Time. . .
probably once of the most precious things we have. One of the best gifts to give or receive is someone elses time spent with us.
Think of all the things you spend time doing in one day . . . in one week. . . in one month. . . or one year.
how often you see or talk to some people, how often you eat, how often you sleep, how often you study, how much time you spend in class or in meetings, how much time you work. How much time do you spend on you? How much time do you need? and then how much time do you spend with God? The most important thing though is NOT quantity but quaility. Especially during finals and holidays we all get stressed and tired. Remember to schedule sometime for you and God everyday. When you take the time to slow down and look around God has a million and two miracles right under your eyes. It is a beautiful world and full of wonderful things to see and do.
The other thing i wanted to touch an alittle bit is patience. Or God's time. . can be kind of hard to wait for, but patience is a virtue and as hard as it may be, it can't be rushed. The holidays are a hard time to be patient. To see old friends, to get home, to be done with semester. . . a lot. The first advent candle was lited last week sunday representing patience. Here is a verse to hopefully help alittle bit. . .
Psalm 62:7-9
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
God Bless you,
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Interview with God
THE INTERVIEW WITH GOD
I dreamed I had an interview with God.
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.
“If you have the time” I said.
God smiled. “My time is eternity.”
“What questions do you have in mind for me?”
“What surprises you most about humankind?”
God answered...
“That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then
long to be children again.”
“That they lose their health to make money...
and then lose their money to restore their health.”
“That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.”
"That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived.”
God’s hand took mine
and we were silent for a while.
And then I asked...
“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons
you want your children to learn?”
“To learn they cannot make anyone
love them. All they can do
is let themselves be loved.”
“To learn that it is not good
to compare themselves to others.”
“To learn to forgive
by practicing forgiveness.”
“To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.”
“To learn that a rich person
is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”
“To learn that there are people
who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned
how to express or show their feelings.”
“To learn that two people can
look at the same thing
and see it differently.”
“To learn that it is not enough that they
forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”
"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.
"Is there anything else
you would like your children to know?"
God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here... always.”
-author unknown
www.interviewwithgod.com
I dreamed I had an interview with God.
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.
“If you have the time” I said.
God smiled. “My time is eternity.”
“What questions do you have in mind for me?”
“What surprises you most about humankind?”
God answered...
“That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then
long to be children again.”
“That they lose their health to make money...
and then lose their money to restore their health.”
“That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.”
"That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived.”
God’s hand took mine
and we were silent for a while.
And then I asked...
“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons
you want your children to learn?”
“To learn they cannot make anyone
love them. All they can do
is let themselves be loved.”
“To learn that it is not good
to compare themselves to others.”
“To learn to forgive
by practicing forgiveness.”
“To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.”
“To learn that a rich person
is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”
“To learn that there are people
who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned
how to express or show their feelings.”
“To learn that two people can
look at the same thing
and see it differently.”
“To learn that it is not enough that they
forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”
"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.
"Is there anything else
you would like your children to know?"
God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here... always.”
-author unknown
www.interviewwithgod.com
Monday, November 28, 2005
Perfect Love
"Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:15-19).
i love this verse. . .
God Bless you
~your sister in Christ~Erin
i love this verse. . .
God Bless you
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Gratitude: a spiritual discipline
Consider this an addition to Erin's gratitude post.
A friend mentioned: "Thanksgiving has been transformed into routine. It's like the general public perks up and thinks, 'Gee, it's Thanksgiving...time to cut the turkey and give thanks that I'm not completely screwed.'" At the thanksgiving eve service where i attend church, what I heard during coffee time in reference to the sermon was just that--and the phrase "attitude of gratitude" used during the sermon seemed to mean we should try to remember to look on the bright side and when life gives us lemons, thank God for the lemonade recipe. This disturbed me.
The Abstract/summary: If we were really in an attitude of gratitude i think we'd get sick of thanking God for all the stuff in our lives, because spiritual disciplines transcend the religious and carry us into the becoming, the becoming more like Christ and more like who God created us to be. at that level of being there's no need for "thanks for the turkey and the opportunity to go to this great school and my friends and my family and the football team," because we're past that and simply living thanks for a) our love of and from God and b) our love of and from our neighbor and the beauty of humanity (God's creation).
When we inhale and exhale that love we won't take stuff for granted, because we'll be so aware of what our neighbor is grateful for (what our poor neighbor, our injured neighbor, our sick neighbor, our lonely neighbor, our hungry neighbor, our numb neighbor are grateful for) that gratitude propels us into service, and service shows us the real meaning of gratitude is, like i said, not all the stuff we have but appreciation of God's love and the beauty of humanity. and that's the root of all that really matters in life, as we seek to love God and love Jesus and love humanity.
The expanded version: (note: --> approximately means "which leads us to think")
Thanksgiving rolls around and we're told to be thankful-->we should be in an attitude of gratitude-->OK so we always try to think about what we have to be grateful for-->start the list...dang it, we have a lot of stuff, everything from i'm thankful i woke up this morning to the sound of the birds to i'm thankful i didn't get in an accident on my way to church to i'm thankful i'm home for thanksgiving to i'm thankful for the bountiful food i'm going to eat, i'm thankful for health, i'm thankful for education, etc. etc.-->wow, i have a lot to be thankful for. --> i wonder about all those people in the world who don't have as much to be thankful for-->like i can list a laundry list like in 10 seconds; how'd i end with so much good stuff in my life?-->i'm starting to feel guilty...in a world where a billion people are food insecure, 37 million of them in my own country...in a world where we can stand by an watch as 400,000 are murdered in acts of genocide...in a world where children are prostituted and women are sold into slavery and rich white men declare war and young soldiers become killers and victims...i sure have a lot to be thankful for and i feel guilty because a)i have all this and b)my life still sucks sometimes and i can't help it --> guilt is never productive if it's not channeled into action immediately, so i begin serving others--> an attitude of service develops --> i discover that just because the poor people smile and have something to teach me about life doesn't mean it's ok that they're poor --> i discover that we're all human --> i discover that God suffers --> anyway i realize lots of things and my attitude of service --> and i come full swing back to gratitude, to being so grateful to God for what should have always been the foundation of my existence: God's love for humanity and my love for humanity --> now i don't need to say, 'thanks for the birds God,' (though i do because they remind me of God); i don't need to say 'thanks for this church, God' (though I do because the church is especially great), etc...i say thanks but i don't need to be reminded to say thanks because deep down, what really makes me who I am is love of and from God and love of and from neighbor, and that's what i'm really grateful for.
A friend mentioned: "Thanksgiving has been transformed into routine. It's like the general public perks up and thinks, 'Gee, it's Thanksgiving...time to cut the turkey and give thanks that I'm not completely screwed.'" At the thanksgiving eve service where i attend church, what I heard during coffee time in reference to the sermon was just that--and the phrase "attitude of gratitude" used during the sermon seemed to mean we should try to remember to look on the bright side and when life gives us lemons, thank God for the lemonade recipe. This disturbed me.
