The last few weeks have been nothing short of amazing. I've had the hardest last couple of weeks but also the most incredible weeks in a long time.
The most incredible part of the week came personally at home. We've been remodeling our bathroom since December 31. And it was slooooowwww going up until this weekend. My husband is amazing and I just love seeing him work on this bathroom. He is so detailed and specific on things. It really makes me appreciate his talents and mind that God has given him all that much more by seeing him use them here. It's just interesting. I'm NOT gifted in those areas of math and you need good math skills when you are remodeling, we'll just say that. So thankful for my husband and how God has made him! :)
But anyways. He finally got the floor put in on Friday and then from there everything happened fast. Not only was the floor put in, but the walls got re-framed out for the new walls, restructure of the bathroom. Our neighbor came over to help all weekend, from Friday - Sunday. He and his wife are amazing people and we are so thankful for them as neighbors. We've gotten to know them very well over the year by random projects around the yard and times spent together here and there. We had thanksgiving dinner together this past year because neither of us went anywhere. They are not our age, they are probably in their 50's. But we see them as dear friends of ours.
I was telling Ben on Friday morning that I miss them because we haven't had them around in like 2 weeks. yeah, just 2 weeks! hahaha. We consider them dear close friends of ours who we love to share life with.
Well this weekend was amazing and God revealed so much to all of us it was tearfully amazing! By Saturday night, with their wonderful help all Friday and Saturday, I made us all some dinner. As we ate dinner that night we just had some neat conversations about life. Nothing out of the ordinary by any means, but it all started when we they were actually going to get up from the table to leave. B said "well, when you guys going to church tomorrow" (because he was going to come over again on Sunday to help some more on the bathroom). So Ben and I just looked at each other, because that was a rather good question. We've been trying to figure out a different church for about 3 months now and we keep going back and forth between 2 of them and I knew which one i wanted to go to on Sunday and I knew Ben would agree, so we just said "we haven't really talked about that" and they could tell there was more behind it so we shared with them some of what was going on. They already knew we weren't attending the church where we were going. And they knew we were going to other ones. So that sparked up a conversation and B just let everything out and was very open about some struggles in their lives and could completely relate to us and what we were going through. It was awesome. And the wife shared how that is why they liked us so much because we are "you". and no one else. And my hubby and I just looked at each other and said, "yeah, what you see is what you get! We are going to be as real as it comes. We don't hide much emotional or anything. We want to share our life with others but many times sharing a life with others is a front." And we've struggled with this so much in the past 2 years. So our neighbors GOT IT and they just said that is why they like us so much because we are real and not fake and they could tell that from the beginning of meeting us!
Not only that, we share a lot of the same struggles in life right now. It's actually neat that we do! :)
The most interesting thing came when they both expressed how for 25 years they've lived here on the corner and not once did anyone reach out to them! They explained it a little more. But they said, no one really ever cared enough like you two have. I wanted to cry, but I was so thankful at the same time. It was in that moment that I knew exactly where God had us and WHY!
And we actually said that and talked about that with them. They know the house stories we had when we were looking to buy a house and somehow God placed us in this little house in the middle of town for some reason. At first, Ben and I were a little discouraged that those other house never worked out and even after buying this current house we were a little sad, but at the same time, we knew we loved this house and God was going to bless us for making the wiser decision that we did make.
And this weekend, to me, showed that. For 25 years NO ONE reached out to them or not only that, cared enough to talk to them like we have. I told my hubby later that night after they left, "ya know, we were the ones that outreached to them, and that is what they noticed. No one every did that with them, we would see them in the yard and talk all the time with them. and one thing after another led to another and we started sharing life together."
Hold on, the COOLEST part of the night came when us 4 were then talking about Faith and churches. B opened up about how they don't go to a church because of blah blah blah. (a lot of the reasons we struggle with it too). And we were able to share our thoughts on that and our struggles and it was just refreshing FOR THEM to hear our point of view. But not only that, ti was so cool to hear B open up about his faith and his struggles and how it matched up so much with ours as well!
We ended the night with a time of prayer and thanksgiving, holding hands and sharing that moment is something I will never forget!!
I weep with JOY knowing how God has used my husband and I to share and speak love and truth into their lives! I weep for Joy knowing that God placed us in this exact house for a reason! I know that God has US exactly where we are suppose to be and I'm so blessed and over joyed with those thoughts!
