This week, I've been thinking a lot about the music that I listen to. When I look at my playlists, I see pop, rock, gospel, rap, hip-hop, country, worship, and many others. I have a very wide appreciation of music and that's rare for some people. I joke that I may not like some type of music, but in reality, I do like it. I feel weird liking all genres of music.
But, this post isn't for me to talk about my taste in music. I really want to talk about Christian music and the way that we, as Christians, listen to and interpret it.
First, though, let's talk about two words that we don't usually see together: pure and love. Those two words are rarely used together because they don't go with each other. As humans, we don't have such a thing as pure love. We are flawed beings. We can rarely love without tainted motives. Usually, when we "love" someone, we want something from them and when others "love" us, they want something from us.
In this life, we (most of the time) feel that we have to earn somebody's love by giving them what they want or require from us. This type of love is not pure at all. It doesn't even reflect God's true heart. However, we are so used to performing that way and trying to impress others, that we begin acting that way towards God. He run around in circles trying to impress Him and trying to gain His love. We don't ever stop to consider that God's love really is pure; it has no deceptive or selfish motive. He doesn't want anything from us except for us.
I was trying to find scripture that could help me illustrate this point when I came across a story that is one of my favorites. It's the story of Martha, Mary and Jesus (found in Luke 10). Maybe you remember the story? Jesus came to visit the home of sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha spent her time trying to prepare for the Lord's visit. She was distracted by trying to make Him happy. But, her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His word.
Whether she realized it or not, Martha was trying he hardest to please Jesus and to earn His love. She believed that the only way to do this was to clean and prepare and entertain. She thought that Jesus would be happy with warm food, a clean home, and a comfortable visit. The only thing was that Jesus was happy with just spending time with her and her sister.
Martha thought Jesus' love was impure, so in return, her love to Him was also impure. She was only performing for Jesus. Mary, however, understood His deep and pure love. Thus, she sat at His feet and listened to what He had to say in response to her understanding.
Let's go back to the idea of worship. I am a worshipper. I love to worship the Lord with all my heart. It's an exchange of pure love between Him and me. I receive His love and cannot help but return it.
However, I know that I have viewed worship in the same way Martha viewed her housework. I will worship God because I'm trying to impress Him (as well as others). And I know that it is so easy to fall into the trap that says the only way God will meet with us is when we worship just perfectly.
There are some real risks to worshipping this way, though. It begins to become "formula". By formula, I mean that these songs that we sing can become idolized and we end up focusing on what we are singing and how it sounds. This is all without a real, true heart connection.
Please, don't get me wrong. I absolutely love worship songs. I have my favorites and my not-so-favorites. I just want to make sure that I really do mean the things that I'm singing and that my worship is not just a formulaic effort to try and win over His love.
In the book of John, Jesus tells us, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks." (John 4:23)
That verse tells me that God wants our love and worship towards him to be real and pure.
I'm not so sure about you, but when I begin to strive to impress others and make them love me, well, that really isn't love at all. That, my friends, is performance and it is not exactly what I would call pure.
Our Father wants honesty and truth; our honesty and truth. He wants our spirits and our hearts to be completely connected to what our mouths are saying and singing to Him. He wants out pure worship.
But, you see, the only way for our worship to truly be pure is for us to receive Him pure love for us. We have to realize that no matter what happens, He loves us. His love is unconditional; it is completely pure. He doesn't love us because He wants something from us; He doesn't want us to do Him any service. He simply loves us for being us and He just wants us to know Him and to experience that love from Him.
We can't earn His love! He's already given it to us! That is so amazing! It just makes me want to worship Him more and to give Him all of my love!
When we spend our time focusing on how good He is and on every little thing He has done for us, then we can focus on spending time with Him (like Mary did) rather than "doing things" for Him. We can hear Him, listen to Him, and experience His affection for us. Only then, can we respond in worship. Only then, can we exalt in who He is over every other name and every other circumstance. Only then, can we give Him our pure love as we receive His.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Gossip
Ah, yes. Gossip. This is probably the biggest issue in our society today. Especially for teens and college students. But, let's be honest here for a minute:
We are social creatures in this time and day. We live in a social society where we share in each other's lives. Why else would Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et cetera exist? We are curious. We desire to be "in the know". I'll admit it. I'm always on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I tweet about ten times a day and have more than 1,000 pictures on Instagram. I am a social creature. I want to know what is on everybody's minds. I want to know what goes on in everybody's lives. And, I'll admit, too, that I am a gossip. I'm not as bad as I used to be, but I still do it. And I feel guilty about it.
Why is it so hard to NOT gossip?
Well, everybody loves a good story, right? I mean, not necessarily. How about that person that the story is about? Do they like it? Probably not. Gossiping (i.e. spreading rumors) isn't beneficial to anybody. It hurts those whom we talk about and it destroys our credibility. Nobody is going to want to trust you when they know that you are going to tell other people.
Gossip is also seen as a way that we judge others. Judgment is and never will be our job. The only one who can judge is God. He is in charge of judgements, not us.
Gossip really only ends up creating things such as GREED, HATE, ENVY.
If you look at it, really look at it, gossip is a sign that we, as Christians, aren't being really active in our faith and in our lives. I mean, look at your life: the busier you are, the less time you spend wrapped around other people's lives; the less time you gossip.
Gossip is bred out of boredom. It always begins as just a simple conversation and then escalates. You may just be meeting with a friend for coffee to catch up on each other's lives. Before you know it, you both are spreading rumors/gossiping about the other "friends" and acquaintances in your lives. How twisted is that? We have so much more to do with our lives than sitting and telling lies about other people.
When looking through my Bible for verses on this topic, I was overwhelmed with the amount of scripture that has to deal with gossips.
Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”
We are social creatures in this time and day. We live in a social society where we share in each other's lives. Why else would Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et cetera exist? We are curious. We desire to be "in the know". I'll admit it. I'm always on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I tweet about ten times a day and have more than 1,000 pictures on Instagram. I am a social creature. I want to know what is on everybody's minds. I want to know what goes on in everybody's lives. And, I'll admit, too, that I am a gossip. I'm not as bad as I used to be, but I still do it. And I feel guilty about it.