The Abstract/summary: If we were really in an attitude of gratitude i think we'd get sick of thanking God for all the stuff in our lives, because spiritual disciplines transcend the religious and carry us into the becoming, the becoming more like Christ and more like who God created us to be. at that level of being there's no need for "thanks for the turkey and the opportunity to go to this great school and my friends and my family and the football team," because we're past that and simply living thanks for a) our love of and from God and b) our love of and from our neighbor and the beauty of humanity (God's creation).
When we inhale and exhale that love we won't take stuff for granted, because we'll be so aware of what our neighbor is grateful for (what our poor neighbor, our injured neighbor, our sick neighbor, our lonely neighbor, our hungry neighbor, our numb neighbor are grateful for) that gratitude propels us into service, and service shows us the real meaning of gratitude is, like i said, not all the stuff we have but appreciation of God's love and the beauty of humanity. and that's the root of all that really matters in life, as we seek to love God and love Jesus and love humanity.
The expanded version: (note: --> approximately means "which leads us to think")
Thanksgiving rolls around and we're told to be thankful-->we should be in an attitude of gratitude-->OK so we always try to think about what we have to be grateful for-->start the list...dang it, we have a lot of stuff, everything from i'm thankful i woke up this morning to the sound of the birds to i'm thankful i didn't get in an accident on my way to church to i'm thankful i'm home for thanksgiving to i'm thankful for the bountiful food i'm going to eat, i'm thankful for health, i'm thankful for education, etc. etc.-->wow, i have a lot to be thankful for. --> i wonder about all those people in the world who don't have as much to be thankful for-->like i can list a laundry list like in 10 seconds; how'd i end with so much good stuff in my life?-->i'm starting to feel guilty...in a world where a billion people are food insecure, 37 million of them in my own country...in a world where we can stand by an watch as 400,000 are murdered in acts of genocide...in a world where children are prostituted and women are sold into slavery and rich white men declare war and young soldiers become killers and victims...i sure have a lot to be thankful for and i feel guilty because a)i have all this and b)my life still sucks sometimes and i can't help it --> guilt is never productive if it's not channeled into action immediately, so i begin serving others--> an attitude of service develops --> i discover that just because the poor people smile and have something to teach me about life doesn't mean it's ok that they're poor --> i discover that we're all human --> i discover that God suffers --> anyway i realize lots of things and my attitude of service --> and i come full swing back to gratitude, to being so grateful to God for what should have always been the foundation of my existence: God's love for humanity and my love for humanity --> now i don't need to say, 'thanks for the birds God,' (though i do because they remind me of God); i don't need to say 'thanks for this church, God' (though I do because the church is especially great), etc...i say thanks but i don't need to be reminded to say thanks because deep down, what really makes me who I am is love of and from God and love of and from neighbor, and that's what i'm really grateful for.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Relax!!
Take the next few days to chill out, read a good book, take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, and smile alot. Life is good, enjoy it!
God loves you
God Bless,
your sister in Christ,
~Erin
God loves you
God Bless,
your sister in Christ,
~Erin
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Gratitude
Mark 8:6
6He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so.
Acts 27:35
35After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
Remember to give thanx. . . i'll add to this soon!
God Bless~Erin~
6He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so.
Acts 27:35
35After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
Remember to give thanx. . . i'll add to this soon!
God Bless~Erin~
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Tired
not that we don't all get this way somedays and yes this is one for me. . .
but here's the awesome thing!
Unlimited energy comes from God. .. if he needs us to do something for him, he will make it possible.
Isaiah 5:26-28
26 He lifts up a banner for the distant nations,
he whistles for those at the ends of the earth.
Here they come,
swiftly and speedily!
27 Not one of them grows tired or stumbles,
not one slumbers or sleeps;
not a belt is loosened at the waist,
not a sandal thong is broken.
28 Their arrows are sharp,
all their bows are strung;
their horses' hoofs seem like flint,
their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
many of us are beginning to look ahead to finals. Maybe it seems wierd, but i'm thinking the key to staying calm and doing well is to keep that relationship going with God.
Today ( or any day, once a week, once a day. . . ) i challenge you to find a significant amount of time that it's a sacrifice to you and be with God. So many ways to hang out and pray with God. . . candles, fingerpaints, crayons, jurnals, music, whatever helps you. . . do that.
God Bless,
~your sister in Christ~Erin
but here's the awesome thing!
Unlimited energy comes from God. .. if he needs us to do something for him, he will make it possible.
Isaiah 5:26-28
26 He lifts up a banner for the distant nations,
he whistles for those at the ends of the earth.
Here they come,
swiftly and speedily!
27 Not one of them grows tired or stumbles,
not one slumbers or sleeps;
not a belt is loosened at the waist,
not a sandal thong is broken.
28 Their arrows are sharp,
all their bows are strung;
their horses' hoofs seem like flint,
their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
many of us are beginning to look ahead to finals. Maybe it seems wierd, but i'm thinking the key to staying calm and doing well is to keep that relationship going with God.
Today ( or any day, once a week, once a day. . . ) i challenge you to find a significant amount of time that it's a sacrifice to you and be with God. So many ways to hang out and pray with God. . . candles, fingerpaints, crayons, jurnals, music, whatever helps you. . . do that.
God Bless,
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Monday, November 21, 2005
Stress!!!
I know this isn't only a problem i deal with. . . urg! that unneeded stress in life! AHHHH!
What is God's view on stress? Well. . . lets see if we can piece something together. . .
here is a devo i found on it
In today's world it is virtually impossible to avoid stress. Almost everyone is carrying some amount of it, in varying degrees. Many find it increasingly difficult to simply survive in the world we live in. In desperation, people are seeking relief for their problems through any remedy they can find. Our culture is inundated with self-help books, therapists, time-management workshops, massage parlors, and recovery programs (to name just the tip of the iceberg). Everyone talks about returning to a "simpler" way of life, but no one seems to even know exactly what that means, or how to attain it. Many of us cry out like Job, "The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me." (Job 30:27).
Most of us are so used to carrying the burden of stress, we can scarcely imagine our lives without it. We think it is simply an unavoidable part of living in the world. We carry it like a hiker trudging out of the Grand Canyon with a huge pack on his back. The pack seems to be a part of his own weight, and he can't even remember what it was ever like to not be carrying it. It seems that his legs have always been that heavy and his back has always ached under all that weight. Only when he stops to rest for a moment and takes off his pack does he realize just how heavy it really is, and how light and free he is without it.
Unfortunately, most of us cannot just unload stress like a backpack. It seems to be intrinsically woven into the very fabric of our lives. It lurks somewhere beneath our skin (usually in a knot between our shoulderblades). It keeps us up late into the night, just when we need sleep the most. It presses in on us from all sides. Yet, Jesus says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt. 11:28-30).