The last 2 years (it's been 2 years to this date that Ben accepted the job here in Rhinelander!) have been rough and I've questioned many times over what are we doing and I"ve had heart break after heart break of situations. I've had heart break of missing some dear friends back where we moved from and I've wondered if I'll EVER find that (those) again!! God showed me this weekend that no matter that heartbreak and the pain I"ve had the past 2 years, that MOMENT alone made everything so perfect! And in that moment and in the days to come, I know that place here is exactly where I'm suppose to be!! God has me where I'm suppose to be...but here is the thing...I TOOK ADVANTAGE OF IT AND HE USED ME BECAUSE OF I DID WHAT I WAS SUPPOSE TO DO! Are you taking advantage of where God has you? Or are you just sitting their waiting for something to happen?! Ya see, I had NO IDEA that God was actually using us in those times...but I didn't sit aside and let life happen, I happened to life! We gave life to our neighbors and we didn't even know it!
What does that show you? You NEVER know who you can touch or befriend. So don't miss those times...don't let life pass you by. Take those moments and be YOU...and no one else. BE YOU! When you are YOU...that is when life happens and when you can show who you are to many others. Don't put on a front or make you someone you aren't, that actually turns people away. It turned us away from some people...so don't let us be turned away, we all need each other as YOU.
I thank the Lord Jesus for where we are and what God has done in our lives the past 9 months of owning this house. Thank you for where you directed us and have us Jesus. Thank you for our wonderful blessing of neighbors we have. Thank you for their openness with us and the life we share with them. May we remember to me US and no one else. May we shine the light in the darkest of times and may we speak the truth of who we are and what you are!
Thank you for the joy we share because of this past weekend. Thank you for the blessings you have given us!
Monday, February 18, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Heavy
An interesting thing happened to me yesterday.
First of all, I would have posted this last night, but we switched Internet modems or whatever you call those things, so our Internet didnt' work most of the night as we switched that and battled with the thing.
So yesterday was the start of my Spring Semester. One word: YIKES! hahah...bet you thought I'd say overwhelming...ya that would fit too. You'd think I would have learned from last semester NOT to freak out right away about everything, but nope, haven't learned yet...so I guess I need to keep doing this to myself until I do. :)
But what I have to say really has nothing to do with school, or maybe it does. I haven't figured that out yet.
School was good yesterday and I thought I was holding up well. I went and worked out after school as I normally would have done, and came home and just crashed. I honestly feel like I probably would have gotten hit by a truck! Usually my workouts gain me energy and they carry me through the evening hours and I am usually rather productive. But instead, I felt like bricks, I couldn't move, I didn't want to move. I felt terrible, just not motivated at all. It bugged me to no end. Ben came home and he asked about my first day of classes and I just cried!!! O goodness, did that need to come out, I thought. But that wasn't what was bogging me down. I realized later that evening that it was because I drank Hot Chocolate! YEP...i realized I was having a CRASH! THAT is what was making me feel so HEAVY! I couldn't figure out what this heavy feeling was going on with me. I thought it was because of school, but the good cry I had didn't do anything to lighten that, it was a different heavy. And then it came to me...I had Hot Chocolate earlier that day and I was crashing from the sugar.
You see, I don't drink that sort of stuff at all, any of it. It's been 6 months of NO soda, hardly ANY juices, and no hot chocolates. The closest thing I've come to sugar drinks has been Gatorade, and I only grab one of those once a week usually. So when I thought having a hot chocolate on a bitter cold morning to start off my school semester was a good idea, it was the WORST idea ever! NEVER again will I do that. Honestly it proves to me that putting fake things into your body to give you "energy" actually give you LESS energy.
I've been doing nothing but water for 6 months and I've had more energy during this time then ever before. I rarely find myself "crashing" or feeling "heavy."
