Fiction becomes a curse when true stories lose their power.
Showing posts with label In HIM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In HIM. Show all posts
Quotes on Friendship
A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably.
~William Penn
Ointment and perfume delight the heart,
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.
~Psalm 27:9
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
~John 15:12-13
The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.
~C.S. Lewis
How great victory was that which Jonathon must have gained over himself, when he rejoiced to see David raised above him! He discerned the mind of God in David, and had so learned to delight in God, that he did not see in David one who was to outshine him, but another faithful man raised up for God and Israel.
~Robert C. Chapman
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
~Romans 12:9-10
It costs to be a friend or to have a friend. It not only costs time, affection, patience, love, but sometimes a man must even lay down his life for his friends. There is no true friendship without self-abnegation, self-sacrifice.
~Unknown
If I take offence easily; if I am content to continue in cold unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
~ Amy Carmichael
When friends stop being frank and useful to each other, the whole world loses some of its radiance.
~Anatole Broyard
If I take offence easily; if I am content to continue in cold unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
~ Amy Carmichael
When friends stop being frank and useful to each other, the whole world loses some of its radiance.
~Anatole Broyard
February Photo Challenge ~ Valentines Day
You will find as you look upon your life that the moments that you truely live are the moments you have done things in the spirit of love.
~Henry Drummond
He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God. God is love. Therefore love. Without distinction, without calculation, without procrastination, love. Lavish it upon the poor, where it is very easy; especially upon the rich, who often need it most; most of all upon out equals, where it is very difficult, and for whom perhaps we do the least of all.
~Henry Drummond
Happiness... consists in giving, and in serving others.
~Henry Drummond
To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.
~ Henry Drummond
Some Good Reads
This is a collection of posts that date from the middle of January to this last week. Each of them resonated with me in some way, and I hope they will for you too! If you're looking to be inspired, something lovely to read, or even some new blogs to follow, definitely peruse the links below.
- Comment Replying and Blog Tips ~ YES. I didn't know about the replying by email bit, but I agree with the blog tips 100%.
- Whatever You Do ~ A good reminder for myself, as well as an encouragement for you as well!
- Lovin' the Big Years ~ There are precious moments in all stages of life.
- Thoughts for the Lord's Day ~ Are we wasting our days in selfishness, or are redeeming the time by obeying the commands that God has given us?
- What is {True} Love? ~ Is love hopping from relationship to relationship? How is love really defined?
- The Hound and the Hart ~ Seeking God's will is all well and good (if you go about it the right way!), but wouldn't it be better to seek the heard of God instead?
If you read any of those posts, what were your thoughts?
To Mimic the Greats...Be An Influential Writer
I'm learning something about writing lately. Mainly I'm learning it because of the British Literature class I've been taking. The class isn't geared toward writing, although I'm learning much about writing an essay, which is very helpful.
What I am learning though is that many of those fabulous authors that we still revere today are remembered because they wrote with a purpose. There was something that they wanted to discuss or point out to the world, and one of the best ways to do it was in story form.
Perhaps that was not the way the story began. Many times an author began a new novel simply to earn what money he could. Even so, they knew how to manipulate the plot in order to make it worth while for a person to read and that manipulation became a cause.
Below are some books that made a difference because of what they discuss. I have not read all of these books and so cannot recommend them all, but each one is significant (in many cases, world-wide!) for how it covered a current trend or event, or even how it took a stand for a particular belief.
- Uncle Tom's Cabin is decidedly anti-slavery.
- Little Dorrit points out the shortcomings of the government and social society, as well as showcasing imprisonment in various forms.
- A Picture of Dorian Gray gives us a creepy view of morality, or rather, immorality and it's utter selfishness.
- North and South contrasts an industrial northern England with an agricultural south, and represents a transitioning time from the old, traditional ways to the new, progressive approach that came with the industrial revolution.
- Les Miserables explores redemption, and the characteristics of the law and of grace.
There are a few more contemporary novels that portray similar characteristics.
- The Hunger Games also depicts the government and how controlling and dominating it can become.
- One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich centers on oppression from authorities and prison camp survival.
- To Kill a Mockingbird exposes the racist views that were still extremely prevalent at the time of it's writing. (And often still are.)
- Cry, the Beloved Country showed the disintegration of a culture and way of life to native South Africans.
These books resonate with a truth that appeals to people. These books have made an impact and so have the people who penned them in the first place.
