them the most? If we want a certain job, are we learning what it takes to do that job well? If we want to be around people we respect, are we ourselves worthy of respect? I sometimes get so caught up in the things that haven't gone my way that I sometimes forget to see and use these times as opportunities and blessings rather than me just not getting my way.
Life isn't always fair. We don't always get what we want but if we can see past the moment and look for the good in it or at least how it can be used for good we will find ourselves much happier and more thankful for our present situations.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Have you ever wished you could have exactly what you wanted exactly when you wanted it and then looked back and realized it would have been a total disaster had it worked out that way? The quote by John Wooden is so applicable to our daily lives, and is a great reminder that we should start today to become the person we want to be if we haven't already.
It can be so easy to get caught up in what we want that we forget to prepare for these very things. If we want to one day be a husband or a wife to someone are we becoming the person that will help them the most? If we want a certain job, are we learning what it takes to do that job well? If we want to be around people we respect, are we ourselves worthy of respect? I sometimes get so caught up in the things that haven't gone my way that I sometimes forget to see and use these times as opportunities and blessings rather than me just not getting my way.
Life isn't always fair. We don't always get what we want but if we can see past the moment and look for the good in it or at least how it can be used for good we will find ourselves much happier and more thankful for our present situations.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Friday, July 23, 2010
"A Charge to Keep I Have"
There is a poem titled "A Little Fellow Follows Me" that was one of John Wooden's favorites. It talks about how we are each a role model to someone, and the last line goes, "I must remember as I go, through summer's sun and winter's snow; I'm building for the years to be that little chap who follows me." What a great thought, and one that is sometimes overlooked. It's easy to forget that our lives and what we do touches so many others for the good or the bad.
There's a verse in Luke that talks about those who have been given much, will have much demanded from them. It's a serious responsibility and not one to be taken lightly, but at the same time it is not something we need to stress over either. One of the most amazing things about God's word is that He places the responsibility on the individual making both sides responsible for what they do rather than what the other person does.
It's cool though to think that God has trusted us with so much. He allows us to influence others for the good or the bad and then let's us choose which we will do. Hopefully we will always choose the good, however as is sometimes the case we will make mistakes. What is so wonderful about God's grace is when we come to Him on His terms and seek forgiveness we no longer have to feel guilty about making that mistake and can actually take the lesson from it and apply it to our life so that we can help others be better. May we keep in mind that what we do affects others and strive to do the best we can in everything! :]
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." ~ Luke 12:48b
There's a verse in Luke that talks about those who have been given much, will have much demanded from them. It's a serious responsibility and not one to be taken lightly, but at the same time it is not something we need to stress over either. One of the most amazing things about God's word is that He places the responsibility on the individual making both sides responsible for what they do rather than what the other person does.
It's cool though to think that God has trusted us with so much. He allows us to influence others for the good or the bad and then let's us choose which we will do. Hopefully we will always choose the good, however as is sometimes the case we will make mistakes. What is so wonderful about God's grace is when we come to Him on His terms and seek forgiveness we no longer have to feel guilty about making that mistake and can actually take the lesson from it and apply it to our life so that we can help others be better. May we keep in mind that what we do affects others and strive to do the best we can in everything! :]
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." ~ Luke 12:48b
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Love for God Gives Perspective
We just got back from our annual teen trip with the youth group (which is why I haven't wrote in a while). It is always interesting to see how things work out, and how the things you just expect to work out (like campsites) don't always, but the things you weren't exactly sure about work out better than you could have imagined. Every year we gain more people and lose some that we miss a lot, but every year it is cool to see how the different group bonds and forms friendships that aren't likely to form going through the everyday routines we normally go through.
One of the things I love so much about it is that the peer pressure is to do the right thing. It is directed to help us grow and to become better people. Not to mention it is so much fun! During one of our nightly devos the comment was made that this was about as close to heaven as you can get. Good friends, good food, beautiful scenery, and not a care in the world. Not that nothing wrong occurred. We had our fair share of excitement and frustrations, but the way that things were handled caused even those things to seem minor in comparison to the good things.
This is what Christianity is all about. God gives us His word so that we will know how to live a better life, and so that we can help others to live that better life as well. It's not so we can look down our noses with a holier than thou attitude, but rather that we strive to be the best that we can be for the Lord and we expect others to do the same because it is in their best interest.