So what does this have to do with on my spiritual walk with God. Well, LOTS actually. Think about it! When you fill your life with unnecessary things, that don't HELP you, you find yourself getting bogged down, heavy. But when you cleanse yourself of those things you start to realize you were better off without. I haven't had a hot chocolate in awhile and as soon as I do, it bogged me down and made me feel heavy, like i was carrying a burden. For what reason? For a short stint of happiness. Was it worth it...NOT FOR ME IT WASN'T. Just like life, if I choose to walk without God or choose to fill my life with bad TV shows, or video games, INSTEAD of my time with God or looking to Him for guidance, I start to feel bogged down, heavy. Maybe you don't, but I sure do. Those "worldly things" way you down. When was the last time you watched the news? And how did it make you feel? HONESTLY? If it was anything I watched, you probably left watching the news feeling depressed, scared, anxious, and wondering what this World was coming to?! Did that HELP you at all? DOESN'T help me! It makes me feeling BOGGED DOWN AND HEAVY!
So why watch it?
I understand we need to know what is going on in this world. I understand we all want to watch some funny TV (I love certain shows), and I understand we all like to play some games to get our MIND of things. But at the same time, is it really helping to fill your mind with junk, to make you later feel heavy about it?
I don't know...
Just something I'm wondering about...
But all I know is...I'm not drinking Hot Chocolate anymore because it's NOT good for me. And just like I don't watch the NEWS because for ME, it is NOT GOOD for ME! It made me more anxious and stressed than it did good. So I don't do it. So I won't drink the stuff either! :) Just something to think about! I"m not saying don't watch the news...I'm saying watch what you spend your time on and is it really helping you or making you heavy inside just like hot chocolate made me feel heavy. Not a good feeling to have, trust me!
First of all, I would have posted this last night, but we switched Internet modems or whatever you call those things, so our Internet didnt' work most of the night as we switched that and battled with the thing.
So yesterday was the start of my Spring Semester. One word: YIKES! hahah...bet you thought I'd say overwhelming...ya that would fit too. You'd think I would have learned from last semester NOT to freak out right away about everything, but nope, haven't learned yet...so I guess I need to keep doing this to myself until I do. :)
But what I have to say really has nothing to do with school, or maybe it does. I haven't figured that out yet.
School was good yesterday and I thought I was holding up well. I went and worked out after school as I normally would have done, and came home and just crashed. I honestly feel like I probably would have gotten hit by a truck! Usually my workouts gain me energy and they carry me through the evening hours and I am usually rather productive. But instead, I felt like bricks, I couldn't move, I didn't want to move. I felt terrible, just not motivated at all. It bugged me to no end. Ben came home and he asked about my first day of classes and I just cried!!! O goodness, did that need to come out, I thought. But that wasn't what was bogging me down. I realized later that evening that it was because I drank Hot Chocolate! YEP...i realized I was having a CRASH! THAT is what was making me feel so HEAVY! I couldn't figure out what this heavy feeling was going on with me. I thought it was because of school, but the good cry I had didn't do anything to lighten that, it was a different heavy. And then it came to me...I had Hot Chocolate earlier that day and I was crashing from the sugar.
You see, I don't drink that sort of stuff at all, any of it. It's been 6 months of NO soda, hardly ANY juices, and no hot chocolates. The closest thing I've come to sugar drinks has been Gatorade, and I only grab one of those once a week usually. So when I thought having a hot chocolate on a bitter cold morning to start off my school semester was a good idea, it was the WORST idea ever! NEVER again will I do that. Honestly it proves to me that putting fake things into your body to give you "energy" actually give you LESS energy.
I've been doing nothing but water for 6 months and I've had more energy during this time then ever before. I rarely find myself "crashing" or feeling "heavy."
So what does this have to do with on my spiritual walk with God. Well, LOTS actually. Think about it! When you fill your life with unnecessary things, that don't HELP you, you find yourself getting bogged down, heavy. But when you cleanse yourself of those things you start to realize you were better off without. I haven't had a hot chocolate in awhile and as soon as I do, it bogged me down and made me feel heavy, like i was carrying a burden. For what reason? For a short stint of happiness. Was it worth it...NOT FOR ME IT WASN'T. Just like life, if I choose to walk without God or choose to fill my life with bad TV shows, or video games, INSTEAD of my time with God or looking to Him for guidance, I start to feel bogged down, heavy. Maybe you don't, but I sure do. Those "worldly things" way you down. When was the last time you watched the news? And how did it make you feel? HONESTLY? If it was anything I watched, you probably left watching the news feeling depressed, scared, anxious, and wondering what this World was coming to?! Did that HELP you at all? DOESN'T help me! It makes me feeling BOGGED DOWN AND HEAVY!
