tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37079676351015302992023-11-16T08:10:48.238-05:00Rejoice AlwaysRejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-67883852536385732022013-02-21T10:11:00.001-05:002013-02-21T19:17:53.139-05:00ANNOUNCEMENT!I have started another blog. <br />
<br />
This is The
End. The One Blog to View them All. Come one, come all.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://carissablogs.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/one-blog-to-view-them-all/">http://carissablogs.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/one-blog-to-view-them-all/ </a><br />
<br />
(I have posted a few more things after this post, but it's probably a good idea to start here.)Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-85073070456631628182013-02-14T12:41:00.000-05:002013-02-14T12:48:49.856-05:00Valentine's Day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CEXhDxiHG4NkzQGfPrji_y76rjWF9BtgbPCAO3F4C1wibXQc9Sy8UubOOoZQNzm2fDx1WFjY4UxAqshnwzVZccaV0wPMcz1ckOWZ9LxI3eVv4cf7W-Gq5-2vcUlI48LlQuEIstxsfXaN/s1600/J127+589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CEXhDxiHG4NkzQGfPrji_y76rjWF9BtgbPCAO3F4C1wibXQc9Sy8UubOOoZQNzm2fDx1WFjY4UxAqshnwzVZccaV0wPMcz1ckOWZ9LxI3eVv4cf7W-Gq5-2vcUlI48LlQuEIstxsfXaN/s400/J127+589.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
I'm not going to pretend--as a single twenty-two year old woman who has loved and lost, there is a twinge of sadness on this day. A wishing for what might have been.<br />
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But if I'm going to say that, I have to say the rest as well. There is also great joy this day, for I know Another who loves me--loves me far deeper and realer than any man could, no matter how amazing he is.<br />
<br />
This morning we sang, "Here is Love." I picked it, thinking of today and of His love. <br />
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<i>Here is love, vast as the ocean,<br />Lovingkindness as the flood,<br />When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,<br />Shed for us His precious blood.<br />Who His love will not remember?<br />Who can cease to sing His praise?<br />He can never be forgotten,<br />Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.<br /><br />On the mount of crucifixion,<br />Fountains opened deep and wide;<br />Through the floodgates of God’s mercy<br />Flowed a vast and gracious tide.<br />Grace and love, like mighty rivers,<br />Poured incessant from above,<br />And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice<br />Kissed a guilty world in love.<br /><br />Let me all Thy love accepting,<br />Love Thee, ever all my days;<br />Let me seek Thy kingdom only<br />And my life be to Thy praise;<br />Thou alone shalt be my glory,<br />Nothing in the world I see.<br />Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,<br />Thou Thyself hast set me free.<br /><br />In Thy truth Thou dost direct me<br />By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;<br />And Thy grace my need is meeting,<br />As I trust in Thee, my Lord.<br />Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring<br />Thy great love and power on me,<br />Without measure, full and boundless,<br />Drawing out my heart to Thee. </i><br />
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Oh, I love Him. <br />
<br />Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-54547263643287414342013-01-23T14:22:00.002-05:002013-01-23T14:31:38.141-05:00Want to Scare Someone?Just start talking about Grace.<br />
<br />
It's great. They get rather freaked out and start saying stuff about how, "You still have to do stuff and that doesn't mean you don't have to follow the law and yeah but we still have to do good works."<br />
<br />
And then you're there like... "Um, yes, I never said otherwise." <br />
<br />
I'm am pretty sure that we've gotten terribly confused. I know I was terribly confused. (probably will be again, too. But anyways.) <br />
<br />
Grace is not like that at all. Grace doesn't mean, "Oh wonderful!! Now I can just sit around and do nothing (or whatever awful things I want to do.)" No, no, no.<br />
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<i>Grace means Jesus dying on the cross. And then rising again. </i><br />
<br />
Grace is given freely, because that is what kind of God there is.<br />
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Grace is very, very costly, because that is what kind of God there is. <br />
<br />
By the first statement I made, "Grace is given freely, because that is what kind of God there is." I meant that He gives it freely because He is a gracious, loving God.<br />
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By the second statement, "Grace is very, very costly, because that is what kind of God there is.", I mean that God is holy and just, and cannot tolerate sin. He can't just gloss it over with a hug and say it'll be fine.<br />
<br />
No.<br />
<br />
It took Jesus' perfect <i>fulfillment</i> of the law. It took His death, horrible in every sense of the word, on the cross. It took His rising again, His conquering of death.<br />
<br />
Grace is <i>given</i> freely.<br />
<br />
Grace is not free. <br />
<br />
Grace enables us to learn to live as Christ lived. It gives us safety and confidence while we learn--we are not under the law, but under grace. We're still learning, we're still becoming like Christ, we're still doing good things.<br />
<br />
But it's all different.<br />
<br />
<b>The motivation is different:</b> It's our love for God, rather than our fear of the law. Over and over, Jesus says "If you love Me, obey my commandments." <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The power is different:</b> It is no longer our vain human efforts; now it is grace/the Holy Spirit that works in us.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The end result is different:</b> Under the law, no matter how hard you tried, you would fall short. <i>Always.</i> Every. Single. Time. With grace, He makes the way, hits the target right on--for you. Because of His sinless life in YOUR place, because He took YOUR punishment, because He always lives to make intercession for YOU... you are accepted, holy, and beloved.<br />
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<i>Amazing. </i><br />
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Grace, properly understood, won't make anyone stop working. No, it will motivate you all the more. Grace is amazing--a precious, priceless, undeserved, unearned gift.<br />
<br />
A gift of love.<br />
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And because He first loved us, we, in turn, love Him. And through His grace, we become more and more like Him. Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-59123227906588355862013-01-08T18:18:00.001-05:002013-01-08T18:18:52.632-05:00Strong GirlsI've had this post floating around in my head for quite some time now, but I have been hesitant to write it. Mainly because it's so personal, and also because... well, you'll see.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of different kinds of girls out there, but there are two really broad categories that you could<i> try </i>to put them in: The sweet, soft girls--and then the strong, I-Can-Handle-This girls. (And within both of those there are the sub-categories of Introverts and Extroverts. I happen to be an Introverted Strong Girl, which is a very interesting mix. And since that is what I know best, I'll be explaining an Introverted Strong Girl. It may overlap into how an Extroverted Strong Girl is, but I can't say for sure...)<br />
<br />
For the longest time, I thought that it was wrong to be in the latter category. I mean, what about being submissive and having a gentle and quiet spirit and all that? Those don't seem to fit in that "strong girl" category...<br />
<br />
But yet, here I am. A so-called "Strong Girl." And I've come to realize that while being made like this does have its difficulties, it also has its blessings. I've also learned that God makes all kinds of different people, and <i>He likes it that way. </i><br />
<br />
It is not necessary to be <i>my</i> made-up picture of what a feminine girl is supposed to be: it <i>is</i> necessary to be the kind of person Christ would be were He in my position. And yes, that does include being submissive and gentle in spirit.<br />
<br />
So... what is it like being an Introverted "Strong Girl"?<br />
<br />
I guess the first thing you ought to know is that we are not near as strong as we look; not inside. We crumble inside just like everyone else: the difference is you'll probably never see it unless we learn the (Very Hard) lesson of vulnerability. Even then, we will be likely only be vulnerable with a small group. Unless we have a blog. Ahem.<br />
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Another thing is that while we don't <i>appear </i>as caring as the Sweet Girls, we actually care very, very, very deeply--and it bothers us. So we try to limit our caring to a few select people, lest we become overwhelmed with it all. It sounds callous--and it probably is. But, apart from Christ, that is how we operate. <br />
<br />
In some aspects, though, we really <i>can</i> handle far more than the other group of girls: it is just how we are built. We usually remain calm when everyone else is freaking out--nearly always outwardly, and often inwardly as well. We can stand against storms that would flatten other people--sometimes out of stubbornness and/or pride, unfortunately. It takes a lot of work by God in our hearts to learn to rely on His strength, because it often appears that we CAN do it. Until we can't, of course. But I really don't think you want to see the kind of turmoil that goes on before a Strong Girl gets to that point... :P <br />
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We have the same need for love as other girls, though we have a much harder time showing it. It is a very difficult place to be, because we wish that you would somehow see through us and know what we need, but of course that doesn't happen often because most of the time we are saying, "Go away I'm fine" with our attitudes. (It is also harder for us to understand our own needs sometimes, too. Just to add to the fun.) We value respect more highly than most girls, too. <br />
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If you challenge us directly and with no grace, we will probably resist until the day we die. Or the day when God knocks us over and tells us to quit. One or the other. If, on the other hand, you say things in a non-confrontational "this helped me" type way, we will likely listen. For me, I find that if someone directly contradicts me, I'll probably hold my ground. If, however, someone I respect/love says something offhand that is different from what I think, I may be shaken easily in what I think. It's very odd. :P<br />
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So... what's a Strong Girl to do?<br />
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Well, the first thing is to recognize that she <i>is </i>weak--that she needs to rely on Christ's strength. It is a little harder to realize because of all the aforementioned, but when she does realize it, it is a great relief.<br />
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Another step is learning to accept how God made you. Don't try to be someone else. Just love God more. Focus on Him. Let Him mold you into His image. And don't excuse sin based on, "This is just who I am!!", either.<br />
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It is also important to learn to be *whispers* <i>vulnerable.</i> There, I said it. But, really, that is the way to grow deep friendships, and that is the way to actually help and be helped. It's hard, very hard... but it's worth learning. This doesn't mean you need to be vulnerable to EVERYONE--that would be illogical and impossible. But it does mean that you--we--need to learn when to be vulnerable.<br />
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Learning to show and receive love is also a big step in the right direction... and a hard one. I don't know if I'm the only girl in this category that has had a hard time grasping what love IS or not, but I'm guessing not...<br />
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Another really important thing, too, is too learn to know the difference between "strong" and "tough." Tough is when you get to the point where you don't care when people hurt you and you don't care when you hurt people. You have good strong walls, and no one is going to come in. Strong is when you are able to stand firm in life's storms, but you still bend with the wind. You still feel pain, you still care. <br />
<br />
<br />
Well, there you have it. My thoughts on Strong Girls... <br />
<br />Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-35669424973885512042013-01-08T15:42:00.001-05:002013-01-08T15:43:06.974-05:00By All Means, it's The End!I've been noticing a queer and pervasive problem lately, both in my life and in other lives around me. <br />
<br />
We tend to think that the <i>Means</i> are the Point, rather than the End the means are supposed to be achieving. Weird...<br />
<br />
A very common example would be Bible reading and prayer. The point is actually to get to know God better, and yet we check it off our list as if the reading <i>in and of itself</i> does something. Yeah, God is really good at using His word, and you'll probably still get something out of that type of reading.<br />
<br />
But... how much better it would be if we changed our thinking to realize that these "Spiritual disciplines" are not our goal--God is our goal.<br />
<br />
Use the Means to get to the End--don't end with the Means.<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Now "means" looks weird. What does it even mean? Oh help.)</span></i>Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-90205679189556573812013-01-02T17:17:00.000-05:002013-01-02T17:17:57.388-05:00Which Posts in 2012 Were Your Favorite?Hey There Bloggy Friends!<br />
<br />
I know I kind of abandoned this blog last year... but I did post a few times, and I'm getting ready to make my yearly list of favorite posts.<br />
<br />
So--of the few I did post, which ones especially impacted you? Which ones did you like most? And why, if you have time? :D<br />
<br />