That got me to thinking. So much of what is being written nowadays is written purely for entertainment. Now there's nothing wrong with having a great adventure just for the sake of having an adventure, but the truly great books are the ones that show you something about life while you're having that adventure.
I mean really, do all of those vampire-stole-my-heart stories really have anything to offer us other than a chilling thrill and a hint of danger? No. Not even the junky, so-called "Christian" ones. (Honestly, if you're a Christian you should know better!) In my opinion the whole vampire thing is a fad and will fall away in it's turn in a similar manner to Furbys from the 90's. Granted Twilight will hang around and still be popular as the trendsetter of it's day, but there's nothing about those books that is really going to appeal to people for forever. They aren't important. It's the important ones that have made an impact.
As long as we are on this earth there is going to be a government that we are going to have to deal with. Oppression, redemption, and change are things that we will always be coping with.
So, the question I begin to ask myself is, will my writing be influential? Are my books pure entertainment? Granted I have a few "just for fun" books lying around for when I'm in a lazy mood, but if I'm really serious about my work, and if I'm really trying to do my absolute best, then making people think and react to my work is something that desperately needs to be considered.
This applies to any kind of writer out there, not just Christians. Fiction or nonfiction, fantasy or contemporary, sci-fi or historical. If you want to be like the Greats, then it's not just a matter of expanding your vocabulary (watch this video!) it's a matter of being influential.
It's the difference between fluff and something to really chew on. It's the difference between a kindergardener's schoolroom and the Library of Alexandria.
That got me to thinking. So much of what is being written nowadays is written purely for entertainment. Now there's nothing wrong with having a great adventure just for the sake of having an adventure, but the truly great books are the ones that show you something about life while you're having that adventure.
I mean really, do all of those vampire-stole-my-heart stories really have anything to offer us other than a chilling thrill and a hint of danger? No. Not even the junky, so-called "Christian" ones. (Honestly, if you're a Christian you should know better!) In my opinion the whole vampire thing is a fad and will fall away in it's turn in a similar manner to Furbys from the 90's. Granted Twilight will hang around and still be popular as the trendsetter of it's day, but there's nothing about those books that is really going to appeal to people for forever. They aren't important. It's the important ones that have made an impact.
As long as we are on this earth there is going to be a government that we are going to have to deal with. Oppression, redemption, and change are things that we will always be coping with.
So, the question I begin to ask myself is, will my writing be influential? Are my books pure entertainment? Granted I have a few "just for fun" books lying around for when I'm in a lazy mood, but if I'm really serious about my work, and if I'm really trying to do my absolute best, then making people think and react to my work is something that desperately needs to be considered.
This applies to any kind of writer out there, not just Christians. Fiction or nonfiction, fantasy or contemporary, sci-fi or historical. If you want to be like the Greats, then it's not just a matter of expanding your vocabulary (watch this video!) it's a matter of being influential.
It's the difference between fluff and something to really chew on. It's the difference between a kindergardener's schoolroom and the Library of Alexandria.
One Word ~ 2012
Last year I posted about a fabulous idea called One Word. New Year's resolutions are so hard to remember, keep, or even to remind yourself to look at them and see how you measure up! We always try to make too many, and we fail.
With One Word, you choose exactly that. One Word. It's a word that will hopefully stay with you all year long.
In 2011, my word did pop up all year long. I would go for weeks at a time without thinking of it, and then I would remember and renew my purpose in that area. More often than not I was reminded of it after I had failed in a certain area, and it gave me the determination to try again next time.
Last year my word was "Serve".
That was 2011.
This year my word is "Love".
This is 2012.
With One Word, you choose exactly that. One Word. It's a word that will hopefully stay with you all year long.
In 2011, my word did pop up all year long. I would go for weeks at a time without thinking of it, and then I would remember and renew my purpose in that area. More often than not I was reminded of it after I had failed in a certain area, and it gave me the determination to try again next time.
Last year my word was "Serve".
That was 2011.
This year my word is "Love".
This is 2012.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there aretongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:4:8
The Comforter has Come!
I was trying to cheer myself up earlier today, so I started singing some hymns and children's songs that I knew. Singing always make my spirits rise!
One of the songs that came to mind was "The Comforter has come". It's a lovely, encouraging song.
One of the songs that came to mind was "The Comforter has come". It's a lovely, encouraging song.