One of the coolest things about God's word is that it is so applicable in our daily lives and is constantly around us. If you see a principle that works, you can bet that you will find it within the pages of the Bible. God tells us what will work and what will not. Which is why people, even unGodly people, can do things and be successful, because God's plan was made to have people excel. However it just doesn't work as well without God at the very center of everything we do. We can learn how to do all the right things, but if we forget to love our God with everything we have, while things might still work out well many times, we will have missed out on the reason we are here, and we will find that we have an emptiness inside our hearts that God is longing to fill. When God is first though, things work so much better. It's not that things always go our way and that bad things never happen, but rather that we have the proper perspective of what we are here for, and that makes all the difference.
"...God our Savior, Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
~ 2 Timothy 3b-4 (NIV) Our duty is to love God, but its not one way. He loves us more than we can comprehend.
One of the things I love so much about it is that the peer pressure is to do the right thing. It is directed to help us grow and to become better people. Not to mention it is so much fun! During one of our nightly devos the comment was made that this was about as close to heaven as you can get. Good friends, good food, beautiful scenery, and not a care in the world. Not that nothing wrong occurred. We had our fair share of excitement and frustrations, but the way that things were handled caused even those things to seem minor in comparison to the good things.
This is what Christianity is all about. God gives us His word so that we will know how to live a better life, and so that we can help others to live that better life as well. It's not so we can look down our noses with a holier than thou attitude, but rather that we strive to be the best that we can be for the Lord and we expect others to do the same because it is in their best interest.
One of the coolest things about God's word is that it is so applicable in our daily lives and is constantly around us. If you see a principle that works, you can bet that you will find it within the pages of the Bible. God tells us what will work and what will not. Which is why people, even unGodly people, can do things and be successful, because God's plan was made to have people excel. However it just doesn't work as well without God at the very center of everything we do. We can learn how to do all the right things, but if we forget to love our God with everything we have, while things might still work out well many times, we will have missed out on the reason we are here, and we will find that we have an emptiness inside our hearts that God is longing to fill. When God is first though, things work so much better. It's not that things always go our way and that bad things never happen, but rather that we have the proper perspective of what we are here for, and that makes all the difference.
"...God our Savior, Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
~ 2 Timothy 3b-4 (NIV) Our duty is to love God, but its not one way. He loves us more than we can comprehend.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Impeccable Timing in Action
A few nights ago I wrote about impeccable timing. Over the past few months I have been able to witness God's impeccable timing in the life of my best friend who got engaged tonight. :] It has been a fun ride with her! We have had many a late night conversation about practically every subject imaginable, but guys was definitely in the top 2 of things we talked about the most. I still remember driving around with her looking at Christmas lights after meeting her now fiance, and her talking about him, but not really ready to let herself start liking another guy that might not be the one God had planned for her. After they had been talking for quite a while and built up a friendship they began to date. Things progressed and they fell in love and then a couple months later they got engaged.
It was cool though to be on this side of things. I got to watch a love story unfold, but it was nothing like what I watch on television. Throughout every piece of it I saw them give their relationship over to God. I saw the type of leader he is trying to be. From the very beginning he would ask her to pray about the relationship before taking it a step further. What is intriguing is if I understand correctly it was her comment to him on facebook chat that she would pray for him and he could pray for her when he really started to like her. I saw through all of that the deep commitment to honor God with every step. I was able to watch as different challenges arose within the relationship where they both knew that if it didn't work out where they could serve God best together they would have to move on with their lives apart. It's my belief that that was the reason things worked out so smoothly.
Hollywood likes to paint pictures of romances where the guy is perfect. He says the right thing at the right time. Never ever has an awkward moment. Knows the instant he sees her that she is who he wants and sweeps her off her feet. They paint the girls pretty much the same. Knowing exactly when to flirt and when to act like the guy doesn't exist. Able to play the "dating game" perfectly so that the guy never even has a chance. To me though, it seems that there is something usually unsettling about the way Hollywood does romance. I believe what it is, is so often its a guy and a girl from two different sets of values willingly compromise their beliefs in order to be with "the one." The God-honoring relationship however is willing to give up "the one" in order to be pleasing to their God. (Yet in the end often doesn't have to if both sides are that committed to serving God on His terms.)
It has been such a joy to see the answers God has given with this relationship in the events leading up to their meeting to the way things have worked out since. It's comforting to watch God bless others with the things you want in your own life (whether you want them now or just eventually someday) because it gives you a glimpse of His goodness in answering prayers and just a taste of what your own future will be like. It's ok to want the same type things to happen in your own life but never begrudge others happiness for one day it will be your happiness that you will want others to share in your own joy as well as to remember what it was like when you yourself wanted the very thing you are getting. That is something she has been so good about is still being aware of others around her.