Thank you!!Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-60789745886962661992012-12-31T11:08:00.002-05:002012-12-31T13:04:05.884-05:00To the Years...<i>Dear 2012, </i><br />
<br />
<i>You were a very odd year. I didn't know I could love that deep, cry that hard, learn that much, worship God that profoundly, be that blessed, or be that confused in one year. I guess that is what comes of me praying hard prayers. You probably thought I would learn my lesson, but guess what? I kept praying hard prayers all year long. And God answered. Yeah, it was hard. Yeah, I sometimes felt like I couldn't take anymore. But guess what? God was right there, and I could take more. And I did. And I am a different person as a result. </i><br />
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<i>I must admit, though, 2012--much as I learned and grew, I am not exactly sorry to see you go. I will not forget you, nor your lessons, but I am glad I will not have to re-live you. Just sayin'. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>With gratefulness, </i><br />
<i>Carissa</i><br />
<i>____________________________</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Hey there 2013,</i><br />
<br />
<i>Even though we have not yet become acquainted, I am already looking forward to seeing what God will do in your twelve months. I'm sure it will be intense, like 2012 was--probably more, especially considering all God taught and prepared me for last year. To be honest, you scare me. </i><br />
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<i>Especially you there, January. I see you sneaking up on me. I remember the last few Januaries that sprung on me... how can I forget? However, I will face you head-on, with a glint in my eyes and resolve in my steps--for the Savior of my soul has gone before me into your depths, and He walks with me even now. How can I fear when Jesus is near? </i><br />
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<i>2013-- bring it. I am ready. </i><br />
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<i>With anticipation,</i><br />
<i>Carissa </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-25090883162023779902012-12-28T17:04:00.002-05:002012-12-28T17:11:42.589-05:00On Grief. Doesn't that just sound like a delightful topic? Um, yeah, not really.<br />
<br />
I've been thinking about it a lot this year, having experienced it for the first time. Not that I had never been sad before--there were sad things before this year--but this was a year of death.<br />
<br />
Not of people, not in my life. Not yet. But the death of dreams, the death of friendships, the death of a part of me.<br />
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It has been almost a year now since the starting of all this... yet it is still so deeply grievous that it can all come to the surface suddenly and I'm crying without warning.<br />
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I had no idea, before, of how long the grieving process is. And I haven't even had someone close die yet. I can't--don't want to--imagine.<br />
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My own grief has made me much more sensitive to others who are grieving.<br />
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It has also made me wonder. How is it possible that in 6,000 years of people dying, moving away, hurting each other, and so on, we still are terrible at grieving and comforting others who grieve? How is it that it is not a natural thing--it is something that must be learned to be done well?<br />
<br />
I think I figured it out, though. It's because it is all just plain wrong.<br />
<br />
People aren't <i>supposed</i> to die. Friendships are not <i>supposed</i> to end. People are not <i>supposed</i> to sin and hurt each other.<br />
<br />
It's all wrong. This isn't how God designed us. This isn't the way it started out.<br />
<br />
<i>And we are still not used to it. </i>Even though the fall happened so very long ago, we still struggle and flounder as a result of its effects.<br />
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(This is one of many reasons why evolution just makes no sense to me. If it were true, grief would be perfectly normal--in fact, maybe we wouldn't even be sad over someone's death. Survival of the fittest, right? Yay for me, I lived longer! :P)<br />
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Yet, in the beautiful way that God is, He has turned suffering into something for our good. Glorious, isn't it? That something so hard, so trying, so wrong can be used for good?<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">17<b>For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;</b></span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> 18While we look not at the things which
are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are
seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2
Corinthians 4:16-18</span></b></i></blockquote>
<br />
The other thing that has comforted me indescribably during my hard days has been the fact that Jesus Himself suffered. If He had not--if He was just up there telling us suffering is good for us--oh, what a hard directive that would be to obey. And how unjust it would seem. <i>But He did. </i>And when we suffer we get a taste, a share, in His sufferings. Amazing! <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="first-line-none">
<i><span class="text Heb-2-9" id="en-NKJV-29987"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>But
we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the
suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace
of God, might taste death for everyone.</span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="text Heb-2-10"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:9-10</span></i></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="text Isa-53-3" id="en-NKJV-18715">3 He is despised and rejected by men,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-3">A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-3">And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-3">He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="poetry top-1">
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Isa-53-4" id="en-NKJV-18716"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Surely He has borne our griefs</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-4">And carried our sorrows;</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-4">Yet we esteemed Him stricken,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-4">Smitten by God, and afflicted.</span></i></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="poetry top-1">
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Isa-53-5" id="en-NKJV-18717"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>But He was wounded for our transgressions,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-5">He was bruised for our iniquities;</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-5">The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-53-5">And by His stripes we are healed.</span> Isaiah 53:3-5 </i></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
Thank God.Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-57227668392589797642012-12-20T17:12:00.003-05:002013-01-02T17:48:50.730-05:00Top Five Books of 20122012 has been quite a year. Never in my life have I had a year so full of adventures, the unexpected, pain, and spiritual growth. It has also been a year of amazing books. Most years I read some good books, even a few really good books. However, this year I have found some truly <i>awesome</i> books. Hence, I am writing this post. Hence you should really go out and buy at least one of them. ;) I even linked the titles of the books to the book on Amazon. There, now you have no excuses. You can surely spend around $10 for a life change, right? (and no, I am not getting paid in any way for any of this. :P)<br />
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<img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVUvQ4RgWO2XVIsv1jD-8SOZtOXo61i01ijkyAz5rmN_WArsGzHjHEu_C1yJZuYzqacqTuy6otHjDcT7U32i50LcU-PM-NIiOOCO01gk6Tq7dzN_exxAtWzG5ROAe9gjpQeMaOIaEwLEd/s1600/grace+for+the+good+girl.jpg" class="decoded" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVUvQ4RgWO2XVIsv1jD-8SOZtOXo61i01ijkyAz5rmN_WArsGzHjHEu_C1yJZuYzqacqTuy6otHjDcT7U32i50LcU-PM-NIiOOCO01gk6Tq7dzN_exxAtWzG5ROAe9gjpQeMaOIaEwLEd/s320/grace+for+the+good+girl.jpg" width="206" /> <br />
<br />
1. <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Good-Girl-Letting-Try-Hard/dp/0800719840/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356041732&sr=1-1&keywords=Grace+for+the+Good+Girl">Grace for the Good Girl</a>--</b>This is one of those books that, only about three chapters in, I was trying to sell to people. (I was reading it during my time with Generations of Virtue). I was also left wondering, <i>how on earth did she know what is going on inside of me??</i> I smiled, I laughed a bit--I almost cried. And my life is changing, because I read this book. How? Well, she first goes through and talks about the many "masks" we "good girls" hide behind. We hide behind our fake "fine, we hide behind our many acts of service, we hide behind our spiritual disciplines.... hiding, always hiding. We are, in essence, religious. Living out of the law, not grace. She helps to gently show you where you are hiding, and then invites you out of your hiding and into God's amazing grace. You are left feeling more inspired to love and serve God, not less. But not because you HAVE to, not so that everyone else will think you are all that--simply because you love Him and you are so, so thankful for grace. And in that grace, you are safe. (Now my sister Hannah is reading it, and even though she's not done yet, she is already planning on buying for several people. And we made a list of over 60 girls and moms who need to read it. I'm not kidding when I say this<b>-- </b>if you are a girl, buy it. :D)<br />
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<img alt="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm101942617/gold-by-moonlight-amy-carmichael-paperback-cover-art.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm101942617/gold-by-moonlight-amy-carmichael-paperback-cover-art.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Moonlight-Amy-Carmichael/dp/0875080871/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356041701&sr=1-1&keywords=Gold+by+Moonlight">Gold by Moonlight</a>--</b>this one has helped me countless times this year in times when it all just seemed too hard, too painful. She is one that has walked on a painful road--she knows how it is. And, having faithfully gone on before on this path, she offers a way out. Not out of suffering, but out of wrong focus. She turns your eyes upon Jesus. She helps you to know how to get the most out of hard times. It is a very unique and fun to read book, too. Each chapter begins with a picture--a dark wood, a ravine, snow, lilies--and she draws from each image a lesson in suffering well. You just read wherever your need is... it doesn't need to be read in a particular order. <br />
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<img alt="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/176133035397088156_QaLXoohP_b.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/176133035397088156_QaLXoohP_b.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Battlegrounds--Depth-Spiritual-Heavenly/dp/1886296383/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356041672&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Three+Battlegrounds">The Three Battlegrounds</a>--</b>this book is not kidding when it says in-depth. It is relatively short, but it is jam-packed full of helpful, biblical information. It connected a lot of dots for me, helped me to know better what was happening to me and in the world, gave me direction in my prayers and interactions with others, and so much more. It's one of those books that is underlined and stared and written all over with many colors--I just keep rereading it. I really like how it says that our focus should not be on spiritual warfare, but on Jesus.<br />
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<img alt="http://freechristianbook.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/the-pursuit-of-god.jpg" class="decoded" height="320" src="http://freechristianbook.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/the-pursuit-of-god.jpg" width="198" /><br />
<br />
<b>4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-God-Study-Guide/dp/1600661068/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356041634&sr=1-3&keywords=The+Pursuit+of+God">The Pursuit of God</a>--</b>I literally just finished this one today. :D I've known about it for a long time, and read bits here and there... but I was given this book at the completion of J127, so I finally just read it. And wow... now I know why it's a classic and all that. He did such an amazing job of clearing away misconceptions, showing how beautiful a relationship with God can be, explaining how it all works, and so much more. It's rather difficult to describe. But it's another book that I'll be reading for a while yet... probably the rest of my life or something like that. ;)<br />
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<img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfG5-QzKhmyrydJnyk644Xzm6TfMPfi6aLlKjRotscsQhjapqU41rhQH1D_RRRwGjF3CG9dKUTTfymQOLsfIMvmnOCaau2JPv9WulfsLrHylE84PM6iIzRCkEG167ynWRZMyR67ci0uBo/s1600/pursuit+of+holiness.jpg" class="decoded" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfG5-QzKhmyrydJnyk644Xzm6TfMPfi6aLlKjRotscsQhjapqU41rhQH1D_RRRwGjF3CG9dKUTTfymQOLsfIMvmnOCaau2JPv9WulfsLrHylE84PM6iIzRCkEG167ynWRZMyR67ci0uBo/s320/pursuit+of+holiness.jpg" width="204" /> <br />
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<b>5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Pursuit-Holiness-Jerry-Bridges/dp/157683932X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356041592&sr=8-1&keywords=the+pursuit+of+holiness">The Pursuit of Holiness</a>--</b>This is a very practical book. Which, considering the topic, is extremely rare--and helpful!! He does a brilliant job of describing God's part and our part and how they work together, what holiness actually is, and lots of other things I've wondered about. Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-56795665146565656452012-12-13T10:50:00.001-05:002012-12-13T10:50:03.750-05:00SwordfightingOur swords crashed together, echoing in the stillness of the chapel.