So why watch it?
I understand we need to know what is going on in this world. I understand we all want to watch some funny TV (I love certain shows), and I understand we all like to play some games to get our MIND of things. But at the same time, is it really helping to fill your mind with junk, to make you later feel heavy about it?
I don't know...
Just something I'm wondering about...
But all I know is...I'm not drinking Hot Chocolate anymore because it's NOT good for me. And just like I don't watch the NEWS because for ME, it is NOT GOOD for ME! It made me more anxious and stressed than it did good. So I don't do it. So I won't drink the stuff either! :) Just something to think about! I"m not saying don't watch the news...I'm saying watch what you spend your time on and is it really helping you or making you heavy inside just like hot chocolate made me feel heavy. Not a good feeling to have, trust me!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
A Challenge
Ok, OK...it's been like months since I've actually posted on here...October to be exact. I really didn't like that life (school) consumed my every being last semester. I've realized over the past couple of months, especially the past month, that no matter how busy I get, we get, if you MAKE the time for something, it will happen. I ONLY made time for school, nothing else. So what is more important? Apparently school was the most important thing to me last semester, and yeah, it was rather intense. But...where was my time with God? If you remember, I use this blog to challenge me in my walk with God to be able to see where God has been using me all day long. Well, I wasn't "finding" the time to do that towards the end there.
My new challenge, continue with my original plan and MAKE the time.
God has laid it heavy on my heart that I make time to put work, school, personal time, and my workouts into my daily life each day, so where is my time with God? You have to make it a part of your every day life, just like I make physical activity a constantly daily thing in my life! Ouch, I was hit hard with that one!
Here is something I've been pondering:
My new challenge, continue with my original plan and MAKE the time.
God has laid it heavy on my heart that I make time to put work, school, personal time, and my workouts into my daily life each day, so where is my time with God? You have to make it a part of your every day life, just like I make physical activity a constantly daily thing in my life! Ouch, I was hit hard with that one!
Here is something I've been pondering:
John 15:5,8
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ... This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Where are you at?
There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient.
When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.
When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Fighter
My life has been consumed with nothing, NOTHING, but school...studying that is. I honestly don't like that my life has completely changed. I knew this was going to be hard and I knew it would take a lot of work, but I didn't expect it to run my life.
I'm only 1 1/2 months into this semester and it seems to be going by so SLOW. Every day I go to class (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), I keep saying, is it December yet?
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I didn't realize my life would be turned upside down.
I've learned to adjust, some days.
The other days I'm just a mess.
Have I wanted to quit, YES. But that would be too easy to do and I would NEVER let myself forget that I quit. That is just not an option for me...I'm not a quitter and those that know me best, know I go down with a fight! hahaha I hope to fuel those emotions to get through this semester.
The funny this is that I've started out really strong in one of my classes and really terrible in the other. How is that possible? I really don't have an answer. But what I've learned in the last month and half is how much I am capable of. I've honestly thought back to my high school days and thought, WOW, so this is what studying could have been like and wow, what would I have been like if I would have applied myself this much in high school?! It honestly makes me sad, but you can't re due the past, you have to just focus on what you have in front of you now. I wish I could re due high school, very much so. Because now I wonder that if I would have actually studied at night and read the chapters, instead of cramming every single night right before a test and really not getting it... I really think I would have been a much smarter person. hahaha...in theory. But again, that is the past.
I'm excited for what I've already learned and it's truly amazing how I've been able to do this. I am tired, I'm burnt out, I'm deprived. I love that I study like I do, but I don't like what it has done either. I am so tired, as I wake up, go to work, go workout, study study study. Repeat x5 days/week. On weekends I wake up, study study study, workout, study study study...MAYBE do a load of laundry as I can remember. I don't see anyone anymore or for that matter, talk to anyone...that is where I'm deprived. Our neighbors, the other day, saw me for the first time in 5 weeks and they were like "ooo you do still live here!" Because before, I was always outside or out and about with my husband constantly. Now all I do is sit inside and read and study.