What an awesome God we serve! :]
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
It was cool though to be on this side of things. I got to watch a love story unfold, but it was nothing like what I watch on television. Throughout every piece of it I saw them give their relationship over to God. I saw the type of leader he is trying to be. From the very beginning he would ask her to pray about the relationship before taking it a step further. What is intriguing is if I understand correctly it was her comment to him on facebook chat that she would pray for him and he could pray for her when he really started to like her. I saw through all of that the deep commitment to honor God with every step. I was able to watch as different challenges arose within the relationship where they both knew that if it didn't work out where they could serve God best together they would have to move on with their lives apart. It's my belief that that was the reason things worked out so smoothly.
Hollywood likes to paint pictures of romances where the guy is perfect. He says the right thing at the right time. Never ever has an awkward moment. Knows the instant he sees her that she is who he wants and sweeps her off her feet. They paint the girls pretty much the same. Knowing exactly when to flirt and when to act like the guy doesn't exist. Able to play the "dating game" perfectly so that the guy never even has a chance. To me though, it seems that there is something usually unsettling about the way Hollywood does romance. I believe what it is, is so often its a guy and a girl from two different sets of values willingly compromise their beliefs in order to be with "the one." The God-honoring relationship however is willing to give up "the one" in order to be pleasing to their God. (Yet in the end often doesn't have to if both sides are that committed to serving God on His terms.)
It has been such a joy to see the answers God has given with this relationship in the events leading up to their meeting to the way things have worked out since. It's comforting to watch God bless others with the things you want in your own life (whether you want them now or just eventually someday) because it gives you a glimpse of His goodness in answering prayers and just a taste of what your own future will be like. It's ok to want the same type things to happen in your own life but never begrudge others happiness for one day it will be your happiness that you will want others to share in your own joy as well as to remember what it was like when you yourself wanted the very thing you are getting. That is something she has been so good about is still being aware of others around her.
What an awesome God we serve! :]
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Pray Continually
Sometimes I get going in life and things seem to be going really good. Ironically during these times I sometimes forget what got me there and stop doing what I was doing to get there. lol It's kind of like losing weight. You start losing a few pounds and think you are doing good so you start eating a desert or two more than you had been. After all "you deserve it." How often I do the same type thing with my spiritual life. Things start going good in life, and I stop praying as much or reading my Bible a little less because I can "afford" to.
It's always interesting to me to look back at the things I have prayed for over the years, and to see the ways God has answered those prayers. He amazes me over and over by His answers. Some of the things I used to struggle with have become almost second nature after having prayed about it for a while. It's amazing how much easier things can become the more I pray about things- not necessarily overnight but with persistent prayer things seem to just fall into place. It's no wonder. We pray to the Creator of the Universe. The One who was able to align the planets and the sun perfectly so that it all works correctly and never fails. How much more can He deliver us from our simple problems that often seem so big at the time? It amazes me too that He wants us to pray to Him. He loves us dearly and wants the best for us. May we continue to strive to live our life for Him during the good times and the bad and have the perseverance not to let the so called little things slip simply because we don't "feel" like we need it at the time.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~2 Thessalonians 5:16-18
It's always interesting to me to look back at the things I have prayed for over the years, and to see the ways God has answered those prayers. He amazes me over and over by His answers. Some of the things I used to struggle with have become almost second nature after having prayed about it for a while. It's amazing how much easier things can become the more I pray about things- not necessarily overnight but with persistent prayer things seem to just fall into place. It's no wonder. We pray to the Creator of the Universe. The One who was able to align the planets and the sun perfectly so that it all works correctly and never fails. How much more can He deliver us from our simple problems that often seem so big at the time? It amazes me too that He wants us to pray to Him. He loves us dearly and wants the best for us. May we continue to strive to live our life for Him during the good times and the bad and have the perseverance not to let the so called little things slip simply because we don't "feel" like we need it at the time.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~2 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Impeccable Timing
Most of the time when I pray I expect the answer to come almost as soon as I finish. I'll read in the Bible about different accounts where before they even finish praying the answer comes. I remember especially the account of Abraham's servant going to find Isaac a wife, and how after arriving at his destination he prayed to the Lord about finding her. The account says, "Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out..." (Gen 24:15) I read stories like these and have even had some of my prayers answered like this in the past, and parts of me comes to expect it at times. However this is not always how God answers prayers.
Something I have to begun to see is that God rarely answers my prayers the way I think would be best. In every instance He has far exceeded my expectations, but I sometimes fail to see it in the moment. I was watching a chick flick which rekindled this thought within me. The girl was at a wedding that she had done the flower arrangements for and the preacher came up and was talking to her about her own wedding. She said kind of wistfully, "Well, I have to find him first." He replied, "Maybe he'll find you."
