It seems that we often wrap everything around others. We wrap our time
around them, our lives around them. We wrap our hearts around them,
and arms around them. It seems like people are the reason for things
we do. Like they are the reason we are living. The reason for our
happiness.
But in truth, I will tell you what people are. You may not like to
hear it, but here it is. People are FAILURES. If we are constantly
looking to someone else to fufill us, we are going to be disappointed.
They will always come short, because one person cannot be everything.
They can't possibly have enough energy to be there for others and help
themselves as well ALL the time. Now, am I saying that since people
are obviously going to fail us at one point or another, we shoudlnt
reach out to them? No. I'm not saying that. People are wonderful.
Friends are amazing to have. That one person you can talk to about
anything, who is there for you when things get hard. That's so awesome.
but if we look to people to fufill us, we are going to be sold short.
So this creates a problem. If people fail.. what are we supposed to
do? we can depend on eachother only so much before things start to
pressurize and it becomes to the point of suffocation..
There's someone who doesn't fail.
and someone who is always always always there.
and sometimes he will make himself known through other people. he uses
the the people around you to help
you through stuff.
But he wants you to reconize him as being the ultimute source of life
and happiness.
HE is the reason we live. and he is the only one who can make us
complete.
He created people to love, and be loved. He gives us friends to help
us through hard times. But ultimutely he is the one we should turn to.
He loves us more than any other human could.
because he is the creator of the heavens and the earth. Because he
knows us, he knew us before we were born. becuase he DIED for us. and
he tells us that he will never leave us, or forsake us.
he's right there, but so many people reject his love. they look to
people and for a while, it's enough. but over time, without God, it
doesn't work. it fails us.
God has so much more planned for our lives, if we choose to follow him.
rejecting him is like walking up to the cross, and looking up at
Christ, who is bleeding, suffereing, crying out in anguish. It's like
standing there, and saying "this isn't enough. forgiveness isn't
enough. Christs death isn't enough."
so what is enough?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
In Focus
One of my friends on Facebook posted this verse as her status:
"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" Galations 4:9
This could be spread out into a million different lessons, but when I read it...I thought about how easily my emotions get run over by silly, petty things. I don't even think about it. I just let it control me, my thoughts, what I talk about. I too often meditate on MY problems, when in reality, they're not problems at all. They're just...dumb. Situations like the dog waking me up too early, realizing there's a stain on my white shirt, not getting my coffee fix in the morning, having heart strings pulled at, etc. The list goes on and on.
How many times do I wake up in the morning and say, "I wonder how I can help/encourage/comfort someone who's in the midst a problem?" What do you think? What kind of friend are you? Can you spot when your fellow brother or sister is in need? Do you even ask?
In Job 2:11-13, Job's friends initiated a leave-home-and-go-comfort-Job-even-if-it-takes-a-whole-week visit. When they saw Job...he was barely recognizable. His whole body was covered in sores and blood (reminds me of a certain Yeshua.) They began weeping and tearing their clothes, and they sat with Job for seven days and nights in moral support.
And we can't cut out a couple hours or even minutes to surround someone with love and compassion?
When we loose sight of how much God loves us and what Jesus Christ did for us, we forget the love and compassion He had on us. And if we forget His love and compassion, we have no desire to share it with others.
Stay in focus.
Erin
"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" Galations 4:9
This could be spread out into a million different lessons, but when I read it...I thought about how easily my emotions get run over by silly, petty things. I don't even think about it. I just let it control me, my thoughts, what I talk about. I too often meditate on MY problems, when in reality, they're not problems at all. They're just...dumb. Situations like the dog waking me up too early, realizing there's a stain on my white shirt, not getting my coffee fix in the morning, having heart strings pulled at, etc. The list goes on and on.
How many times do I wake up in the morning and say, "I wonder how I can help/encourage/comfort someone who's in the midst a problem?" What do you think? What kind of friend are you? Can you spot when your fellow brother or sister is in need? Do you even ask?
In Job 2:11-13, Job's friends initiated a leave-home-and-go-comfort-Job-even-if-it-takes-a-whole-week visit. When they saw Job...he was barely recognizable. His whole body was covered in sores and blood (reminds me of a certain Yeshua.) They began weeping and tearing their clothes, and they sat with Job for seven days and nights in moral support.
And we can't cut out a couple hours or even minutes to surround someone with love and compassion?
When we loose sight of how much God loves us and what Jesus Christ did for us, we forget the love and compassion He had on us. And if we forget His love and compassion, we have no desire to share it with others.