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
What is God's view on stress? Well. . . lets see if we can piece something together. . .
here is a devo i found on it
In today's world it is virtually impossible to avoid stress. Almost everyone is carrying some amount of it, in varying degrees. Many find it increasingly difficult to simply survive in the world we live in. In desperation, people are seeking relief for their problems through any remedy they can find. Our culture is inundated with self-help books, therapists, time-management workshops, massage parlors, and recovery programs (to name just the tip of the iceberg). Everyone talks about returning to a "simpler" way of life, but no one seems to even know exactly what that means, or how to attain it. Many of us cry out like Job, "The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me." (Job 30:27).
Most of us are so used to carrying the burden of stress, we can scarcely imagine our lives without it. We think it is simply an unavoidable part of living in the world. We carry it like a hiker trudging out of the Grand Canyon with a huge pack on his back. The pack seems to be a part of his own weight, and he can't even remember what it was ever like to not be carrying it. It seems that his legs have always been that heavy and his back has always ached under all that weight. Only when he stops to rest for a moment and takes off his pack does he realize just how heavy it really is, and how light and free he is without it.
Unfortunately, most of us cannot just unload stress like a backpack. It seems to be intrinsically woven into the very fabric of our lives. It lurks somewhere beneath our skin (usually in a knot between our shoulderblades). It keeps us up late into the night, just when we need sleep the most. It presses in on us from all sides. Yet, Jesus says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt. 11:28-30).
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Zion
The bible is so full of symbolism it's incredible. One word that has always intrigued me is Zion. It's a mountain or a city. . . seems to be referred to as a place. . . but what is it really? Does it symbolize anything? Possibly the group of believers or church? (city. . . ) I really don't know but it is an interesting question.
Here are a few verses I found about it. . . if you have any more insight. . . please share!
Psalm 2:6
6 "I have installed my King [a]
on Zion, my holy hill."
Psalm 9:11
Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.
Psalm 74:2
2 Remember the people you purchased of old,
the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
2 Samuel 5:7
7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David.
Isaiah 51:3
3 The LORD will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
her wastelands like the garden of the LORD.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
John 12:14-16
14Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
15"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey's colt."[a]
1 Peter 2:6
For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
prayer request for safe holiday travels and safe hunting!
Here are a few verses I found about it. . . if you have any more insight. . . please share!
Psalm 2:6
6 "I have installed my King [a]
on Zion, my holy hill."
Psalm 9:11
Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.
Psalm 74:2
2 Remember the people you purchased of old,
the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
2 Samuel 5:7
7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David.
Isaiah 51:3
3 The LORD will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
her wastelands like the garden of the LORD.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
John 12:14-16
14Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
15"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey's colt."[a]
1 Peter 2:6
For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
prayer request for safe holiday travels and safe hunting!
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Yemen
Yemen was the site of the great cities of the Queen of Sheba, who traded gifts with King Solomon.
Religion: Muslim 99.94%, Christian 0.05%, and Jewish 0.01%. Islam is the official religion, and the legal system is based on Shariah Law.
Ideological Influence: Islam
Head of State: President Field Marshall Ali Abdallah Salih
Persecution: Christianity was strong by 400 A.D., but was almost completely wiped out by the Muslim conquest in the seventh century. It is illegal for non-Muslims to proselytize and for Muslims to convert to Christianity. It is dangerous for Yemenis to become believers due to social pressures.
Missionary Opportunity: Yemen is one of the world’s least evangelized countries. Through radio broadcasts, tactful evangelism and other factors, perhaps 100 or more Yemenis have trusted in Christ. Most Christians are expatriates, many of whom are Ethiopians. Others are Westerners and South and East Asians who work in secular jobs or serve with a humanitarian NGO that is permitted to minister in the country. A church in Aden was restored to Christians for worship and wider community service. There is also a need for Yemeni Arabic, Soqotri and Mahri Bibles.
Ask believers will fix their eyes on the joy of Christ and of making Him known.
Verse Reference: Hebrews 12:2
great site with awesome links if you are at all intrested in the persecuted church
www.persecution.com
and if you just want to help those suffering in the world check this one out
www.thehungersite.com
buy your christmas gifts free trade!!
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Religion: Muslim 99.94%, Christian 0.05%, and Jewish 0.01%. Islam is the official religion, and the legal system is based on Shariah Law.
Ideological Influence: Islam
Head of State: President Field Marshall Ali Abdallah Salih
Persecution: Christianity was strong by 400 A.D., but was almost completely wiped out by the Muslim conquest in the seventh century. It is illegal for non-Muslims to proselytize and for Muslims to convert to Christianity. It is dangerous for Yemenis to become believers due to social pressures.
Missionary Opportunity: Yemen is one of the world’s least evangelized countries. Through radio broadcasts, tactful evangelism and other factors, perhaps 100 or more Yemenis have trusted in Christ. Most Christians are expatriates, many of whom are Ethiopians. Others are Westerners and South and East Asians who work in secular jobs or serve with a humanitarian NGO that is permitted to minister in the country. A church in Aden was restored to Christians for worship and wider community service. There is also a need for Yemeni Arabic, Soqotri and Mahri Bibles.
Ask believers will fix their eyes on the joy of Christ and of making Him known.
Verse Reference: Hebrews 12:2
great site with awesome links if you are at all intrested in the persecuted church
www.persecution.com
and if you just want to help those suffering in the world check this one out
www.thehungersite.com
buy your christmas gifts free trade!!
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Friday, November 18, 2005
Youth
A topic that does concern those of us who are young. . . young in age and young at heart.
a few verses to start
Psalm 103:4-6
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
1 Timothy 4:11-13
11Command and teach these things. 12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
Youth. . . being young. . . what about it? So many times i remember telling people my age shouldn't affect things. Yet in many cases it does. Being too young we are not permitted to drive a car or drink alcohol. These are rules created by those older than us without our consent yet for our benifit. Okay. . . i can handle that.
There is a certain respect level that seems to accompany age. . . but not only age singularily. . . also demenor. For respect isn't necessarily given to the old homeless man on the street however is given to an older gentleman encountered in say a public building. So age is a factor in how we treat people mainly because of the fact that it is assumed as you get older you become wiser.
This is true. . yet sometimes we fall into the trap of believing that young people can do certain things which older people can not or vice versa. In these vereses God says no, i call who i want when i want them. All grow weak and all can be strengthen in him. It is not ours to decide that we are too young or too old.
And finally you can not talk about youth without visiting 1 Timothy. . . don't let your being young keep you down! Young people are amazing! Stay strong in your faith and know that you are just as important as anyone else in this world to God, and you don't have to wait until you are older to serve God. . . but he will use you, even as a youth/young adult.