Again and again we struck--focused on the fight, surprising those
looking on in our intensity. She drew back, and we paused.<br />
<br />
I waited, excitedly, impatiently. Then--<br />
<br />
A sword. In my face. <br />
<br />
<i>Drop your sword.</i><br />
<br />
It clattered to the ground. <br />
<br />
<i>Take off your helmet.</i><br />
<br />
Half smiling, uncertain, confused, I complied.<br />
<br />
He gestured downwards.<br />
<br />
I released it, and it joined the sword on the cold floor. <br />
<br />
The sword was still in my face. I was defenseless, confused. Had I done something wrong?<br />
<br />
In
the semi-darkness, I could see his face--intense, but still kind. He
said words, many of which I have forgotten. But some, some I can’t
forget. <br />
<br />
<i>This doesn’t feel like love, does it. A
sword pointed in your face. But this is how love is, sometimes.
Sometimes God must do this to get your attention. Sometimes He has to
take all your defenses away and leave you exposed so you will open up to
Him.</i><br />
<br />
He went on, and I listened--still not sure
about what was happening. I mean, have you ever had someone point a
sword in your face and then speak words that burn straight to your
soul--after having only known you a little over a week? Yeah, me either.
<br />
<br />
Afterwards, I went in the hallway of the chapel, away
from the others--trembling inside. Trying to fathom what God had just
shown me. As I prayed, kneeling there on the floor in the darkness, I
got the sense that He was trying show me two things in particular. I was
to drop my shield, my fleshly defenses, and let Him be my shield. And
secondly, I had dropped my sword earlier in the year out of sheer
weariness, and He was asking me to take it up again--but this time, to
fight out of His strength, not mine. <br />
<br />
I’ve been thinking about these lessons a lot lately, and God has been showing me more and more of this. <br />
<br />
See, the thing is, life is scary. It hurts. So what do we do? We build walls. We hide. <br />
<br />
And
it helps. For a while. We feel safe, huddled there behind our
wall--plastered with sweet-sounding phrases and less-than-genuine-smiles
and pretty dresses. <br />
<br />
Until we discover, much to our
horror, that the walls we have built to keep the bad stuff out have kept
all that out--and the good, too. And not only that, but now we are
trapped inside. Our hearts have hardened, and not only do we not care
when people hurt us, but we don’t care when we hurt people, either.<br />
<br />
And
that hiding business--people actually believed it! They actually
thought you were alright, that you were a good girl, that you didn’t
need help. And now you want to be found, so desperately. But you’re
scared. What if you do come out from behind, what if you do show them
your hurt and your humanness--and then they all leave? Not that they
actually got inside your walls anyway, but... but they won’t even been
near the walls, anymore. <br />
<br />
And it’s a sad, sad lonely place. I know; I’ve been there. Sometimes I still jump back behind those pretty walls. <br />
<br />
But
I am learning, slowly. I’m learning that He is my shield, my refuge, my
strong tower. I don’t have to build walls that harden my heart and keep
everyone away--I have to draw close to God, revel in His love, soak up
His word--and let my faith in Him be that shield. <br />
<br />
Okay, so now we have a shield. What about the hiding and wanting to be found and not wanting to be found and still hiding? <br />
<br />
He
is our hiding place! I don’t know how many times I’ve read that, sung
that, told people that. But it’s finally starting to sink down in. And
not only is He our hiding place, He is our Seeker. He came to seek and
to save that which was lost. He KNOWS us. I don’t know about you
(especially girls here, but guys too), but I long to be known. Really,
deeply known--<i>and loved anyway. </i><br />
<br />
And God has been speaking this to my heart, over and over. <br />
<br />
<i>I know you. I made you. I love you. I know you. I made you. I love you. </i><br />
<br />
So here we are, coming out from behind our walls and slipping in behind His shield, the shield of faith. <br />
<br />
Here
we are, being found by Him, known by Him--and in that security, we are
safely tucked away, hidden under the shadow of His wings. <br />
<br />
Free
to love and be loved, free to feel other’s pain and our own, but not
crushingly, for He bears the burden for us. Free to be safe. Not as the
world views safety, but really, actually, always safe, whether we feel
it or not.<br />
<br />
Because when you are in Christ, nothing can snatch you out. <br />
<br />
(Okay,
so the swords didn’t actually crash together--they were foam swords.
"Crashing" just sounded so much more epic than "thumping". But all the
rest is true.)Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-81368240475029858592012-11-17T17:52:00.002-05:002012-11-17T18:26:39.609-05:00Ice Skating and FearWe went ice skating last night.<br />
<br />
I only fell once.<br />
<br />
I stayed near the edge most of the time. I figured it out a little more, but I didn't ever venture out to the middle, nor did I go fast.<br />
<br />
I was afraid.<br />
<br />
Every time I started sliding, I would feel like I was slipping and was going to fall, so I'd stop myself and hold on to the edge.<br />
<br />
I was afraid.<br />
<br />
Afraid of what? Of falling.<br />
<br />
Seriously?<br />
<br />
Falling isn't actually that bad.<br />
<br />
I missed out on the fun of gliding across the ice simply because I was too fearful to take the risk of falling. Someone from our group came up to me and after trying to help me figure out the technicalities of ice skating, told me that I was living in fear and not love and that is what my problem was. He then laughed a bit and said, "I'm not one of those scammers, I mean it. That really is your problem." (or something like)<br />
<br />
I smiled and thought about it, and he was right. I tried to loosen up, to not hold on so much.<br />
<br />
But I still stayed near the edge.<br />
<br />
And my focus was still on not falling, on getting it RIGHT. Not on ice skating.<br />
<br />
We left, and on the ride home we were talking about various things--mainly God stuff. I mentioned that I learned a lot when I was ice skating, and it wasn't about ice skating--it was about me.<br />
<br />
I really do live in fear.<br />
<br />
I hide it so well that I am only just beginning to find it in myself, or rather God is just beginning to show me it. It's so deep down and I hide it so well that I don't even realize it's there. And yet, it is. And it hinders me in my life. I'm afraid.<br />
<br />
Afraid to love, afraid to live whole-heartedly, afraid to be me, afraid to--ice skate.<br />
<br />
Because I don't want to fall down. I don't want to get hurt. I don't want to look foolish.<br />
<br />
So I stay near the edge, and I only fall down once or twice. And I never get to the middle. I don't feel the pleasure of gliding across the ice, of living whole-heartedly.<br />
<br />
And then one of my team mates quoted Star Wars to me, and said that is what he remembered when he was figuring out skating... it was something along the lines of, "The reason we fall is so we can get back up again."<br />
<br />
We also talked about love--God's love. God was showing me last night that He stands between us and our adversaries... We don't have to be afraid. He intercedes for us; He defends us; He LOVES us. He made us, He bought us. We are His.<br />
<br />
And He won't let us fall down anymore than is absolutely necessary to help us learn.<br />
<br />
So... I'm learning to live in love, slowly. When I feel that fear rising up, I remind myself of the One who ever lives to plead for me. And in that knowledge, in His love, I am free.<br />
<br />
Free to fall down, because after you fall He helps you to your feet again.<br />
<br />
<br />Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-53890539018594180922012-10-12T16:23:00.003-04:002012-10-12T16:23:51.316-04:00CoolnessOh, the things I could write about right now... they are so numerous that should I attempt them all, you would definitely fall asleep by the end. But don't worry, I shan't do that. Right now I just have a bit of a rant forming, and I want to write about it. So here I am.<br />
<br />
I've been noticing this startling tendency in myself and in other Christians to think we're more cool if we are like the world in certain areas. *gasp* No really, it's true--if you look closely enough.<br />
<br />
If we have higher standards in, say, music, we kinda try to hide it around other people. Even Christians. Or we feel like we're cool when we listen to music that is closer to the world's kind. We like the beat and so forth. I am NOT saying that the kind of music is bad. Honestly I like it, or at least quite a bit of it.<br />
<br />
What I don't like is when I feel more "cool" <i>because of the music/movie/clothing item/etc. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>That is not what we base coolness on anymore!! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
We are no longer of the world. We don't base our worth, our "rank", our "coolness" by earthly things.<br />
<br />
It is all based on Christ. On what He has done. He is now our standard for "coolness".<br />
<br />
Not the world.<br />
<br />
The End. :D<br />
<br />
<br />Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-9070587520867903492012-09-01T10:12:00.002-04:002012-09-01T10:12:21.489-04:00Another Blog...Yes, yes, I know... I already have too many blogs. But I'm going on a trip! Doesn't that deserve it's own special blog??<br />
<br />
Apparently it does, since I already started one... <a href="http://carissaj127.wordpress.com/">here it is.</a><br />
<br />
Feel free to check it out and even follow it to see what I'm up to on my trip! If you do stop by, please leave a comment so I know you were there. :)<br />
<br />
God be with you! Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-28824024119855110392012-08-16T09:54:00.004-04:002012-08-26T20:10:04.708-04:00Random Announcement of the Day!<div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
I'm leaving! Forever! Okay, that's an exaggeration... but I <i>am</i> leaving. In less than one month. To New York. For two months.</div>
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Surprised? Not much more surprised than I am... :P</div>
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And why am I going to New York for two months? Well... you see... *starts story mode*</div>
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Once upon a time at a homeschool convention not too far away, a girl (named Courtney) came up to me (in spite of the fact that I was reading and being rather unsociable at the moment) at the Generations of Virtue booth. She was nice, and she said something about a "new program" and "J127" and "traveling" and "intensive discipleship" and "are you interested?"</div>
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Well, to be honest, I wasn't particularly interested. But since I'm nice and stuff, I gave her my email address so she could email me with details. And, to add to the fun, I had a vague feeling that God might want me to do it. So.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I waited... and waited... wondering if she'd <i>actually</i> email. Rather pessimistic of me, but I've just had too many experiences where people don't actually do what they say they will do.</div>
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But! She did! So I was pleasantly surprised and rather interested to see where this would go. I thought and prayed about it some, and I had a sense that God might be calling me to do it. However, I thought it rather impractical. (Which... God<i> is</i> impractical. Just for the record. And that's a good thing, because in Narnia it was the <i>White Witch</i> who was Terribly Practical, not Aslan. Um... sorry. I'm reading The Magician's Nephew to my little brothers.) </div>
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And then I went to Pennsylvania (oh! I didn't even say anything about that ever on here... sorreee...) and I was busy with that trip (and yes it was FUN!! I guess I will write about it, um, later.) and while I was still thinking and praying about the J127 program, I just... didn't get the application sent in. The deadline to apply, July 25th, passed. And I thought... <i>um, well, I guess... I guess I'm not going?</i> But it didn't seem properly <i>final. </i>And so I wondered what was going on, because if the deadline was passed then didn't that mean I couldn't go?</div>
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<br /></div>
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No, of course not! Another email from Courtney! The deadline was extended! To August 8th!</div>
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Oh! "I guess that means I should do something about this, then, God?" Yep. </div>
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So I talked to my parents about it and they were supportive and they said to talk to Pastor Mark. I emailed him, along with my "mentors" Arlene and Pristine and my longest running friend, Beka Wimer. (They have you include three references... one from a Pastor, one from a Mentor/teacher, and one from an over 18 friend.) </div>
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Pristine emailed and said "<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've
scanned through the website and it sounds very exciting! If you feel
the Lord leading you that way and have the opportunity to apply, I
would. Continue to pray about it and ask the Lord to confirm to you His
desire. I will be excited to see how it turns out!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunday (the 5th) Arlene talked to me about it and asked me all the sorts of questions one would expect from a Mentor, and she, too, thought it was exciting and would be a good experience for me. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beka emailed me on the sixth and said that she would do my friend application...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">But I still hadn't heard from Pastor Mark. And it was the seventh now. I didn't know what to do, because I didn't want to apply without the go ahead from him (not to mention that I needed him to fill out the reference form)... so I was praying about it and practicing my prodigious waiting skills. ;) </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And he called! Finally! And he thought it sounded exciting<i> too </i>and said that if I felt this was something God wanted me to try for, I should. He also said that it was a short time to raise that much money... but we both agreed that if God wanted me to go, He could certainly make that happen. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hurriedly filled out my application form (except it took a few hours) and emailed it off and rushed to meet with Arlene at Panera.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I got home, I had an email that said the application form was blank. :P So I had to resend it. Thankfully the data was saved, so it wasn't too bad. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the eighth I got an email confirming that my application had been received. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the ninth I had a missed call from them and a voicemail telling me to call back, please. <i>Oh dear, what did I do now... </i>so I called back, and a nice happy girl named Katherine told me that--- My application had been accepted!!... ?!!? "Wow! That was fast!" (I'm very original like that. But really, I thought I had to wait till the 15th.) </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So then I blinked for a while and was like.... um, I guess... I'm going! Cool! This is interesting... </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunday I told about it some--of course forgetting to say obvious things like "in NEW YORK" and stuff like that. I also didn't say anything about *whispers* <i>money. </i>*sigh* Anyway. I think I managed to confuse mostly everyone, but that's good for them. I think. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">*end story mode* </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">By now you are probably wondering what on earth I'm going to be doing for TWO MONTHS. Well, to be perfectly honest, I'm wondering that myself. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">But I do have some idea... it includes things like helping at "purity events", helping to renovate "The Mission" (a really cool sounding, HUGE (110,000 square feet) old building), listening to authors and speakers, praying, traveling (I think to Colorado and I'm not sure where else), and probably a great many other things. You can read more about it <a href="http://www.apuregeneration.com/site/j127/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.apuregeneration.com/site/j127/the-details-2/">here</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So what am I hoping to come away with from this? To borrow from what I said on the application... </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I am hoping to come away with more skill in teaching and leading in Bright Lights, my family, and church--and future ministry opportunities God brings along. I am hoping to form Christ-centered relationships with young people who are dedicated to seeking and loving God, people who can challenge me in my walk with God and inspire me to higher heights and deeper depths. I am hoping to use what God has already given me to bless others on the team and the people we minister to. I am hoping to become more disciplined and self-sacrificing. I am hoping, above all, to use this to the glory of God, and to know Him more intimately, to love Him more dearly, and to be more in awe of Him than ever. </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It starts on September 12th and ends on November 17th. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The biggest thing I need in this is prayer. I know you've read many "prayer letters" that aren't really quite... </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">prayer</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
letters. But really, honestly, I need your prayers more than I need
money. I could get all the money but not have God's blessing and help
and it--really wouldn't work. I'd be better off at home with no money.