The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n;
O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found—
The Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n;
O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found—
The Comforter has come!
As I was thinking about the lyrics, though, I realized that this song is not just about comforting the weary, weak, and afraid. It's not just a song we sing when we are sad or we feel as though life has hit us a hard blow.
No, this song also speaks of triumph, joy, and hope. It speaks of eternal victory!
I had one more thought about the lyrics though. Not only does it bring comforting news, but it demands that if we have found the news wonderful, then we are to share it with the world. Spread the tidings 'round! We have been healed, now share the source of that healing. We have been given a gift, now we must pass it on to others.
It's an exciting charge, but also a solemn one. How well am I doing at this? Not very well. I am embarrassed to think about it, quite frankly. It is definitely something that I need to work on, with help from the Lord.
Quotes about Strength
We recently went to the Sequim Olympic Game Farm in Washington, where we saw lions, and tigers, and...oh, I won't go into all of that.
I took more pictures than the ones here, but these are the ones that I liked best. I chose these quotes about strength, because both of these animals, the bison and the bear, seem to have that quality in abundance. While their strength may chiefly lie in their physical abilities, we can work to become strong in many areas of our Christian walk such as prayer, controlling our tongues, serving others, and seeking to glorify the Lord in all that we do.
Is it not He who gives the bison and the bear their strength? It is fitting that we, too, should draw our strength from Him.
Read more about our adventure at the Olympic Game Park at Sagerats Scribbles!
I took more pictures than the ones here, but these are the ones that I liked best. I chose these quotes about strength, because both of these animals, the bison and the bear, seem to have that quality in abundance. While their strength may chiefly lie in their physical abilities, we can work to become strong in many areas of our Christian walk such as prayer, controlling our tongues, serving others, and seeking to glorify the Lord in all that we do.
Is it not He who gives the bison and the bear their strength? It is fitting that we, too, should draw our strength from Him.
"Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
~Mother Theresa~
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."
~Corrie Ten Boom~
Read more about our adventure at the Olympic Game Park at Sagerats Scribbles!
Sharing the Blessings ~ One
I recently started following this adorable and quaint blog, written by Kellie Falconer, and I am so excited to learn more about her and read her posts!
She recently started a meme which is similar to many others, but one that I couldn't resist, seeing as how it had such a lovely button. Sharing the Blessings is exactly what it sounds like, and so I'd love to begin!
This week, I am extremely excited and thankful that my beloved, special-needs brother is learning to read! It hasn't just been this week, and it has been an extremely long and unusual process, but he just read to me several Dick and Jane stories, yesterday.
It is not much, and there is still a long road ahead of us, but I think that my little brother is well on his way to learning a skill that so many of us take for granted. Hip, hip, hooray!
4 Ways to Limit Computer Time and Focus on Other Things
In this day and age, computers seem to be an absolute must. There is at least one computer per household, and in my experience people use them often throughout the day. There are so many great uses for a computer! Thousands, in fact! We make blogs, websites, papers, forms, certificates, graphs, stories, games, and so forth. We play games, we connect with people, we hunt for better ways to interact with the world.
Computers are really amazing, and absolutely fascinating, which is one of the reasons I think that we humans like them so much. How can one device hold all that information? How can it tell us that we have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, a new comment on one of our blogs, and that the fork control legislation has been accepted?
There is also the dark side of computer use. Of course the fault of this lies entirely with the human and our susceptibility to addictions. Unfortunately, I am one of those humans. Computers attract me. I love using them. I like to blog, read blogs, design blogs, play games (not so much anymore), upload pictures, and read stats.
Often, I will get sucked into computer use, and use it much longer than necessary, merely trying to find an excuse to stay on. Things have seriously suffered because of this. My chores and housework would sometimes be forgotten or delayed, I was always "too busy" to play a game with my brothers, and my reading skills and frequency practically went down the drain. There had been a time when I could have read a thick book in two days. Not anymore.
There is one other problem of the computer that unskilled users like me can face, and that is computer illness. I don't know how computer's get their viruses, or how to get rid of them, and that is really bad, considering how much I used mine. Really it's no wonder that it was suddenly stricken with diseases that it's three-year-old build couldn't handle.
My computer crashed. I've had issues with it for a while, and we have restored it to factory condition twice. This time, although I think I could, I haven't. My pictures are still on there this time and I don't want to delete them forever. Maybe someone will be able to rescue them for me someday.