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
a few verses to start
Psalm 103:4-6
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
1 Timothy 4:11-13
11Command and teach these things. 12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
Youth. . . being young. . . what about it? So many times i remember telling people my age shouldn't affect things. Yet in many cases it does. Being too young we are not permitted to drive a car or drink alcohol. These are rules created by those older than us without our consent yet for our benifit. Okay. . . i can handle that.
There is a certain respect level that seems to accompany age. . . but not only age singularily. . . also demenor. For respect isn't necessarily given to the old homeless man on the street however is given to an older gentleman encountered in say a public building. So age is a factor in how we treat people mainly because of the fact that it is assumed as you get older you become wiser.
This is true. . yet sometimes we fall into the trap of believing that young people can do certain things which older people can not or vice versa. In these vereses God says no, i call who i want when i want them. All grow weak and all can be strengthen in him. It is not ours to decide that we are too young or too old.
And finally you can not talk about youth without visiting 1 Timothy. . . don't let your being young keep you down! Young people are amazing! Stay strong in your faith and know that you are just as important as anyone else in this world to God, and you don't have to wait until you are older to serve God. . . but he will use you, even as a youth/young adult.
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Xdrodinary love
This is a story I heard first as a junior in high school at a prayer meeting. It was a momentous day in my life and the story, one of those not widly known, is one of my favorites because it gives me a great comparison. So I encourage you all to read the story of Hosea and Gomer in the book of Hosea. . . but the story in short hand goes like this. . .
God told Hosea to take a prostitute as a wife and have children. So Hosea takes Gomer as his wife and they have a son. Soon after they have a daughter, and following that another son. After this time Gomer leaves Hosea for other men. God tells Hosea to go get her and love her as God loves his people. So Hosea goes and buys Gomer and tells her that she is not to be a prostitue anymore or intimate with any other man and he will live with her. (mind you this is after they have three kids and she just leaves. . . he finds her and brings her back)
Now that is the very shorthand version. Imagine your brother/sister or a close friend who beings to date someone who is widely known as permiscous. Most of us won't be to encouraging about that. . . whatever happiness they bring our loved one is not probable to the hurt that we can see down the road. Then getting married!!! You can just predict the unfaithfullness to come. Not smart right? Then they have children. This just seems to be a bad situation. Can't they see the person they are with is a prostitute? Then like predicted they leave and your loved one is stuck with three kids. Soon to find their spouse in bed with someone else! and not just one someone else either! If we had reached this point this is the end for most of us. . . thats enough. But no. . . Hosea not only seeks her out but buys her back. He takes her back into him home and says you are not going to do this anymore but live with me.
Drama? Yeah. Another time i heard this scripture presented with a scene from Mulan Rouge. Towards the end where Satine comes to Christian and tells him she doesn't want to see him ever again. That she chooses someone else. ( i apologize for not stating the whole story .. most have seen it just ask and i'll explain) Too see how she refuses him and his maddess of non understanding. He knows there is something wrong. . . he loves her. . . not as a prostitute as a person. . . how can she choose the Duke?
This story represents Isreal (or the people's ie. us) relationship with God. We are the prostitute. The rest of the book goes through and talks about the things Isreal has done in "adultery' against God, things such as following other Gods, lying to him, murder .. . it's all very symbolic. But it gives an illistration how we treat God. Yet even greater. . . his xdordinary love. To take us back, to BUY us back after commiting adultery over and over again. I don't know how he does it, but am i greateful. . .
Hosea 11
God's Love for Israel
1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more I [a] called Israel,
the further they went from me. [b]
They sacrificed to the Baals
and they burned incense to images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from their neck
and bent down to feed them.
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
God told Hosea to take a prostitute as a wife and have children. So Hosea takes Gomer as his wife and they have a son. Soon after they have a daughter, and following that another son. After this time Gomer leaves Hosea for other men. God tells Hosea to go get her and love her as God loves his people. So Hosea goes and buys Gomer and tells her that she is not to be a prostitue anymore or intimate with any other man and he will live with her. (mind you this is after they have three kids and she just leaves. . . he finds her and brings her back)
Now that is the very shorthand version. Imagine your brother/sister or a close friend who beings to date someone who is widely known as permiscous. Most of us won't be to encouraging about that. . . whatever happiness they bring our loved one is not probable to the hurt that we can see down the road. Then getting married!!! You can just predict the unfaithfullness to come. Not smart right? Then they have children. This just seems to be a bad situation. Can't they see the person they are with is a prostitute? Then like predicted they leave and your loved one is stuck with three kids. Soon to find their spouse in bed with someone else! and not just one someone else either! If we had reached this point this is the end for most of us. . . thats enough. But no. . . Hosea not only seeks her out but buys her back. He takes her back into him home and says you are not going to do this anymore but live with me.
Drama? Yeah. Another time i heard this scripture presented with a scene from Mulan Rouge. Towards the end where Satine comes to Christian and tells him she doesn't want to see him ever again. That she chooses someone else. ( i apologize for not stating the whole story .. most have seen it just ask and i'll explain) Too see how she refuses him and his maddess of non understanding. He knows there is something wrong. . . he loves her. . . not as a prostitute as a person. . . how can she choose the Duke?
This story represents Isreal (or the people's ie. us) relationship with God. We are the prostitute. The rest of the book goes through and talks about the things Isreal has done in "adultery' against God, things such as following other Gods, lying to him, murder .. . it's all very symbolic. But it gives an illistration how we treat God. Yet even greater. . . his xdordinary love. To take us back, to BUY us back after commiting adultery over and over again. I don't know how he does it, but am i greateful. . .
Hosea 11
God's Love for Israel
1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more I [a] called Israel,
the further they went from me. [b]
They sacrificed to the Baals
and they burned incense to images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from their neck
and bent down to feed them.
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
War and Peace
This is what the UMC book of discipline in the social principals says about war and peace. In other words this is what our church says about it!
War and Peace
We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy, to be employed only as a last resort in the prevention of such evils as genocide, brutal suppression of human rights, and unprovoked international aggression. We insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them; that human values must outweigh military claims as governments determine their priorities; that the militarization of society must be challenged and stopped; that the manufacture, sale, and deployment of armaments must be reduced and controlled; and that the production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons be condemned. Consequently, we endorse general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2004. Copyright 2004 by The United Methodist Publishing House.
So question. . . what about this??
matthew 24
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,[a]' and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[e]
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Mark 9:50
50"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."
Luke 12:51
51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
Matthew 5:9
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Here are some verses that confuse me. . . how can Jesus say. . . "i have not come to bring peace to the earth. . . " and then also say. . . "be at peace with each other."??
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Wonderfulness
Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes we have bad days, or bad weeks, or bad years. . . but God gives us wonderfulness in little packages to make us feel loved and see his beauty in the little things. Here is a peom a friend sent me a while ago. . .
Today, when i awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of
my life, ever! There were times when i wondered if i would make it to
today; but i did.