Stay in focus.
Erin
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Power of a Word (just some thoughts)
Words hurt.
Looking at this statement, you may think I'm crazy. Theyre just words, right? They cant cause physical pain. They are invisible in a sense. They arent something solid, something we can touch.
But they are.
They can cut deeper than any knife, and they can heal. They can break down, and build up.
People dont often see this. They dont realize how powerful words can be. So they say whatever.
Words leave scars that dont go away.
You can choose how you react to the words spoken to you, but you cant control what people say.
But why dont you start using your words to build up, to encourage.
The change could start with you.
Looking at this statement, you may think I'm crazy. Theyre just words, right? They cant cause physical pain. They are invisible in a sense. They arent something solid, something we can touch.
But they are.
They can cut deeper than any knife, and they can heal. They can break down, and build up.
People dont often see this. They dont realize how powerful words can be. So they say whatever.
Words leave scars that dont go away.
You can choose how you react to the words spoken to you, but you cant control what people say.
But why dont you start using your words to build up, to encourage.
The change could start with you.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Why Does God do this to me?
Hey guys, Chris again. Sorry it's been a long absense... Here are two blogs that I had written a while back, now in one! Yay!
~~~
When it seems like you're going through too much; when it seems like God has put out too much to handle; remember, He has a plan.
He will never leave you nor forsake you. He loves you. Truly loves you.
Not the love your boyfriend gives you. Or the love anybody gives you. True love.
He will never leave your side, cuz He has a plan for you.
He's always in control. Always. Nothing surprises God, He never says oops. He knows everything.
So trust Him. You trust people who don't know what's going to happen, why not He who does?
~~
Job wondered the same thing. He followed God to a T. He lived a holy life.
But tragedy fell. He persevered and followed God and was rewarded.
But why him? He asked, too. He even asked God. Yup, God Himself. What did I do? Why? I follow you!
God replied, "I am in control. Who made all of this earth? Who controls the dinosaur? Who is more powerful, you or me?"
People say God never answers Job in a good way. I think He gave a perfect answer. Because he is in control. That is why it happens.
He has a plan for you. Its bigger and better than you can imagine, you just can't see it yet. But remember:
HE is in control. Not you. Not your mom, your friends, whomever. HE is.
And He knows what He is doing. He is making you stronger. He uses your pain, your joy, every experience to make you who you are and will be.
So next time, don't ask, "why me?"
Say, "I know you are in control. Use this experience."
~~~
When it seems like you're going through too much; when it seems like God has put out too much to handle; remember, He has a plan.
He will never leave you nor forsake you. He loves you. Truly loves you.
Not the love your boyfriend gives you. Or the love anybody gives you. True love.
He will never leave your side, cuz He has a plan for you.
He's always in control. Always. Nothing surprises God, He never says oops. He knows everything.
So trust Him. You trust people who don't know what's going to happen, why not He who does?
~~
Job wondered the same thing. He followed God to a T. He lived a holy life.
But tragedy fell. He persevered and followed God and was rewarded.
But why him? He asked, too. He even asked God. Yup, God Himself. What did I do? Why? I follow you!
God replied, "I am in control. Who made all of this earth? Who controls the dinosaur? Who is more powerful, you or me?"
People say God never answers Job in a good way. I think He gave a perfect answer. Because he is in control. That is why it happens.
He has a plan for you. Its bigger and better than you can imagine, you just can't see it yet. But remember:
HE is in control. Not you. Not your mom, your friends, whomever. HE is.
And He knows what He is doing. He is making you stronger. He uses your pain, your joy, every experience to make you who you are and will be.
So next time, don't ask, "why me?"
Say, "I know you are in control. Use this experience."
Job 11:18
"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety."
Job 11:18 NIV
Job 11:18 NIV
Erin: Hope is why I'm here
Hope, according to my dictionary, is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a person or thing that may help or save someone; grounds for believing that something good may happen.
That's what human's strive for, right? Hope. We may not think about it, but that's why we get up every morning. It drives us. We want there to be something bigger out there. We want something to live for.
As Christians, we place our hope in Jesus Christ. He came to save and he came to serve; but he also came and died on a cross so that everyone (as in EVERYONE) could have the opportunity to receive his gift of hope...the hope that isn't just "waiting for a better tomorrow." Instead, it's the kind of hope that is "knowing there WILL be a better tomorrow."