Why is it so hard to NOT gossip?
Well, everybody loves a good story, right? I mean, not necessarily. How about that person that the story is about? Do they like it? Probably not. Gossiping (i.e. spreading rumors) isn't beneficial to anybody. It hurts those whom we talk about and it destroys our credibility. Nobody is going to want to trust you when they know that you are going to tell other people.
Gossip is also seen as a way that we judge others. Judgment is and never will be our job. The only one who can judge is God. He is in charge of judgements, not us.
Gossip really only ends up creating things such as GREED, HATE, ENVY.
If you look at it, really look at it, gossip is a sign that we, as Christians, aren't being really active in our faith and in our lives. I mean, look at your life: the busier you are, the less time you spend wrapped around other people's lives; the less time you gossip.
Gossip is bred out of boredom. It always begins as just a simple conversation and then escalates. You may just be meeting with a friend for coffee to catch up on each other's lives. Before you know it, you both are spreading rumors/gossiping about the other "friends" and acquaintances in your lives. How twisted is that? We have so much more to do with our lives than sitting and telling lies about other people.
When looking through my Bible for verses on this topic, I was overwhelmed with the amount of scripture that has to deal with gossips.
Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”
Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”
Romans 1:29 – “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips.”
1 Timothy 5:13 – “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”
Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”
So, what should we do about it?
1. If you find yourself about to or in the middle of gossip, get out of it. If you don't fuel the gossip, it has nowhere to go. This (obviously) also includes those gossip magazines and television shows. It may not seem "sinful" to be reading those magazines or watching those shows, but it is. When you buy that magazine or watch that show, you are fueling the gossip. You are contributing to it.
2. Also, when you are faced with a statement that may or may not be gossip, check out the facts. For instance, if you hear someone has an eating disorder, go to the person and talk to them about it. They may just need someone to talk to. It may not be true at all. Teenagers can be nasty people when we want to be. However, if you don’t feel comfortable talking to the person yourself, and the rumor is something serious, you may want to go to a parent, pastor, or youth leader. Getting someone to help in a serious situation is not gossip as long as the information stays with you and the person you go to for help.
3. If you want to avoid gossip, focus on creating helpful and encouraging statements. Let the gossip and end with you and remember the Golden Rule – if you don’t want people to gossip about you, then don’t participate in gossip.
Here are a few more verses dealing with this topic:
Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Deuteronomy 13:14 – “Then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly.”
Matthew 7:12 – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Gossip isn't necessary for our lives. We can live without it. So, try and stop it before it spreads like wildfire. Unknowingly, you could even save someone's life.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Priceless
I know... It's been a while since I have posted and I am sorry. I've had a lot of things on my plate for the past few weeks and I had to push my blog to the side so I could get those things completed. During these past weeks, though, I've been feeling a little down. I'm have good grades, a great job, great friends, etc. So, why is it that I've been going to sleep at night feeling a little empty and drained (emotionally, physically, spiritually)?
I really didn't know what was going on with me. I mean, yes, I've had a little bit of drama and confusion going on in my life. I have a friend who I am helping through depression and I have a friend, who, all of a sudden, just stopped speaking to me. (I mean, we go from talking every single day to barely speaking at all if any.) It hurts. I know that when helping others through depression, I have to be careful and keep myself happy and healthy. And I have been doing just that. So, I couldn't place a finger on the problem that I was having....
Until this morning...
This morning started as any other. I woke up, took a quick shower and then got back in bed to study a little and relax. It was a Saturday, after all. I was laying in my bed, looking through some notes for my Animal Science class when I got a text from my mom. I thought it was a little weird because it is a Saturday and it was about 9 o'clock in the morning where she is. Well, of course, I opened the text, not really expecting much. What I got, left me speechless and with tears in my eyes.
Because this text was personal and between me and my mom, I won't share it word for word, but I will say that I was finally able to figure out what was going on with me.
You see, for the past few weeks, I was, in lack of better words, putting a price on myself. I was walking around my campus proclaiming that I was to be bought at a price and that you had to prove that you could "buy me", per say. I was degrading myself and others around me. I wasn't being the person that God wants me to be. I wasn't being me.
I was allowing these other people define who I was. That guy who kind of broke my heart? He told me that I wasn't worth the time. The girl who snickered at me in class? She told me that I was a loser. Those students who stared and gossiped as I curled up in a chair by myself with a thick book? They told me that I was a loner and a nerd.
I listened to them. I listened and took it all in until I was believing those things myself. I was beginning to get self conscious as I walked around campus with my books and my geeky clothes and my weird music. I was letting people (some of them who I didn't even know) determine who I was.
And now? Now, I am done with being that girl that everybody thinks I am. I just want to be me; to be the me that God made with His own hands. And you know who that is?
GEEKY.
SMART.
BEAUTIFUL.
CONFIDENT.
COMPASSIONATE
CARING.
OPTIMISTIC.
HARD WORKING.
SENSITIVE.
IMPERFECT.
BRAVE.
IMPORTANT.
PRICELESS.
I. AM. PRICELESS.
I have a value...but, here's the catch: my value is greater than that of the entire world's. God sees me as a treasure. He says, "That is a precious piece and I am willing to pay ANY AMOUNT to acquire it!" How amazing is that? The creator of the Earth said that about me! And He says that about each and every one of you!
I know, now, that it is so important to recognize the value that God gives us. We should never forget it.
After reading that text from my mom, I was so overwhelmed by the love flowing from the Father. I began reading through my Bible and journal, looking at the words Christ has spoken to and through me. Peace immediately began settling through me and I began feeling so much better. I felt stronger, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
So, my words to you are: Don't forget what you are worth. Your Father in Heaven created you with a purpose and He knows exactly what He's doing. He sees you as a priceless treasure and that is how you should see yourself as well. Don't let others determine who you are in life.
