I bought a car today. I think I am in shock. This car belongs to me. I have never spent so much money on something. It is so exciting. I get to personalize it and make it my own.
I worked a full time job all summer in order to make this purchase. I planned on buying a car at the end of August. When August came and went, I realized I was not quite reaching my goal. I started saving even more. I barely had any spending money. Thankfully, I am still living with my parents and have only one bill to pay. That makes things much easier.
After saving up for so long, it was hard to spend the money. It took so long to get here and now it's gone. But, I have to remind myself that it isn't just gone. I have a car now! It is so exciting.
Buying this car has matured me. I have learned so much from this experience. I learned patience when I was not able to buy a car on my own timing. I learned to be responsible with my money, to save from my paychecks instead of spend it on things I don't really need.
I can't wait to vacuum it, fill it up with gas, make it smell good, add my personal touches. I will never forget today. I am hoping this car lasts through college. That is my plan. I know we will just have to wait and see how it goes. I need to name my car. I haven't had it long enough to feel it is is feminine or manly. I'll let you know what I decide.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Interests
I have felt God changing my heart lately. I feel that something big is about to happen and I am being prepared.
I tend to be a worry-wart. I don't like. I don't mean to. It is just part of my personality. When my little sister is playing outside, I have to check on her every so often to make sure she isn't hurt or was kidnapped. I always check doors before I go to bed to make sure they are locked. Of course, worrying can be a good thing. But, just like so many other things on earth, too much of something good creates something bad.
Lately, I have not been worried. I have had this sense of peace that I know could have only come from God. As I have been searching for a car, I feel a sense of urgency. Then I realize that God will provide the right car in the right timing. He has already provided temporary transportation in the meantime.
When I think about having to check on my little sister playing outside, I stop myself and think. Do I really need to check on her? Won't God take care of her? If, for some reason I would not be aware of, something happened to her, it would all be part of God's plan.
My worrying can be translating to a lack of faith. I worry because I don't really trust that God is in control. Well, that's what He has been teaching me. He is in control. He made the universe. He created all that exists, including my brain.
We trust that a lightbulb will work because we trust that the inventor knew what he was doing. He created the lightbulb in order to create light form electricity. Or the microwave. We trust in the microwave working because we trust the inventor. How is God any different? Shouldn't we know life will work out because we trust the inventor of life?
I am being rhetorical. I am attempting to portray the rampant thoughts running through my brain. Does this make sense to anyone else?
I tend to be a worry-wart. I don't like. I don't mean to. It is just part of my personality. When my little sister is playing outside, I have to check on her every so often to make sure she isn't hurt or was kidnapped. I always check doors before I go to bed to make sure they are locked. Of course, worrying can be a good thing. But, just like so many other things on earth, too much of something good creates something bad.
Lately, I have not been worried. I have had this sense of peace that I know could have only come from God. As I have been searching for a car, I feel a sense of urgency. Then I realize that God will provide the right car in the right timing. He has already provided temporary transportation in the meantime.
When I think about having to check on my little sister playing outside, I stop myself and think. Do I really need to check on her? Won't God take care of her? If, for some reason I would not be aware of, something happened to her, it would all be part of God's plan.
My worrying can be translating to a lack of faith. I worry because I don't really trust that God is in control. Well, that's what He has been teaching me. He is in control. He made the universe. He created all that exists, including my brain.
We trust that a lightbulb will work because we trust that the inventor knew what he was doing. He created the lightbulb in order to create light form electricity. Or the microwave. We trust in the microwave working because we trust the inventor. How is God any different? Shouldn't we know life will work out because we trust the inventor of life?
I am being rhetorical. I am attempting to portray the rampant thoughts running through my brain. Does this make sense to anyone else?
Monday, September 28, 2015
Sarah Liu's Story Part 2
Once Sarah returned form bible training, she felt a calling from God
to serve those who did not yet know Him. Sarah was arrested once while
telling others about God. Her dad brought her home and tried convincing
her stay with him, where she would be safe. She said no, that she had
to go back out to serve God. She knew that her love for Jesus had to be
bigger than her love for her dad. Her dad was not a Christian and did
not understand this. He disowned her.
Sarah was arrested a second time. Her dad came to get her. He still loved her, even though she chose to leave home. He tried convincing her again, to stay home. Still, she did not stay home. She went back out to tell people about GOd.
Sarah was arrested a third time. This time, she was held hostage. He feet were shackled. She was beaten. She wanted to give up and prayed to God that He would save her form her torture. As she prayed, her mind saw an image of Jesus when He was beaten and tortured. His body was bruised and bloody. He died for her. Could she not do the same? This image gave her the courage to stay strong while they continued to hurt her body.
