"Even if there were no heaven and there were no hell, would you still follow Jesus? Would you follow him for the life, joy, and fulfillment he gives you right now?"
Shane Claiborne
Shane Claiborne
- Liberty
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
While Others Die...
So I'm currently reading "Revolution In World Missions", a book Cassie sent me as a birthday gift. The book is by K.P. Yahannan, the man who founded the Gospel for Asia missions organization whose main purpose is to reach the unreached: peoples who have never heard the Gospel. GFA works on getting national missionaries (that is, missionaries who are from the ethnic groups they wish to reach) sponsored and stuff. In the first couple chapters, he's talking about his journey to starting Gospel for Asia.
To relate the entirety of his story would take way too much space, so I'll skim. I totally suggest you get this book- already, I'm not completely done with it- and read it for yourself. It's an inspiring book merely because of its view of our own churches. He speaks about the contrast between American affluence and Indian poverty: we spend more on a single meal than a whole Indian village would spend in a day! During the start-up of GFA, Yahannan speaks of how he went to find sponsors for these national missionaries. He found it surprisingly difficult. Amidst the prosperity we Americans enjoy, as well as our freedom, we were too caught up in our own lives to help spread the Gospel.
It's a sad indictment.
He came to America to study, and this was his first impression about churches in the United States:
"Religion, I discovered, is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States. Entering churches, I was astonished at the carpeting, furnishings, air-conditioning, and ornamentation. Many churches have gymnasiums and fellowships that cater to a busy schedule of activities having little or nothing to do with Christ. The orchestras, choirs, "special" music- and sometimes even the preaching- seemed to me more like entertainment than worship."
Now stop. Think about that a minute.
I would like to address the problem he highlighted: that of Christians, rather than wishing to serve, wishing to be entertained.
Yahannan is right: American churches all too often wish not to be lights to the unsaved world, but rather to sit in front of their lighted television screens and naively pretend the problem doesn't exist. We go to church to be ministered to, but never minister in our turn. We claim it isn't our job, that someone else is better capable to do it.
Let me present you with a hard truth: God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
If He calls you, there is a reason. He wants you, you and no one else, to accomplish that task for Him. There is no one else on the globe who can do that job- at least, not like you would, and God obviously wants your touch if He called you.
We hide behind our pastors, claiming that, since they are the shepherds, they should lead. But what excuse is that? God has empowered each of us. We have a wonderful book called the Bible. The average American household has at least five of these books- literally, God's words to men. No longer are we in the dark ages where we are bound solely to preachers and priests to give us spiritual direction. We each have the handbook in our houses, if not in our hands! Why are we not using it?
When our excuses fail, we literally turn our backs and go on to other things. Outwardly, we appear to be fine and dandy. We deliberately seek out things that appear Christian. We go to Christian bookstores, we watch Christian movies, we listen to Christian music. But amidst trying to be a Christian, we forget to be Christ-followers.
Christ did not call us to mosey through life, finding "Christian" things to do. He called us to live for Him. He called us to show, in every part of our lives, who we followed, and why it was worth it. Americans are so buffered from the facts of life and death that most of the world grapples with every day. We shelter ourselves behind our entertainment: our ball games and our money, our church pot-luck suppers and our Christian friends who take us out to dinner as we prattle on, and then we do nothing for those who are living and dying, both with and without Christ.
Frankly put, American Christians have begun to see themselves as a completely different entity as the rest of the body of Christ.
We are The Chosen. We belong to a "Christian nation". We are privileged. If we spare a thought for our brothers and sisters who are dying, it is to empathize with them that they do not live here, where they may be free. We perhaps pray for them, but it never crosses our minds to do more. While we spend thousands of dollars on fast food and movies, ball games and races, holiday presents and new gadgets, there is a battle for souls going on all around the world.
And we sit by, and we do nothing. We disregard it as if thousands of people are not every moment passing into eternity. How many of them are saved? How many are lost? How many have been deceived, and will spend an eternity being tormented in a place created by a God who cannot let them into Heaven because he is just and he is righteous?
And at least some of those are dying and going to hell because we, in our lazy, arrogant selfishness, cannot get off our bottoms and go preach the Gospel. We can't even open our checkbooks and our credit card accounts and give. We're not willing to suffer the "deprivations" we might have to suffer through. We let ourselves sink farther and farther into the fog of American-ism, let ourselves wear the blinkers of Entertainment, and drink the kool-aide of Somebody Else's Problem, all to forget that out there, people are dying.
And here we sit. And do nothing. While others die and pay the price for our own laziness.
- Liberty
To relate the entirety of his story would take way too much space, so I'll skim. I totally suggest you get this book- already, I'm not completely done with it- and read it for yourself. It's an inspiring book merely because of its view of our own churches. He speaks about the contrast between American affluence and Indian poverty: we spend more on a single meal than a whole Indian village would spend in a day! During the start-up of GFA, Yahannan speaks of how he went to find sponsors for these national missionaries. He found it surprisingly difficult. Amidst the prosperity we Americans enjoy, as well as our freedom, we were too caught up in our own lives to help spread the Gospel.
It's a sad indictment.
He came to America to study, and this was his first impression about churches in the United States:
"Religion, I discovered, is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States. Entering churches, I was astonished at the carpeting, furnishings, air-conditioning, and ornamentation. Many churches have gymnasiums and fellowships that cater to a busy schedule of activities having little or nothing to do with Christ. The orchestras, choirs, "special" music- and sometimes even the preaching- seemed to me more like entertainment than worship."
Now stop. Think about that a minute.
I would like to address the problem he highlighted: that of Christians, rather than wishing to serve, wishing to be entertained.
Yahannan is right: American churches all too often wish not to be lights to the unsaved world, but rather to sit in front of their lighted television screens and naively pretend the problem doesn't exist. We go to church to be ministered to, but never minister in our turn. We claim it isn't our job, that someone else is better capable to do it.
Let me present you with a hard truth: God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
If He calls you, there is a reason. He wants you, you and no one else, to accomplish that task for Him. There is no one else on the globe who can do that job- at least, not like you would, and God obviously wants your touch if He called you.
We hide behind our pastors, claiming that, since they are the shepherds, they should lead. But what excuse is that? God has empowered each of us. We have a wonderful book called the Bible. The average American household has at least five of these books- literally, God's words to men. No longer are we in the dark ages where we are bound solely to preachers and priests to give us spiritual direction. We each have the handbook in our houses, if not in our hands! Why are we not using it?