This song came over my playlist today and I feel that it perfectly with what I was feeling. The song is "Gold" by Britt Nicole. I love her so much and all of her songs can always make me instantly feel better. If you click here, you can watch the music video. These lyrics speak so much truth, though. You are worth much more than gold. Don't let others decide who you are. BE YOU.
I really didn't know what was going on with me. I mean, yes, I've had a little bit of drama and confusion going on in my life. I have a friend who I am helping through depression and I have a friend, who, all of a sudden, just stopped speaking to me. (I mean, we go from talking every single day to barely speaking at all if any.) It hurts. I know that when helping others through depression, I have to be careful and keep myself happy and healthy. And I have been doing just that. So, I couldn't place a finger on the problem that I was having....
Until this morning...
This morning started as any other. I woke up, took a quick shower and then got back in bed to study a little and relax. It was a Saturday, after all. I was laying in my bed, looking through some notes for my Animal Science class when I got a text from my mom. I thought it was a little weird because it is a Saturday and it was about 9 o'clock in the morning where she is. Well, of course, I opened the text, not really expecting much. What I got, left me speechless and with tears in my eyes.
Because this text was personal and between me and my mom, I won't share it word for word, but I will say that I was finally able to figure out what was going on with me.
You see, for the past few weeks, I was, in lack of better words, putting a price on myself. I was walking around my campus proclaiming that I was to be bought at a price and that you had to prove that you could "buy me", per say. I was degrading myself and others around me. I wasn't being the person that God wants me to be. I wasn't being me.
I was allowing these other people define who I was. That guy who kind of broke my heart? He told me that I wasn't worth the time. The girl who snickered at me in class? She told me that I was a loser. Those students who stared and gossiped as I curled up in a chair by myself with a thick book? They told me that I was a loner and a nerd.
I listened to them. I listened and took it all in until I was believing those things myself. I was beginning to get self conscious as I walked around campus with my books and my geeky clothes and my weird music. I was letting people (some of them who I didn't even know) determine who I was.
And now? Now, I am done with being that girl that everybody thinks I am. I just want to be me; to be the me that God made with His own hands. And you know who that is?
GEEKY.
SMART.
BEAUTIFUL.
CONFIDENT.
COMPASSIONATE
CARING.
OPTIMISTIC.
HARD WORKING.
SENSITIVE.
IMPERFECT.
BRAVE.
IMPORTANT.
PRICELESS.
I. AM. PRICELESS.
I have a value...but, here's the catch: my value is greater than that of the entire world's. God sees me as a treasure. He says, "That is a precious piece and I am willing to pay ANY AMOUNT to acquire it!" How amazing is that? The creator of the Earth said that about me! And He says that about each and every one of you!
I know, now, that it is so important to recognize the value that God gives us. We should never forget it.
After reading that text from my mom, I was so overwhelmed by the love flowing from the Father. I began reading through my Bible and journal, looking at the words Christ has spoken to and through me. Peace immediately began settling through me and I began feeling so much better. I felt stronger, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
So, my words to you are: Don't forget what you are worth. Your Father in Heaven created you with a purpose and He knows exactly what He's doing. He sees you as a priceless treasure and that is how you should see yourself as well. Don't let others determine who you are in life.
This song came over my playlist today and I feel that it perfectly with what I was feeling. The song is "Gold" by Britt Nicole. I love her so much and all of her songs can always make me instantly feel better. If you click here, you can watch the music video. These lyrics speak so much truth, though. You are worth much more than gold. Don't let others decide who you are. BE YOU.
"Gold"
Britt Nicole
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You were walking on the moon, now you're feeling low
What they said wasn't true, you're beautiful
Sticks and stones break your bones, I know what you're feeling
Words like those won't steal your glow, you're one in a million
This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you're gold)
Well everybody keeps score, afraid you're gonna lose
Just ignore they don't know the real you
All the rain in the sky can't put out your fire
Of all the stars out tonight, you shine brighter
This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you're gold)
So don't let anybody tell you that you're not loved
And don't let anybody tell you that you're not enough
Yeah there are days that we all feel like we're messed up
But the truth is that we're all diamonds in the rough
So don't be ashamed to wear your crown
You're a king you're a queen inside and out
You glow like the moon, you shine like the stars
This is for you, wherever you are
Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, oh, oh,
You're gold
This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
(So hold your head) So hold your head up high,
It's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold
(gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(gold gold you're gold)
So don't be ashamed to wear your crown
You're a king you're a queen inside and out
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Breathless
In case you haven't read any of my Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram posts, I just returned from one of the greatest concerts of my life so far! Passion's Let the Future Begin tour came to Rome, GA tonight. Both Kristian Stanfill and Louie Giglio were present. At first, I thought I wasn't going to go because I didn't know anybody else going. On a whim, I decided to text on my closest friends here at the time, Ashlyn. She enthusiastically agreed to go to the concert with me. I was beyond excited. I spent the entire month of September just rocking out to my Passion playlist.
And then, the day of the concert was upon me. I can't even explain how excited I was to see Kristian Stanfill perform and to hear Louie Giglio speak. I'm going to provide you all with pictures and then I will speak about how much God moved me throughout the night.
God is just so so good to me and everybody else. I was brought to tears tonight while watching these people dance and jump for the Lord and then as the tone changes, be brought to their knees with their arms lifted towards the heavens. It was one of the most surreal moments I've ever experienced.
God spoke to me tonight and I was so humbled in His presence. I treasure those times when I can hear God speaking to me. Kristian got the entire band to just stop playing and we all stood their in the complete and utter silence. I raised my hands toward the heavens and just let the Spirit wash over me. I felt so small underneath God's indescribable mercy.
God created me for a reason here on the Earth. He wants me here. How magnificent is that? God's never-failing love for me always leaves me breathless.