Last weekend I had a little break down. I was so frustrated with the material, not necessarily because it's hard, it's just SO much you have to learn in SO little time. One chapter alone had over 100 terms I needed to memorize (in 1 weeks time), plus add 2 other chapters on top of that, who also have about 50 terms each to memorize. You get my picture, maybe. Plus on top of that, doing other charts and diagrams for this class too. But I was frustrated because I didn't understand how one person can memorize so much in so little time. And not only that, we had people that wanted to "hang out" with us on Saturday and on Sunday, different people for each days/nights. Ah, I had to tell my husband we couldn't and he completely understood, but I didn't like that it happened. Where was my life? And then on Sunday my husband, after hunting all day, decided to have our neighbors over to grill the ducks/birds they just go...which ended up being a 3 hour extravaganza! :( I was loving having people over, but as soon as they left, at 9:30pm, I FREAKED out and broke down and just was like, "I just wasted 3 hours of time to study!!!!" SERIOUSLY, THAT IS WHAT I SAID.
I wasn't happy with MYSELF that I even would say such a thing. I cried so much that night because I felt like everything has changed so much and I don't think I was ready for this to be this way. I basically made a huge sacrifice by committing to going back to school. I just didn't realize it would mean everything. :(
Here is the thing:
Just like my sacrifice for school and doing homework...I have made the same "sacrifice" to follow Jesus Christ...the difference, I don't see it as a sacrifice, plus I've been following Jesus Christ for 16 years now. I hope I make this point right.
When you, or I have, decided to follow Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and allowed Him into my life and to work in my life as He so desires, I made a sacrifice that my OLD self would DIE and my new self would come alive in Christ.
I died to old ways, ways of this world. I knew my life would be different. I knew I wouldn't be the person that many people out there are. I knew I would make decisions in a different way than many others look at decisions or make those decisions, because with everything in my life comes the same common thing...Jesus Christ. Everything I do, I live and breath Jesus Christ....or least I try to. We are all human and we all make mistakes, I AM NOT PERFECT, NO SINGLE PERSON IS...
This whole back to school thing made me realize what a life changing thing this is, you have to conform to a new way of living. You have to say No to things that aren't good for you. You have to focus and learn what the Bible says (in my school case, what the Human Body says). You read it, you learn it, you MAKE it apart of your daily life. You have "tests". However, I don't really like the word "test" when it comes to "God testing you". I believe he allows things to happen and you have a choice...and no matter what choice you make, God will be with you. But God still puts things in front of you to see how you will react or what path you will choose. Same with school, I have tests. If I don't study, I will probably not be going down a good path. If I don't study the Bible, I probably will make poor decisions and go down a wrong a path. It is VERY important in both cases to study your material and be prepared for what may fall at you.
So this whole school thing...and me freaking out. Yeah, hasn't been fun. But thing of it is, it was MY choice and my choice alone. I am the one that goes to school each day I need to, I'm the one that comprehends the material, I am the one that seeks out the help. No one made me do it, no one is doing it for me. My Faith in Jesus Christ...I MADE the decision to follow Jesus Christ, and I alone came to that decision that I needed Him in my life and believed I will go to Heaven someday because of my faith and trust in Jesus Christ. No one has forced me to make that decision. You will always have people in your life that will encourage you and help you and help you understand what it all means (just like with school, I have a great support system who are my cheerleaders!) :) BUT, on both sides of that, I have people who bring you down. There will be people in your life that make fun of you for your Christian Faith, who say you are "religious" (which, don't get me started on "religious", your faith isn't a religion, it's a relationship!!!) or who mock you or tear you down. I have those same in school who say "just quit if its too hard, or yeah see, you can't do it". But who do I choose to listen to? I CHOOSE to get those people OUT of my life and focus on what I know I can do. I know school is fine, and I also know that those people in my life, that mock my Faith, aren't helping me or encouraging me, so I just pray that God is working in their lives. I will not shun them, but I simple choose to seek different encouragement in my life. I don't need that negativity!
Anyways...times gets rough, but how strong are you to pull through? How strong are you in your Faith? Nothing is meant to be easy...nothing. Not even the Christian Faith, but at least you have someone on your side fighting for you and encouraging you!!! :)
I'm only 1 1/2 months into this semester and it seems to be going by so SLOW. Every day I go to class (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), I keep saying, is it December yet?
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I didn't realize my life would be turned upside down.
I've learned to adjust, some days.
The other days I'm just a mess.
Have I wanted to quit, YES. But that would be too easy to do and I would NEVER let myself forget that I quit. That is just not an option for me...I'm not a quitter and those that know me best, know I go down with a fight! hahaha I hope to fuel those emotions to get through this semester.