When our excuses fail, we literally turn our backs and go on to other things. Outwardly, we appear to be fine and dandy. We deliberately seek out things that appear Christian. We go to Christian bookstores, we watch Christian movies, we listen to Christian music. But amidst trying to be a Christian, we forget to be Christ-followers.
Christ did not call us to mosey through life, finding "Christian" things to do. He called us to live for Him. He called us to show, in every part of our lives, who we followed, and why it was worth it. Americans are so buffered from the facts of life and death that most of the world grapples with every day. We shelter ourselves behind our entertainment: our ball games and our money, our church pot-luck suppers and our Christian friends who take us out to dinner as we prattle on, and then we do nothing for those who are living and dying, both with and without Christ.
Frankly put, American Christians have begun to see themselves as a completely different entity as the rest of the body of Christ.
We are The Chosen. We belong to a "Christian nation". We are privileged. If we spare a thought for our brothers and sisters who are dying, it is to empathize with them that they do not live here, where they may be free. We perhaps pray for them, but it never crosses our minds to do more. While we spend thousands of dollars on fast food and movies, ball games and races, holiday presents and new gadgets, there is a battle for souls going on all around the world.
And we sit by, and we do nothing. We disregard it as if thousands of people are not every moment passing into eternity. How many of them are saved? How many are lost? How many have been deceived, and will spend an eternity being tormented in a place created by a God who cannot let them into Heaven because he is just and he is righteous?
And at least some of those are dying and going to hell because we, in our lazy, arrogant selfishness, cannot get off our bottoms and go preach the Gospel. We can't even open our checkbooks and our credit card accounts and give. We're not willing to suffer the "deprivations" we might have to suffer through. We let ourselves sink farther and farther into the fog of American-ism, let ourselves wear the blinkers of Entertainment, and drink the kool-aide of Somebody Else's Problem, all to forget that out there, people are dying.
And here we sit. And do nothing. While others die and pay the price for our own laziness.
- Liberty
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Do All to the Glory of God...
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:14
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:13
Psalm 19:14
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:13
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Walking For God
Proverbs 3 is perhaps best known for these verses:
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Reading this chapter today, I noticed the verses that come after verse 6.
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."
Other than the rather amazing note that yes, the ancients did know about bone marrow, if not all the health ramifications, I found these two verses interesting.
The first 4 verses of Proverbs 3 are talking about listening to God- his commandments, his wisdom. Verse 2 tells us that there are benefits to doing this. Verse 3 and 4 tell us we should make mercy and truth our constant companions, and we will find favor with God.
Verses 5 and 6 are two of the most well-known verses in Proverbs. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thine own understanding. We are supposed to trust God with everything we have. Our heart is the most intimate thing we have- what we think with, where all those crazy ideas we humans are prone to come from. If we yield the entirety of that to God, then we've truly given him everything we own, with no reservations, no fine-print.
Further, we are not supposed to lean, or rely, on our own understanding or knowledge. We shouldn't get to thinking we're so big and great that we forget who really matters- God, and his wisdom, his knowledge, his understanding. Because, let's face it. God knows way more than we, in our limited life's experience, could ever begin to fathom.
Verse 6 tells us to acknowledge him in all our ways. This goes along with the first part of verse 5. We are supposed to trust God with our whole hearts- which of course means we'll also be trusting him with our ways- how we walk, how we appear to the world. To acknowledge God means we are supposed to live like he would want to us to. That worldly music has no place in our lives. Ditto for movies, books, etc. etc. that don't please him. Of course, that doesn't mean that we should never read anything but the Bible. I might very well die, because there is a lot of knowledge that one can't get out of the Bible. But people should be able to note a difference between us and the world.
Verse 6 continues and wraps up by telling us that, if we yield our entire being to God, if we trust him and rely on his judgment and understanding, he will direct our paths. And God will never lead you astray. He knows so much more than we can imagine, that it is impossible that he could lead us off the path we need to walk.
Verse 7 starts out by telling us to not be wise in our own eyes. This goes back to verse 5's "lean not unto thine own understanding." When we're trusting in what we know (or what we think we know), then we're being wise in our own eyes. We think we know how we should walk, what our life should look like. This verse continues and tells us to fear the Lord, and to depart from evil. These two go together. If we're fearing the Lord- which means having reverence for him, respecting him, and following him- then we will not do evil.
We can see the fruits of this style of living and the consequences for not living like this in different Bible stories.
Remember Ruth? Ruth was a Moabitess, an hereditary enemy of Israel. Yet she married an Israelite when his family moved to Moab because of a famine in his homeland (this is an excellent example of something bad that reaped to something good). When Naomi, her mother-in-law, was heading back to Israel in the wake of her family's death, Ruth and Orpah, her sister-in-law, were going to go with her. When Naomi urged them to go back to their father's homes, Orpah instantly left. However, Ruth wouldn't leave Naomi. She entreated Naomi to let Ruth come with her. I believe all of us know how the story ends- Ruth goes to Israel, meets a nice man, settles down, and ends up being in the line of Jesus.
Ruth's is a story of a young woman who completely gave herself to God. She was leaving everything she knew- her family, her homeland, her gods, her culture, her food, her clothes...everything that was familiar...to follow God. As we know, it came out to good. And I imagine she was glad she did follow!
However, we have another woman who also came to live in Israel, but didn't do half as well. She was Jezebel, queen of Israel. Jezebel was chosen as the wife for the King of Israel, Ahab. She also left everything she knew...but she handled it in a much different way from her earlier counterpart. Where Ruth was thankful and compliant, Jezebel was spoiled and bratty. She got her husband under her thumb and started making rules. Where she could have done great things for God, instead she brought her own foreign gods into Israel, ruining the culture in that country, bringing a famine down upon the land, and eventually dying in a gruesome way and having her body eaten by dogs.
All of this came about because she didn't give herself to God and follow him. She didn't trust the Lord with all her heart, nor did she depart from evil or acknowledge him.
Proverbs 3:5-8 give us a blueprint for a life surrendered to God- and one that is joyful and happy- not to mention more pleasant!
See the original post HERE. :)
~Liberty
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Reading this chapter today, I noticed the verses that come after verse 6.
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."
Other than the rather amazing note that yes, the ancients did know about bone marrow, if not all the health ramifications, I found these two verses interesting.
The first 4 verses of Proverbs 3 are talking about listening to God- his commandments, his wisdom. Verse 2 tells us that there are benefits to doing this. Verse 3 and 4 tell us we should make mercy and truth our constant companions, and we will find favor with God.