When I first went to college, I had it all planned out. I was going to get there find the man of my dreams, get married, have kids and be a stay-at-home mom. My major never really was a big deal to me, because honestly, I never thought it would be too much of a factor. But what I didn't plan on happening happened and I soon found myself out of college not even dating with no signs that I will be married anytime in the near future.
To some this fact could seem super depressing to have plans that you were wanting, even planning upon, to not work out, but the reality of this is far from depressing. You see, throughout this time, I and many others have been praying that I would find a good Christian man to marry, but even more than that, we have prayed for God's will to be done. Since there is not even a man I am dating right now, it is obviously not God's will that I be married at the moment, or I would be. The really cool thing is that God's plan for our lives is so much better than the ones we could ever have for ourselves. At the present I am in the town that I love with people that I love doing things that I love, and while there may be down moments the overall thing is that I am incredibly blessed.
The point of all this isn't that I'm hoping since I wrote this my knight in shining armor will just ride up tomorrow and sweep me off my feet. Rather it is my attempt to show the depth of God's love in our lives. No matter what the plans we have in our lives whether we're single and hoping that one day we will find the one who will help us serve God in the best ways possible together or whether we have found that helpmate and are searching for something else like a job or have a loved one that is sick and not recovering as quickly as we hoped or... Whatever the plans we have for our lives, we can rest assured in the fact that God is the Creator of the Universe. He created each one of our very existences, and He can guide them in the ways that He sees fit to do so, and when we ask for His will, He gives it to us. No matter what whether quick or drawn out periods of time we can rest assured knowing that God has impeccable timing.
"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 (NIV)
Something I have to begun to see is that God rarely answers my prayers the way I think would be best. In every instance He has far exceeded my expectations, but I sometimes fail to see it in the moment. I was watching a chick flick which rekindled this thought within me. The girl was at a wedding that she had done the flower arrangements for and the preacher came up and was talking to her about her own wedding. She said kind of wistfully, "Well, I have to find him first." He replied, "Maybe he'll find you."
When I first went to college, I had it all planned out. I was going to get there find the man of my dreams, get married, have kids and be a stay-at-home mom. My major never really was a big deal to me, because honestly, I never thought it would be too much of a factor. But what I didn't plan on happening happened and I soon found myself out of college not even dating with no signs that I will be married anytime in the near future.
To some this fact could seem super depressing to have plans that you were wanting, even planning upon, to not work out, but the reality of this is far from depressing. You see, throughout this time, I and many others have been praying that I would find a good Christian man to marry, but even more than that, we have prayed for God's will to be done. Since there is not even a man I am dating right now, it is obviously not God's will that I be married at the moment, or I would be. The really cool thing is that God's plan for our lives is so much better than the ones we could ever have for ourselves. At the present I am in the town that I love with people that I love doing things that I love, and while there may be down moments the overall thing is that I am incredibly blessed.
The point of all this isn't that I'm hoping since I wrote this my knight in shining armor will just ride up tomorrow and sweep me off my feet. Rather it is my attempt to show the depth of God's love in our lives. No matter what the plans we have in our lives whether we're single and hoping that one day we will find the one who will help us serve God in the best ways possible together or whether we have found that helpmate and are searching for something else like a job or have a loved one that is sick and not recovering as quickly as we hoped or... Whatever the plans we have for our lives, we can rest assured in the fact that God is the Creator of the Universe. He created each one of our very existences, and He can guide them in the ways that He sees fit to do so, and when we ask for His will, He gives it to us. No matter what whether quick or drawn out periods of time we can rest assured knowing that God has impeccable timing.
"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 (NIV)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
What Will We Leave Behind?
Ever since my Uncle Foy's funeral I have started giving funerals a lot more thought... Mine in particular. Maybe that seems like a morbid thing, but like my dad said this morning at one of my good friend's grandmother's funeral, "Death is the fate of us all." It's not really a morbid thing. It is just a fact of life.
The reason Uncle Foy's funeral left such a lasting impression on me, I think, was because of the attitude he had with it. He didn't want the funeral to be about him, rather he wanted it to glorify God. It was one of the most profound things I have ever been to, not because of the numbers although there were a lot of people there. It was in what was said, and unsaid. The love of the family for this man, but what was so intriguing was his love for the Lord, and that even in his departing of this earth, he strove to have others come to know the God he loved.