Anyway, that was about two weeks ago and I want to tell you something. It's been amazing! I still get on the computer at least once a day because my Dad, Mom, and Sister are nice and sweet, but without my own computer, I have felt so free!
I know, "this is ridiculous" you say. "In fact, it's almost disgusting. You really were addicted!"
As sad as it sounds, I think I really must have been. However, that's not what I want to focus on anymore. I have enjoyed my time way more than I ever did when I had a computer that worked. I have been reading like crazy, and not just fluff books either! The thing is, I want it to stay this way. Even if I save up and get another computer in the future, I want to strengthen my self-control and limit myself so that I can focus on the things that are more important.
If you are struggling in this area as well, and don't have the blessing of a broken computer to help you out, then I thought I would share a couple of tips. They aren't anything new, but sometimes reading things a different way will make it click more than it ever did before. That's my hope anyway. These still apply to me in many, many ways!
Computers are really amazing, and absolutely fascinating, which is one of the reasons I think that we humans like them so much. How can one device hold all that information? How can it tell us that we have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, a new comment on one of our blogs, and that the fork control legislation has been accepted?
There is also the dark side of computer use. Of course the fault of this lies entirely with the human and our susceptibility to addictions. Unfortunately, I am one of those humans. Computers attract me. I love using them. I like to blog, read blogs, design blogs, play games (not so much anymore), upload pictures, and read stats.
Often, I will get sucked into computer use, and use it much longer than necessary, merely trying to find an excuse to stay on. Things have seriously suffered because of this. My chores and housework would sometimes be forgotten or delayed, I was always "too busy" to play a game with my brothers, and my reading skills and frequency practically went down the drain. There had been a time when I could have read a thick book in two days. Not anymore.
There is one other problem of the computer that unskilled users like me can face, and that is computer illness. I don't know how computer's get their viruses, or how to get rid of them, and that is really bad, considering how much I used mine. Really it's no wonder that it was suddenly stricken with diseases that it's three-year-old build couldn't handle.
My computer crashed. I've had issues with it for a while, and we have restored it to factory condition twice. This time, although I think I could, I haven't. My pictures are still on there this time and I don't want to delete them forever. Maybe someone will be able to rescue them for me someday.
Anyway, that was about two weeks ago and I want to tell you something. It's been amazing! I still get on the computer at least once a day because my Dad, Mom, and Sister are nice and sweet, but without my own computer, I have felt so free!
I know, "this is ridiculous" you say. "In fact, it's almost disgusting. You really were addicted!"
As sad as it sounds, I think I really must have been. However, that's not what I want to focus on anymore. I have enjoyed my time way more than I ever did when I had a computer that worked. I have been reading like crazy, and not just fluff books either! The thing is, I want it to stay this way. Even if I save up and get another computer in the future, I want to strengthen my self-control and limit myself so that I can focus on the things that are more important.
If you are struggling in this area as well, and don't have the blessing of a broken computer to help you out, then I thought I would share a couple of tips. They aren't anything new, but sometimes reading things a different way will make it click more than it ever did before. That's my hope anyway. These still apply to me in many, many ways!
- Start with God. Any attempt at anything will be way more successful with Him helping you along.
- Write a list of things that you want to do on the computer, and stick to that list. Rabbit trails are not forbidden, but they will drag you away from your original plan. If they are really important, add them to a new list for the next time!
- Set a time limit. Evaluate how much time your list will take, and set a limit based on that.
- Write a list of things to do instead of getting on the computer! In our household we could play a game, read books, go out and ride a bike, or weed a flowerbed, make cookies, fold laundry, knit, crochet, sew, crafts of any sort, write a letter...
As always there is a fine line between being completely controlling of your life and allowing for the need of flexibility. Self-control can become a dictator without good judgement to be an advisor.
Another thing to consider is that you might not always have to set a time limit. When people go on a diet their stomachs will seem to shrink, until they often say that it doesn't take as much to make them feel full anymore. It's the same with a computer diet. Eventually, spending less time on the computer may become a habit, and you won't need a timer to ring to let you know that you are done.
Let me tell you that the effort it takes is well worth it. If you cut back on time spent on the computer so much more can be done, and life will definitely be more wholesome and full!
Vacuuming, Lions, and Good News
I had just finished reading "Do Hard Things" and felt ready to change the world, even if it meant vacuuming the carpet first. Which it did. I hadn't done it in over a week, and it seemed like there was crumbs everywhere. Actually, I rather enjoy vacuuming the carpet anyway, so it wasn't the actual act that was hard, it is being faithful in doing my job on a regular basis that is difficult.