Verses 5 and 6 are two of the most well-known verses in Proverbs. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thine own understanding. We are supposed to trust God with everything we have. Our heart is the most intimate thing we have- what we think with, where all those crazy ideas we humans are prone to come from. If we yield the entirety of that to God, then we've truly given him everything we own, with no reservations, no fine-print.
Further, we are not supposed to lean, or rely, on our own understanding or knowledge. We shouldn't get to thinking we're so big and great that we forget who really matters- God, and his wisdom, his knowledge, his understanding. Because, let's face it. God knows way more than we, in our limited life's experience, could ever begin to fathom.
Verse 6 tells us to acknowledge him in all our ways. This goes along with the first part of verse 5. We are supposed to trust God with our whole hearts- which of course means we'll also be trusting him with our ways- how we walk, how we appear to the world. To acknowledge God means we are supposed to live like he would want to us to. That worldly music has no place in our lives. Ditto for movies, books, etc. etc. that don't please him. Of course, that doesn't mean that we should never read anything but the Bible. I might very well die, because there is a lot of knowledge that one can't get out of the Bible. But people should be able to note a difference between us and the world.
Verse 6 continues and wraps up by telling us that, if we yield our entire being to God, if we trust him and rely on his judgment and understanding, he will direct our paths. And God will never lead you astray. He knows so much more than we can imagine, that it is impossible that he could lead us off the path we need to walk.
Verse 7 starts out by telling us to not be wise in our own eyes. This goes back to verse 5's "lean not unto thine own understanding." When we're trusting in what we know (or what we think we know), then we're being wise in our own eyes. We think we know how we should walk, what our life should look like. This verse continues and tells us to fear the Lord, and to depart from evil. These two go together. If we're fearing the Lord- which means having reverence for him, respecting him, and following him- then we will not do evil.
We can see the fruits of this style of living and the consequences for not living like this in different Bible stories.
Remember Ruth? Ruth was a Moabitess, an hereditary enemy of Israel. Yet she married an Israelite when his family moved to Moab because of a famine in his homeland (this is an excellent example of something bad that reaped to something good). When Naomi, her mother-in-law, was heading back to Israel in the wake of her family's death, Ruth and Orpah, her sister-in-law, were going to go with her. When Naomi urged them to go back to their father's homes, Orpah instantly left. However, Ruth wouldn't leave Naomi. She entreated Naomi to let Ruth come with her. I believe all of us know how the story ends- Ruth goes to Israel, meets a nice man, settles down, and ends up being in the line of Jesus.
Ruth's is a story of a young woman who completely gave herself to God. She was leaving everything she knew- her family, her homeland, her gods, her culture, her food, her clothes...everything that was familiar...to follow God. As we know, it came out to good. And I imagine she was glad she did follow!
However, we have another woman who also came to live in Israel, but didn't do half as well. She was Jezebel, queen of Israel. Jezebel was chosen as the wife for the King of Israel, Ahab. She also left everything she knew...but she handled it in a much different way from her earlier counterpart. Where Ruth was thankful and compliant, Jezebel was spoiled and bratty. She got her husband under her thumb and started making rules. Where she could have done great things for God, instead she brought her own foreign gods into Israel, ruining the culture in that country, bringing a famine down upon the land, and eventually dying in a gruesome way and having her body eaten by dogs.
All of this came about because she didn't give herself to God and follow him. She didn't trust the Lord with all her heart, nor did she depart from evil or acknowledge him.
Proverbs 3:5-8 give us a blueprint for a life surrendered to God- and one that is joyful and happy- not to mention more pleasant!
See the original post HERE. :)
~Liberty
Monday, August 2, 2010
God is our Strength
"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."
Psalm 73: 26, 28
Psalm 73: 26, 28
~Liberty
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
cancer...
Today we found out that a lady that goes to the church that we went to in Michigan, has Breast Cancer. It's very sad. She used to take us to Chuckey Cheeses every year for christmas, and we always sang the "old lady who swallowed the fly" song on the way there. She is a very nice person. Will you all please pray for her? Her name is Jan.
Our parents said that we might go visit her sometime next month, please pray that we will be able to, it would be very nice to see everyone there and to comfort Jan as she goes through this hard time.
Also please pray for Emily who is fighting Leukaemia. (click HERE to see her blog.)
Thank you,
Megan
(originally posted on megan-thelifeofagirl.blogspot.com)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Inspired Magazine {by Maggie}
Maggie (one of my blogger friends) has a Magazine called Inspired. It's starting in october, so Sign up now!
Click HERE to learn more!
Click HERE to learn more!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Stick with God
Stick with God!
I made this picture just now and I thought it's a great way to remind us to 'stick with God' because if we are sticking to other things, THAT IS NOT GOOD!
Feel free to take this picture and add it to your blog!
(Glue picture found online)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Zambia update
Zambia trip is back on!! Everything got sorted out, our flight has been rerouted, and we'll be leaving tomorrow at 12:40 pm!! Please pray as we prepare to teach the Word.
Reaching God & The Shores of God
Reaching God
By: Megan Madison
I can see God's had reaching out to me miles away.
I try to reach him, but I can't jump the fences,
I can't climb the rocks, and I can't swerve around the holes to get there.
I have cuts and bruises from trying and failing.
But, I can heal.
I will keep trying, and try harder.
Soon I'll reach god.
Because, God's still there holding his hand out to me.
I can't climb the rocks, and I can't swerve around the holes to get there.
I have cuts and bruises from trying and failing.
But, I can heal.
I will keep trying, and try harder.
Soon I'll reach god.
Because, God's still there holding his hand out to me.
The shores of God
By: Megan Madison
I can see others out in the Ocean of sin.
I'm calling to them to come the God's shores.
But as I try to lead them,
I'm drifting farther away myself.
Jesus comes out to save me,
To lead me home.
These are random ramblings I wrote in my journal today. And maybe they will help you to strive to Reach God, to Heal and to keep going because God's still got his hand out waiting for you. And maybe they will help you to realize that Jesus can save you, he can lead you home. And you can reach the Shores of God.
Have a great day,
Megan
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Urgent Prayers Needed
For those of you know about my upcoming Zambia trip (we currently have six days left before we're scheduled to leave), I have a quick prayer request.
The airline we will be using between London and Lusaka, Zambia is currently operating under a strike by its flight crews. Fun, fun. So until June 9th, most flights from British Airways are cancelled. Just for the record, we were scheduled to fly from London to Lusaka on June 2nd.
British strikes apparently don't work like American ones- over here, workers will strike until they reach an amicable agreement. Over there, they strike until a certain date, then try to resolve things. So until June 9th, we will be unable to get onto our flight to Lusaka.