This is what I want my legacy to be about. I want my life to be something that inspires people to live in view of our Savior Jesus Christ not so that people can talk about me years from now, but so that we can be praising our Savior together one day in Heaven. This truly is what we are here for: to be with God one day in Heaven and to help as many others along the way as we can. I can't think of any words I want to hear more than "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21 NIV)
The reason Uncle Foy's funeral left such a lasting impression on me, I think, was because of the attitude he had with it. He didn't want the funeral to be about him, rather he wanted it to glorify God. It was one of the most profound things I have ever been to, not because of the numbers although there were a lot of people there. It was in what was said, and unsaid. The love of the family for this man, but what was so intriguing was his love for the Lord, and that even in his departing of this earth, he strove to have others come to know the God he loved.
This is what I want my legacy to be about. I want my life to be something that inspires people to live in view of our Savior Jesus Christ not so that people can talk about me years from now, but so that we can be praising our Savior together one day in Heaven. This truly is what we are here for: to be with God one day in Heaven and to help as many others along the way as we can. I can't think of any words I want to hear more than "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21 NIV)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Driver in Need of Directions
It was the second day of our vaction and we were heading out for a nice peaceful morning of hiking and enjoying the scenery before having a picnic lunch in the mountains. I forget what happened prior to me getting in the van, I'm sure was doing something productive like making sure all the food for the picnic made it in the back or something, whatever it was I wound up being the last one to the car with my grandad in the backseat dangling the car keys for me to take. And so it began... "Last one in the car has to drive!" haha
Driving in the mountains isn't nearly as harrowing as riding in the passenger seat is sometimes, however when you couple not knowing where you are going with listening to five different people telling you where they each think you should go at the same time, and then taking each one's advice to varying degrees, the passengers are sure to pay you back for the experience.
I began the journey with one voice in the back telling me to just go forward and then turn around and another voice telling me to go straight. Straight was definitely easier for me. I went with that one. Soon I found myself on a one lane street just praying that no one was coming the other direction. (It was answered yes- I was so grateful!) However we soon came to a rather steep decline for the vehicle we were in and I was faced with a decision. A voice in the front told me very assuredly that we could not make it down the hill and a voice in the back told me that we better not try so I looked for my other options. To my left was a steep incline which I was positive was not a good option for turning around because of the nice little drop off to my right. Lol I can just see us all now dangling in a precarious position from that turn around. My only other option was to back up.
So back up I did. Once again no one was coming from the direction we just came. As I was backing up I hear a few more voices from those on my right, "Now you know there's a drop off over here right?" "Yes" "Ok just checking!" After backing a little ways down the road I find a nice little area to turn around in. So I begin to back in and then pull forward to turn around. "BACK UP! BACK UP!" I hear a voice from the front say. "You're getting too close to the edge. I can't even see my eyes are covered. Oh, someone get me a blindfold!" lol very reassuring. Just for the record I made the turn fine and we all made it safely headed in the other direction. The cars come at this point but were able to pass after I backed up once again. I can just hear them now, "Stupid Texas drivers."
The rest of the story I will leave to your imagination, but involves a long winding road, a suggestion to pull over, "RIGHT THERE! RIGHT THERE!", and the smell of burning brakes (which were not mine, but led to no small excitement for a moment or two.)
As I was thinking about it all I began to realize that the way I reacted to most of the situations was how I act often in life. I listen for the voice that tells me either the way I want to go or the easiest way and follow it. Unfortunately this is not always the right way to go, it can be at times but isn't always. With things as insignificant as excursions to a good hiking spot it isn't always a big deal if we don't know the direction we are headed. It just gives us a fun story to tell later. However with more important things, like our soul, it is imperative that we know we are headed in the right direction. For the soul is much too important to leave in the hands of men's altering and sometimes contradictory directions. We must seek God and His directions through careful study and through prayer to see the paths He has laid in store for our life.
"This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16a (NIV)
Driving in the mountains isn't nearly as harrowing as riding in the passenger seat is sometimes, however when you couple not knowing where you are going with listening to five different people telling you where they each think you should go at the same time, and then taking each one's advice to varying degrees, the passengers are sure to pay you back for the experience.
I began the journey with one voice in the back telling me to just go forward and then turn around and another voice telling me to go straight. Straight was definitely easier for me. I went with that one. Soon I found myself on a one lane street just praying that no one was coming the other direction. (It was answered yes- I was so grateful!) However we soon came to a rather steep decline for the vehicle we were in and I was faced with a decision. A voice in the front told me very assuredly that we could not make it down the hill and a voice in the back told me that we better not try so I looked for my other options. To my left was a steep incline which I was positive was not a good option for turning around because of the nice little drop off to my right. Lol I can just see us all now dangling in a precarious position from that turn around. My only other option was to back up.