The funny this is that I've started out really strong in one of my classes and really terrible in the other. How is that possible? I really don't have an answer. But what I've learned in the last month and half is how much I am capable of. I've honestly thought back to my high school days and thought, WOW, so this is what studying could have been like and wow, what would I have been like if I would have applied myself this much in high school?! It honestly makes me sad, but you can't re due the past, you have to just focus on what you have in front of you now. I wish I could re due high school, very much so. Because now I wonder that if I would have actually studied at night and read the chapters, instead of cramming every single night right before a test and really not getting it... I really think I would have been a much smarter person. hahaha...in theory. But again, that is the past.
I'm excited for what I've already learned and it's truly amazing how I've been able to do this. I am tired, I'm burnt out, I'm deprived. I love that I study like I do, but I don't like what it has done either. I am so tired, as I wake up, go to work, go workout, study study study. Repeat x5 days/week. On weekends I wake up, study study study, workout, study study study...MAYBE do a load of laundry as I can remember. I don't see anyone anymore or for that matter, talk to anyone...that is where I'm deprived. Our neighbors, the other day, saw me for the first time in 5 weeks and they were like "ooo you do still live here!" Because before, I was always outside or out and about with my husband constantly. Now all I do is sit inside and read and study.
Last weekend I had a little break down. I was so frustrated with the material, not necessarily because it's hard, it's just SO much you have to learn in SO little time. One chapter alone had over 100 terms I needed to memorize (in 1 weeks time), plus add 2 other chapters on top of that, who also have about 50 terms each to memorize. You get my picture, maybe. Plus on top of that, doing other charts and diagrams for this class too. But I was frustrated because I didn't understand how one person can memorize so much in so little time. And not only that, we had people that wanted to "hang out" with us on Saturday and on Sunday, different people for each days/nights. Ah, I had to tell my husband we couldn't and he completely understood, but I didn't like that it happened. Where was my life? And then on Sunday my husband, after hunting all day, decided to have our neighbors over to grill the ducks/birds they just go...which ended up being a 3 hour extravaganza! :( I was loving having people over, but as soon as they left, at 9:30pm, I FREAKED out and broke down and just was like, "I just wasted 3 hours of time to study!!!!" SERIOUSLY, THAT IS WHAT I SAID.
I wasn't happy with MYSELF that I even would say such a thing. I cried so much that night because I felt like everything has changed so much and I don't think I was ready for this to be this way. I basically made a huge sacrifice by committing to going back to school. I just didn't realize it would mean everything. :(
Here is the thing:
Just like my sacrifice for school and doing homework...I have made the same "sacrifice" to follow Jesus Christ...the difference, I don't see it as a sacrifice, plus I've been following Jesus Christ for 16 years now. I hope I make this point right.
When you, or I have, decided to follow Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and allowed Him into my life and to work in my life as He so desires, I made a sacrifice that my OLD self would DIE and my new self would come alive in Christ.
I died to old ways, ways of this world. I knew my life would be different. I knew I wouldn't be the person that many people out there are. I knew I would make decisions in a different way than many others look at decisions or make those decisions, because with everything in my life comes the same common thing...Jesus Christ. Everything I do, I live and breath Jesus Christ....or least I try to. We are all human and we all make mistakes, I AM NOT PERFECT, NO SINGLE PERSON IS...
This whole back to school thing made me realize what a life changing thing this is, you have to conform to a new way of living. You have to say No to things that aren't good for you. You have to focus and learn what the Bible says (in my school case, what the Human Body says). You read it, you learn it, you MAKE it apart of your daily life. You have "tests". However, I don't really like the word "test" when it comes to "God testing you". I believe he allows things to happen and you have a choice...and no matter what choice you make, God will be with you. But God still puts things in front of you to see how you will react or what path you will choose. Same with school, I have tests. If I don't study, I will probably not be going down a good path. If I don't study the Bible, I probably will make poor decisions and go down a wrong a path. It is VERY important in both cases to study your material and be prepared for what may fall at you.