I cleaned out the filter, and was walking back to the vacuum when I saw my little brother playing with his legos. Nothing out of the ordinary there. He would play with his legos all day long if we let him, and although legos aren't bad, we don't want him to focus on just that one thing. So I grabbed a color book and some pencils and plopped him down at the table to begin his coloring adventures, and was about to happily go back to my vacuuming when Mommy spoke up.
"Since you guys are studying the ear right now in school, why don't you find him a picture of an ear to color?"
No big deal, right? Wrong. The problem was not with finding an ear to color, but rather with my attitude. Find a picture of the ear was way more work then I had originally intended to do for this whole coloring thing. My plan had been quick and simple, this plan was going to take time.
Immediately I started huffing my way to the bookshelf to look for the anatomy color book. I huffed as I flipped through to the ear, and I huffed when the printer had to do some preparation before I could use it. Finally, I was able to plop down a copy of the ear and go back to my vacuum.
The bad news is that the good intentions were in ruins. The unnecessary attitude seemed to make everything else fall flat.
The devil will seek anyway he can to bring us down. Even if it means using good intentions. Especially if it means using good intentions. If he can sneak in there and attack when we aren't looking for him, then his raid will be all the more successful.
1 Peter 5:8That's the bad news that sounds like it's straight out of a nightmare, right? Here's the good news:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour...
Romans 6:14Keep walking with the Lord, and seeking His counsel; be sober and vigilant. Especially when you think you're doing all right, and even in the little things of life.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
1 Corinthians 13 - Love
I was debating about finding a new meme to participate in for this post, but decided against it. I love meme's as much as the next person, but for me they can often become a cop out, instead of actually using brain power to come up with a good post.
I have been thinking about love a lot lately. Don't jump to conclusions about me and my life please, because I am merely talking about love as it is defined in 1 Corinthians 13 and how it relates to my relationships with my siblings, parents, and friends. It's a pretty amazing passage really. Especially the really practical part of it, verses 4-7.
Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.It seems like a lot to remember, but I think the main thing that we should remember is that this is a description of true love. Although these are things that we can try to implement in our efforts of loving those around us, they will only naturally fall into place if the love for that person is already growing in our hearts.
Conversely, love is a choice that can be made every second, not a random act of fate or destiny. Even if we have met the most annoying and challenging person in our acquaintance, we can certainly choose to love them whether we get warm, fuzzy feelings or not.
Finally, true love comes from our Heavenly Father. If we have His love, then it will spread out through us to touch those we come in contact with.
So, those were just some thoughts that I had on the subject. Nothing profound I'm sure, but I thought I would share what I have been pondering of late.
Blessings!
Dream Day Wedding
Every girl has that beautiful dream of what they want their wedding to look like. Some want pink roses, some want carnations. Flowers are almost always included, no matter what they are. The dress is almost always white; long, full, and flowing, or sleek and elegant. There are bridesmaids to be thought of, decorations to plan and place, refreshments or a meal for the reception, a photographer and so many other little details that one has to think of.
I have had my dreams, just like any other girl, although it's a good possibility that mine may change more often than others. I've wanted to wear a top hat, be married outdoors, have the groomsmen wear vintage vests and hats. I've wanted my dress to be long, and short by turns.
It had always been a plan of mine, to NOT have a tacky wedding. No matter what the budget (for I know there will be a budget!), I have always wanted it to be elegant and beautiful. Just as every girl does, I suppose!
Today, however, I had a wake-up call.
I was discussing weddings with my Mommy, which isn't an entirely unusual thing. Once again, I was desperately trying to get across my desire for a truly beautiful wedding. I didn't want to look back at pictures and see too many flaws in the surroundings.
It was then that Mommy said, "So, you're looking at the material things then, and not what a wedding is really all about."
A stinging feeling flooded my heart, and I looked down as I realized what she said was true. Am I really so incredibly materialistic? Have I really forgotten what a wedding, is and should be?
A wedding and marriage is the symbol of the close relationship between Christ and His bride the Church. Most Christians know that, or should. But how often do even Christians forget that symbol in the hurry and flurry of getting ready for their big day? How often do girls forget it when they dream of the style of dress they want to wear? All too often.