And because i did, I'm going to celebrate!
Today, i'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life i have had so
far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and yes, even the
hardships because they have served to make me stronger.
I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart.
I will marvel at God's seeming simple gifts:
the morning dew,
the sun,
the clouds,
the trees,
the wind,
the flowers,
the birds,
Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.
Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people
I'll make someone smile.
I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for
someone i don't even know. Today, i'll give a sincere compliment to
someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special they are, and
ill tell someone i love just how deeply i care for them and how much
they mean to me. (That's you Cameron!)
Today is the day i quit worrying about what i don't have and start
being grateful for all the wonderfil things god has already given me.
I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith
in God and his divne plan ensures everything will be just fine.
and tonight, before i got to bed, i'll go outside and raise my eyes to
the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the
moon, and i will praise god for these magnificent treasures.
I will thank the almighty for the best day of my life.
and i will sleep the sleep of a contented child,
excited with expectation because i know tomorrow is going to be the
best day of my life, ever!
Not to say there won't be bad days. . . for without them how would we appreciate the good? just that God has a plan for us. .
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
and God has everything handled, even if we don't feel him there with us. Most of the time i find it is just me walking around with my eyes closed not seeing God's wonderfulness. Ignoring his creation, ignoring the blessings of friends he has showered upon me, ignoring his outstretched arms waiting to hold me. He is there, he is there in the sunrise, in the wind, and in the e-mail from an old friend. He is everywhere. Next time you're feeling down, alone, or just stressed out take a look at the things around you. Take a walk. Open your eyes and let God bring you a piece of his wonderfulness.
God Bless,
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Today, when i awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of
my life, ever! There were times when i wondered if i would make it to
today; but i did.
And because i did, I'm going to celebrate!
Today, i'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life i have had so
far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and yes, even the
hardships because they have served to make me stronger.
I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart.
I will marvel at God's seeming simple gifts:
the morning dew,
the sun,
the clouds,
the trees,
the wind,
the flowers,
the birds,
Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.
Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people
I'll make someone smile.
I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for
someone i don't even know. Today, i'll give a sincere compliment to
someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special they are, and
ill tell someone i love just how deeply i care for them and how much
they mean to me. (That's you Cameron!)
Today is the day i quit worrying about what i don't have and start
being grateful for all the wonderfil things god has already given me.
I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith
in God and his divne plan ensures everything will be just fine.
and tonight, before i got to bed, i'll go outside and raise my eyes to
the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the
moon, and i will praise god for these magnificent treasures.
I will thank the almighty for the best day of my life.
and i will sleep the sleep of a contented child,
excited with expectation because i know tomorrow is going to be the
best day of my life, ever!
Not to say there won't be bad days. . . for without them how would we appreciate the good? just that God has a plan for us. .
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
and God has everything handled, even if we don't feel him there with us. Most of the time i find it is just me walking around with my eyes closed not seeing God's wonderfulness. Ignoring his creation, ignoring the blessings of friends he has showered upon me, ignoring his outstretched arms waiting to hold me. He is there, he is there in the sunrise, in the wind, and in the e-mail from an old friend. He is everywhere. Next time you're feeling down, alone, or just stressed out take a look at the things around you. Take a walk. Open your eyes and let God bring you a piece of his wonderfulness.
God Bless,
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Monday, November 14, 2005
Heaven like a Vineyard
Matthew 20
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5So they went.
"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'
7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
* i think this speaks for itself*
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ, Erin
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5So they went.
"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'
7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
* i think this speaks for itself*
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ, Erin
Sunday, November 13, 2005
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates came into being in 1971, when the Trucial States, until that time a British protectorate in the lower Persian Gulf, became a loose confederation of sheikdoms.
Religion: Muslim 65.45%, Hindu 17.00%, Christian 9.25%, Buddhist 4.00%, Other 2.50%, non-Religious 1.30%, and Baha’i 0.50%. (Religious figures are estimates.) Islam is the state religion with a Sunni majority and a small Shi’a minority.
Ideological Influence: Islam
Head of State: President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan
Persecution: Only foreign Christians have freedom to worship and witness. Christian education and witnessing to nationals are severely restricted. Few believers have opportunities to openly share their faith.
Missionary Opportunity: Several Christian medical agencies are allowed to operate and show eager to learn about the gospel in private and who enthusiastically receive Christian materials.
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ, Erin
United Arab Emirates came into being in 1971, when the Trucial States, until that time a British protectorate in the lower Persian Gulf, became a loose confederation of sheikdoms.
Religion: Muslim 65.45%, Hindu 17.00%, Christian 9.25%, Buddhist 4.00%, Other 2.50%, non-Religious 1.30%, and Baha’i 0.50%. (Religious figures are estimates.) Islam is the state religion with a Sunni majority and a small Shi’a minority.
Ideological Influence: Islam
Head of State: President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan
Persecution: Only foreign Christians have freedom to worship and witness. Christian education and witnessing to nationals are severely restricted. Few believers have opportunities to openly share their faith.
Missionary Opportunity: Several Christian medical agencies are allowed to operate and show eager to learn about the gospel in private and who enthusiastically receive Christian materials.
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ, Erin
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Turkey
Turkey, when under the Ottoman Empire, was for centuries the guardian of the holy places of Islam. In the 20th century, the number of Christians in Turkey dropped significantly, and the influence of the Muslim faith is rising.
Religion: Muslim 99.64%, Christian 0.32%, and Jewish 0.04%
Ideological Influence: Secular state with Islamic influence
Head of State: President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
Persecution: The constitutional guarantee of religious freedom has not been fully upheld. Instances of discrimination and harassment of religious minorities are many, but there has been a distinct improvement since 2000. Many politicians, the police and the growing Islamist movement are hostile to anything Christian. The ancient churches survived until the beginning of the 20th century, but since then have been decimated by massacres (Armenians), severe persecution (Assyrians), and emigration (Greeks, etc.).
Missionary Opportunity: Turkey is the largest unreached nation in the world. The Christian population has declined from 22% to 0.32% since 1900. Few of the 66 million Muslims have ever heard the gospel. A Turkish Protestant Church was legally recognized recently, and there is increasing openness on the part of the authorities to recognize Turkey as a multicultural, multireligious country. Missionary work began in 1821. All expatriates have long lived under the threat of police harassment and expulsion from the country, but earlier expulsions were quashed and declared illegal in three court cases in 1992.
1 Thessalonians 3
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Religion: Muslim 99.64%, Christian 0.32%, and Jewish 0.04%
Ideological Influence: Secular state with Islamic influence
Head of State: President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
Persecution: The constitutional guarantee of religious freedom has not been fully upheld. Instances of discrimination and harassment of religious minorities are many, but there has been a distinct improvement since 2000. Many politicians, the police and the growing Islamist movement are hostile to anything Christian. The ancient churches survived until the beginning of the 20th century, but since then have been decimated by massacres (Armenians), severe persecution (Assyrians), and emigration (Greeks, etc.).
