A New Perspective

The last post I made was about my boyfriend's fall.  Well, I think I have better insight on the matter now that it has been a couple of days. 

We found out that the doctor never gave him an MRI.  So, it's possible that surgery was never done correctly.  And what I have found to see is that maybe it is a good thing that he fell ice skating compared to rock climbing on a mountain.

The injuries could have been more severe, or even deadly.

I know this is kind of taboo to say, but maybe this is a blessing.  A blessing that could have prevented worse damage. 

The difference between us and God is that we are inferior, as hard as that may seem at times.  We are His Creation.  We did not create anything that you seen in this world.  If anything, we only molded and combined given matter. 

According to Sir Isaac Newton (at least I think it's his theory), matter can neither be created nor destroyed.

But, that's another idea.

I'm trying to get the point across that we need God.  He is our Father, and our Abba. 

Who else can we run to when no one else is there?

Who do we pray to when we feel pain in our lives?

Psalm 18:2 States:

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

God loves us, even though we feel like the entire world is against us.  Remember, God created the World.  And He will never turn His back on us, He is greater than this world.

Have a blessed day,

<3KM

Why?

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Well, this has nonetheless been an interesting weekend.  On Saturday Night, my boyfriend fell at the ice skating rink and caused his shoulder to pop out.  The weird thing is, he had surgery over the summer that was supposed to prevent his shoulder popping out ever again.

This has been a painful weekend for both of us, and it's hard to understand why crap happens like they do at times. 

I remember watching the movie Soul Surfer over break, how Bethany Hamilton lost her arm surfing to a shark.  At the time, Bethany did not know or understand what God's intentions were.  Yet, over time His plan became more apparent.

I would like to believe that the unthinkable happens at time so maybe a positive unimaginable will happen.  The greatest concern of my boyfriend right now is being able to rock climb again.  As it is one of the most passionate things in his life.

I don't have the answers on what may happen, or if there is any good that may derive from this.  But, I do believe that perseverance, hope, and prayer can bring him through this dark time.

Please pray for him, he needs it...bad...

Isaiah 50:10 

“Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His servant, That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” (NASB)

Knocking at Doors

I am finding lately that I cannot force anything upon anyone.  The only people who force others to do what they want are dictators and control-freaks.  I am neither of those.  However, I am a girl who is selfish and likes to things to go her way.

The other night, I basically gave someone close to me two choices: my way or the high way.  Looking back, not only did I come across as selfish, but insensitive to the other person's emotions.  Last night, we talked through the emotions and came to the conclusion that you can't force someone to become something they're not, especially when you love who the person already is.

I now understand, as Christians most of us do this to non-believers.  We scare them away usually by trying to force a life-style, a life commitment, a personal relationship with the greatest being in existance.

The thing is, God does not force us to follow Him.  Who are we to force God's creation to follow Him, when God does not?  

God wants the love and desire to be with Him to be genuine.  By trying to force people into Christianity or even scaring them into religion, we not only hurt our relationship with the person.  But, also their relationship with God.

God is patient, God is kind.  He may not force His love, but He does make it quite clear that He does exist.  

Romans 1:20 states:

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, 

have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." 

There is no excuse for not believing in any sort of God, in my opinion.  Even those who have never heard of Christ or our God believe in some sort of spiritual being/ creator.

In weird, crazy ways God makes it clear that He exists.  He does this through miracles and blessings, as well as being a comfort during dark times.

So, next time you are down.  Feel as if someone or many people you care about are not responding to the message of Christ you are giving them, maybe you should back off and pray.

Pray a lot. Pray for them. Love them! Not scare or force them.

Remember the acronym: Pray. Until. Something. Happens.

Something usually does happen, at least over time.

Trust me when I say, God is not just knocking on their door; He's banging on it.

Have a blessed day,
 <3KM

Puppies and Winnie the Pooh

At church this morning, the preacher back home gave a sermon on the birth of Jesus.  How Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays, if not the most. 

He proceeded to give many examples that made you think.  On how to appreciate the simple things that Christ give us, whether it's health or joy.  As well as Salvation, I mind you.

The preacher told a story, how a boy had $2.37.  He came into a pet shop where he asked to see the puppies on sale.  The manager let the boy look at the five puppies, each of them $30 a piece.  However, there was a puppy lagging behind the rest- a sixth.  The boy looked at the puppy and said, "I want that one!"

The manager looked at the boy and said, "Why do you want that one?  It's lame! It's leg is messed up.  I'll let you have it for free!" 

The boy looked at the manager and said, "I don't want it for free!  He's worth as much as the rest! I'll give you all the change in my pocket ($2.37) and pay you 50 cents a month until he's paid off!"

The manager looked at him like how he was crazy.  The manager said, "Well, don't you want one that you can run with?  This dog is worthless and slow."

The boy replied, "Well I can't run that well either!"  The boy showed the manager his leg underneath his jeans, his leg was in a metal brace.  "That puppy deserves a home and someone to understand him.  Someone who he can relate with."