Sarah was released from prison and is back out there, telling people about God.
I have never suffered this kind of persecution for my faith. Sarah's story taught me many things. First, I am blessed to live in a country where I can believe in God freely. Second, I need to be willing to lay down my life for the One that laid His life down for me. God will provide for me and keep me safe. But, the day may come where my safety is no longer on earth but in heaven.
Sarah was arrested a second time. Her dad came to get her. He still loved her, even though she chose to leave home. He tried convincing her again, to stay home. Still, she did not stay home. She went back out to tell people about GOd.
Sarah was arrested a third time. This time, she was held hostage. He feet were shackled. She was beaten. She wanted to give up and prayed to God that He would save her form her torture. As she prayed, her mind saw an image of Jesus when He was beaten and tortured. His body was bruised and bloody. He died for her. Could she not do the same? This image gave her the courage to stay strong while they continued to hurt her body.
Sarah was released from prison and is back out there, telling people about God.
I have never suffered this kind of persecution for my faith. Sarah's story taught me many things. First, I am blessed to live in a country where I can believe in God freely. Second, I need to be willing to lay down my life for the One that laid His life down for me. God will provide for me and keep me safe. But, the day may come where my safety is no longer on earth but in heaven.
Sarah Liu's Story Part 1
On September 26th, the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) organization came to Skyline Baptist, my home church. VOM is a group of people that are willing to assist Christians being persecuted around the world. On their website you can find their five main purposes for their organization (www.persecution.com).
I was able to attend this conference and want to share with you what I learned. There were four speakers. I was only able to see two of them. The second speaker , Sarah Liu, is who I want to talk about.
Sarah Liu's family lived in China. Her mother became the first Christian in her family. She would pray with tears every day for her family to believe what she believed. Sarah was not interested in her mother's new-found relationship with God. Sarah passed the test to enter college but her family had no money for her to go to school. Sarah was very upset and depressed that she could not continue her education.
Sarah was invited to a party by her extended family. The party was three hours away form her home and did not start until 10:00 at night. She was very confused as to why the party started so late at night. She wondered, "What kind of party is this?". The party ended up being three days long. It was full of prayer and worship for Jesus Christ. During this party is when Sarah met Jesus for the first time. This is when she truly understood what it meant to believe in God and know Jesus.
Her old dream to go to college changed when she became a Christian. She no longer wished to go to school. Now, she dreamed of serving Christ the rest of her life. Her mother was able to send her to a three month long bible training. During those three months, Sarah learned about the four Gospel books.
I was able to attend this conference and want to share with you what I learned. There were four speakers. I was only able to see two of them. The second speaker , Sarah Liu, is who I want to talk about.
Sarah Liu's family lived in China. Her mother became the first Christian in her family. She would pray with tears every day for her family to believe what she believed. Sarah was not interested in her mother's new-found relationship with God. Sarah passed the test to enter college but her family had no money for her to go to school. Sarah was very upset and depressed that she could not continue her education.
Sarah was invited to a party by her extended family. The party was three hours away form her home and did not start until 10:00 at night. She was very confused as to why the party started so late at night. She wondered, "What kind of party is this?". The party ended up being three days long. It was full of prayer and worship for Jesus Christ. During this party is when Sarah met Jesus for the first time. This is when she truly understood what it meant to believe in God and know Jesus.
Her old dream to go to college changed when she became a Christian. She no longer wished to go to school. Now, she dreamed of serving Christ the rest of her life. Her mother was able to send her to a three month long bible training. During those three months, Sarah learned about the four Gospel books.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
???
I turned in my paper for English a few days ago. I had to pick one
thing I believe in and write about that belief and my reasons behind
believing. Then, the four other people in my writing group had to
respond to my paper and critique it. Not to tear it apart, but to help
me make it better.
I chose to write on modesty, the important role it plays in my life, and why I believe in being modest. One person in particular was very blunt when responding to my thoughts. I am having a hard time breaking down my defenses. I just recently wrote about taking criticism. I am not supposed to take it personally, but use their responses to better my paper.
Now, here I am, struggling to find what I can take from his responses to make my paper better. I understand that I believe in something unique, something out-of-the-blue. Not very many people will agree with me. That makes it hard for those people to respond in a positive way. I get that, I really do. But, with all that being said, I now have to find a way to use this person's semi--harsh comments to enhance my writings.
I chose this topic because I have strong feelings about being modest. It is an important part of my life. So, I was anticipated to hear what others would say about it. I knew that not everyone would agree. I understood that it is a rare belief these days. I did not expect harsh responses, just disagreements. I definitely got a little bit of both. So, now my goal is to use the comments, both good and bad, and better my writing. It may be a challenge, but I believe it will help me as a writer.