I'm not saying that it's bad to plan a beautiful wedding, but let all of us young girls just remember one thing, and it is that if your wedding is laid upon a foundation of faith in the Lord, with both the bride and groom honoring HIM with the glory of the day, then it will certainly be a beautiful thing, no matter what the material things look like.
Pictures are courtesy of Public Domain Pictures and Karen's Whimsey.
I have had my dreams, just like any other girl, although it's a good possibility that mine may change more often than others. I've wanted to wear a top hat, be married outdoors, have the groomsmen wear vintage vests and hats. I've wanted my dress to be long, and short by turns.
It had always been a plan of mine, to NOT have a tacky wedding. No matter what the budget (for I know there will be a budget!), I have always wanted it to be elegant and beautiful. Just as every girl does, I suppose!
Today, however, I had a wake-up call.
I was discussing weddings with my Mommy, which isn't an entirely unusual thing. Once again, I was desperately trying to get across my desire for a truly beautiful wedding. I didn't want to look back at pictures and see too many flaws in the surroundings.
It was then that Mommy said, "So, you're looking at the material things then, and not what a wedding is really all about."
A stinging feeling flooded my heart, and I looked down as I realized what she said was true. Am I really so incredibly materialistic? Have I really forgotten what a wedding, is and should be?
A wedding and marriage is the symbol of the close relationship between Christ and His bride the Church. Most Christians know that, or should. But how often do even Christians forget that symbol in the hurry and flurry of getting ready for their big day? How often do girls forget it when they dream of the style of dress they want to wear? All too often.
I'm not saying that it's bad to plan a beautiful wedding, but let all of us young girls just remember one thing, and it is that if your wedding is laid upon a foundation of faith in the Lord, with both the bride and groom honoring HIM with the glory of the day, then it will certainly be a beautiful thing, no matter what the material things look like.
Pictures are courtesy of Public Domain Pictures and Karen's Whimsey.
It's a Forever-Change
In a few short days I will be escorted home by my loving family. As in, home. My home. The bit of land in the world that I will forever consider as the place where I grew up, and the place I love.
It will be a change, and in some ways a big change. I'm not going home to the same house that I have known. I've never lived in this house before. I'm not going home to be doing the same things that I've done before, as I will be getting a job, doing activities, driving myself around in my own car, and so forth. I'm certainly not going to be eating the same food as I have known, as my family is on a special diet that you can read more about on my Mom's blog, Sagerat's Scribbles.
As I've thought of some of these things, getting a job, a new diet, and so forth and so on, they have worried me incessantly. If any of you know me at all, you'll know that I am a major worry wart. A diet? Well, how long does the diet go for? What kind of foods are allowed on it? Is pizza? Because I love pizza and I don't really want to completely give that up. What about lasagna?
Sometimes I am excited about getting job, and it will be exciting! Worrying gets to me though. What if my family goes on a trip and I have to miss out because of my job? What if I am asked to do something that is really hard for me? What if I mess up?
I know that some of these things sound silly. Ridiculously silly in some cases. Obviously, I need to remember:
The biggest thing that has frightened me about some of these things is that they represent a forever-change, in a sense. Do you know what I mean by that? To me, a forever-change is a change that will be long-term. It may not really be for forever, but it sure seems like it. A forever-change is something that you won't be able to get out of easily, once you start.
Usually, the goal of a diet is to retrain your body to eat less and enjoy the right kinds of foods. Generally this does not involve pizza. How could anyone not eat pizza for the rest of their life? Another thing that I have experienced in this diet is that so far it is very limited and I really don't like being limited.
Using my other example, I actually have yet to enter the work-force. Granted I am signed up as a Pampered Chef consultant, but with the way that is going, I feel like it's not a real job. If I get a real job, it will be a forever-change, in a way. I'll have to learn that I'm going to miss out on some things. I'll have to learn that I will make mistakes, and I'll have to learn from them. Once I start, there won't be any turning back.
It took me a while to realize that this is one of the root problems with a lot of my fears. When my sister and I were little we didn't like change. When we learned we couldn't ride in the shopping cart anymore, we were devastated. When they would change the characters in our favorite TV show, Zoom, we were angry. Our Mother would generally state that her children hated change. She wasn't necessarily proud of that fact, she was just making a statement.