Please pray that will this will all work out and that we will be able to find a way to get to Zambia. Right now it's looking like we may take a couple round-about routes, because BA is running a few flights to a few destinations. So please pray that this will get resolved, and that if it's God's will, we will be able to embark on a plane in six days.
Thank you all.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Excited for camp...
Okay, so I'm pretty sure I posted about camp last year... (checking...) YES, I did (click HERE) Well, I'm going to do another post on camp...
Okay so last year the theme was "REAL WORD" and personally it think it was a really good theme! Everyday we had a different subject on what the world says opposed to what God says... I don't remember what all of them were, but we all had a great time! :)
Here's a little description on what each week is:
Jr. week:
(4th-6th grade)
I went to Jr. week for 2 years as a camper (but I was there about 3 other years as a staff kid) and both years were awesome! The director is really fun and always knew a lot of stuff!!!! It was great and I learned a lot and made a lof of friends! Last year was my first year of being an O.P. (Older Phantom, were you're with your mom but you're too old to be a camper, a Y.P. is were you're with your mom but you're too young to be a camper), it was really fun because one of my friend's that I met when I was a camper was there and her cabin Counsoular (okay, my spelling is going to be really bad in this post because this computer doesn't have spell check!) let me stay in her cabin and it was really fun being able to help the younger kids! :)
Intermeadate Week:
(7th-9th grade)
Last year was my first year of being a camper at this week... I'll have to say, this has been my favorite week. The directors are THE BEST, they are really funny and well... They're just great... Last year was really fun and Well... I didn't really meet any new people, mostly everyone was people I knew from Jr. week... I had the best counsoler EVER! My Friend had brought one of those regular big bags of skittles and we (me, maddy, colby, erica, Emily, and Whitney) ate them in like a day... so when Emily went to get something in town she go us one of those 41 oz. bag of skittles!!!! it was the BEST and they lasted us the rest of the week (I think)... yeah, we had a great time!
Senior week:
(10th-Grad.)
I've been a Y.P. at this week for 2 years... it's pretty fun playing with the youger Y.P.s because they are always looking for something to do... we LOVE playing with Play dough... :)
Well, I've go to go do school now... TTYL!
Okay so last year the theme was "REAL WORD" and personally it think it was a really good theme! Everyday we had a different subject on what the world says opposed to what God says... I don't remember what all of them were, but we all had a great time! :)
Here's a little description on what each week is:
(4th-6th grade)
I went to Jr. week for 2 years as a camper (but I was there about 3 other years as a staff kid) and both years were awesome! The director is really fun and always knew a lot of stuff!!!! It was great and I learned a lot and made a lof of friends! Last year was my first year of being an O.P. (Older Phantom, were you're with your mom but you're too old to be a camper, a Y.P. is were you're with your mom but you're too young to be a camper), it was really fun because one of my friend's that I met when I was a camper was there and her cabin Counsoular (okay, my spelling is going to be really bad in this post because this computer doesn't have spell check!) let me stay in her cabin and it was really fun being able to help the younger kids! :)
Intermeadate Week:
(7th-9th grade)
Last year was my first year of being a camper at this week... I'll have to say, this has been my favorite week. The directors are THE BEST, they are really funny and well... They're just great... Last year was really fun and Well... I didn't really meet any new people, mostly everyone was people I knew from Jr. week... I had the best counsoler EVER! My Friend had brought one of those regular big bags of skittles and we (me, maddy, colby, erica, Emily, and Whitney) ate them in like a day... so when Emily went to get something in town she go us one of those 41 oz. bag of skittles!!!! it was the BEST and they lasted us the rest of the week (I think)... yeah, we had a great time!
Senior week:
(10th-Grad.)
I've been a Y.P. at this week for 2 years... it's pretty fun playing with the youger Y.P.s because they are always looking for something to do... we LOVE playing with Play dough... :)
Well, I've go to go do school now... TTYL!
Monday, May 3, 2010
My blog Party! :)
My blog party has now officially started! So... Click HERE to see how you can join in with the fun and sign-up for some AWESOME giveaways!!!!! :)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Tag- inspired designs
Yes, this is utter fluff. Enjoy. ^.^
1) What's your all time favourite blog/blogger?
There's so many good blogs. I can't decide. Just look at my following list. You'll see quite a few I enjoy, LOL
2) How do you personally define forgiveness?
A tough question...I'd say forgiveness is probably, ultimately, forgetting something someone has done to you for no reason other than the fact that it's the right thing to do. Forgiving someone because you have to isn't true forgiveness, for instance.
3) What object of your possession has the most sentimental value in your eyes?
Probably my fishbowl. Yeah, I'm a nerd. I know. But I've had three Betta fish, one of whom lived for more than two and a half years. He was my little buddy. :))
4) What song do you consider your personal theme song?
The Darth Vader theme in Star Wars. ^.^
5) Do the opinions of others about you really matter to you?
Sometimes. It depends on who it is. If it's someone who isn't Godly or something, then no. I don't really care. But if it's someone who I respect or look up to, then yes.
6) Do you ever make up words?
All the time.
7) Off the top of your head, do you know what your middle name means? (You can look it up though! :)
...No. However, I looked it up, and 'Denae' is a form of 'Danae', who was the mother of Perseus (who was also a son of Zeus). Yeah.
8) What's s something that never fails to make you smile?
ihazcheezburger.com LOL JK, JK! I would have to say probably my little sister, Sweet Cheeks. She's hilarious. ^.^
9) What person has touched your heart the most?
Hmm...I dunno. :P
10) Give a scene in a book where you really understood what the author was trying to convey.
Seriously? I don't remember. :P
11) What do you think of HTML? Is it the ENEMY or your friend?
It depends on what time of the day it is...
12) What person comments the most consistently on your blog?
On my personal blog, Cassie.
13) Who is your personal hero/heroine (fiction or real, or both) ? Why?
Hmm...I like Lizzy Bennet. Does that count? ^.^
14) Are you curious or are you satisfied knowing that "that's just the way it is"?
I am extremely curious. I can't let stuff slide by very often- I have to know what makes it go, etc. etc. However, I'm not a very hands-on person. For instance, I'd prefer to read a book about how a clock works than take one apart. >.>
15) List the your top 5 favorite songs. Do they have anything in common? Why do you love them?
Oh wow. Lesse'....
I do. All the time. Mainly about why in the world I do certain things to them.
17) While reading a book or watching a movie, were you ever blown away by an unexpected plot twist? What was it and how did you react?
I don't remember.
18) What's your personal opinion of i-designs? (orignal, I know, but I really want to know! :)
I likes it. Especially the free stuff. :))
19) What's your favourite color combinations?