Missionary Opportunity: Turkey is the largest unreached nation in the world. The Christian population has declined from 22% to 0.32% since 1900. Few of the 66 million Muslims have ever heard the gospel. A Turkish Protestant Church was legally recognized recently, and there is increasing openness on the part of the authorities to recognize Turkey as a multicultural, multireligious country. Missionary work began in 1821. All expatriates have long lived under the threat of police harassment and expulsion from the country, but earlier expulsions were quashed and declared illegal in three court cases in 1992.
1 Thessalonians 3
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
God Bless!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Friday, November 11, 2005
Seeking
Ask, Seek, Knock
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The theme for convo this year. . . yeah i'm at senior high convo! this will be my first time staying the whole weekend.
I love this scripture. . . for we forget that relationships go two ways, that we must also add to our relationship with God by seeking. We need to continually make that effort, we can't just sit back and wait for God to do his magic. Keep strong in your faith, read, pray study. . . seek.
God Bless
~your sister in Christ, Erin
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The theme for convo this year. . . yeah i'm at senior high convo! this will be my first time staying the whole weekend.
I love this scripture. . . for we forget that relationships go two ways, that we must also add to our relationship with God by seeking. We need to continually make that effort, we can't just sit back and wait for God to do his magic. Keep strong in your faith, read, pray study. . . seek.
God Bless
~your sister in Christ, Erin
Thursday, November 10, 2005
The Race
Ecclesiastes 9:11
11 I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.
We all run the race of life. Parts are a short sprint, as we run energetically towards the prize, but we do not always have the energy to keep up this sprint every day of our lives, i know i don't. So how do we deal with the times where we are jogging or scarcely seem to be moving? That's the best part, we don't struggle alone. . . we have a running partnet through out of all our life.
1 Corinthians 9
23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
We live our lives for the sake of God, that's all. That's all i have to live for. We train and we run, we can't stop, life doesn't stop. . . it keeps going and we keep going with it, don't let the hard parts of life keep you from winning the race.
God Bless,
~your sister in Christ
11 I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.
We all run the race of life. Parts are a short sprint, as we run energetically towards the prize, but we do not always have the energy to keep up this sprint every day of our lives, i know i don't. So how do we deal with the times where we are jogging or scarcely seem to be moving? That's the best part, we don't struggle alone. . . we have a running partnet through out of all our life.
1 Corinthians 9
23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
We live our lives for the sake of God, that's all. That's all i have to live for. We train and we run, we can't stop, life doesn't stop. . . it keeps going and we keep going with it, don't let the hard parts of life keep you from winning the race.
God Bless,
~your sister in Christ
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Quiet
Take a substancial amount of time to be quiet today. As much as you would like, depending on who you are
Take time to listen, to be quiet, to calm your soul and hang with God...
Psalm 131
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
1 Peter 3
3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, 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.
on a personal note, i find the best i sleep is when i fall asleep hanging with God, praying or just listening. . . like falling asleep in the arms of a loving parent, safe and warm. . .
God Bless!
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Take time to listen, to be quiet, to calm your soul and hang with God...
Psalm 131
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
1 Peter 3
3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, 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.
on a personal note, i find the best i sleep is when i fall asleep hanging with God, praying or just listening. . . like falling asleep in the arms of a loving parent, safe and warm. . .
God Bless!
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Proverbs
Proverbs is a very cool book in the bible. It is a book of wisdom, many of it what could be called "common sense wisdom" but still a great place to learn. Here is alittle commentary on the book of proverbs from biblegateway.com (where i get most of the scripture i post, it's a free online bible)
The use of the Proverbs.
The lessons here given are plain, and likely to benefit those who feel their own ignorance, and their need to be taught. If young people take heed to their ways, according to Solomon's Proverbs, they will gain knowledge and discretion. Solomon speaks of the most important points of truth, and a greater than Solomon is here. Christ speaks by his word and by his Spirit. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, and he is made to us wisdom.
Here is one of my favorite chapters
Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, [a] with strife.
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son,
and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the LORD tests the heart.
4 A wicked man listens to evil lips;
a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Arrogant [b] lips are unsuited to a fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9 He who covers over an offense promotes love,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion;
a merciless official will be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool in his folly.
13 If a man pays back evil for good,
evil will never leave his house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the LORD detests them both.
16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool,
since he has no desire to get wisdom?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge
and puts up security for his neighbor.
19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin;
he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper;
he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a son brings grief;
there is no joy for the father of a fool.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret
to pervert the course of justice.
24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the one who bore him.
26 It is not good to punish an innocent man,
or to flog officials for their integrity.
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
The use of the Proverbs.
The lessons here given are plain, and likely to benefit those who feel their own ignorance, and their need to be taught. If young people take heed to their ways, according to Solomon's Proverbs, they will gain knowledge and discretion. Solomon speaks of the most important points of truth, and a greater than Solomon is here. Christ speaks by his word and by his Spirit. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, and he is made to us wisdom.
Here is one of my favorite chapters
Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, [a] with strife.
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son,
and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the LORD tests the heart.
4 A wicked man listens to evil lips;
a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Arrogant [b] lips are unsuited to a fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9 He who covers over an offense promotes love,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion;
a merciless official will be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool in his folly.
13 If a man pays back evil for good,
evil will never leave his house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the LORD detests them both.
16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool,
since he has no desire to get wisdom?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge
and puts up security for his neighbor.
19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin;
he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper;
he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a son brings grief;
there is no joy for the father of a fool.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret
to pervert the course of justice.
24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the one who bore him.
26 It is not good to punish an innocent man,
or to flog officials for their integrity.
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
Monday, November 07, 2005
Name of God
interesting topic that many people get very worked up about. . . so let's explore it alittle =)
Exodus 34
4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
[a] 14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 6:3
3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, [a] but by my name the LORD [b] I did not make myself known to them. [c]
Footnotes:
Exodus 6:3 Hebrew El-Shaddai
Exodus 6:3 See note at Exodus 3:15.
Exodus 6:3 Or Almighty, and by my name the LORD did I not let myself be known to them?
Exodus 15:3
3 The LORD is a warrior;
the LORD is his name.
Exodus 3:14-15
14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . [a] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, [b] the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
Footnotes:
Exodus 3:14 Or I will be what I will be
Exodus 3:15 The Hebrew for LORD sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for I am in verse 14.