So... I would greatly appreciate prayer. For wisdom, for grace, for
love... that I would be a blessing and that I would let God work in me
through this, and through me in other's lives. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also, if you did happen to wonder about the money part of it... I need $2500--$3000. </span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">"As
J127 (through Generations of Virtue) is a registered 501C3 non profit,
your church, friends and family may send checks directly to us and
receive a tax deductible letter at the end of the year! Have checks
payable to:</span> </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Generations of Virtue</span></i></div>
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And mailed directly to:</span></div>
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Generations of Virtue</span></div>
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Attn: Carissa Mann J127 Support</span></div>
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">5604 Mission Road</span></div>
<div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Conesus, NY 14435"</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So there! Now you know. :)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not sure how busy my schedule will be... I may or may not be able to blog while I'm gone. Ve shall see. :) </span></span></span></div>
Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-63071989060147416142012-08-10T07:43:00.001-04:002012-08-10T07:43:26.548-04:00CharacterI've wondered about character for a long time. Growing up in a Christian homeschool family, you hear the word plenty. There are books that build character and songs that build character and friends that build character... all kinds of things.<br />
<br />
"Build character"? What does that mean? What does "character" even mean??<br />
<br />
I finally figured it out, and then I promptly wondered why no one had ever told me before... and why it took me so long to figure it out. :P<br />
<br />
Very simply, character is your habitual response. For instance, when you are provoked, the way you regularly respond indicates what kind of character you have. If you usually respond kindly, you are a kind person. If you mostly respond with anger, you are an angry person.<br />
<br />
It's just... habit. The way you normally respond to life. Do you make the lazy choice or the diligent choice? Do you work hard or do you just do "enough"? Do you put others first or do you put yourself first?<br />
<br />
Well, then. So how do books and so forth build character??
If the attitudes and actions portrayed as good in the majority of books you read are Christlike ones, you will grow to appreciate and accept those attitudes--and, slowly, they will become part of <i>your</i> response. What we are surrounded with is what we become. This is also true in reverse, of course. And I'm sure you can see the results of the kind of media most people choose... it's quite evident in our culture.<br />
<br />
The next question that occurs in this thought process is the most crucial: "Why is having good character important?"
Now I'm sure most of us would agree that it's a least a little bit important to have good character. Or at least that everyone else doesn't have it and they should!! :D (Have you ever noticed how ironic it is that we tend to complain about people complaining? Or gossip about someone else gossiping? Or point out everyone else's need for good character while neglecting your own? :P) We've heard about character plenty, or at least I have.<br />
<br />
But why?? (I must have been an annoying child... I always want to know <i>why</i>.)<br />
<br />
Finally, finally, I'm getting it. It's so much broader and more important and glorious than people make it out to be. It's not just us looking good or making our parents look good. It's not just being a good person. It's not just about other people. (gasp)<br />
<br />
Oh, no.
It's about Christ. It's about the <i>reason</i> we <i>exist.</i><br />
<br />
Why do we exist? "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."<br />
<br />
And, I ask you, how can we possibly glorify God if we are not building and striving for Christlike character? If we are not in the habit of responding kindly, how can they see Christ's kindness in us? If we are not in the habit of responding meekly and humbly, how can they see Christ's humility? If we are not responding in love and forgiveness, how can they understand Christ's love and forgiveness?
If we are not purposefully seeking to make God look great by our actions, why are we here?? And how dare we call ourselves followers of Christ?? Followers, you see, FOLLOW the person they are following...<br />
<br />
Yes, it is <i>His</i> power that works in us. Without Him, it is impossible for us to become like Him. Only Christ can be Christ.<br />
<br />
But if we are so full of US--how can He come in and take over? If we are so busy listening to worldly influences, how can we hear that still small voice of the Holy Spirit? If we are so busy gratifying our flesh, how can we walk in the Spirit? If we are so caught up in the things of this world, how can we love God? If we are so sure of our own strength, how can He show Himself strong in us?<br />
<br />
We are called to fight. We are called to endure. We are called to press on. We are called to lay aside the weights. We are called to put off our old nature and put on Christ.
We must take action.<br />
<br />
We cannot sit still and expect God to magically poof us into being like Him.
We must make those little choices, every day.<br />
<br />
Humility over pride. Patience over impatience. Joy over complaining. Peace over worry. Diligence over laziness.<br />
<br />
Little choices. Big results.<br />
<br />
Why? Why choose to help your little sister instead of reading that novel? Why give up the last seat to that old lady? Why clean up the kitchen when it isn't your job? Why keep working until your story is the best you can make it? Why choose to tell the truth even though it may cost you dearly? Why keep loving someone even when they hurt you over and over?<br />
<br />
Because of Christ. Because He loves you. Because His way is the best way. Because... that is how you bring God glory, how you show Him to be like He really is.<br />
<br />
It may not seem to make any difference. Probably people won't notice that you took the extra ten minutes to dust the fan when you were only asked to dust the blinds. Probably no one will see that you gave up the last bagel so your little sister could have one. Probably no one will cheer when you choose to do your school instead of goofing off. Probably getting up an hour earlier so you can pray won't make the headlines. Probably no one will notice that you rewrote your blog post five times instead of throwing it together. Probably no one will know how hard you had to bite your tongue to keep from making that mean comment. Probably no one will know how hard it was to forgive that one person.<br />
<br />
Oh, but God knows. And He takes great pleasure in it. And it <i>does</i> glorify Him.<br />
<br />
And, moreover, there will come a day when there are big choices to be made. When the stakes are high and the world is watching and Christ's name is in the balance.<br />
<br />
What will you do then? If you have consistently made the good little choices, you will just do what you always do. Of course you will tell the truth even though you'll go to jail--isn't that what you've been doing all along? Of course you will forgive the ones who killed your brother--isn't that what you've been doing all along?<br />
<br />
These days will come. Mark my words.<br />
<br />
Will you be ready?Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-73436300382847822662012-06-15T20:46:00.001-04:002012-06-16T12:15:28.222-04:00Death and Life and Lies and TruthWe started out alive. Very much alive. We were in direct, perfect communion with God. We had no division or misunderstanding or selfishness in our relationships with each other. We were physically healthy. We were mentally sound. We were emotionally fulfilled and whole.<br />
<br />
And then<br />
we<br />
died.<br />
<br />
God told us we would, if we did That; but we paid Him no heed.<br />
<br />
Thought we knew best.<br />
<br />
We tried so hard, we did.<br />
<br />
We tried to pretend we were still alive.<br />
<br />
We hid. Hid from the One with the Answer, from the One who sees all.<br />
<br />
And we’re still dead and we still pretend.<br />
<br />
Outside we look alive.<br />
<br />
Inside we are naught but a corpse.<br />
<br />
Rotting, shriveled, dry.<br />
<br />
We plaster on a smile and we laugh and we talk loud and we DO. Frantically, we try to convince ourselves–or at least everyone else–that we aren’t<i> really</i> dead inside.<br />
<br />
But we are.<br />
<br />
And we all know it, no matter how hard we try to make it look otherwise, no matter how many people tell us we are beautiful and good, no matter how loud we laugh, no matter how much doing we pile on top of our deadness in an attempt to look alive.<br />
<br />
Ugly, small, not-right.<br />
<br />
This is us.<br />
<br />
Correction: this is us without and before Christ…Before the Christ-life comes in and fills that hollow, dried up, dead spirit of ours. Before He comes and breaths His life into our breathless spirit. Before His Life-Blood begins flowing in our spiritual veins.<br />
<br />
But oh, when it happens–what a glorious thing!<br />
<br />
We who were<br />
<br />
once
dead,<br />
<br />
who were<br />
<br />
once
far off–<br />
<br />
are alive in Christ,<br />
<br />
brought
very near<br />
<br />
by His precious life-blood.<br />
<br />
Why, then, do we--who are alive in Christ--sometimes still feel dead? Why do we sometimes still see ourselves as ugly, shriveled, hopeless?<br />
<br />
In a word:
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>lies.</i><br />
<br />
You see, Before, the lie was:
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>You aren’t <b>really</b> dead; </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>somehow, someway, </i><br />
<br />
<i>you can beat it. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>You can </i>
<i>cover it up.</i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Hide, run </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>and hide.</i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Don’t let Him see. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Just put on some more makeup, </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>maybe buy some more expensive clothes. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Make sure you do everything</i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>right. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Keep doing all those good things; maybe </i><br />
<br />
<i>that</i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>will make you feel better.