I like light-and-dark combinations. Like white and black, dark blue and light blue, etc.
20) What's your favourite comic book series?
Um....I don't really read comic books all that much.
21) What is the oldest book you've read? How old was it? (By old, I mean, like antique books...the manuscript doesn't have to be old, just the copy of it. :)
Um...dunno that I've ever actually read an old-old-book. I mean, I've read manuscripts that are old. The Iliad is probably the oldest book that I've read, but I haven't read an old copy of it, if you know what I mean...
1) What's your all time favourite blog/blogger?
There's so many good blogs. I can't decide. Just look at my following list. You'll see quite a few I enjoy, LOL
2) How do you personally define forgiveness?
A tough question...I'd say forgiveness is probably, ultimately, forgetting something someone has done to you for no reason other than the fact that it's the right thing to do. Forgiving someone because you have to isn't true forgiveness, for instance.
3) What object of your possession has the most sentimental value in your eyes?
Probably my fishbowl. Yeah, I'm a nerd. I know. But I've had three Betta fish, one of whom lived for more than two and a half years. He was my little buddy. :))
4) What song do you consider your personal theme song?
The Darth Vader theme in Star Wars. ^.^
5) Do the opinions of others about you really matter to you?
Sometimes. It depends on who it is. If it's someone who isn't Godly or something, then no. I don't really care. But if it's someone who I respect or look up to, then yes.
6) Do you ever make up words?
All the time.
7) Off the top of your head, do you know what your middle name means? (You can look it up though! :)
...No. However, I looked it up, and 'Denae' is a form of 'Danae', who was the mother of Perseus (who was also a son of Zeus). Yeah.
8) What's s something that never fails to make you smile?
ihazcheezburger.com LOL JK, JK! I would have to say probably my little sister, Sweet Cheeks. She's hilarious. ^.^
9) What person has touched your heart the most?
Hmm...I dunno. :P
10) Give a scene in a book where you really understood what the author was trying to convey.
Seriously? I don't remember. :P
11) What do you think of HTML? Is it the ENEMY or your friend?
It depends on what time of the day it is...
12) What person comments the most consistently on your blog?
On my personal blog, Cassie.
13) Who is your personal hero/heroine (fiction or real, or both) ? Why?
Hmm...I like Lizzy Bennet. Does that count? ^.^
14) Are you curious or are you satisfied knowing that "that's just the way it is"?
I am extremely curious. I can't let stuff slide by very often- I have to know what makes it go, etc. etc. However, I'm not a very hands-on person. For instance, I'd prefer to read a book about how a clock works than take one apart. >.>
15) List the your top 5 favorite songs. Do they have anything in common? Why do you love them?
Oh wow. Lesse'....
- Does Anybody Hear Her - Casting Crowns (one about how there are people in the church nobody talks to, and why? We're Christians, supposed to love people in Christ, not ostracize them.
- If We Are the Body - Casting Crowns (this is a powerful song.)
- New Soul - Yael Naim (this is just a cute song.)
- Be Thou My Vision - not sure (love this one. It's old fashioned, hymn, etc., and I love that, and the words are powerful, too.)
- I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin (This song is great.)
I do. All the time. Mainly about why in the world I do certain things to them.
17) While reading a book or watching a movie, were you ever blown away by an unexpected plot twist? What was it and how did you react?
I don't remember.
18) What's your personal opinion of i-designs? (orignal, I know, but I really want to know! :)
I likes it. Especially the free stuff. :))
19) What's your favourite color combinations?
I like light-and-dark combinations. Like white and black, dark blue and light blue, etc.
20) What's your favourite comic book series?
Um....I don't really read comic books all that much.
21) What is the oldest book you've read? How old was it? (By old, I mean, like antique books...the manuscript doesn't have to be old, just the copy of it. :)
Um...dunno that I've ever actually read an old-old-book. I mean, I've read manuscripts that are old. The Iliad is probably the oldest book that I've read, but I haven't read an old copy of it, if you know what I mean...
22) What character in any movie or book, would you say is the MOST like you?
Hmm...that's a toughie. I'm really a variety...there's Satara in my book. I have the attitude. ^.^ I look like Anne from Anne of Green Gables...
23) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Hmm....not much, I don't think. I'd get braces. ^.^
24) As a child, what was one thing that always frightened you? This could be something real or imagined! :)
Scenes in movies. Seriously. It could be the most innocuous thing- like the hag in Snow White always creeped me out. Stuff like that.
25) What's your life motto?
"I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." yes, that is a Bible verse. But hey, I like it. >.>
26) As you're sitting in café, you're given a note: "It's in your best interests to meet me at 7 P.M. tonight, alone, at Pine and 4th." How would you react?
Kinda freak out, then arrange to have a friend drive me and sit a block away. I'd also carry a gun if at all possible and make sure I was brushed up on my karate. ^.^
27) Name seven of your favourite books.
- Captain Blood - Rafael Sabatini (long time favorite. Pirates. :)))) )
- The Secret Sentry - um...can't remember the author's name (It's about the National Security Agency (NSA). Pretty cool. *delighted grin*)
- Fairest - Gail Carson Levine (my favorite of her books)
- I Kissed Dating Goodbye - Josh Harris (major favorite)
- Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (amazing book, and my favorite of hers)
- Jane Eyre - Bronte (which one I don't remember. However I like this book.)
- Naked Economics - can't remember the author... (so yes, I'm a geek. Be quiet. This was an awesome book.)
28) Name your absolute favourite font (you can have more than one though)!
Um...don't think I have one.
29) Have you ever cried over...a book or a movie?
I've come close. And I think I did cry over one once...I can't remember what it was now, though...
30) What's something that's brought you so much comfort?
???
31) Describe what you would call a perfect moment.
That second right before I drop off to sleep is always great...
32) What's the fastest you've ever read?
I've read books in an hour. Little books, about the size of a Percy Jackson book... XD
33) What's your favorite book/movie genre?
Action/Adventure. Definitely.
34) Do you say one word a lot just because of the way it sounds? If so, what's the word?
Meningococcal. Or indubitably.
35) What's something you thought you'd hate, but ended up loving?
Twilight. Sort of. I said I'd hate it, but I sort of like it now. Okay, I admit, I like it a lot. Yeah. ^.^
36)Do you prefer British or American spellings of words (ex: the British favourite to the American favorite)
It depends. I like the British spelling of 'center' ('centre') and meter ('metre') better than their American equivalents...
37) List a few of your favourite names.
Naria- it's a made up name I thought of this morning. Yeah. And I like the name Elias for a boy...