When Louie came out to talk tonight, I was floored. That sermon really hit home for me. It made me remember those times in high school when I thought I wasn't worth it; when I thought that nobody cared about me; when I sank so low, I thought that by ending my life, I would be doing a lot of people a favor. Louie talked about how God wants so much more...IMMEASURABLY MORE...for us. He doesn't want us to quit in the middle of the run. He wants us to keep on running; to keep praying; to keep loving others. He doesn't want us to settle for less than what we are worth. (And, just so you know, we are priceless in His eyes. No amount can ever be large enough for us. We are His priceless treasures.)
Well, I just wanted to leave you all with some song lyrics. We sang this song tonight and it was so powerful. I hope you all have a great rest of the week.
And then, the day of the concert was upon me. I can't even explain how excited I was to see Kristian Stanfill perform and to hear Louie Giglio speak. I'm going to provide you all with pictures and then I will speak about how much God moved me throughout the night.
God is just so so good to me and everybody else. I was brought to tears tonight while watching these people dance and jump for the Lord and then as the tone changes, be brought to their knees with their arms lifted towards the heavens. It was one of the most surreal moments I've ever experienced.
God spoke to me tonight and I was so humbled in His presence. I treasure those times when I can hear God speaking to me. Kristian got the entire band to just stop playing and we all stood their in the complete and utter silence. I raised my hands toward the heavens and just let the Spirit wash over me. I felt so small underneath God's indescribable mercy.
God created me for a reason here on the Earth. He wants me here. How magnificent is that? God's never-failing love for me always leaves me breathless.
When Louie came out to talk tonight, I was floored. That sermon really hit home for me. It made me remember those times in high school when I thought I wasn't worth it; when I thought that nobody cared about me; when I sank so low, I thought that by ending my life, I would be doing a lot of people a favor. Louie talked about how God wants so much more...IMMEASURABLY MORE...for us. He doesn't want us to quit in the middle of the run. He wants us to keep on running; to keep praying; to keep loving others. He doesn't want us to settle for less than what we are worth. (And, just so you know, we are priceless in His eyes. No amount can ever be large enough for us. We are His priceless treasures.)
Well, I just wanted to leave you all with some song lyrics. We sang this song tonight and it was so powerful. I hope you all have a great rest of the week.
"‘Cause I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I'm made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free
‘Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking through
Here's my heart Lord,
Here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord,
Speak what is true."
(Here's My Heart; Passion Worship Band)
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Boy Crazy
Okay, guys, I'm really not that boy crazy. Not at all. But, I have been thinking about my last post a lot and I decided to post something short and sweet tonight. 1. Because I'm super tired and 2. because I think that a lot of girls feel like I do at this point.
Let's be honest here for a moment. I have this big crush on a guy here on campus. Yes, I know; it's a shocker. But, for some reason, I feel that he likes me back. I just don't know. He sends me so many mixed signals, that by the end of our time hanging out together, I don't know which way is up. I've been hashing out everything with my roommate and even she is super confused.
But, then I would sit back, reread my post from last week and I would have so much calm wash over me. Why should I be worrying about this? Why am I so stressed out about this? I know that it's super natural to feel the way I feel, but I just get so frustrated some days.
Like today, I sat down and just started making a list of what I want my future husband's traits to be. Not to say, that he has to have every single trait (but, a girl can dream, right?) Well, I'm going to share my list with you and I feel that it can help a lot with a girl's boyfriend. Ready? Here it is:
I want a guy who:
Let's be honest here for a moment. I have this big crush on a guy here on campus. Yes, I know; it's a shocker. But, for some reason, I feel that he likes me back. I just don't know. He sends me so many mixed signals, that by the end of our time hanging out together, I don't know which way is up. I've been hashing out everything with my roommate and even she is super confused.
But, then I would sit back, reread my post from last week and I would have so much calm wash over me. Why should I be worrying about this? Why am I so stressed out about this? I know that it's super natural to feel the way I feel, but I just get so frustrated some days.
Like today, I sat down and just started making a list of what I want my future husband's traits to be. Not to say, that he has to have every single trait (but, a girl can dream, right?) Well, I'm going to share my list with you and I feel that it can help a lot with a girl's boyfriend. Ready? Here it is:
I want a guy who:
- Prays for me
- Plays with my hair
- Writes me notes
- Takes the time to look at my eyes
- Lends me their coat
- Is good with kids
- Picks flowers for me
- Goes on walks with me
- Knows how to make me smile
- Wants to protect me
- I can talk to for hours
- Calls me beautiful
- Is honest
- Will wait for me
- Knows how to be goofy
- Looks at me and smiles
- Sings with me
- Laughs with me
- Loves life
- and most of all loves God
This list will be posted on my bulletin board to remind me that there is a guy out there who will be those things for me. But, only God knows when and how I will meet him. And I'm okay with that. Now, I'm just going to lean back into my Father's arms and let Him find the right guy to give my heart to. It's all a part of His timing and I have to trust Him with that.
So, that's my post for the day. Sorry it isn't as heart-felt or Scripture-filled as usual, but this was on my heart, and I thought I would share. I hope everybody is having a wonderful week! Love you all!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Unwanted
It's hard being a teenage girl. Who's single. In college.
This past week, a lot has been waging a war through my mind. I'm about a month into my freshman year at college and it's proving to be a lot more difficult than I thought. There are multiple times during my day when I wish that I had someone to be with. Yep, I find myself wishing for a boyfriend, often.
I joke a lot about my single life. I admit that. I use the #foreveralone in my tweets and I make fun of my being single in Facebook posts. To me, I can tell that I'm being sarcastic. To others, it doesn't come across as well. (That's a problem with social media, but we'll get to that in another post.)
I got told this week that it isn't "becoming of a woman of God to be so 'desperate'". I literally wanted to scream my head off. I am not desperate for a boyfriend. I'm not. I am perfectly happy being single. I can focus on other things that have greater importance. I know that it doesn't look good for girls to try and be desperate. I try and tell myself that when I find myself crushing on a guy.
So, let's talk about something that a lot of us feel at times in our lives:
UNWANTED.