</i><br />
<br />
Once we see through that lie and accept the Christ-life, however, the lie takes another twist.<br />
<br />
He whispers the other side of his deceitful tale into your delicate new ears:
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>You aren’t </i>
<i><b>really</b> </i>
<i>alive. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>You’re still just as </i><br />
<br />
<i>dead </i><br />
<br />
<i>as you ever were. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Look at you! </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Insignificant, putrid, hollow old you. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Who do you think </i>
<i>you are, </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>claiming to be new, holy, cleansed, alive? </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>You’re wrong. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>He doesn’t </i>
<i>really </i>
<i>care for you. </i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Maybe the other people–look how beautiful they are.</i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Not you. </i><br />
<br />
<i> </i><i>Look at what you’ve done, who you are.</i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>No…you’re still </i>
<i>dead.</i><br />
<br />
BUT IT IS A LIE.<br />
<br />
Just as plain and simple as that.<br />
<br />
It’s a lie.<br />
<br />
Lies are nothing, nothing but the twisted fragments of nightmarish thoughts from the Enemy of your soul.<br />
<br />
The one who tricked us into believing The Lie that brought death to our souls in the first place. The one who desperately tried to keep your soul dead. And the one who, now that your spirit lives because of Christ in you, wants nothing more than to keep you believing that you are still dead.<br />
<br />
<i>Don’t listen.</i><br />
<br />
Trust.<br />
<br />
I know you don’t <i>see</i>,
yet.<br />
<br />
You don’t see what God saw when He had the idea for you. What He knows you’ll become at the end of the story. You don’t see, quite, the glow He had–has–in His eyes when He looked at you. You didn’t see His joy when your long-dead spirit finally accepted His life and became new.<br />
<br />
But you have to trust.<br />
<br />
Trust that He knows what He’s doing. Trust that He who has promised is faithful, and that He also will do it. Trust that He makes everything beautiful in its time.
Trust that His life is in you, and that
you
aren’t
dead inside
any more.<br />
<br />
No.<br />
<br />
You are alive, very alive.<br />
<br />
Because The One<br />
<br />
who is<br />
<br />
The Life<br />
<br />
is in <br />
<br />
you.Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-71983754368139096392012-06-07T12:26:00.002-04:002012-06-07T12:41:14.916-04:00The Avengers <img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-544" height="308" src="http://gentlemenbehold.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/the-avengers-dvd.jpg?w=590&h=456" title="" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Yes, I’m reviewing a movie. Yes, I’m reviewing the Avengers. Yes, I watched it.<br />
<br />
Yes, this is Carissa. :D<br />
<br />
<i>How</i> did <i>this </i>happen?<br />
<br />
Well, Hannah and I were home with just Papa and Josiah for a few days. They, being male, and having this opportunity, wanted to watch as many action movies as they could--including The Avengers.<br />
<br />
Again.<br />
<br />
Being polite, they asked us if we wanted to go.<br />
<br />
“Um.... I don’t know, maybe? Will we like it?”<br />
<br />
“I don't know, probably... You don’t have to pay for your tickets...”<br />
<br />
Well, if you put it <i>that</i> way... and, being that there wasn’t much else to do, and that we didn’t want to be boring and such, we went.<br />
<br />
And... I was surprised, actually, by how well I liked it. I always talk myself into thinking I don’t like that sort of movie, but then I do. :P (I was all excited afterwards, and Josiah said I liked it too much.)<br />
<br />
Now that I come to think of it, though... I guess this isn’t really properly a movie review, since I’m not going to talk about how they moved the cameras around (cinematography--I do know the terms, at least) or how good/bad the acting was and who played what part and so forth or how good the music was or the special effects or... well, I guess I do have a few things to say about that aspect of the movie... <br />
<br />
Being a writer and a Word Person, I just have to comment on the script a bit--The dialog was <i>brilliant. </i>Very witty. And the humor was genuinely funny--not crude, or lame, or forced-- just <i>funny. </i><br />
<br />
Oh! And the clothes were good as well--I was pleasantly surprised and didn't feel bad for my brother and dad. (Though Natasha's zipper kept bothering me because... not that it was really awful, just, um, annoying. Zip it up a bit more, lady, it'll look less awkward... haha. :P) <br />
<br />
As for family friendliness--it was <i>literally</i> action packed. There were only a few scenes that people weren't fighting or buildings weren't blowing up--and those scenes were full of tense dialog. So that might be overwhelming for little ones. However, the language was quite clean (a few words thrown in, but not anything horrid and it wasn't often or noticeable); it wasn't overly gory (there is some blood, but not a lot. The worst part was "the eye part".); most of the deaths are just implied, not really shown; the romance was minimal and appropriate (not even any kissing); and as I said, the clothes were pretty much modest. (you encounter worse at church. :P) <br />
<br />
Alrighty, getting to the main point of this blog post... I’m going to talk about what I thought about it. What sort of lessons there were. (surprise surprise)<br />
<br />
The biggest thing I took away from it was how powerful the True God is.<br />
<br />
I got this from quite a few different parts in the movie, but particularly this one:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Loki:</b> Enough! You are, all of you are beneath me! I am a god, you dull creature, and I shall not be bullied...<br />
<br />
<i>[Hulk flattens Loki with repeated smashes into the floor]</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>The Hulk:</b> <i>[Disdainfully]</i> Puny god.</blockquote>
<img alt="http://i.imgur.com/xJ3cs.png" height="224" src="http://i.imgur.com/xJ3cs.png" width="400" /> <br />
<br />
Loki seemed pretty powerful, maybe even godlike--until a bigger guy came along and made it quite clear that he really wasn’t, by comparison. And I thought... wow. I’m so glad our God is not like that. No one will ever say “Puny God” about the One True God, when He comes back in judgement. No one will be able to <i>stand</i>, much less say anything.<br />
<br />
Loki wasn't... ugly. He was almost... well, sort of girlishly
good-looking. In a creepy sort of way. Made me think of Satan--we forget
that he was--<i>is </i>an <i>angel of light</i>. He isn't some ugly
monster type creature, not on the outside. He's beautiful, smooth,
intelligent. He's got "charisma". (*wry/sarcastic* know anyone else
known for that...?) And he's full of lies and hatred and treachery and
pride. And, much like Loki, he IS powerful, and he DOES have a huge,
evil force on his side, and he, too, would like to think he is a god. <br />
<br />
You've probably heard this quote a few times if you've read anything else about the Avengers, but I have to put it in anyway...<br />
<br />
<div class="uA In">
<div class="jn gu">
<b>Natasha Romanoff (The Black Widow):</b> <i>[discussing attacking Loki]</i> But he's a god! </div>
<div class="jn gu">
<br />
<b>Steve Rogers (Captain America):</b> Ma'am, there's only one God, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that. </div>
</div>
<br />
My dad pointed out that it was great because not only did they have that line in the movie, but Captain America was the leader. He wasn't put down or made fun of for saying that at all. And he was good example of a leader, too, I thought. He was more of a servant/lead-by-example type than a boss people around type. He was humble, he knew what he was talking about (well, mostly.)... all that good stuff. <br />
<br />
I also liked... well, ahem... I'd been reading about Spiritual Warfare,
and all the fighting got me more excited about it. I must say, I totally
did not go into the movie expecting to be uplifted spiritually, but I
was. :D<br />
<br />
Self-sacrifice was also a strong theme--and one muchly needed in our self-centered culture. <br />
Teamwork was a huge lesson--made me think of the body of
Christ. We all have these tremendous gifts--and we also have a horrific
enemy. And we aren't getting along very well, just like The Avengers.
Once they learned to work together, though, they were an unstoppable
force.<br />
<br />
It is imperative that the body of Christ learn this lesson so clearly portrayed in the Avengers: the only way to win is to be united, humble, self-sacrificing, persevering and so on. <br />
<br />
Well, there you have it. My very first attempt at a movie review. I have the nagging feeling that there's more I wanted to say, but I can't remember it right now... perhaps when I watch it again I'll do a part two. :)Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-35547947142332139612012-05-25T15:19:00.000-04:002012-05-25T15:25:39.531-04:00Patience...<i>... is a virtue.</i><br />
<i>Virtue is a grace.</i><br />
<i>Grace is a little girl</i><br />
<i>who wouldn't wash her face. </i><br />
<br />
That's the rhyme I always used to think of when someone said "patience!"...<br />
<br />
I thought that patience was a good thing, you know. Helpful for waiting to go to the park or for waiting until you were old enough to sit in the passenger side of the car. Things like that.<br />
<br />
Now I think of this when I think of patience:<br />
<br />
<span class="text Heb-6-11" id="en-NKJV-30056"><sup class="versenum"></sup><i>And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,</i></span><span class="text Heb-6-12" id="en-NKJV-30057"><i> that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and <b><u>patience</u> </b>inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:10</i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Heb-6-12" id="en-NKJV-30057">I'm realizing that patience is actually a great deal more important than I thought it was... It isn't just nice for earthly things like waiting for the results of a test--it is necessary to obtain the promises. </span><br />
<span class="text Heb-6-12" id="en-NKJV-30057"><br /></span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-2"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><i>My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, </i></span><i> <span class="text Jas-1-3" id="en-NKJV-30270"><sup class="versenum"></sup>knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. </span><span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NKJV-30271">But let<b> patience</b> have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4</span></i><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NKJV-30271">Let patience have its perfect work--that you may be perfect and complete! </span><span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NKJV-30271">Oy... did you realize that before? Did you ever stop to think that it was <i>patience</i> that works in us to make us perfect and complete? </span><br />
<br />
<i><span class="text 2Thess-3-5" id="en-NKJV-29684">Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the <b>patience of Christ.</b> 2 Thess. 3:5</span></i><br />
<br />
<span class="text 2Thess-3-5" id="en-NKJV-29684">"Into the patience of Christ". Christ was patient. We are to be like Christ. < insert a 'duh' here ><insert 'duh'="" a="" here=""> </insert></span><span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NKJV-30271"></span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NKJV-30271"><br /></span><br />
<i><span class="text Jas-5-10" id="en-NKJV-30365"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and <b>patience</b>.</span><span class="text Jas-5-11" id="en-NKJV-30366"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Indeed we count them <b>blessed who endure.</b> You have heard of the<b> perseverance of Job</b> and <b>seen the end intended by the Lord</b>—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:10-11</span></i><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jas-5-11" id="en-NKJV-30366">Patience... isn't optional.</span><span class="text Jas-5-11" id="en-NKJV-30366"> It isn't just a handy thing to have. It is something we should be actively striving for. </span><i><span class="text Jas-5-11" id="en-NKJV-30366"></span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Jas-5-11" id="en-NKJV-30366"><br /></span></i><br />
<span class="text Jas-5-11" id="en-NKJV-30366">It's... something God's been pounding into me, and-- by His grace--something I am growing in. </span>Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-29944658284629391042012-05-11T21:19:00.002-04:002012-05-11T21:24:19.785-04:00Flowers and GodI've been thinking about flowers.<br />
<br />
Yep, flowers. I like flowers. A lot.<br />
<br />
I've also been thinking about God.<br />
<br />
"Like" is not at all adequate to describe how I feel about Him... <br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/4-6-07-092.jpg" href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/4-6-07-092.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-486" data-mce-src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/4-6-07-092.jpg" height="400" src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/4-6-07-092.jpg" title="4.6.07 092" width="300" /></a><br />
Flowers are beautiful... but more than that, they teach me about our God.<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/birds-juli-etc-009.jpg" href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/birds-juli-etc-009.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-487" data-mce-src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/birds-juli-etc-009.jpg" height="300" src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/birds-juli-etc-009.jpg" title="birds, juli, etc 009" width="400" /></a><br />
A God who cares about tiny details...<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/september-486.jpg" href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/september-486.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-488" data-mce-src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/september-486.jpg" height="300" src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/september-486.jpg" title="September 486" width="400" /></a><br />
A God who loves beauty... who is beautiful Himself...<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/sept-oct-668.jpg" href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/sept-oct-668.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-489" data-mce-src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/sept-oct-668.jpg" height="300" src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/sept-oct-668.jpg" title="Sept-Oct. 668" width="400" /></a><br />
A God who is incredibly creative...<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/misc-pics1-009.jpg" href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/misc-pics1-009.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-490" data-mce-src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/misc-pics1-009.jpg" height="300" src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/misc-pics1-009.jpg" title="misc pics1 009" width="400" /></a><br />
A God who blesses us...<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_1265.jpg" href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_1265.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-491" data-mce-src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_1265.jpg" height="400" src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_1265.jpg" title="IMG_1265" width="300" /></a><br />
A God who <i>loves</i> us and rejoices over us...<br />
<br />
<div class="attachment">
<a data-mce-href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_9411.jpg" href="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_9411.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-492" data-mce-src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_9411.jpg" height="300" src="http://authoressalin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_9411.jpg" title="IMG_9411" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="attachment">