38) What is your favourite movie?
Hmm...I can't pick. Really.
39) Imagine you're writing a story, and one of your characters keeps something buried in a box where no one will find it. What's in the box and what's its significance?
It's a necklace and it came from his/her mother/grandmother/other woman in his family whom he loves. Either that or he's a pirate and it's his loot. One or the other.
40) Was this boring? (be honest! :)
Um...not really.
~Liberty
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Acceptance and Faith
Suilaid!
So I've recently gotten into a few discussions concerning several different theological points. I hold a few...unpopular views, mostly revolving around the "sin nature" (which I believe we don't have), etc. (Of course, I also hold unpopular political views, but that's an entirely different subject.)
Inevitably, every discussion concerning these points comes down to this line, quoted in various different ways by nearly every person- "Well, there are just some things we have to accept on faith because we can't understand them, so we just shouldn't worry about them."
...........
o.0
So...um...I guess since I can't understand God, I should just not think about it, right?
Whatever logic that is.
I think God intended for us to exercise and brains and try to understand things. Why else did He give us the Bible? So we could just blindly stumble through life, trying not to think about things?
Maybe it's just me. I am of such a temperament that I want to try to understand stuff. Including the Bible. That doesn't make me less of a Christian, or less faithful. I exercise my faith by trying to understand. Without faith, I couldn't make sense of half of what I read in the Bible.
There are many things God tells us in the Bible. For instance, He tells us about salvation. Salvation is beyond man's superficial comprehension. Yet men have, for centuries, turned their minds to the questions of sin, salvation, and sanctification. Why? Because they wanted to truly understand. Yes, salvation still in a way transcends our efforts to understand. But does the fact that some of it we do not yet understand mean we should stop trying? That we should simply stop in our tracks, go no further, and simply accept "by faith" whatever we are spoon-fed from the pulpit?
You never see that in the Bible. I don't think Paul stopped thinking about things because he didn't understand them. No. He kept on trucking, and he was one of the greatest Christians ever. All throughout history, man's understanding of the Bible has increased because there were a few who didn't stop at accepted doctrine and teachings, and instead plowed ahead and actually thought about things, letting it all soak into their minds and trying to make some sort of sense of the puzzle pieces they had been given.
Neither do I see in the Bible the commandment to merely sit back, doze off, and let everything difficult to understand float around in the ether somewhere. I do see commandments to meditate and a commandment to study, commandments to think, and commandments to read. God does tell us to accept certain things on faith- but always in the context of salvation, etc. Never in the context of learning more about Him, the Word, and the world around us.
Just because there are some things that are beyond our mortal comprehension (or supposedly beyond that comprehension) doesn't mean we should stop thinking about those things. Only through applying our minds and meditating and studying those things can we truly grow and get to know God.
Namárië and 爱於耶穌
~Liberty
(Also posted on Teenage Musings)
So I've recently gotten into a few discussions concerning several different theological points. I hold a few...unpopular views, mostly revolving around the "sin nature" (which I believe we don't have), etc. (Of course, I also hold unpopular political views, but that's an entirely different subject.)
Inevitably, every discussion concerning these points comes down to this line, quoted in various different ways by nearly every person- "Well, there are just some things we have to accept on faith because we can't understand them, so we just shouldn't worry about them."
...........
o.0
So...um...I guess since I can't understand God, I should just not think about it, right?
Whatever logic that is.
I think God intended for us to exercise and brains and try to understand things. Why else did He give us the Bible? So we could just blindly stumble through life, trying not to think about things?
Maybe it's just me. I am of such a temperament that I want to try to understand stuff. Including the Bible. That doesn't make me less of a Christian, or less faithful. I exercise my faith by trying to understand. Without faith, I couldn't make sense of half of what I read in the Bible.
There are many things God tells us in the Bible. For instance, He tells us about salvation. Salvation is beyond man's superficial comprehension. Yet men have, for centuries, turned their minds to the questions of sin, salvation, and sanctification. Why? Because they wanted to truly understand. Yes, salvation still in a way transcends our efforts to understand. But does the fact that some of it we do not yet understand mean we should stop trying? That we should simply stop in our tracks, go no further, and simply accept "by faith" whatever we are spoon-fed from the pulpit?
You never see that in the Bible. I don't think Paul stopped thinking about things because he didn't understand them. No. He kept on trucking, and he was one of the greatest Christians ever. All throughout history, man's understanding of the Bible has increased because there were a few who didn't stop at accepted doctrine and teachings, and instead plowed ahead and actually thought about things, letting it all soak into their minds and trying to make some sort of sense of the puzzle pieces they had been given.
Neither do I see in the Bible the commandment to merely sit back, doze off, and let everything difficult to understand float around in the ether somewhere. I do see commandments to meditate and a commandment to study, commandments to think, and commandments to read. God does tell us to accept certain things on faith- but always in the context of salvation, etc. Never in the context of learning more about Him, the Word, and the world around us.
Just because there are some things that are beyond our mortal comprehension (or supposedly beyond that comprehension) doesn't mean we should stop thinking about those things. Only through applying our minds and meditating and studying those things can we truly grow and get to know God.
Namárië and 爱於耶穌
~Liberty
(Also posted on Teenage Musings)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
it'll be awesome...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
This is SO cool!
Okay, so me and my sister know these girls Becca, Krista, Kaylee, and Whitney. Well, on tuesday night we were at their house and Becca was looking at this magazine and she go "COOL! guys, look at this." and this is what it said:
Nothing is Impossible
I'm possible
(i'm possible - impossible)
Isn't that just really cool!? I really makes you think!!!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Being accepted
Hey girls! I make a magazine for my friends, it's called 'Daughter Of Christ' and the May/June issue is all about accepted... I've already started working on it so, I thought I'd post the 2 things I've written!