So back up I did. Once again no one was coming from the direction we just came. As I was backing up I hear a few more voices from those on my right, "Now you know there's a drop off over here right?" "Yes" "Ok just checking!" After backing a little ways down the road I find a nice little area to turn around in. So I begin to back in and then pull forward to turn around. "BACK UP! BACK UP!" I hear a voice from the front say. "You're getting too close to the edge. I can't even see my eyes are covered. Oh, someone get me a blindfold!" lol very reassuring. Just for the record I made the turn fine and we all made it safely headed in the other direction. The cars come at this point but were able to pass after I backed up once again. I can just hear them now, "Stupid Texas drivers."
The rest of the story I will leave to your imagination, but involves a long winding road, a suggestion to pull over, "RIGHT THERE! RIGHT THERE!", and the smell of burning brakes (which were not mine, but led to no small excitement for a moment or two.)
As I was thinking about it all I began to realize that the way I reacted to most of the situations was how I act often in life. I listen for the voice that tells me either the way I want to go or the easiest way and follow it. Unfortunately this is not always the right way to go, it can be at times but isn't always. With things as insignificant as excursions to a good hiking spot it isn't always a big deal if we don't know the direction we are headed. It just gives us a fun story to tell later. However with more important things, like our soul, it is imperative that we know we are headed in the right direction. For the soul is much too important to leave in the hands of men's altering and sometimes contradictory directions. We must seek God and His directions through careful study and through prayer to see the paths He has laid in store for our life.
"This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16a (NIV)
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Well I Believe I Have Been Patient Long Enough!
Have you ever thought to yourself that you have been patient long enough? I think those are like famous last words or something because they never turn out that well. They always seem to get me into trouble anyways. I guess in hindsight, thinking that we can choose how long to be patient kind of defeats the purpose of the word, but that hasn't always stopped me from not only thinking but also acting upon those words. However it is not a phrase I would recommend allowing our thoughts to seriously entertain because they have a way of coming true if we are not careful to steer our minds away from them, and the thought leads to less than desirable results.
There is a difference in being patient "long enough" and being complacent. Often times I get used to things as they are and don't try to improve them because I just don't think or want to. These are the things I need to change, and not be complacent in. However patience is the idea of doing the right thing, no matter how long we have to do it, and in view of God's terms (the ones He has laid forth in the Bible) the right thing cannot be improved upon although sometimes we may acquire more skill in carrying it out. Patience is one of those things I am striving to become better at. Somedays I fail quite miserably at it, but God's grace allows me to seek forgiveness and try again. What I am learning is that it is a lifelong pursuit. The details might change a bit here and there lol which sometimes throws me off a little. The concept never does though, which may in fact allow us to see easier the way to avoid some of the pitfalls if we learn better how to apply the concept.
"We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." ~Hebrews 6:12
There is a difference in being patient "long enough" and being complacent. Often times I get used to things as they are and don't try to improve them because I just don't think or want to. These are the things I need to change, and not be complacent in. However patience is the idea of doing the right thing, no matter how long we have to do it, and in view of God's terms (the ones He has laid forth in the Bible) the right thing cannot be improved upon although sometimes we may acquire more skill in carrying it out. Patience is one of those things I am striving to become better at. Somedays I fail quite miserably at it, but God's grace allows me to seek forgiveness and try again. What I am learning is that it is a lifelong pursuit. The details might change a bit here and there lol which sometimes throws me off a little. The concept never does though, which may in fact allow us to see easier the way to avoid some of the pitfalls if we learn better how to apply the concept.
"We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." ~Hebrews 6:12
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Before I Can Do, First I Must Be
I read that quote in a book called The Winner's Manual by Jim Tressel, and it got me to thinking about my own life. Having just graduated and having answered the question: "So what's next?" with "I'm not sure yet" I don't know how many times, the reality of this statement is actually fairly comforting. So often in life we try to put the cart before the horse. It's not that the cart is not important, but rather that most things work best in a certain order. (Just ask my dad about his website sometime.)
This idea of "being" is not for bragging rights though. If that is all we are working toward is people looking and thinking highly of us we have missed the boat. Often times people will think highly of us as a result but that is just an added by product. The point of self-improvement is to become the best we are capable of becoming. It's the idea of daily pushing ourselves to be a little bit better. Not better than the guy next to us. Better than the one we see everyday in the mirror.
Something that my parents instilled in us from a very early age first by example and then by encouragement that helped us kids to achieve that was three very simple but pretty life changing things when applied daily. The first is to read the Bible everyday. What better way can we learn about our Heavenly Father and His Son who died so we could have a hope of eternity with Him than by going to His inspired Word to find out His will for our lives? Through it we find out how God has commanded us to live... it's not optional if we want the rewards... but the rewards are incredible even if they don't prove to have immediate gratification.