So this whole school thing...and me freaking out. Yeah, hasn't been fun. But thing of it is, it was MY choice and my choice alone. I am the one that goes to school each day I need to, I'm the one that comprehends the material, I am the one that seeks out the help. No one made me do it, no one is doing it for me. My Faith in Jesus Christ...I MADE the decision to follow Jesus Christ, and I alone came to that decision that I needed Him in my life and believed I will go to Heaven someday because of my faith and trust in Jesus Christ. No one has forced me to make that decision. You will always have people in your life that will encourage you and help you and help you understand what it all means (just like with school, I have a great support system who are my cheerleaders!) :) BUT, on both sides of that, I have people who bring you down. There will be people in your life that make fun of you for your Christian Faith, who say you are "religious" (which, don't get me started on "religious", your faith isn't a religion, it's a relationship!!!) or who mock you or tear you down. I have those same in school who say "just quit if its too hard, or yeah see, you can't do it". But who do I choose to listen to? I CHOOSE to get those people OUT of my life and focus on what I know I can do. I know school is fine, and I also know that those people in my life, that mock my Faith, aren't helping me or encouraging me, so I just pray that God is working in their lives. I will not shun them, but I simple choose to seek different encouragement in my life. I don't need that negativity!
Anyways...times gets rough, but how strong are you to pull through? How strong are you in your Faith? Nothing is meant to be easy...nothing. Not even the Christian Faith, but at least you have someone on your side fighting for you and encouraging you!!! :)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Where is your heart?
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to
the interests of the others.”
This could go on the lines of complaining that I talked about the other day. If you are complaining about others, you are not holding others above yourself.
I'm having a rough time with this one and this has been a real challenge for me lately. I feel like my life is filled with hearing complaints. I get them from/at work, I get them with school, I get them from home. When life is filled with so many complaints, how is someone suppose to look positive in that. Like I said the other day...when you surround yourself with complaints, you will complain. I'm trying so hard to get away from it, but I keep getting hit with them. My boss/Pastor yesterday even told me, "now Kelly, think positive that they will have a good attitude about this!" So I thought, ya, you are right Jeff, I'll change my attitude and think positive! And I was!! I thought, OK, this is alright. If you start thinking positive about things people may surprise you.
Well, I was doing well up until 8:30 this morning when I received a rather complaining phone call about the exact matter that I was talking to Pastor about yesterday. I crumbled! And I just thought, really? Why Lord? Why?! How are you suppose to think positive and give people a chance when I KNEW it would turn this way AND IT DID! I'd like to say, my point made! But I won't. :) THIS is why I struggle so much to be positive and not complain myself. I know that not everyone is like this and it could have turned out different. I know that. I also know that God is showing me something through this and I instant turn to Him and say, "Ok God, what now? Now what do I do and how do I take this?" I don't expect Him to answer today, but I know that my attitude will turn positive and I'll move on. I know that one thing won't bring me down, as much as I wanted it to this morning.
What can change this? ME. I can BE positive and NOT complain and pray that when those around me complain, I can have deaf ears.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to
the interests of the others.”
This could go on the lines of complaining that I talked about the other day. If you are complaining about others, you are not holding others above yourself.
I'm having a rough time with this one and this has been a real challenge for me lately. I feel like my life is filled with hearing complaints. I get them from/at work, I get them with school, I get them from home. When life is filled with so many complaints, how is someone suppose to look positive in that. Like I said the other day...when you surround yourself with complaints, you will complain. I'm trying so hard to get away from it, but I keep getting hit with them. My boss/Pastor yesterday even told me, "now Kelly, think positive that they will have a good attitude about this!" So I thought, ya, you are right Jeff, I'll change my attitude and think positive! And I was!! I thought, OK, this is alright. If you start thinking positive about things people may surprise you.
Well, I was doing well up until 8:30 this morning when I received a rather complaining phone call about the exact matter that I was talking to Pastor about yesterday. I crumbled! And I just thought, really? Why Lord? Why?! How are you suppose to think positive and give people a chance when I KNEW it would turn this way AND IT DID! I'd like to say, my point made! But I won't. :) THIS is why I struggle so much to be positive and not complain myself. I know that not everyone is like this and it could have turned out different. I know that. I also know that God is showing me something through this and I instant turn to Him and say, "Ok God, what now? Now what do I do and how do I take this?" I don't expect Him to answer today, but I know that my attitude will turn positive and I'll move on. I know that one thing won't bring me down, as much as I wanted it to this morning.