This is a word that I've told myself a lot. I told it to myself when I was a freshman in high school. I told it to myself as I harmed my body. I told it to myself as I watched couples walk around campus last week. I see those people and I sigh and wish for something like that.
I want to hold hands with that guy who makes my heart flutter and my knees go weak. I want to be the one who he wraps his arms around. I want to be able to laugh and cuddle with him. I want to be the one he kisses as he drops me off at my class. I want....et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
You get the gist.
I have those days and then I have days where I'm happily running around with friends, getting coffee, and talking about our lives. I have days where I'm not worried about what I'm wearing or how I look to guys around campus. I have days where I love curling up in a hammock by myself with a good book. I have days where being single is the best thing I could ever wish for.
We all have those days. Just like couples and parents and siblings and friends, I have good days and bad days. It happens. And I'm used to it.
Don't get me wrong, I know that I am loved, that I am blessed, and that I am wanted. I know that. I just need help in remembering that no matter how trivial my "single probs" may sound, God cares about all of it. He cares about the way I feel when I see that couple sitting together at lunch. He cares so much about me, and yet, I choose not to share my problems, because I feel that they are too trivial for Him. Silly, huh?
I can't put it in a better way that LPM puts it. (Living Proof Ministries) "I mean let's be honest, sometimes a girl just needs (and wants) a male perspective to talk everything out with. Not to be needy. Not to be clingy. And certainly not for everything to be fixed and happy, but I think it's healthy to long for a mate to do life with. The Lord created us male and female so that we would compliment each other. Be a helpmate to each other." (Unwanted)
See? It's perfectly healthy for you to feel that need for male perspective. It's not wrong to feel that way. (And I believe it's partly the church's fault for making girls feel that they should embrace the single life without complaining.)
I'm not going to make singleness sound like a great big party, because it isn't. It's tough. And it can hurt, a lot. It's not fun.
But, I do know that I can believe in God's word no matter what. He has given us promises in order for us to be able to trust and know Him. 2 Timothy has helped me in this firm belief.
"All scripture is God breathed..." (2 Timothy 3:16)
"So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:17)
God is good and there is always purpose in His goodness. I know the character of the Father.
And God knows me. Inside and out. He knows you just as well. So, there is never any point in trying to keep things from Him. Talk to your Father. Tell Him what's going on in your heart. What you're dealing with. He wants to hear from you.
Recently, I've been trying much harder to talk to Him. I've been telling Him all--and I mean ALL--of my problems and doubts. He comforts me. He holds me close while I cry. He whispers everything I want to hear in my ears. He loves on me.
That word I mentioned earlier? Unwanted? Yeah, you see, here's the thing.
I'm not. He's not. She's not. You're not. None of us are unwanted.
We are treasured and valued by the King of Kings. He pursues us and wants to know us. He has a plan for our lives. We just need to stop stealing the reins and let Him take over. We aren't in charge. We were never in charge.
Just remember what you are:
WANTED.
This past week, a lot has been waging a war through my mind. I'm about a month into my freshman year at college and it's proving to be a lot more difficult than I thought. There are multiple times during my day when I wish that I had someone to be with. Yep, I find myself wishing for a boyfriend, often.
I joke a lot about my single life. I admit that. I use the #foreveralone in my tweets and I make fun of my being single in Facebook posts. To me, I can tell that I'm being sarcastic. To others, it doesn't come across as well. (That's a problem with social media, but we'll get to that in another post.)
I got told this week that it isn't "becoming of a woman of God to be so 'desperate'". I literally wanted to scream my head off. I am not desperate for a boyfriend. I'm not. I am perfectly happy being single. I can focus on other things that have greater importance. I know that it doesn't look good for girls to try and be desperate. I try and tell myself that when I find myself crushing on a guy.
So, let's talk about something that a lot of us feel at times in our lives:
UNWANTED.
This is a word that I've told myself a lot. I told it to myself when I was a freshman in high school. I told it to myself as I harmed my body. I told it to myself as I watched couples walk around campus last week. I see those people and I sigh and wish for something like that.
I want to hold hands with that guy who makes my heart flutter and my knees go weak. I want to be the one who he wraps his arms around. I want to be able to laugh and cuddle with him. I want to be the one he kisses as he drops me off at my class. I want....et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
You get the gist.
I have those days and then I have days where I'm happily running around with friends, getting coffee, and talking about our lives. I have days where I'm not worried about what I'm wearing or how I look to guys around campus. I have days where I love curling up in a hammock by myself with a good book. I have days where being single is the best thing I could ever wish for.
We all have those days. Just like couples and parents and siblings and friends, I have good days and bad days. It happens. And I'm used to it.
Don't get me wrong, I know that I am loved, that I am blessed, and that I am wanted. I know that. I just need help in remembering that no matter how trivial my "single probs" may sound, God cares about all of it. He cares about the way I feel when I see that couple sitting together at lunch. He cares so much about me, and yet, I choose not to share my problems, because I feel that they are too trivial for Him. Silly, huh?
I can't put it in a better way that LPM puts it. (Living Proof Ministries) "I mean let's be honest, sometimes a girl just needs (and wants) a male perspective to talk everything out with. Not to be needy. Not to be clingy. And certainly not for everything to be fixed and happy, but I think it's healthy to long for a mate to do life with. The Lord created us male and female so that we would compliment each other. Be a helpmate to each other." (Unwanted)
See? It's perfectly healthy for you to feel that need for male perspective. It's not wrong to feel that way. (And I believe it's partly the church's fault for making girls feel that they should embrace the single life without complaining.)
I'm not going to make singleness sound like a great big party, because it isn't. It's tough. And it can hurt, a lot. It's not fun.
But, I do know that I can believe in God's word no matter what. He has given us promises in order for us to be able to trust and know Him. 2 Timothy has helped me in this firm belief.
"All scripture is God breathed..." (2 Timothy 3:16)
"So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:17)
God is good and there is always purpose in His goodness. I know the character of the Father.