The next thing is to pray often about everything. There are so many different things to pray about so I can actually save it for another day, but just a few that have made an impact on me are: pray for God's will to be done ~ who knows better what we need than the Creator Himself? Pray for wisdom, not only that we'll have it but that we will use it well. Give thanks and praise for the answers and daily blessings God gives.
Third be with the church as often as you can. Find the place where you can worship as close to how the Bible teaches and go to all the worship services you can make as well as spend as much time with brethren as you can. Yes we still have to go out into the world to teach, but being with fellow brothers and sisters-in-Christ helps keep us from becoming of the world.
Like I said above these things don't necessarily make you better than the person next to you, but they are pretty much guaranteed to make you better than you were today. It's a gradual process. Like planting an oak tree today and understanding that it will not be full grown tomorrow. It's an investment for your future and the future's of those you will inevitably touch.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever! Amen" ~2 Peter 3:18
This idea of "being" is not for bragging rights though. If that is all we are working toward is people looking and thinking highly of us we have missed the boat. Often times people will think highly of us as a result but that is just an added by product. The point of self-improvement is to become the best we are capable of becoming. It's the idea of daily pushing ourselves to be a little bit better. Not better than the guy next to us. Better than the one we see everyday in the mirror.
Something that my parents instilled in us from a very early age first by example and then by encouragement that helped us kids to achieve that was three very simple but pretty life changing things when applied daily. The first is to read the Bible everyday. What better way can we learn about our Heavenly Father and His Son who died so we could have a hope of eternity with Him than by going to His inspired Word to find out His will for our lives? Through it we find out how God has commanded us to live... it's not optional if we want the rewards... but the rewards are incredible even if they don't prove to have immediate gratification.
The next thing is to pray often about everything. There are so many different things to pray about so I can actually save it for another day, but just a few that have made an impact on me are: pray for God's will to be done ~ who knows better what we need than the Creator Himself? Pray for wisdom, not only that we'll have it but that we will use it well. Give thanks and praise for the answers and daily blessings God gives.
Third be with the church as often as you can. Find the place where you can worship as close to how the Bible teaches and go to all the worship services you can make as well as spend as much time with brethren as you can. Yes we still have to go out into the world to teach, but being with fellow brothers and sisters-in-Christ helps keep us from becoming of the world.
Like I said above these things don't necessarily make you better than the person next to you, but they are pretty much guaranteed to make you better than you were today. It's a gradual process. Like planting an oak tree today and understanding that it will not be full grown tomorrow. It's an investment for your future and the future's of those you will inevitably touch.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever! Amen" ~2 Peter 3:18
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Fireworks
Lol this was one of the main things I wanted to blog about and now that I get to it I don't know how to put it, but I was thinking a couple years ago as I was watching fireworks how the things we do affect not only us but those around us as well. Sometimes we are the ones "setting off the fireworks" so to speak. Some know it is us who are setting them off while others only are able to see the pretty display and enjoy it from a distance never knowing exactly who it is setting them off and maybe not even caring (which is ok!). Other times we are the ones watching the display and enjoying what others are doing whether we know who set them off or not. The thing is that what we do on a daily basis not only affects us but it affects so many people around us. Sometimes it may even seem insignificant what we are doing, but I'll tell you: this year with all the rain most of the fireworks have been cancelled, and the Fourth of July without fireworks is just not the same. It leaves a void. The same is true when we stop doing the things we are meant to be doing. There is a void where we know something should be. It may even be that some are not happy that we are setting them off, but that is also how it is in life. When we strive to do good deeds, some are going to be annoyed, but that should never stop us from trying to do the best we can. It can also show that something good at the wrong place and time can be bad.
The sermon I heard tonight was on our legacy... What will our legacy be? Will it be something that people from blocks away can look at and enjoy or will it be an empty void with the feeling that something great should have been there? Let us strive to leave a legacy that will affect (for the good) as many as we possibly can.
"In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden." ~1 Timothy 5:25
The sermon I heard tonight was on our legacy... What will our legacy be? Will it be something that people from blocks away can look at and enjoy or will it be an empty void with the feeling that something great should have been there? Let us strive to leave a legacy that will affect (for the good) as many as we possibly can.
"In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden." ~1 Timothy 5:25
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Serendipities of Life
I looked up the word serendipity in the dictionary and came across this definition: "an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident." The wonderful thing about living is that these desirable discoveries don't have to happen by accident. They can happen on a daily basis by choosing to find the good that can come out of every situation rather than focusing on the things that didn't go our way.