I chose to write on modesty, the important role it plays in my life, and why I believe in being modest. One person in particular was very blunt when responding to my thoughts. I am having a hard time breaking down my defenses. I just recently wrote about taking criticism. I am not supposed to take it personally, but use their responses to better my paper.
Now, here I am, struggling to find what I can take from his responses to make my paper better. I understand that I believe in something unique, something out-of-the-blue. Not very many people will agree with me. That makes it hard for those people to respond in a positive way. I get that, I really do. But, with all that being said, I now have to find a way to use this person's semi--harsh comments to enhance my writings.
I chose this topic because I have strong feelings about being modest. It is an important part of my life. So, I was anticipated to hear what others would say about it. I knew that not everyone would agree. I understood that it is a rare belief these days. I did not expect harsh responses, just disagreements. I definitely got a little bit of both. So, now my goal is to use the comments, both good and bad, and better my writing. It may be a challenge, but I believe it will help me as a writer.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
See You at the Pole 2015
This morning, thousands of students around the country gathered around their school's flag pole to pray for America. That is powerful.
This event started in 1990. In 2005, it was recorded that over two million students showed up around the country to pray.
Every 23rd of September, this prayer event takes place. It has changed lives. Why is this event so powerful?
God has given humans the opportunity to pray. When we pray God's will, we are releasing His will on earth. It is already ready in heaven. Our prayers activate it. This is not because of any power we have. We are the ones praying, not because God needs us to but because He chose to need us to pray.
How awesome is that? God chose to need us. It is such a humbling thought. It makes it easier to remember that we are not using our power. God is using His power through us.
I can't imagine not having the gift of prayer. It is truly an amazing thing to experience. We have the chance to talk to God, the Creator of the Universe, the Lord of all the earth, the Mighty Judge, and Savior of the World. There is not much better than this gift!
Our country is in need of prayer. America has changed drastically over the years, decades, centuries. We are not the same country as when the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution was written. It is no longer a Christian-based country. We still have freedoms, but they seem to be shrinking day by day.
America needs prayer. We should be praying for America every day. This event is not the one time a year we should pray for our country, but a time to get with everyone else, across the states, and pray.
This event started in 1990. In 2005, it was recorded that over two million students showed up around the country to pray.
Every 23rd of September, this prayer event takes place. It has changed lives. Why is this event so powerful?
God has given humans the opportunity to pray. When we pray God's will, we are releasing His will on earth. It is already ready in heaven. Our prayers activate it. This is not because of any power we have. We are the ones praying, not because God needs us to but because He chose to need us to pray.
How awesome is that? God chose to need us. It is such a humbling thought. It makes it easier to remember that we are not using our power. God is using His power through us.
I can't imagine not having the gift of prayer. It is truly an amazing thing to experience. We have the chance to talk to God, the Creator of the Universe, the Lord of all the earth, the Mighty Judge, and Savior of the World. There is not much better than this gift!
Our country is in need of prayer. America has changed drastically over the years, decades, centuries. We are not the same country as when the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution was written. It is no longer a Christian-based country. We still have freedoms, but they seem to be shrinking day by day.
America needs prayer. We should be praying for America every day. This event is not the one time a year we should pray for our country, but a time to get with everyone else, across the states, and pray.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
My Home Makes Me Think Of...
1) My family
Where my family is is where my home is. We have moved several times throughout my childhood. My house itself has not been consistent. But, my home is always the same. I come home. I relax. I cry. I scream. I hug. I eat. I sleep. I go to the bathroom. I do everything at home. Can I do these things elsewhere? Sure, I can. Does it give me the same feelings as at home? Of course not. There is an atmosphere my home offers that is not found anywhere else.
2) My dog
He is an inside dog. He has three favorite spots in the house. Coming home, I know I will find him in one of these spots. Most of that time, he is too lazy to meet me at the door.
3) Food
I really love food. Especially when my entire family is home and we all eat together. We talk lots over our meals. It ranges from plans being made to theology. There is no limit to the topics we cover. My mom cooks for us. When she has to work late, I cook and it's ready by the time she comes home.
4) Sleeping
My mattress is old. It's not comfortable. But, it's still my mattress. I still sleep on it every night. I've screamed on it. I've cried on it. Many, many years ago, I wet it. It is an object of many memories.
I could go through many objects in my house that make me think of home. All my furniture, my clothes, the walls. It is all associated with one memory or another. Eventually I will not have all the stuff I have now. They are just objects. They'll break or get thrown away. I have to anchor my home in something permanent. Which is why my family is my number one thought when I think about home.
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