Psalm 83:18
18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Acts 8:16-17 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:4-5 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord
So the question is what is God's name? God? LORD (which in Hebrew sounds like Yehweh)? I AM? Jesus? I read a wierd thing on it. I think it is a word problem. We want to give God a name because that is what we are used to, labels, but God is not something we are used to and understand. He is unconcievable. He is more than just the good charateristics we know of him. . . he has a soul like us.
who are we? god's children. . . yes. . . more than our names, more that our interests, more than our characteristics, there is a little something more. Our souls. So i have read arguments about the name of God, but honestly, does it matter what we call him as long as we live with him? For a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. . . and what parent would ignore or punish a child for misunderstanding how to say their name? Interesting topic. . .
God Bless!
your sister in christ~Erin
Exodus 34
4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
[a] 14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 6:3
3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, [a] but by my name the LORD [b] I did not make myself known to them. [c]
Footnotes:
Exodus 6:3 Hebrew El-Shaddai
Exodus 6:3 See note at Exodus 3:15.
Exodus 6:3 Or Almighty, and by my name the LORD did I not let myself be known to them?
Exodus 15:3
3 The LORD is a warrior;
the LORD is his name.
Exodus 3:14-15
14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . [a] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, [b] the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
Footnotes:
Exodus 3:14 Or I will be what I will be
Exodus 3:15 The Hebrew for LORD sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for I am in verse 14.
Psalm 83:18
18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Acts 8:16-17 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:4-5 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord
So the question is what is God's name? God? LORD (which in Hebrew sounds like Yehweh)? I AM? Jesus? I read a wierd thing on it. I think it is a word problem. We want to give God a name because that is what we are used to, labels, but God is not something we are used to and understand. He is unconcievable. He is more than just the good charateristics we know of him. . . he has a soul like us.
who are we? god's children. . . yes. . . more than our names, more that our interests, more than our characteristics, there is a little something more. Our souls. So i have read arguments about the name of God, but honestly, does it matter what we call him as long as we live with him? For a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. . . and what parent would ignore or punish a child for misunderstanding how to say their name? Interesting topic. . .
God Bless!
your sister in christ~Erin
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Oman
Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said declared, “Oman in the past was in darkness...but a new dawn will rise.” While Qaboos was able to increase the country’s wealth, another darkness persists: the darkness in the hearts of Oman’s people caught in the clutches of Islam.
Religion: Muslim 92.66%, Hindu 3.00%, Christian 2.54%, Buddhist 1.20%, non-Religious/other 0.40%, and Baha’i 0.20%. Ibadi is the state religion. The Sultan has consistently opposed fanatical Islam since his reign began in 1990.
Ideological Influence: Islam
Head of State: Sultan and Prime Minister Qaboos bin Said Al Said Persecution: Churches and church activities for the expatriate communities are permitted, but proselytizing Muslims is forbidden.
Missionary Opportunity: The Christian population consists almost entirely of foreign workers, with perhaps no more than 20 indigenous believers. There are four centers where Christians of over 30 denominations or languages meet and where services in many languages are held. The Reformed Church in America has had a good witness in Oman since 1890, when Samuel Zwemer began his work. Their hospital, clinics and missionary workers have been incorporated into the government health services. Christians also have a strong presence in the education and business sectors.
Religion: Muslim 92.66%, Hindu 3.00%, Christian 2.54%, Buddhist 1.20%, non-Religious/other 0.40%, and Baha’i 0.20%. Ibadi is the state religion. The Sultan has consistently opposed fanatical Islam since his reign began in 1990.
Ideological Influence: Islam
Head of State: Sultan and Prime Minister Qaboos bin Said Al Said Persecution: Churches and church activities for the expatriate communities are permitted, but proselytizing Muslims is forbidden.
Missionary Opportunity: The Christian population consists almost entirely of foreign workers, with perhaps no more than 20 indigenous believers. There are four centers where Christians of over 30 denominations or languages meet and where services in many languages are held. The Reformed Church in America has had a good witness in Oman since 1890, when Samuel Zwemer began his work. Their hospital, clinics and missionary workers have been incorporated into the government health services. Christians also have a strong presence in the education and business sectors.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Evangelism
so saturday i went to this little thing about evangelism. Now i am a christian, and i strongly believe in sharing your faith with others. . . it's good, it's biblical, it brings joy to their lives. All good, great, yea. But, I was so upset after this meeting about some of the things i was being "trained" to do and say to people to "get them saved". Here are a couple verses on evangelism:
Isaiah 55:5
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
Matthew 4
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 9
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
So yes, we are called to share our faith. However, there are methods out there such as the one i was taught yesterday to create or establish a fear of God in a person so they will be come a "born again christian", for according to them 86% of americans claim to be christian but only 7% born again (which they considered true christians). So the way to save the majority of the population was to first, assume they are a careless sinner, but the fear of God into them, pray with them, and encourage them to find a church. 1, 2, 3. done, another soul in the bag for the kingdom.
I was appaled that they actually teach this to people! and when i brought up the difference between fear and revere god, he said he wouldn't want to re-word it because that's how the bible worded it.
*This is bad theology, and bad theology will hurt you.
God loves you, as he does everyone else on the planet, they are all his children. It is not for us to judge others. We, as christians, do not do good things like follow the 10 commandments to not go to hell, BUT BECAUSE we love God and want to serve him out of that love, not out of fear. Repect yes, he is holy, he is unconcivablly wonderful, revere him, but fear??
So on that note, i encourage you to share your faith with anyone you meet. I believe God loves us all, i understand that i mess up, but the great thing about God, is that he has made it possible for us to be forgiven and still be a just God. Praise God!
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
Isaiah 55:5
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
Matthew 4
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 9
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
So yes, we are called to share our faith. However, there are methods out there such as the one i was taught yesterday to create or establish a fear of God in a person so they will be come a "born again christian", for according to them 86% of americans claim to be christian but only 7% born again (which they considered true christians). So the way to save the majority of the population was to first, assume they are a careless sinner, but the fear of God into them, pray with them, and encourage them to find a church. 1, 2, 3. done, another soul in the bag for the kingdom.
I was appaled that they actually teach this to people! and when i brought up the difference between fear and revere god, he said he wouldn't want to re-word it because that's how the bible worded it.
*This is bad theology, and bad theology will hurt you.
God loves you, as he does everyone else on the planet, they are all his children. It is not for us to judge others. We, as christians, do not do good things like follow the 10 commandments to not go to hell, BUT BECAUSE we love God and want to serve him out of that love, not out of fear. Repect yes, he is holy, he is unconcivablly wonderful, revere him, but fear??
So on that note, i encourage you to share your faith with anyone you meet. I believe God loves us all, i understand that i mess up, but the great thing about God, is that he has made it possible for us to be forgiven and still be a just God. Praise God!
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
Friday, November 04, 2005
miracles
Matthew 15
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
29Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
33His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
34"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked.
"Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
35He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. 39After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
A story we are all probably familiar with however the familiarity of this miracle never ceased to amaze me. Jesus feed more than 4,000 people with some bread and fish. wow.