Then I thought I had mostly grown out of it. At least, to a normal standpoint. Everyone has their ideas of what should or shouldn't change. As I got closer to moving home, just a few weeks ago, I realized that I hadn't changed (and what else is new?). That one of my root fears is actually just that. The fear of change. Of forever-change.
The thought that quickly flashed through my mind, was that if I wasn't a Christian already, then I would have a very hard time becoming one, because that my friends, is a forever-change in the exact and literal meaning of the words.
Wow. Wait a minute. Did I really just say that? Well, it's true. I am one of those people who wants absolute control over what is going on. It may not seem like it sometimes, but I am a very controlling person. Christianity is a loss of control.
Becoming a Christian is the ultimate forever-change, friends. It means giving up my control and letting someone else take over. I became a Christian quite a few years ago, but I guess I still needed to learn that loving Christ was the best change that I ever made, especially when He can help me make it through those petty, everyday changes.
What changes are you facing right now, and what helps you to overcome your fear of them? How would you define "forever-change"? Which of God's promises help you when you are worried?
It will be a change, and in some ways a big change. I'm not going home to the same house that I have known. I've never lived in this house before. I'm not going home to be doing the same things that I've done before, as I will be getting a job, doing activities, driving myself around in my own car, and so forth. I'm certainly not going to be eating the same food as I have known, as my family is on a special diet that you can read more about on my Mom's blog, Sagerat's Scribbles.
As I've thought of some of these things, getting a job, a new diet, and so forth and so on, they have worried me incessantly. If any of you know me at all, you'll know that I am a major worry wart. A diet? Well, how long does the diet go for? What kind of foods are allowed on it? Is pizza? Because I love pizza and I don't really want to completely give that up. What about lasagna?
Sometimes I am excited about getting job, and it will be exciting! Worrying gets to me though. What if my family goes on a trip and I have to miss out because of my job? What if I am asked to do something that is really hard for me? What if I mess up?
I know that some of these things sound silly. Ridiculously silly in some cases. Obviously, I need to remember:
"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." ~ Psalm 55:22
The biggest thing that has frightened me about some of these things is that they represent a forever-change, in a sense. Do you know what I mean by that? To me, a forever-change is a change that will be long-term. It may not really be for forever, but it sure seems like it. A forever-change is something that you won't be able to get out of easily, once you start.
Usually, the goal of a diet is to retrain your body to eat less and enjoy the right kinds of foods. Generally this does not involve pizza. How could anyone not eat pizza for the rest of their life? Another thing that I have experienced in this diet is that so far it is very limited and I really don't like being limited.
Using my other example, I actually have yet to enter the work-force. Granted I am signed up as a Pampered Chef consultant, but with the way that is going, I feel like it's not a real job. If I get a real job, it will be a forever-change, in a way. I'll have to learn that I'm going to miss out on some things. I'll have to learn that I will make mistakes, and I'll have to learn from them. Once I start, there won't be any turning back.
It took me a while to realize that this is one of the root problems with a lot of my fears. When my sister and I were little we didn't like change. When we learned we couldn't ride in the shopping cart anymore, we were devastated. When they would change the characters in our favorite TV show, Zoom, we were angry. Our Mother would generally state that her children hated change. She wasn't necessarily proud of that fact, she was just making a statement.
Then I thought I had mostly grown out of it. At least, to a normal standpoint. Everyone has their ideas of what should or shouldn't change. As I got closer to moving home, just a few weeks ago, I realized that I hadn't changed (and what else is new?). That one of my root fears is actually just that. The fear of change. Of forever-change.
The thought that quickly flashed through my mind, was that if I wasn't a Christian already, then I would have a very hard time becoming one, because that my friends, is a forever-change in the exact and literal meaning of the words.
Wow. Wait a minute. Did I really just say that? Well, it's true. I am one of those people who wants absolute control over what is going on. It may not seem like it sometimes, but I am a very controlling person. Christianity is a loss of control.
"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." ~ Matthew 10:39
Becoming a Christian is the ultimate forever-change, friends. It means giving up my control and letting someone else take over. I became a Christian quite a few years ago, but I guess I still needed to learn that loving Christ was the best change that I ever made, especially when He can help me make it through those petty, everyday changes.
What changes are you facing right now, and what helps you to overcome your fear of them? How would you define "forever-change"? Which of God's promises help you when you are worried?
In the Word and at the Feet of God
What a good thing it is when circumstances or necessity drives a man to where he should have been in the first place: in the Word and at the feet of God.
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