A God who brings life from death...</div>
<div class="attachment">
<br /></div>
<div class="attachment">
<a data-mce-href="http://duchessdaisy.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/sunflower-gator-garden-015.jpg" href="http://duchessdaisy.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/sunflower-gator-garden-015.jpg"><img alt="sunflower, gator, garden 015" class="attachment-auto" data-mce-src="http://duchessdaisy.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/sunflower-gator-garden-015.jpg?w=570" height="299" src="http://duchessdaisy.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/sunflower-gator-garden-015.jpg?w=570" title="sunflower, gator, garden 015" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="attachment">
A God who is the light we can always turn to in our darkness...</div>
<div class="attachment">
<br /></div>
This God, I love.Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-12394522328305892032012-05-05T12:14:00.001-04:002012-05-06T17:36:12.036-04:00When I Survey the Wondrous Cross...... I learn.<br />
<br />
I learn about sin and the horrors thereof. I learn that <i>my </i>sin is <i>that</i> bad. So terrible that it required<i> His</i> LIFE. You know how people say if you were the only one in the world Jesus would have died for you? Sounds nice--until you realize that your sin is SO horrible that He would have still needed to endure all of that for just <i>your</i> <i>sin</i>. <br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Rom-6-23" id="en-NKJV-28092">For the <b>wages of sin is death</b>, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23</span></i><br />
<br />
I learn about<i> real</i> love. I learn that love is <i>totally</i>, almost horrifically, unselfish. That the opposite of love is not hate, it is selfishness. Because God hates. He hates sin. And if He is love, then the opposite of hate must not be love. It's impossible. And when you think about what love is... it becomes very plain.<br />
<br />
<i><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NKJV-28670">Love. . . does not parade </span><b><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NKJV-28670">itself</span></b></i><i><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NKJV-28670">, is not puffed up; . . .</span><span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-NKJV-28671"> does not seek <b>its own</b>,</span> . . .1 Corinthians 13</i><br />
<br />
<i>In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son </i><i>to be the propitiation for our sins.1 John 4:10</i><i><br /></i><br />
<br />
I learn about humility. I learn that God--Creator of the universe, the King of kings, the One who was and is and is to come--<i>humbled Himself. </i>How much more, then, should I--a sinful <i>creation</i>--be willing to be humbled. <i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Phil-2-7" id="en-NKJV-29399"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>...but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. </span> <span class="text Phil-2-8" id="en-NKJV-29400"><sup class="versenum"></sup>And being found in appearance as a man, He <b>humbled Himself</b> and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.</span></i><span class="text Phil-2-8" id="en-NKJV-29400"><i> Philippians 2:8-9 </i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Phil-2-8" id="en-NKJV-29400">I learn about forgiveness. If He can forgive us--the ones who called for His death, the ones who did it, the ones who... made it necessary in the first place... if He can forgive me, surely I can forgive my siblings and my parents<i> [Insert my younger brother coming over and begging me repeatedly to play a game and getting in my face. Yes, God has sense of humor.]</i> and friends when they do silly little things that annoy me or hurt me a little. </span><br />
<i><span class="text Phil-2-8" id="en-NKJV-29400"><br /></span></i><br />
<i>Then Jesus said, “Father, <b>forgive them</b>, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34</i><br />
<br />
I learn about sacrifice. About giving up good things--Jesus' position in heaven certainly was a good thing!--for the greater Good. Namely, God's glory. <br />
<br />
<i><span class="text John-21-19" id="en-NKJV-26918">This He spoke, signifying by what death he would <b>glorify God. . . . </b>John 21:19</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text John-21-19" id="en-NKJV-26918"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<span class="text John-21-19" id="en-NKJV-26918">I learn about obedience. About submission. About wholly giving yourself to God's plan and will. </span><i><span class="text John-21-19" id="en-NKJV-26918"></span></i><br />
<i><span class="text John-21-19" id="en-NKJV-26918"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="text John-12-49" id="en-NKJV-26630"><span class="woj">For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.</span> </span> </i><span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><i><sup class="versenum">50 </sup></i><span class="woj"><i>And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, <b>just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.</b>” John 12:49-50 </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<i>I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will <b>but the will of the Father who sent Me.</b></i><span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"><i><b> </b>John 5:30</i></span></span><br />
<span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"><br />I learn about... dying. I learn about how what seems like The End--what seems like a horrible tragedy--what seems like defeat--can end up being the greatest triumph. </span></span><br />
<span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj">I learn about God's "weakness". I learn that He is <i>so </i>strong, that even in the weakest possible looking way--as a human, suffering a criminal's death, at the mercy of sinners, naked, bleeding--<i>dead</i>--He can conquer sin and death and Satan.</span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span class="text 1Cor-1-25" id="en-NKJV-28389">Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.</span><span class="text 1Cor-1-25" id="en-NKJV-28389"> 1 Corinthians 1:25</span></i><span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj">I learn about how different God's ways are from ours. We wouldn't have done it like that!! Just face it. We would've had Jesus calling down all those angels and obliterating His enemies. </span></span><span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"></span></span><span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"> Oh, but how wrong we would have been... </span></span><br />
<br />
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. Isaiah 55:8<br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Matt-27-40" id="en-NKJV-24170">. . .and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew 27:40</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Matt-27-40" id="en-NKJV-24170"><br /></span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Matt-26-52" id="en-NKJV-24107">But Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">“Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish</span><span class="woj"> by the sword.</span> </span><span class="text Matt-26-53" id="en-NKJV-24108"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span class="woj">Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-26-54" id="en-NKJV-24109"><sup class="versenum">54 </sup><span class="woj">How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” Matthew 26:52-54</span></span></i><br />
<span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj">I learn about... God. I learn about who He is. His love. His mercy. His compassion. His justice. His plans. His glory. His power. His beauty. Who He <b>is. </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text John-12-50" id="en-NKJV-26631"><span class="woj"><i>Oh, the things I learn when I survey that wondrous cross! </i><i><br /></i></span></span>Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-77749224629216331242012-04-30T13:06:00.000-04:002012-04-30T15:45:00.634-04:00Waiting<i><span lang="EN-US">I must know,</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> my heart demands.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">How long,
oh how long? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">How long
must I live in this fog?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">How long
until I see your plan? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Wait,</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> He replies. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wait on me.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">It is enough</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He whispers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Into</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My impatient heart</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Enough that I know </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">I want to defend,</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> my heart screams.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Will things
ever be set right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Will they
ever see the other side?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Why don’t
you show them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i>?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Wait, </span></i><span lang="EN-US">He replies.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"> Wait on me.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">I am your defender.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He whispers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Into </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My
misunderstood heart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Leave it with me.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">My dreams are dying,</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> my heart cries.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Why must
they die? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Will they
ever be resurrected?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Were they
not given me by You?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Wait</span></i><span lang="EN-US">, He replies. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wait on me.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">I have a plan,</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He whispers
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Into</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My longing
heart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">And it is good. </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span lang="EN-US">(This is a poem I wrote today and posted <a href="http://quotespoemsandsuchlike.blogspot.com/">here.</a> There are other poems, quotes, and so forth there as well... some by me, most not.) </span></i></div>Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-32426972791880905682012-04-28T15:15:00.002-04:002012-04-28T15:37:48.054-04:00Things I'm LearningActually, I won't tell you all the things I'm learning, since that would take up the rest of the day... :D But here are a few highlights.<br />
<br />
Have you ever been crying--hard--with deep pain and little hope? I have... last night was one of those times. But I know what to do, now. I got out of bed, went to my desk, and got out my notebook. (my current random notebook... Bible verses, quotes, poems, prayers, notes)<br />
<br />
I started writing to God, telling Him how I was feeling. (Being a writer person, writing helps a lot. Prayer helps even more. So doing both at once is awesome.) But that feeling didn't last long... I was soon sent to the scriptures and to praising God. Here are some of the verses God spoke to me through: <br />
<br />
<i><b><span class="chapter-2"><span class="text Ps-27-1">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is my light and my salvation;</span></span></b><br /><span class="text Ps-27-1">Whom shall I fear?</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-1">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is the strength of my life;</span><br /><b><span class="text Ps-27-1">Of whom shall I be afraid?</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span class="text Ps-27-4" id="en-NKJV-14290">One thing I have desired of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span></b><br /><span class="text Ps-27-4">That will I seek:</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-4">That I may dwell in the house of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-4">All the days of my life,</span><br /><b><span class="text Ps-27-4">To behold the beauty of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-4">And to inquire in His temple.</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span class="text Ps-27-4"> </span></b><br /><span class="text Ps-27-5" id="en-NKJV-14291"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>For in the time of trouble</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-5">He shall hide me in His pavilion;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-5">In the secret place of His tabernacle</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-5">He shall hide me;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-5">He shall set me high upon a rock.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Ps-27-7" id="en-NKJV-14293">Hear, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, when I cry with my voice!</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-7">Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-8" id="en-NKJV-14294"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>When You said, “Seek My face,”</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-8">My heart said to You, “Your face, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, I will seek.”</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Ps-27-13" id="en-NKJV-14299">13</span><b><span class="text Ps-27-13" id="en-NKJV-14299"> I would have lost heart, unless I had believed</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-13">That I would see the goodness of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></b><br /><span class="text Ps-27-13">In the land of the living.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Ps-27-13"> </span></i> <br />
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<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-27-14" id="en-NKJV-14300"><sup class="versenum"></sup><sup>14</sup>Wait on the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-14">Be of good courage,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-14">And He shall strengthen your heart;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-27-14">Wait, I say, on the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>!</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-27-14"> (from Psalm 27) </span></i></div>
</div>
<i><span class="text Ps-27-8"> </span><span class="text Ps-27-5"> </span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-25-8" id="en-NKJV-18127">8He will swallow up death forever,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-8">And the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> will <b>wipe away tears from all faces; </b>(means a lot more when you're crying)</span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-8">The rebuke of His people</span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-8">He will take away from all the earth;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-8">For the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has spoken.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-25-8"> </span></i> <br />