---------------------------------------------------
Accepted by Others
By: Megan Kristine Madison
Every girl wants to be accepted by others. They try to act the way others do to fit in, but they never let their true colors show. Less then 1 year ago, this was me. I was a girl trying to fit in and be accepted by everyone else. I had been keeping everything I felt and who I really was shut up inside myself. I didn’t did really have very many friends. Most of them were just people who I’d know for only a few years before we had moved into another state, and I only really knew them from writing letters. I only had 3 really ‘good’ friends and I only saw them once a year! When I did see them I would walk around with them just doing whatever they did, and I’m sorry to say, but they don’t really know the true me. I’m the kind of person that likes to always have a smile on her face, a girl who loves reading and writing, loves doing art work and crafts, who’s cray dream is to have a town where only her and her friends lived, and tries to follow God’s plan for her. Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever let any of this show. My 3 friends only knew part of my true self, because I was afraid to show them the whole me. I was afraid of being weird. Everyone is afraid of being weird. But the truth is, you have to accept your self for who you are before anyone else can and before you can let people know you for who you are. The only people that I could truly show my true self to was my family. I could show my true colors around them because I knew they would always accept me for who I am. But whenever I was around my friends all my thoughts, feelings, and everything I was got shut up inside me and I became a totally different person. I wasn’t that girl who was always laughing, or that girl who would talk to you about totally random stuff. I wasn’t my true self. I changed so I would fit in, but be ACCEPTED. All this time while I was keeping my true self away from my friends, I’d never realized that if I’d just let my friends know the true me we’d have been better friends from the start. But, then me and my family moved to Iowa and I met some really awesome girls. In the process of becoming friends with them, it suddenly struck me: What really is normal? What really is ‘fitting in’? I can tell you this, It’s now keeping yourself kept inside for the rest of your life! The problem is, everyone always thinks ‘normal’ is doing whatever everyone else does. Well, It’s not! Every person has their own NORMAL and that’s the true you! Everyone is always afraid of being weird, but the truth is, by trying to fit in with everyone else, you ARE being weird! If you’re afraid of losing your friends if you just be you, are they really worth it? Do you really want to keep yourself shut up for the rest of your life? I’ll tell you what, I know I don’t! And if it wasn’t for my awesome new friends here in Iowa, I’d still be that girl that wasn’t my true self. My new friends helped me to realize that people will accept me for who I am! And I’ll tell you this, once you let your true self show, you’ll never have better friends! These girls are the best friends I’ve ever had and I’ve know them for only 1 year! And it’s because I know their true self and they know mine! It’s great you know, having friends like this, you should try it sometime...
--------------------------------------
Free to Be Me
By: Megan Kristine Madison
Once there was a girl.
Wanting to be accepted.
She wasn’t sure she could be herself.
She tried to change her ways,
she tried to fit in.
But it just didn’t seem right.
She wanted to be accepted for who she was,
because her friends didn’t know who she truly was.
Then she met some awesome girls,
she know she could trust them.
So she set herself free from holding herself in.
She had finally been accepted for who she really was.
She was free.
Then she realized she
had been accepted by someone all along.
God accepted her for who she was.
All she had to do was to let herself free.
This girl is Me.
Now I’m free to be Me.
---------------------------------------
I'd love to know what you think so drop me a comment!
Btw, I have a violin festival tomorrow, so please pray that it goes well!
Thanks,
Megan :)
Abiding In Him
Suilaid!
What does this verse mean?
The most accepted interpretation is that we have to read our Bible everyday and memorize it and meditate in it because if we don't, we'll all go to hell.
Hm.
However, reading it everyday for half an hour isn't really "abiding" in anything. If you stayed in your house for only a couple minutes each day- or hey, even an hour or two- you wouldn't be abiding there. You'd be dropping in for a visit every now and again. "Abiding" is defined as "unceasing, unrelenting." To abide somewhere is not a transitory, once-a-day ritual: to abide in something is to have a constant reminder of that thing, to be in it each and every moment.
Now I don't know about you, but I'm not able to read my Bible nonstop. I confess I often spend more time reading other books and blogging/Facebooking than I do reading my Bible. So can it be said that I'm not "abiding" in my Bible?
According to the narrow definition normally imposed, yes. I am not properly abiding in my Bible. But I would argue that "abiding" is much more than mere reading.
Yes, reading and memorization is good. It helps us to know what God wants for us. But a mere head knowledge of something is not actual understanding. For instance, we can know that a hot stovetop will burn us and it will hurt. But unless we have actual understanding of that principle, we cannot understand why we should pull our hands back from the metal surface. Just like that, unless we also have a good understanding of what we read, our reading accomplishes nothing.
It comes down to, not just reading, but instead a moment-by-moment application of what we have read. That is true "abiding"- letting God's Word fill us and direct our actions. We do this by giving earnest thought to what we have read.
Too often it seems, we read a passage than skip on our merry ways, not paying any further attention to what we've read. Sure, we recognize a couple verses- Pastor might have preached on one of them last week- and we think we can pick out a rough meaning. But we don't truly understand it because we haven't actually applied our minds to the task.
Next time you read your Bible, make an earnest effort to try to ferret out the meaning behind the words. What is God telling you? What do you think God's purpose in telling you this is? If it helps, jot it down. But whatever you do, make sure you are applying what God tells you. Only then will you truly "abide" in His Word.
Namárië and 爱於耶穌
~Liberty
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
John 15:7
John 15:7
What does this verse mean?
The most accepted interpretation is that we have to read our Bible everyday and memorize it and meditate in it because if we don't, we'll all go to hell.
Hm.
However, reading it everyday for half an hour isn't really "abiding" in anything. If you stayed in your house for only a couple minutes each day- or hey, even an hour or two- you wouldn't be abiding there. You'd be dropping in for a visit every now and again. "Abiding" is defined as "unceasing, unrelenting." To abide somewhere is not a transitory, once-a-day ritual: to abide in something is to have a constant reminder of that thing, to be in it each and every moment.
Now I don't know about you, but I'm not able to read my Bible nonstop. I confess I often spend more time reading other books and blogging/Facebooking than I do reading my Bible. So can it be said that I'm not "abiding" in my Bible?
According to the narrow definition normally imposed, yes. I am not properly abiding in my Bible. But I would argue that "abiding" is much more than mere reading.
Yes, reading and memorization is good. It helps us to know what God wants for us. But a mere head knowledge of something is not actual understanding. For instance, we can know that a hot stovetop will burn us and it will hurt. But unless we have actual understanding of that principle, we cannot understand why we should pull our hands back from the metal surface. Just like that, unless we also have a good understanding of what we read, our reading accomplishes nothing.
It comes down to, not just reading, but instead a moment-by-moment application of what we have read. That is true "abiding"- letting God's Word fill us and direct our actions. We do this by giving earnest thought to what we have read.
Too often it seems, we read a passage than skip on our merry ways, not paying any further attention to what we've read. Sure, we recognize a couple verses- Pastor might have preached on one of them last week- and we think we can pick out a rough meaning. But we don't truly understand it because we haven't actually applied our minds to the task.
Next time you read your Bible, make an earnest effort to try to ferret out the meaning behind the words. What is God telling you? What do you think God's purpose in telling you this is? If it helps, jot it down. But whatever you do, make sure you are applying what God tells you. Only then will you truly "abide" in His Word.