And God knows me. Inside and out. He knows you just as well. So, there is never any point in trying to keep things from Him. Talk to your Father. Tell Him what's going on in your heart. What you're dealing with. He wants to hear from you.
Recently, I've been trying much harder to talk to Him. I've been telling Him all--and I mean ALL--of my problems and doubts. He comforts me. He holds me close while I cry. He whispers everything I want to hear in my ears. He loves on me.
That word I mentioned earlier? Unwanted? Yeah, you see, here's the thing.
I'm not. He's not. She's not. You're not. None of us are unwanted.
We are treasured and valued by the King of Kings. He pursues us and wants to know us. He has a plan for our lives. We just need to stop stealing the reins and let Him take over. We aren't in charge. We were never in charge.
Just remember what you are:
WANTED.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Hypocrite
Happy Wednesday, everybody! It's time for another blog post!
Today, I wanted to bring up a very touchy subject for a lot of Christians. Before I get started, I want to make a disclaimer that I am not trying to say that I am perfect. Cause I'm not. I am going through a lot of the same things that you all are going through. I sin. But I am forgiven by the Father and that is what makes me want to go on living from my mistakes and not repeating them anymore.
So, do not feel that I am trying to say that I am better than anybody else. I know that I am not. I struggle to be who I really am, but with the love and compassion I receive from my family, friends, and God, I know that I don't have to try so hard. I just need to relax, and be me.
Anyway, for the topic today, I feel that I may push a few buttons. But that is what this blog is for. Please feel free to disagree or to make your argument. Say whatever you like. Just, try and keep it clean. (Thanks.)
So....
Hypocrite.
What does that mean to you? By the dictionary it means 'an impostor'. Someone who says one thing and then turns around an does the other. To get it all out there, we are ALL hypocrites. All of us. Don't deny it either. The bible even says, "For all fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) And it is completely true. We do. We sin. We are sinners.
James 4:17 says, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."
Some examples of hypocrisy are gossip, being judgmental, disobeying parents, lying, unhealthy habits, cussing, idolatry, etc. I will touch a bit on a few of those aforementioned. Ready? Here we go...
Being Judgmental:
Here are two verses that I want you to look at.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (Matthew 5:10-11)
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5)
These verses talk about us being judgmental towards people. We all do it. Whether it's making fun at that guy who sits by himself at lunch or that girl who wears hand-me-down clothes. It's not cool. But we do it. I do it. And I'm not going to deny it. I feel so guilty after doing it, but I still make fun of them.
You see, there is this book called unChristian. I've read it. And in it, there is one entire section that focuses on the topic of being judgmental. It is crazy and very eye-opening to read.
We are supposed to be building each other up. Not tearing each other down. It's very cliche, but don't judge a book by it's cover.
Idolatry:
I'll be quick on this one because it is a topic that is very easily understood.
Idolatry is a big part in our life. We get distracted by things other than God and end up getting addicted to them. To put it simply: If you have to think about it, it's an idol.
Don't let any of the material things get in your way of a perfect God. He should be the only thing that you are 'addicted' to.
Gossip:
This is a topic that I will delve deeper into at a later date because it can get very sticky. I am going to try to not go too far into this subject but, gossiping is something we do A LOT. Everybody does it. Little kids, teenagers and even adults. Every one of us is guilty of gossiping. And I really do mean every one. We always have to be in somebody else's business, when in reality, it's their business. Not ours. We don't need to talk about them behind their backs, because we don't want people gossiping about us.
Just because Johnny did this with Susie, doesn't mean you have to go blab it to the entire school. Susie told you that in secrecy. Now, the whole school knows about it.
Bottom line: don't spread rumors/gossip.
Cussing:
Don't lie. You know that you have cussed at least once in your life. I will admit that I have too. There have been moments where I really want to yell out some choice words. (Especially when I'm driving. I'm no too bad, but there will be some drivers that really grate on my nerves.) I've accidentally let some slip, but I try really hard to swallow it and keep on going.
Honestly, I should always think before I say something like that. I should ask myself, is this crappy driver really more important than shining my light for God? The answer will always be 'no'. Just remember that. It will always be 'no'.
Unhealthy Habits:
Unhealthy habits include lust, drinking, smoking, illegal drugs, etc. Our unhealthy habits are leading us away from God and towards the wrong path.
Usually, peer pressure is the main cause of our unhealthy habits. Our friends do it, so we think we have to do it, when we don't. We need to shine His light to our friends and say "no, I don't do that kind of stuff." Just think, the earlier you start shining His light, the easier it will be to say no to peer pressure.
These things are a very big deal. You get addicted to them and it leads you from the right path to the wrong path.
Hypocrisy destroys yourself. It starts building up walls to block you from the good things, keeping you with the wrong things (sin). It destroys your relationship with God and pulls you away from Him.
Eventually, after making the church look bad, you make every single Christian look bad. I found this quote from this girl online and thought you guys should read it.
"Christians, they love to talk about how loving, dutiful and compassionate they are, yet I have yet to meet ONE who does not practice hypocrisy to the highest degree. Their willful ignorance of the Bible combined with their two faced idealism to preach it, has made us sick, hasn’t it? For nearly two thousand years Biblicists have been lecturing people on the importance of adhering to the Bible’s teachings on ethics, manners, and morality. They quote Jesus and Paul profusely, with a liberal sprinkling of Old Testament moralism. The problem with their approach lies not only in an oft- noted failure to practice what they preach, but an equally pronounced tendency to ignore what the Bible itself, preaches. Christians practice what can only be described as “selective morality”. What they like, they cling to and shove down other’s throats; what they don’t like, they ignore vehemently. That which is palatable and acceptable is supposedly applicable to all; while that which is obnoxious, inconvenient, or self-denying is only applicable to those addressed 2,000 years ago. Their hypocrisy is so rampant that even the validity of calling oneself “Christian” is in question."
This is what people are saying about us. This is what non-Christians believe about us. And you know what's funny? We are the cause of all of it. We are hypocritical and the atheists are just waiting for our one slip-up so they can blame an entire group of people. Us being hypocritical is the number one reason for atheism in the world. We ruin people's chances of salvation.