This was one of the scriptures we used every week with our campers this summer. I was always amazed by the things the kids would do and say, some of them were miracles within themselves. We often think of miracles as things that happened long ago, not really something that happens anymore. Yet we notice coincidences and little things, or look back and go. . . wow, i can't believe that all happened. I challenge you too find some miracles in your own life and smile.
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
prayer requests~ please pray for me, i've been struggling
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
29Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
33His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
34"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked.
"Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
35He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. 39After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
A story we are all probably familiar with however the familiarity of this miracle never ceased to amaze me. Jesus feed more than 4,000 people with some bread and fish. wow.
This was one of the scriptures we used every week with our campers this summer. I was always amazed by the things the kids would do and say, some of them were miracles within themselves. We often think of miracles as things that happened long ago, not really something that happens anymore. Yet we notice coincidences and little things, or look back and go. . . wow, i can't believe that all happened. I challenge you too find some miracles in your own life and smile.
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
prayer requests~ please pray for me, i've been struggling
Thursday, November 03, 2005
The Lord's Prayer
Interesting how this comes from two sources . .
Matthew 6:9-13
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Luke 11:2-4
2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation. "
so many topics this short and sweet prayer covers. break it down and you get praises to God, asking for substanace (in daily bread), forgivness, and help in times of trouble, so at least 4 main areas of covered in this short easily memorized prayer.
At college through some friends i have learned some new acronyms. . . here are a few
CIA Christians in Action, ASAP Always say a prayer, PUSH Pray Until something happens, and the ever popular FROG and WWJD
sometimes these little things help me with prayer, sometimes a tried and true traditional prayer like the Lord's prayer is what i'm looking for, sometimes i just need to chat.
Any other fun ones?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
*Prayer request~Convo is coming up (UMC youth methodist event), i have a philosophy test friday i'm worried about, i've also been struggling with a few things so could use your prayers! Thanx everyone!
(****if you ever want to post a prayer request, just log-in and edit, and add your request, or add it in a comment!)
Matthew 6:9-13
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Luke 11:2-4
2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation. "
so many topics this short and sweet prayer covers. break it down and you get praises to God, asking for substanace (in daily bread), forgivness, and help in times of trouble, so at least 4 main areas of covered in this short easily memorized prayer.
At college through some friends i have learned some new acronyms. . . here are a few
CIA Christians in Action, ASAP Always say a prayer, PUSH Pray Until something happens, and the ever popular FROG and WWJD
sometimes these little things help me with prayer, sometimes a tried and true traditional prayer like the Lord's prayer is what i'm looking for, sometimes i just need to chat.
Any other fun ones?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
*Prayer request~Convo is coming up (UMC youth methodist event), i have a philosophy test friday i'm worried about, i've also been struggling with a few things so could use your prayers! Thanx everyone!
(****if you ever want to post a prayer request, just log-in and edit, and add your request, or add it in a comment!)
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Kindness
Who can argue with being nice?
helping out those in need
talking to the person who seems alone
opening the door for someone
sending an e-card to a friend or relative to brighten their day
yet there are things that we do so easily that if we thought about, aren't so nice.
I'm sure we could all think of one. . .
one that catches my attention is from camp this summer
everyone knows a person who they may make comments about and camp was like that, there were not quite different groups but there were a few of us closer than others. There was also one or two people who got alittle more sarcasm than they deserved. When i reflected on my behavior i admit that my behavior did not always represent christian kindness.
Just something to point out because honestly, it was something i didn't think about until after it happened. Behavior normal to our generations is not necessarily kind and good which makes it difficult, however also a great way to minister without words!
Luke 7
The Faith of the Centurion
1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
the kindness of the centurion for his servant, and the kindness of Jesus everyday of his life! just alot of things to think about here.
God Bless you!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
helping out those in need
talking to the person who seems alone
opening the door for someone
sending an e-card to a friend or relative to brighten their day
yet there are things that we do so easily that if we thought about, aren't so nice.
I'm sure we could all think of one. . .
one that catches my attention is from camp this summer
everyone knows a person who they may make comments about and camp was like that, there were not quite different groups but there were a few of us closer than others. There was also one or two people who got alittle more sarcasm than they deserved. When i reflected on my behavior i admit that my behavior did not always represent christian kindness.
Just something to point out because honestly, it was something i didn't think about until after it happened. Behavior normal to our generations is not necessarily kind and good which makes it difficult, however also a great way to minister without words!
Luke 7
The Faith of the Centurion
1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
the kindness of the centurion for his servant, and the kindness of Jesus everyday of his life! just alot of things to think about here.
God Bless you!
~your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Justice
an entry i plan on taking very seriously ~ so give me alittle time . . . =)
okay, so this is a very important topic to me, well really to every one and everything on the earth. . .
here's a verse to think about
Micah 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
so when talking about my faith i often get asked questions like if you know God will always forgive you, why be "good"?
a very valid question, our faith is not about deeds so why stress out about them??
Because by becoming a Christian we say not only that we believe in God and his son but Christianity is a lifestyle. Not something to do sundays and the ever popular wednesday nights but every day of the week. Jesus preached every day and his actions gave us a picture of how to live everyday. He helped those in need, he worked for the betterment of human kind, he showed love and kindness. Justice is at the heart of all of these things.
It is important to learn about God from the bible, however it is essential that we transfer the ideals from the bible to our lives. Like here in micah, the Lord requires us to act, love, and walk. These are not activities that can be limited to one or two days a week but every waking moment of everyday.
There are many forms of justice i hope to cover soon (maybe we'll have a justice week!) some of which are social justice, political justice, economical justice, restorative justice vs punative justice (in no particular order) so. . . if anyone wants to do an entry on one of these, or another kind of justice, that would be great just let me know.
*Question for the day~What is justice to you?
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
prayer requests~stressed out students!
okay, so this is a very important topic to me, well really to every one and everything on the earth. . .
here's a verse to think about
Micah 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
so when talking about my faith i often get asked questions like if you know God will always forgive you, why be "good"?
a very valid question, our faith is not about deeds so why stress out about them??
Because by becoming a Christian we say not only that we believe in God and his son but Christianity is a lifestyle. Not something to do sundays and the ever popular wednesday nights but every day of the week. Jesus preached every day and his actions gave us a picture of how to live everyday. He helped those in need, he worked for the betterment of human kind, he showed love and kindness. Justice is at the heart of all of these things.
It is important to learn about God from the bible, however it is essential that we transfer the ideals from the bible to our lives. Like here in micah, the Lord requires us to act, love, and walk. These are not activities that can be limited to one or two days a week but every waking moment of everyday.
There are many forms of justice i hope to cover soon (maybe we'll have a justice week!) some of which are social justice, political justice, economical justice, restorative justice vs punative justice (in no particular order) so. . . if anyone wants to do an entry on one of these, or another kind of justice, that would be great just let me know.
*Question for the day~What is justice to you?
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
prayer requests~stressed out students!
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