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<i><span class="text Isa-25-9" id="en-NKJV-18128"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>And it will be said in that day:</span><br /><b><span class="text Isa-25-9">“Behold, this is our God;</span></b><br /><b><span class="text Isa-25-9">We have waited for Him, and He will save us.</span></b><br /><span class="text Isa-25-9">This is the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-9">We have waited for Him;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-9"><b>We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.</b>”</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Isa-25-9"> (Isaiah 25) </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Isa-25-9"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-25-3" id="en-NKJV-14255">Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-25-3">Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-25-3">(Psalm 25:3)</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-37-34" id="en-NKJV-14485">Wait on the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-37-34">And keep His way,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-37-34">And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-37-34">When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-37-34">(Psalm 37:34)</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span class="chapter-2"><span class="text Ps-40-1">I waited patiently for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span></span><br /><b><span class="text Ps-40-1">And He inclined to me,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-1">And heard my cry.</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="text Ps-40-1"> </span></b><br /><span class="text Ps-40-2" id="en-NKJV-14528"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-2">Out of the miry clay,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-2">And set my feet upon a rock,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-2">And established my steps.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-40-2"> </span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-3" id="en-NKJV-14529"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>He has put a new song in my mouth—</span><br /><b><span class="text Ps-40-3">Praise to our God;</span></b><br /><span class="text Ps-40-3">Many will see it and fear,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-3">And will trust in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-40-3"> </span></i> </div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<b><i></i></b></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
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<i><span class="text Ps-40-4" id="en-NKJV-14530"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Blessed is that man who makes the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> his trust,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-4">And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-40-4"> </span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-5" id="en-NKJV-14531"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Many, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> my God, are Your wonderful works</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-5">Which You have done;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-5">And Your thoughts toward us</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-5">Cannot be recounted to You in order;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-5">If I would declare and speak of them,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-40-5">They are more than can be numbered.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-40-5">(Psalm 40)</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-62-5" id="en-NKJV-14833">My soul, <b>wait silently for God alone,</b></span><br /><span class="text Ps-62-5">For my <b>expectation is from Him.</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-62-5">(Psalm 62:5)</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-130-5" id="en-NKJV-16146">I wait for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, my soul waits,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-130-5">And in <b>His word I do hope. </b></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-130-5">(Psalm 130:5)</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Ps-130-5">I am learning that He really does speak to us through His word. And I am learning what it means to wait on Him: to just trust Him and rest in Him and love Him, no matter what is going on around me. To be able to have peace and hope and love even when things are rough: because He is greater. I am learning that He does hear us. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I am learning how powerful praise is. Where God's praises are, there He is. When we praise God... our fear and worry and pain slip away in His presence. Satan cannot abide God's praise--he is, in essence, allergic to it. Praise is a valuable weapon. Singing, reading scriptures that praise God, praising Him for what He's done and is doing in your life-- these things all help tremendously. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I am learning that He wants ALL of us. He isn't kidding when He talks about crucifying the flesh.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-130-5"> </span><span class="text Gal-5-24" id="en-NKJV-29187">And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. </span> <span class="text Gal-5-25" id="en-NKJV-29188"><sup class="versenum">25 </sup>If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"> And I am learning there's more to that than merely surrendering your life. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><i>"There is all the difference in the world between your [our] surrendered life in My [God's] hands, and Me [God, specifically the Holy Spirit] living My life in your body." --Intercessor:Rees Howells, page 219 </i></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
<i><span class="text Rom-6-5" id="en-NKJV-28074"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, </span> <span class="text Rom-6-6" id="en-NKJV-28075"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>knowing this, that our old man was <b>crucified with Him,</b> that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. </span> <span class="text Rom-6-7" id="en-NKJV-28076"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>For he who has died has been freed from sin. </span> <span class="text Rom-6-8" id="en-NKJV-28077"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Now if we <b>died with Christ</b>, we believe that we shall also <b>live with Him</b>, </span> <span class="text Rom-6-9" id="en-NKJV-28078"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. </span> <span class="text Rom-6-10" id="en-NKJV-28079"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; <b>but the life that He lives, He lives to God.</b> </span> <span class="text Rom-6-11" id="en-NKJV-28080"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be <b>dead indeed to sin</b>, but <b>alive to God</b> in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Rom-6-11" id="en-NKJV-28080"><br /></span></i><br />
<span class="text Rom-6-11" id="en-NKJV-28080">I still don't know, quite, what that all means. </span><i><span class="text Rom-6-11" id="en-NKJV-28080">But I know I must die. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Rom-6-11" id="en-NKJV-28080"><br /></span></i><br />
<i><sup class="versenum"> </sup>I have been crucified with Christ; it <b>is no longer I who live,</b> but<b> Christ lives in me</b>; and the </i><i>life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:18</i><br />
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want that. I want that to be true of me. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><i>God hasn't changed. </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">All the incredible things the apostles did--they did them because of God. <i>And He hasn't changed. </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Ps-130-5"><i>Neither have His requirements. </i> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Ps-130-5">We still have to die. We still have to confess and forsake our sins. We still have to renew our minds. We still have to be living sacrifices. We still have to be wholly, utterly His. We still have to love Him will ALL that we have and are. We still have to have faith. We still have to be humble. We still have to forsake ourselves and follow Him. We still have to walk in the light. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span class="text 1John-1-5"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. </span> <span class="text 1John-1-6" id="en-NKJV-30547"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and <b>walk in darkness,</b> we lie and do not practice the truth. </span> <span class="text 1John-1-7" id="en-NKJV-30548"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>But
if we<b> walk in the light</b> as He is in the light, we have fellowship with
one another, and the <b>blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all
sin.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="text 1John-1-8" id="en-NKJV-30549"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. </span> <span class="text 1John-1-9" id="en-NKJV-30550"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>If we<b> confess our sins,</b> He is faithful and just to <b>forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from </b></span></i><span class="text 1John-1-9" id="en-NKJV-30550"><b>all </b></span><i><span class="text 1John-1-9" id="en-NKJV-30550"><b>unrighteousness.</b> </span> </i><span class="text 1John-1-10" id="en-NKJV-30551"><i><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1</i></span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">And then God can use us--way beyond what <b>we</b> could do or even imagine.</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">The world is hurting way too much, folks. Too much for us to continue complacently living in our sin. Too much for us to be denying God entrance to <i>every</i> part of our lives. Too much for us to live as though He didn't live and die for us. Too much for us to continue to pretend we don't see... </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">God wants us. He needs men and women who are passionately devoted to Him. Men and women who fear Him much more than man. Men and women who care infinitely more for God's glory than for their own comfort and well-being and reputation. Men and women who do impossible things, because they have let God take over their lives, and it isn't them doing it anymore. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I don't know why God has chosen to work through us. But He has. And I want to be <i>in.</i> Part of His elite force. Not because of anything I've done, not because I have any merit--because of what He's done for me. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">And I am getting in. I am doing all I can to be one of those women. There is <i>so much</i> available to us in God, if only we will strive for it and do the things He has asked us to do. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">And God's name and His glory... oh. I am having trouble articulating this... but it's... so important. That we let Him glorify Himself in us. That we do not bring any more shame to His name by saying we are Christians, but not... letting Him live in us and change us into Christlikeness. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I am learning how very horridly awful sin and self are. How much pain and devastation they cause. And how much they hurt our God. Have you ever cried hard because of your sin? I hope so. Pray that God will show you the horrors of it. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I am learning how different God's ways are from ours. And how much higher His goals are than ours. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want to be a nice person. God wants me to be like HIM. o.0 </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want to be happy. God wants me to be joyful. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want to have a good life. God wants me to have a good heart. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want to have peaceful circumstances. God wants me to have His peace, which is above circumstances. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want to be comfortable. God wants me to explode my comfort zone for Him. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want to help a few people, do a few nice things. God wants to use me to change the world. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want to be nice to people who are nice (mostly) to me. God wants me to love everyone and anyone, no matter what. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want to live. God wants me to die--so He can live in me. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want what I want. God wants what He wants--which is infinitely better. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Ps-130-5">I want my life to be normalish. God wants to live a completely counter-cultural, abnormal life--because that's what He did. Because "normal" is <i>wrong.</i> It <i>isn't supposed to be normal.</i> He doesn't want me to be <i>weird</i>, He wants me to be <i>righteous</i>. And a quick look around will tell you that righteous <i>is </i>weird in this world. :P </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5">I am learning that I have an enemy. A real one. One who is ancient and treacherous and horridly deceitful. One who hates my soul and my God and my ministry. One who wants me dead or impotent. One who wants me to be prideful, because humility is surrender to God and he hates that. One who seeks to thwart my prayers, my confessions, my walk, my friendships--everything good. </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-130-5"><br /></span></div>
I am learning that confession is <b><i>necessary. </i></b>Just today, I wrote a letter to my parents confessing sin in my past. Things most of you probably wouldn't imagine me struggling with. I didn't want to. But I had to. (The Holy Spirit is very bossy, once you let Him have authority in your life. It is both wonderful and horrible.) For years I have convinced myself that it was okay, I did not need to tell them, it was just private sin, it didn't need a public confession, and so on and so forth.<b><i> </i></b></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
</div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<b><i>But I am learning. </i></b></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<b><i></i></b></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<b><i></i></b></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<b><i><br /></i></b><i>If I want to be in the light as He is in the light, I must </i>walk <i>in the light. </i></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<br /></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
I am learning that God doesn't want a Great Person. He doesn't want me coming at Him with grand ideas of how I will serve Him. He just wants a humble, willing SERVANT. He wants me willing to do whatever He asks, no matter how small and insignificant it seems--and no matter how big and crazy and impossible it seems. I am learning that there are tons of little sacrifices to be made every day. </div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<br /></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
As I have drawn closer to God, He has asked some little sacrifices of me.<br />
<br />
For instance, recently my siblings were going swimming.<br />
<br />
The water was cold, I don't like swimming, my hair gets all nasty, etc. Those are my normal reasons for not going swimming.<br />
<br />
And I tried, really I did. I tried to explain why I didn't need to go. But it was no use. The Holy Spirit was quite clear.<i> Go swim with them. </i>Why?? <i>Just do. It is loving. </i>And I did. And it was fun. :D And they were so happy I went. Yeah, it was cold. Yeah, it was uncomfortable. Yeah, it was inconvenient.<br />
<br />
But was it worth it? Oh, yes. I'm not cold anymore-- But I have the satisfied feeling that I <i>obeyed. </i><br />
<br />
Yes, it was "just a little thing".<i> But I think that's the point.</i> It's the little things that add up and lead to big things.</div>
<br />
The little compromises.... or the little sacrifices.<i> </i></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<i>I have had far too many "little" compromises in my life. It's time I started making more little sacrifices. </i></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