As one of my friends said, "If it weren't for Christians, there would be more Christians."
So, my final question for you today is, when you leave your house, are you shining the light of God?
Today, I wanted to bring up a very touchy subject for a lot of Christians. Before I get started, I want to make a disclaimer that I am not trying to say that I am perfect. Cause I'm not. I am going through a lot of the same things that you all are going through. I sin. But I am forgiven by the Father and that is what makes me want to go on living from my mistakes and not repeating them anymore.
So, do not feel that I am trying to say that I am better than anybody else. I know that I am not. I struggle to be who I really am, but with the love and compassion I receive from my family, friends, and God, I know that I don't have to try so hard. I just need to relax, and be me.
Anyway, for the topic today, I feel that I may push a few buttons. But that is what this blog is for. Please feel free to disagree or to make your argument. Say whatever you like. Just, try and keep it clean. (Thanks.)
So....
Hypocrite.
What does that mean to you? By the dictionary it means 'an impostor'. Someone who says one thing and then turns around an does the other. To get it all out there, we are ALL hypocrites. All of us. Don't deny it either. The bible even says, "For all fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) And it is completely true. We do. We sin. We are sinners.
James 4:17 says, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."
Some examples of hypocrisy are gossip, being judgmental, disobeying parents, lying, unhealthy habits, cussing, idolatry, etc. I will touch a bit on a few of those aforementioned. Ready? Here we go...
Being Judgmental:
Here are two verses that I want you to look at.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (Matthew 5:10-11)
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5)
These verses talk about us being judgmental towards people. We all do it. Whether it's making fun at that guy who sits by himself at lunch or that girl who wears hand-me-down clothes. It's not cool. But we do it. I do it. And I'm not going to deny it. I feel so guilty after doing it, but I still make fun of them.
You see, there is this book called unChristian. I've read it. And in it, there is one entire section that focuses on the topic of being judgmental. It is crazy and very eye-opening to read.
We are supposed to be building each other up. Not tearing each other down. It's very cliche, but don't judge a book by it's cover.
Idolatry:
I'll be quick on this one because it is a topic that is very easily understood.
Idolatry is a big part in our life. We get distracted by things other than God and end up getting addicted to them. To put it simply: If you have to think about it, it's an idol.
Don't let any of the material things get in your way of a perfect God. He should be the only thing that you are 'addicted' to.
Gossip:
This is a topic that I will delve deeper into at a later date because it can get very sticky. I am going to try to not go too far into this subject but, gossiping is something we do A LOT. Everybody does it. Little kids, teenagers and even adults. Every one of us is guilty of gossiping. And I really do mean every one. We always have to be in somebody else's business, when in reality, it's their business. Not ours. We don't need to talk about them behind their backs, because we don't want people gossiping about us.
Just because Johnny did this with Susie, doesn't mean you have to go blab it to the entire school. Susie told you that in secrecy. Now, the whole school knows about it.
Bottom line: don't spread rumors/gossip.
Cussing:
Don't lie. You know that you have cussed at least once in your life. I will admit that I have too. There have been moments where I really want to yell out some choice words. (Especially when I'm driving. I'm no too bad, but there will be some drivers that really grate on my nerves.) I've accidentally let some slip, but I try really hard to swallow it and keep on going.
Honestly, I should always think before I say something like that. I should ask myself, is this crappy driver really more important than shining my light for God? The answer will always be 'no'. Just remember that. It will always be 'no'.
Unhealthy Habits:
Unhealthy habits include lust, drinking, smoking, illegal drugs, etc. Our unhealthy habits are leading us away from God and towards the wrong path.
Usually, peer pressure is the main cause of our unhealthy habits. Our friends do it, so we think we have to do it, when we don't. We need to shine His light to our friends and say "no, I don't do that kind of stuff." Just think, the earlier you start shining His light, the easier it will be to say no to peer pressure.
These things are a very big deal. You get addicted to them and it leads you from the right path to the wrong path.
Hypocrisy destroys yourself. It starts building up walls to block you from the good things, keeping you with the wrong things (sin). It destroys your relationship with God and pulls you away from Him.
Eventually, after making the church look bad, you make every single Christian look bad. I found this quote from this girl online and thought you guys should read it.
"Christians, they love to talk about how loving, dutiful and compassionate they are, yet I have yet to meet ONE who does not practice hypocrisy to the highest degree. Their willful ignorance of the Bible combined with their two faced idealism to preach it, has made us sick, hasn’t it? For nearly two thousand years Biblicists have been lecturing people on the importance of adhering to the Bible’s teachings on ethics, manners, and morality. They quote Jesus and Paul profusely, with a liberal sprinkling of Old Testament moralism. The problem with their approach lies not only in an oft- noted failure to practice what they preach, but an equally pronounced tendency to ignore what the Bible itself, preaches. Christians practice what can only be described as “selective morality”. What they like, they cling to and shove down other’s throats; what they don’t like, they ignore vehemently. That which is palatable and acceptable is supposedly applicable to all; while that which is obnoxious, inconvenient, or self-denying is only applicable to those addressed 2,000 years ago. Their hypocrisy is so rampant that even the validity of calling oneself “Christian” is in question."
This is what people are saying about us. This is what non-Christians believe about us. And you know what's funny? We are the cause of all of it. We are hypocritical and the atheists are just waiting for our one slip-up so they can blame an entire group of people. Us being hypocritical is the number one reason for atheism in the world. We ruin people's chances of salvation.
As one of my friends said, "If it weren't for Christians, there would be more Christians."
So, my final question for you today is, when you leave your house, are you shining the light of God?
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Beauty
Okay, guys...it's time for me to start blogging again. (Yikes.)
I wanted to start off my weekly posts by talking about something that has been on my mind a lot since I started my freshman year of college.
BEAUTY.