What can change this? ME. I can BE positive and NOT complain and pray that when those around me complain, I can have deaf ears.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Complaining
I've been learning a lot about what dedication and perseverance means. I listened to a great message last night while I was running and it talked about complaining...which is actually the second message of this. It's fitting for some struggles I'm going through regarding my work situation. I love my job I do and I love where I work. My biggest struggle is LISTENING to the complaining. What I've noticed is that when you hear complaining and are constantly around negative things in your life, it starts to pull you down.
Well, that is what has been happening to me. These negative "complaining" comments keep bringing me down, to the point where I have started to complain as well. This is something I learned from the message:
If you are complaining, you are not allowing God to WORK in the situation. You are actually hindering his ability to work in the situation. Interesting. So if you continually complain about something, ITS NEVER GOING TO GET FIXED because God isn't able to work in YOUR life to either see you see a different perspective or vs versa.
Interesting...
So instead of complaining about a job, or people, or bad decisions others have made that effect outcomes (no, I'm not referring to football with the refs). Maybe instead be THANKFUL for what you do have? Your life needs to be in CONSTANT thanksgiving! Not just on Thanksgiving, BUT CONSTANTLY IN THANKSGIVING.
I find this funny and neat, because a week ago I was having a conversation with our Pastor about how I get caught up in the why "worldly" people think and it brings me down just with that. I told him that I'm not jealous of things others have or anything like that, because I honestly, fully heartily LOVE the life I have. So why do I want to pick on others with their life or why do I even look at others lives and compare them? He said... "are you truly thankful for what you have?" He just said in order to change your attitude you need to be in constant thankfulness for what you do have, just like you are telling me now. You say you are thankful, but are you truly thankful every day for the circumstances God has given you? woah...interesting thought!
So I went home and made a little poster that says "Blessings from God" and hung it on our fridge. And every time we are "thankful" or "blessed" for/by something, we write it down. I LOVE IT. My husband has really gotten into doing this (because we've both struggled with this) and it's been a blast to see what we've come up with.
But this is the point...CONSTANT thanksgiving WILL change your attitude about stuff and will result in LESS if not NO complaining! I don't know about you, but I want POSITIVE things in my life, I don't want to hear complaining.
A verse stuck out to me and it has nothing to do with complaining or thanksgiving....BUT it will help you "persevere" through those times! :)
Romans 5:3-4
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character,
hope.”
Well, that is what has been happening to me. These negative "complaining" comments keep bringing me down, to the point where I have started to complain as well. This is something I learned from the message:
If you are complaining, you are not allowing God to WORK in the situation. You are actually hindering his ability to work in the situation. Interesting. So if you continually complain about something, ITS NEVER GOING TO GET FIXED because God isn't able to work in YOUR life to either see you see a different perspective or vs versa.
Interesting...
So instead of complaining about a job, or people, or bad decisions others have made that effect outcomes (no, I'm not referring to football with the refs). Maybe instead be THANKFUL for what you do have? Your life needs to be in CONSTANT thanksgiving! Not just on Thanksgiving, BUT CONSTANTLY IN THANKSGIVING.
I find this funny and neat, because a week ago I was having a conversation with our Pastor about how I get caught up in the why "worldly" people think and it brings me down just with that. I told him that I'm not jealous of things others have or anything like that, because I honestly, fully heartily LOVE the life I have. So why do I want to pick on others with their life or why do I even look at others lives and compare them? He said... "are you truly thankful for what you have?" He just said in order to change your attitude you need to be in constant thankfulness for what you do have, just like you are telling me now. You say you are thankful, but are you truly thankful every day for the circumstances God has given you? woah...interesting thought!
So I went home and made a little poster that says "Blessings from God" and hung it on our fridge. And every time we are "thankful" or "blessed" for/by something, we write it down. I LOVE IT. My husband has really gotten into doing this (because we've both struggled with this) and it's been a blast to see what we've come up with.
But this is the point...CONSTANT thanksgiving WILL change your attitude about stuff and will result in LESS if not NO complaining! I don't know about you, but I want POSITIVE things in my life, I don't want to hear complaining.
A verse stuck out to me and it has nothing to do with complaining or thanksgiving....BUT it will help you "persevere" through those times! :)
Romans 5:3-4
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character,
hope.”
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