I don't want to give the enemy ANY territory in my heart and mind. </div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
<br /></div>
<div class="poetry top-1">
Well, there are a few things I've been learning... I hope some bit of that was encouraging to you. </div>
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<span class="text Ps-37-34">What have you been learning? </span><span class="text Ps-27-5"> </span><span class="text Ps-27-1"> </span></div>Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-16337494330687935982012-04-07T13:20:00.000-04:002012-04-07T13:20:10.646-04:00TodayI was thinking, when I woke up... about how "today" was the "hopeless" day... Jesus was dead. In the tomb. No life, no hope... imagine being them.<br />
<br />
<i>We</i> know the end of the story. We know that "tomorrow" He rises again. We've heard it a million times. But I think we forget... how dark it looked this day. How it seemed like it was all over, like this was the worst thing that ever happened... I think we forget that people don't normally... rise again. :D<br />
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So... this day I am remembering how dark it looked--right in the middle of it all. He was dead... died yesterday. And He still hadn't come out of that tomb. And I am remembering... that light did come. Glorious light... The Light. The Light that never goes out... the Light that is shining even on our darkest nights. And I am remembering...That... God knew what He was doing, all along. That no matter how insane it looked, how wrong it was... He had a plan, and He was working it out. And it was a good plan, because <i>He</i> is good.<br />
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I mean... what if He saved Himself? What if Jesus... didn't die that day? What if, instead, He fulfilled the selfish and short-sighted desires of their hearts? What if He came down off the cross and defeated the Romans? Oh, they would have cheered... they would have gladly proclaimed Him King... they would have followed Him. Followed Him...to temporary freedom. From their immediate problem... the one right in front of them.<br />
<br />
But they had a bigger problem... an eternal one. And He knew it. And He knew that not only did they have this problem--this problem that had no solution--but there were billions more who would come after them with the same problem.<br />
<br />
And He knew... He knew He had to do it. He knew it was the way His father wanted to be glorified. Oh, they would have glorified Him if He had defeated the Romans... but it would have been so temporary. And what of us? Where would we be, if He had only saved them from their temporary and pressing problem?<br />
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Oh... He knew, alright. * smiles *<br />
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And He... still knows. He knows what WE need. He knows how to glorify Himself in our lives.<br />
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Aren't you glad for a God who knows? A God who sees the whole picture? A God who... cares enough to put us on the hard path?Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-64592014538670490172012-02-17T18:11:00.004-05:002012-02-17T18:16:48.245-05:00In Which I Return... to Leave AgainHello, dear readers! <br />
<br />
I'm terribly sorry for my abrupt and prolonged absence. I didn't fall off the face of the earth, at least not completely... but pretty close.<br />
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Remember how I was in January, standing on the brink of another year and wondering what would happen? And saying how we really had no idea what would happen this year? Well.... I had no idea HOW much I had no idea what the month of January held. It will be a splendid story someday, but unfortunately I'm not able to divulge the whole tale at the moment, due to the fact that there are other people involved and I don't have permission to explain it all right now. <br />
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I have been walking through a... fire. A completely unexpected and rather drastic turn in my plans happened, and I have been learning so much... It's been incredible. (And I'm really tired. :P) This poem sums it up pretty nicely:<br />
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<i>“My Father's way may twist and turn, <br />
My heart may throb and ache.<br />
But in my soul I'm glad I know, <br />
He maketh no mistake.<br />
My cherished plans may go astray. <br />
My hopes may fade away, <br />
But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, <br />
For He doth know the way.<br />
Tho' night be dark and it may seem, <br />
That day with never break;<br />
I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, <br />
He maketh no mistake.<br />
There's so much now I cannot see, <br />
My eyesight far too dim;<br />
But come what may I'll simply trust, <br />
And leave it all to Him.<br />
For by and by the mist will lift, <br />
And plain it all He'll make, <br />
Through all the way, tho' dark to me, <br />
He made not one mistake."<br />
― A.M. Overton</i><br />
<br />
I've also been busy working at my dad's new tile store... Which means very little time for anything else. Also, I... well, I think it's time for me to work on living, a while. I've been talking for a long time. <i>Now comes the living. </i>And I'm learning, now, how to LIVE a lot of the things I've<i> talked</i> about on here. It's hard. But it's so very good.<br />
<br />
I'm so blessed... to have this trial in my life right now. It's drawn me closer to God; it's showing me what is real about me and what isn't; it's forcing me to <i>live</i> my nice sounding posts.<br />
<br />
And so, for now, I will be posting very rarely. I'm not sure how long this season will last... but rest assured, when I come back... I will have tons of things to say. :) And they will be real--things I've lived. I might still pop in every once in a while, but not regularly and definitely not weekly.<br />
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May God bless and be with you. Keep seeking Him with your whole heart... fall in love with Him. Pray--get to know Him like never before. <i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>More God. Always more, never enough. </i>Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707967635101530299.post-41656603618904638622012-01-12T11:46:00.002-05:002012-06-07T16:07:17.612-04:00Would You Have Done It?Recently, I went outside for a bit at night... the stars were out, and there was one (a planet, probably) that was especially bright. It brought to mind the star that shown when Jesus was born... and I remembered the movie "The Nativity"-- particularly the part where Mary agrees to carry Christ in her womb.<br />
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And I wondered... would I have done it? Would I have said yes? Would I have agreed to be laughed at, to be shunned, to be thought impure and foolish? Would I have agreed to lay down my reputation? My way of life? Would I have agreed to give up my friends? My family, in a way? Would I have agreed to risk being killed for a perceived action? Would I have agreed to look completely foolish for something I really had no way of knowing the end of?<br />
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Or would I have been too concerned with myself, with my image? Would I have been too concerned about appearing pure and blameless? Would I have been too scared to face the shame and mockery?<br />
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I don't know, honestly. I might very well have said, "I can't do it, it's too hard, that's not a good idea, what will everyone think?"<br />
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(Though, of course, I've never talked to an angel. That might put a bit of a different light on the matter.)<br />
<br />
Listen to Mary's response after her initial questioning...<br />
<div>
<blockquote>
<i>And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. </i></blockquote>
Simple. So simple. And so full of trust and surrender. She knew who she was-- and, more importantly, who God was. And she let God do what He wanted with her. She was willing to be considered impure and insane for God's sake and at His word.<br />
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And think... <i>think</i> what a blessing she gained. What a blessing we gained! It didn't make a bit of sense, at the time. But now, looking back on it all... it makes so much sense we rarely see how crazy it was.<br />
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Of <i>course</i> Mary had Jesus. We've heard it over and over.<br />
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But... there really was a girl. A <i>girl.</i> Named Mary. Scared, clueless. She couldn't see what would happen. And yet she opened herself up to God. She... let Him... make her look foolish in the world's eyes.<br />
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And... she is now most blessed among women.<br />
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How could she do it? We really don't know a whole lot about her. But then... we don't need to know a whole lot. What she did, on its own, says volumes. The fact that God chose her says tons. And then... we have her song. Listen to her heart...<br />
<blockquote>
<i><sup></sup>And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,</i><br />
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<i>And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.</i><br />
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<i><sup></sup>For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.</i> <br />
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<i>For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.</i><br />
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<i>And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.</i><br />
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<i>He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.</i><br />
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<i>He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.</i><br />
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<i><sup></sup>He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.</i><br />
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<i><sup></sup>He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;</i><br />
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<i><sup></sup>As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.</i></blockquote>
What do you notice?<br />
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I see... a heart totally enthralled with God. And very much not focused on herself. I don't know about you, but if<i> God</i> chose me to do that... I don't think I would be saying things about my "low estate"... I would be thinking more along the lines of, <i>wow, I must be pretty good to have been chosen.</i> :P<br />
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All her focus is on God and the great things He has done for her. And at this point she still probably didn't really know what exactly what was going on!<br />
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Wow...<br />
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Seriously, think about it, my fellow Good Christian Girls. Don't we want to be known for <b>our</b> <i>purity</i> and <b>our</b> <i>wonderfulness</i>? I do.<br />
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But... it isn't about <i>us</i>. It's about <i>God</i>. And you know... the thing about God is... He loves doing things completely backwards from the world's thinking.<br />
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Mary was <i>humbled</i>, and <i>then </i>glorified. Sounds an awful lot like... <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil.%202:5-11&version=KJV">her Son</a>. And it doesn't make any sense, really.... <br />
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Think about the way He came to earth. The King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Creator Himself... coming as a baby?? Surely, at least, He would come as baby to some good home--but no! He came appearing as an illegitimate child!? And think how He conquered death and sin and satan!! By... dying, naked, on a cross?? It doesn't make sense, humanly speaking.<br />
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Guess who hated Jesus the most? The religious leaders. The Good Church People.<br />
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Guess who most hates sold-out-for-Christ, Spirit-filled Christians-- the ones who don't care a particle what the world thinks? . . . Yeah. You know already.<br />
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"Can't they like...<i> tone it down</i>? Do they have to be SO different?? Can't they... <i>blend in</i> a little? Must they <i>really</i> be so radical? Do they <i>have</i> to do such <i>strange</i> things?"<br />
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Face, folks. Following Christ whole-heartedly gets our sanity questioned. It might even lose us the respect of the Good Christian People we know.<br />
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Do we really suppose that following a Man who upset the the religious institution in just about every way possible, the Man who ate with sinners, the Man who was perfect and yet died a criminal's death, the Man who.... basically did <i>everything</i> differently from others... will be easy and normal and well accepted?<br />
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What does it actually mean to follow this Man? We sing "I have decided to follow Jesus"... but what does it <i>mean</i>? What is the cost?<br />
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Are we really willing to accept the ridicule and the shame and the hardship and the suffering and the being misunderstood?<br />
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Are we willing to follow Him... <i>all the way</i>?<br />
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He died, you know. It says deny yourself, take up your <i><b>cross</b> </i>and <i>follow Him.</i><br />
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The cross isn't some cute little symbol. It isn't just a charm on a necklace.<br />
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It's an instrument of humiliation... and death.<br />
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<i>Death.</i><br />
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Really? Are you sure this is the One you want to follow? Are you sure you want to carry a <i>cross?</i> Am I?<br />
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Are we willing to be humbled as He was? To make ourselves of no reputation? To count all this as loss, that we might gain Christ? To... die? To this world, to ourselves... or literally.<br />
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Is it worth it? Is it worth giving up <i>everything</i> to follow Him?<br />
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Oh... I hope and pray my answer is yes.<br />
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Not my answer here. Not my words. My life. The Answer.<br />
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For what good would it be, if I gained the whole world and kept my reputation... and yet... lost my soul? What good would it be to be known by men, but... not to know God or be known by Him? What good would it be to have man's favor, and... not God's? What good would it be... to get to heaven and say, well everyone said I was such a sweet, quiet girl--And yet... have missed out on the fullness of God wanted to do through me?<br />
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Am I worth holding on to? Is my reputation that important? Are my desires and ideas that much better than His?<br />
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No. No, not at all.<br />
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He... gave up everything. <i>Everything.</i> For God's glory. For me.<br />
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How... HOW can I do less? I must not, I will not, I cannot.<br />
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Help me, God.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Carissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17385741682234449335noreply@blogger.com3