Dad has given me many things to think about over the years. I think one of my favorites is the idea that when we pray for God's will about something, and it doesn't happen how we hoped, it just means that God has something better in store for us. lol I can't tell you what a comfort that has been over the years especially with different guys I wanted to date that didn't work out. That concept applies to other areas as well, like this week with my lawn mowing business. I came to Lubbock in hopes of mowing several lawns and heading back to Happy by last night. What happened was I got rained out and am waiting around for the grass to dry out enough to mow it. Inconvenience? Yeah, kind of puts my Cloudcroft trip with the family up in the air, but it also allowed me to hang out with good friends I haven't been able to see much this summer, make a couple dresses for our craft fair coming up in July, and start a blog. Not to mention that it will probably allow the grass to grow really well for at least the rest of the month if not the summer bringing in even more business. That's what I love about being a servant of God. Even if we aren't seeing it at the time, His goodness is always there in abundance... We just have to train ourselves to look for it.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." ~Romans 8:28
Dad has given me many things to think about over the years. I think one of my favorites is the idea that when we pray for God's will about something, and it doesn't happen how we hoped, it just means that God has something better in store for us. lol I can't tell you what a comfort that has been over the years especially with different guys I wanted to date that didn't work out. That concept applies to other areas as well, like this week with my lawn mowing business. I came to Lubbock in hopes of mowing several lawns and heading back to Happy by last night. What happened was I got rained out and am waiting around for the grass to dry out enough to mow it. Inconvenience? Yeah, kind of puts my Cloudcroft trip with the family up in the air, but it also allowed me to hang out with good friends I haven't been able to see much this summer, make a couple dresses for our craft fair coming up in July, and start a blog. Not to mention that it will probably allow the grass to grow really well for at least the rest of the month if not the summer bringing in even more business. That's what I love about being a servant of God. Even if we aren't seeing it at the time, His goodness is always there in abundance... We just have to train ourselves to look for it.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." ~Romans 8:28
Friday, July 2, 2010
Purpose: An Intended or Desired Result
"Why?" A three year old's favorite question. They want to know everything from why the sky is blue to why a dog barks and doesn't moo to why we want them to stop asking why. It's such a simple question, but when we come across the true answer to that particular question it can be the difference between doing something out of a half-hearted attempt to igniting a passion that can fuel us to become the best that we can be.
So why a blog? I don't have a great reason really. I just have learned that I communicate best through writing, and while I am trying to work on the other aspects of communication, I'm a believer in using the strengths we have been given and working on the weaker spots until they become strong as well (usually that comes with a lot of prayer over a period of time, and then I wake up one day realizing that its not as hard as it used to be).
I called it Ramblings of a Happy girl because I have a feeling it will cover a huge range of topics anywhere from basketball, to business, to politics and probably everything in between. My hope is that in all things God can be glorified by the words that I write and the thoughts that people take with them.... Happy girl serves a dual purpose. I grew up in Happy and absolutely love that little town! I also think it is important to focus on the positives in life, and while there are many things that bring grief or disappointment in this life, there is a God who offers peace and happiness for all those willing to live life on His terms.
Something I have discovered about focusing on the purpose in any endeavor is it keeps us from dwelling on all the bad things that can pop up along the way. The more we focus on the reason we do what we do, the more we seek solutions rather than excuses, and see the blessings rather than the disappointments, and the more energy we have to accomplish what we set out to do. It's easy to say, harder to do, but like anything else it gets easier the more we do it.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
~Philippians 4:8
So why a blog? I don't have a great reason really. I just have learned that I communicate best through writing, and while I am trying to work on the other aspects of communication, I'm a believer in using the strengths we have been given and working on the weaker spots until they become strong as well (usually that comes with a lot of prayer over a period of time, and then I wake up one day realizing that its not as hard as it used to be).
I called it Ramblings of a Happy girl because I have a feeling it will cover a huge range of topics anywhere from basketball, to business, to politics and probably everything in between. My hope is that in all things God can be glorified by the words that I write and the thoughts that people take with them.... Happy girl serves a dual purpose. I grew up in Happy and absolutely love that little town! I also think it is important to focus on the positives in life, and while there are many things that bring grief or disappointment in this life, there is a God who offers peace and happiness for all those willing to live life on His terms.
Something I have discovered about focusing on the purpose in any endeavor is it keeps us from dwelling on all the bad things that can pop up along the way. The more we focus on the reason we do what we do, the more we seek solutions rather than excuses, and see the blessings rather than the disappointments, and the more energy we have to accomplish what we set out to do. It's easy to say, harder to do, but like anything else it gets easier the more we do it.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
~Philippians 4:8
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