Yes, you read that correctly. I want to talk about beauty. This is something that a lot of (if not all) teenage girls struggle with, daily. It is truly, something that I struggle with a lot, too.
Before getting into Scripture and what God says about this topic, let me ask you: What do you think of when you hear the word 'beauty'? Popularity? Your body type? Hair? Make-up? Models? Skinny? Tall? What about when you hear the word 'ugly'? Fat? Loser? Short? Pimples? Greasy hair? Big feet? Flat chest?
What is beautiful anyway? What about ugly?
In God's world, the word 'ugly' doesn't exist. There is no such thing as 'ugliness'. We know that Satan was the most beautiful angel of all, yet he was a fallen angel.
We don't request how God makes us. We don't get to ask for blonde hair, a skinny body, or pretty eyes. WE DIDN'T CREATE OURSELVES! That is and always will be God's job. He molds us into the people He wants us to be.
Looking in Genesis, we are told that we are made in God's image. We are made to represent Him. Genesis also explains that what God saw after making us was good. God said that we were good just the way we are in this moment.
If we look at different cultures throughout the world, we find that each culture is different in how they define beauty. Because of this, the way that culture defines beauty is arbitrary. However, it is NOT arbitrary with God. With God, if you exist, then you are beautiful.
Now, let's look in Psalm 139; verses 13 through 16.
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully
made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the
earth
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
God is completely HANDS ON. He is actively engaged in his creation. God loves who and what He makes. We should respond with PRAISE because God has created us in this way. God created us with VALUE, WORTH, and BEAUTY because He chose to make you, you.
Proverbs 31:30 says:
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
Beauty is so, so vain. There is so much more that is more lasting and substantial than any outward beauty.
Then, there's 1 Peter 3:3-4:
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of fine jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
Beauty is NOT skin deep. We have already seen from Proverbs that outward beauty fades. Peter tells us that the beauty that comes from a gentle and quiet spirit never fades. And God puts great value on that. He sees past all of the outward "adornment" and see straight into our hearts.
Don't let anybody tell you that you aren't beautiful. Because you are. You are beautiful in every way imaginable. If you don't believe me, believe God. Read the Song of Songs. It is a love letter from God, to us. He is telling us that we are beautiful.
Think about the beauty of a certain place that you have been. We are captivated by it. We take pictures because we don't want to look at anything else but the beauty of that place. That's exactly how it is with Jesus. We have CAPTIVATED His heart. You are His FAVORITE. He loves you. You are BEAUTIFUL in the name of Jesus.
How about a challenge to start this blog off right?
Take a piece of paper and write down all those words that you call yourself when putting yourself down. Whether it be fat, gross, loser, or just plain ugly, write them down. After writing them down, take that piece of paper and tear it up. Throw those pieces away. Your heard me. Tear them up and throw them away.
You are not what those words depict. You are beautiful and you are loved by the Father.
Read this poem:
http://www.scrapbook.com/poems/doc/31955/372.html
and know that He loves you.
I wanted to start off my weekly posts by talking about something that has been on my mind a lot since I started my freshman year of college.
BEAUTY.
Yes, you read that correctly. I want to talk about beauty. This is something that a lot of (if not all) teenage girls struggle with, daily. It is truly, something that I struggle with a lot, too.
Before getting into Scripture and what God says about this topic, let me ask you: What do you think of when you hear the word 'beauty'? Popularity? Your body type? Hair? Make-up? Models? Skinny? Tall? What about when you hear the word 'ugly'? Fat? Loser? Short? Pimples? Greasy hair? Big feet? Flat chest?
What is beautiful anyway? What about ugly?
In God's world, the word 'ugly' doesn't exist. There is no such thing as 'ugliness'. We know that Satan was the most beautiful angel of all, yet he was a fallen angel.
We don't request how God makes us. We don't get to ask for blonde hair, a skinny body, or pretty eyes. WE DIDN'T CREATE OURSELVES! That is and always will be God's job. He molds us into the people He wants us to be.
Looking in Genesis, we are told that we are made in God's image. We are made to represent Him. Genesis also explains that what God saw after making us was good. God said that we were good just the way we are in this moment.
If we look at different cultures throughout the world, we find that each culture is different in how they define beauty. Because of this, the way that culture defines beauty is arbitrary. However, it is NOT arbitrary with God. With God, if you exist, then you are beautiful.
Now, let's look in Psalm 139; verses 13 through 16.
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully
made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the
earth
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
God is completely HANDS ON. He is actively engaged in his creation. God loves who and what He makes. We should respond with PRAISE because God has created us in this way. God created us with VALUE, WORTH, and BEAUTY because He chose to make you, you.
Proverbs 31:30 says:
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
Beauty is so, so vain. There is so much more that is more lasting and substantial than any outward beauty.
Then, there's 1 Peter 3:3-4:
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of fine jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
Beauty is NOT skin deep. We have already seen from Proverbs that outward beauty fades. Peter tells us that the beauty that comes from a gentle and quiet spirit never fades. And God puts great value on that. He sees past all of the outward "adornment" and see straight into our hearts.
Don't let anybody tell you that you aren't beautiful. Because you are. You are beautiful in every way imaginable. If you don't believe me, believe God. Read the Song of Songs. It is a love letter from God, to us. He is telling us that we are beautiful.
Think about the beauty of a certain place that you have been. We are captivated by it. We take pictures because we don't want to look at anything else but the beauty of that place. That's exactly how it is with Jesus. We have CAPTIVATED His heart. You are His FAVORITE. He loves you. You are BEAUTIFUL in the name of Jesus.
How about a challenge to start this blog off right?
Take a piece of paper and write down all those words that you call yourself when putting yourself down. Whether it be fat, gross, loser, or just plain ugly, write them down. After writing them down, take that piece of paper and tear it up. Throw those pieces away. Your heard me. Tear them up and throw them away.
You are not what those words depict. You are beautiful and you are loved by the Father.
Read this poem:
http://www.scrapbook.com/poems/doc/31955/372.html
and know that He loves you.
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