Namárië and 爱於耶穌
~Liberty
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Zambia Missions' Trip
Suilaid!
On June 1, 2010, I will be departing from my hometown on a jet plane. Ultimate destination- Lusaka, Zambia. We will be assisting Curtis and Juliana Johnson, two missionaries, with building, evangelism, and Vacation Bible Schools!! It is going to be an amazing trip.
Some things I need you all to pray for- firstly, for my funds. I still lack about $360 total- that's for my food and all that. So just pray that I'll be able to get enough babysitting and other side jobs done to pay for that (and to have some spending money, too!)
I'd also ask you all to pray as I prepare spiritually- I'm currently taking teaching Children Effectively Level 1 (with CEF) so I can be ready to teach some Vacation Bible Schools while there. Pray that I will be able to learn well enough that I can be effective while there.
Thanks much! I will probably be posting on this subject again, but for now-
Namárië and 爱於耶穌
~Liberty
On June 1, 2010, I will be departing from my hometown on a jet plane. Ultimate destination- Lusaka, Zambia. We will be assisting Curtis and Juliana Johnson, two missionaries, with building, evangelism, and Vacation Bible Schools!! It is going to be an amazing trip.
Some things I need you all to pray for- firstly, for my funds. I still lack about $360 total- that's for my food and all that. So just pray that I'll be able to get enough babysitting and other side jobs done to pay for that (and to have some spending money, too!)
I'd also ask you all to pray as I prepare spiritually- I'm currently taking teaching Children Effectively Level 1 (with CEF) so I can be ready to teach some Vacation Bible Schools while there. Pray that I will be able to learn well enough that I can be effective while there.
Thanks much! I will probably be posting on this subject again, but for now-
Namárië and 爱於耶穌
~Liberty
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Bible verse
Genesis 1:11
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Practicing? Maybe?
I'm not entirely sure how to do all this but I thought I should try to do something haha. WELL, HI. What are some of your view on how America/the World is doing? I believe most of us are lost in sin, and I know we need Jesus, right? Well before you do anything think "What would Jesus do?" "would this make him sad?" remember all he has done for you before you let that word slip or that snide comment or before you litter or when you are tempted to break a rule. Well thats all for now. Love ya! ~H
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Yearning for God
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
"My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
"My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
"When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day.
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."
Psalm 42:1-5
"When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day.
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."
Psalm 42:1-5
waterfall pic from here
~Liberty
Monday, March 1, 2010
Jesus Is Our King!
I took this picture yesterday and I think it's a great way to *remind us* that Jesus is our king!
~Megan
P.S. Hillside Photography is my photography blog.
Also, all photos and writings from this site are copy writed, so please ask if you want to use them!
*edit*
Friday, February 26, 2010
Rachel M.'s Prayer Page
- I would like prayer that I would love others as Jesus Christ loves me. Moreover, to forgive others as He has forgiven me.
- At the community college I attend and wherever I go, I want to be like Christ.
Liberty's Prayer Page
- I am planning to take a year-long missions-related trip to China in 2013. I would ask you to please pray that, if it is God's will, that that door remain open, and that we will be able to get the logistics ironed out, and the funds raised, etc.
~Liberty
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Megan's Prayer Page
- Please pray for me as I've been learning flute for 2 years and I'm getting to some of the harder stuff.
- Please pray for Jan, who has Breast Cancer.
- Please pray for Emily, who is going through Leukaemia
About Prayer Pages
Hello fellow faith around the world readers and authors! I'm going to start having all of you authors start your own 'Prayer Page' where you can add & remove prayers as they come along and as God answers them. So, as soon as you can title a post saying "your name's prayer page" (make sure you add the label 'prayer page') and update your prayer page when ever new prayers come along! :]
I'm off you start my own prayer page,
Megan
I'm off you start my own prayer page,
Megan
Prayers Needed
My mom got admitted to the hospital this morning; they think she might have a kidney stone, but as of thirty minutes ago, they hadn't actually done a test yet or anything. But please just pray that it will turn out to be nothing, and if it is something, that it will be easily taken care of. :)
~Liberty
~Liberty
Sunday, February 21, 2010
God's Glory
"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all."
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Love
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. -Psalm 52:8
Monday, February 8, 2010
Faith Around The World MAKEOVER! :)
I (Megan) just re-did this blog and personally I think It's AWESOME!!!!!!
What do you think???
You can get your own custom Item or makeover at: Happiness {The Blog}
What do you think???
You can get your own custom Item or makeover at: Happiness {The Blog}
Sunday, February 7, 2010
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
~Megan
~Megan
Friday, January 22, 2010
In 90 Days...
My mom and I have started this thing...reading our Bible in 90 days. It's currently day 5, and I'm already in Exodus. It's been a lot of fun, and has really been challenging.
What we did (if you'd care to join us) is looked at the number of pages in our Bible total, then divided them by 90. I have to read 11 pages per day, which is a bit daunting until I consider that I read more than that a day in other books LOL
Liberty
What we did (if you'd care to join us) is looked at the number of pages in our Bible total, then divided them by 90. I have to read 11 pages per day, which is a bit daunting until I consider that I read more than that a day in other books LOL
Liberty
Monday, January 18, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Love of our Father
I believe this is my first post on this blog! :D First, thank you Megan for this blog and sharing what you have been learning. Also, writing out Bible verses of encouragement that have been a blessing to me to read, and I know other readers have been blessed by them as well. God bless you, dear sister!
Recently, God has shown me the incredible love He has for me. He loves me for who I am; not how other people view me, but how God views me. His love reaches to the skies! In Psalm 139, it mentions how we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". He so enjoys spending time talking with His children. He desires us to stop what we are doing in the day--sit at His feet. Do you not believe that He cries with us when we are upset? Do you not think that spending time with the Creator of the Universe is a waste of your time? Oh, I pray that we will have such a deep love for our Savior, our Abba Daddy, that it will spill over on others. Those who know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior are His princesses and daughters of the King. If you do not know Jesus in this way, and are keeping your eyes, that God made in the first place, away from the ultimate Truth, come to Him today. He is calling you, His beautiful daughter.
Love in Christ Alone,
Rachel M. from Hopejourney
Just letting you all know...
I had to make a new blog (silly blogger messed something up on my old one) So Please go check it out {and follow} :)
Just letting you all know...
I had to make a new blog (silly blogger messed something up on my old one) So Please go check it out {and follow} :)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Long time, No posting!
I'm terribly Sorry about the no-posting!!!
Here is a bible verse for today:
Here is a bible verse for today:
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
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