Now, I'm not saying that everyday will be better than the last. We live in a world scarred by sin, so there are obviously going to be some things that hit hard...whether that's divorce, death of a loved one, murder, deception, hypocrisy, you name it. There's a ton of crap that happens. You know that.
But amongst all this chaos, where do we turn?
Jesus Christ.
When we're hurt, what do we run to?
God's love.
It's simple. There's a purpose to life. There's true hope. God sent Jesus Christ to take the death penalty that we deserve. We are the ones sinning everyday. Jesus did nothing wrong...but he loved us so much, he chose to die. But then where's the hope you ask? It's in the fact that he defeated death. He rose again. Our Savior is powerful enough to triumph over the one thing we can never conquer, and because we know he is alive with the Lord, we have hope in his return.
Jesus gives us a peace that is comforting and a love that is infinite. He is the truth that has set us free and given us hope.
Don't forget that you have this gift. And for those of you who don't: we want to help you attain this gift. Why are you here? What's your goal? What do you live for? What's your story? Tell us yours, we'll tell you ours. We wanna listen, because we know you are worth so much and are loved more than you will ever understand.
That's what human's strive for, right? Hope. We may not think about it, but that's why we get up every morning. It drives us. We want there to be something bigger out there. We want something to live for.
As Christians, we place our hope in Jesus Christ. He came to save and he came to serve; but he also came and died on a cross so that everyone (as in EVERYONE) could have the opportunity to receive his gift of hope...the hope that isn't just "waiting for a better tomorrow." Instead, it's the kind of hope that is "knowing there WILL be a better tomorrow."
Now, I'm not saying that everyday will be better than the last. We live in a world scarred by sin, so there are obviously going to be some things that hit hard...whether that's divorce, death of a loved one, murder, deception, hypocrisy, you name it. There's a ton of crap that happens. You know that.
But amongst all this chaos, where do we turn?
Jesus Christ.
When we're hurt, what do we run to?
God's love.
It's simple. There's a purpose to life. There's true hope. God sent Jesus Christ to take the death penalty that we deserve. We are the ones sinning everyday. Jesus did nothing wrong...but he loved us so much, he chose to die. But then where's the hope you ask? It's in the fact that he defeated death. He rose again. Our Savior is powerful enough to triumph over the one thing we can never conquer, and because we know he is alive with the Lord, we have hope in his return.
Jesus gives us a peace that is comforting and a love that is infinite. He is the truth that has set us free and given us hope.
Don't forget that you have this gift. And for those of you who don't: we want to help you attain this gift. Why are you here? What's your goal? What do you live for? What's your story? Tell us yours, we'll tell you ours. We wanna listen, because we know you are worth so much and are loved more than you will ever understand.
Taking the First Step
Sometimes I wonder what would happen if everyone was driven to make a change. To reach out to the people around them, to love, and to let others know they aren't alone.
Did you know that you are surrounded by people who feel lonely every day?
Did you know that most people when they are hurting (for whatever reason) will not right out tell you that they are in pain and need someone to talk to.
YOU have to take the first step and reach out to them. Let them know you care. Listen to them, love them. Eventually they may come to you when they need someone. Or they may not, it just depends.
you just have to be ready to be there, to love.
You could just save a life.
Look for the lonely, the brokenhearted, the hurting.
Take the time to help heal their wounds, the joy from helping other people is indescribable.
seeing someone smile and knowing you helped put that smile on their face is an amazing thing.
So this coming week, take that first step. Maybe just smile at someone who seems to be having a bad day. Sit with someone who is sitting alone.
Listen to someone.
Love someone.
Give someone a hug, even if they dont ask for it.
Take the first step, and together we can take steps to a better community, to a better world.
Did you know that you are surrounded by people who feel lonely every day?
Did you know that most people when they are hurting (for whatever reason) will not right out tell you that they are in pain and need someone to talk to.
YOU have to take the first step and reach out to them. Let them know you care. Listen to them, love them. Eventually they may come to you when they need someone. Or they may not, it just depends.
you just have to be ready to be there, to love.
You could just save a life.
Look for the lonely, the brokenhearted, the hurting.
Take the time to help heal their wounds, the joy from helping other people is indescribable.
seeing someone smile and knowing you helped put that smile on their face is an amazing thing.
So this coming week, take that first step. Maybe just smile at someone who seems to be having a bad day. Sit with someone who is sitting alone.
Listen to someone.
Love someone.
Give someone a hug, even if they dont ask for it.
Take the first step, and together we can take steps to a better community, to a better world.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)