This story was in a Chicken Noodle for the Soul book, according to my preacher.

God's and Jesus' love for us is like the little boy.  Why would they be interested in sinful humans when they already have thousands of Angel's to glorify them?

God loved us so much, he sent his only begotten son to save us, to buy us.  Just not for $2.37, but with Jesus' life.   God is with us everyday at every moment, he relates with us and feels our pain, our joy, our restlessness, and when we are weak and lame.

Even though our sin has made our relationship with God impaired, He still sees the value in us.

The next example my preacher demonstrated is how Christians relate to the show "Winnie the Pooh."

Some Christians act like Eeyore, they view the negatives in life and see next day as worse.  They see the life God provided them a waste and without purpose. 

Some Christians are like Piglet, where they are afraid of everything.  They never trust God and become overwhelmed by everything that comes in sight.

Then there are Christians who are like Winnie the Pooh.  They are content with what they have, and are always looking for the sweet things (honey) in life.

Also, there are Christians like rabbit.  They are don't want to form a relationship with God, but do everything on their own and garden carrots.

Yet, there are Christians like Tigger.  They bounce around with energy and bring joy to everyone! 

I consider myself to be the most like Piglet. I worry about everything and easily become overwhelmed by everything that comes my way.


What this has to do with the birth of Christ is not many Christians are like Tigger.

Many Christians are afraid to speak with high energy and enthusiasm about the birth of Christ, including myself at times.

What makes Christmas a truly joyous holiday, in celebrating the birth of Christ, is that not only is it the beginning of new hope.  But, God profiled his promise in the Old Testament!

In Isaiah 6:9, the Bible states:

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this"

According to the Pastor at the church I attend at ECU, the New Testament compliments and adds to the Old Testament, not taking away from.

This goes to show, God always keeps His promises.  The Birth of Jesus is a celebration of a Profiled Promise and Hope!

Have a Merry Christmas!

<3 KM

Disney and Brick Walls

We are all familiar with the Little Mermaid, most likely Disney's Little Mermaid.  She was an outgoing mer-person who wanted to change her life and become human.  However, she did this the wrong way by trading her voice to an evil Sea Witch, when she only needed to confront her Father about the issue.

Why am I talking about the Little Mermaid? I have no idea, it just seems to fit what is on my mind currently. The topic being Change and Speaking out.  I guess the Princess Mulan would be a better fit?

Unless Mulan did not speak out about the Huns, her country would have been destroyed (I highly recommend watching this movie!).

But, anyway.

Change, unless you want change in your life you have to speak out.

This has been a very soul searching week, in which I am learning so much about myself that I the part I like to keep hidden keeps peeking over the walls I have up.  And, that's usually what we usually do: build a brick wall between ourselves and the people we should be close too.

Last night, I opened up to two people in my life.  One being someone I want to get closer too, the other I have been close too for the past couple months.  I admit it, I have trust issues.

But, it's not only trust issues with other people, but with God.  Which is silly, considering God has never let me down.  I guess, I am finding that with God- He is not human, He is a being so powerful, just and beautiful! God is perfect, what reason can I think of not to trust him?

Not trusting God, or those around you, just leads to a stagnant point in your relationships where there's nothing, but brick walls.  God knows everything about us, individually, down to how many neuron cells we have, the number of hairs on our head, the pulse of our heart, the thoughts we create every moment, even the speed of  the growth of our toe nails.

How can we NOT trust someone like that!

I pray that those who are going through the same obstacle realize, there is no reason not to trust God; the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings, the Hope that has blessed us with Salvation!

As for the ones around you, take baby steps.  Remember, Relationships with fellow Christians is very important because these relationships are the Vertebral disks in The Spine of our Christianity (I'm a Nursing Major) that helps Straighten our Posture towards God!

As well, to change these or any other relationships that are stagnant- speak out! Pray to God, Worship his name in songs, and to Hear from Him try reading the Bible and look for the signs he gives us Daily!

It may not be sinning by holding in what needs to be said, but it does hurt your relationships with others more.  Whether removing one Brick at a Time of your Walls or Crashing it all down at once- I promise, you will feel so much better towards the end!

Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. ” (NIV)

Have a blessed day,

<3KM

Hope and Blessings

Sometimes, well actually most of the time, when a challenge comes my way that I have to face, I cannot help but think to myself, "this is going to be a train wreck and I probably will die from it."  Yes, I can be a bit dramatic. But, I come to find that whether I quote that before a Chemistry exam or before I face a common day frustration, I usually take the death-march to where I need go and face the challenge.
  And, as you can see, I am still alive and able to write this blog post.  As humans, we have an urge and desire to succeed.  As a result, we tend to get nervous, receive butterflies in our stomach, and continue to succeed or fail the challenge presented before us by God.

What I tend to forget is that everything is okay, and everything will be okay.  I mean, God has never failed me.  He has certainly steered me away from disastrous situations (especially boys), and he has led to where I need to be, I believe. God has also led me through the storms that have came across my path.

For example, the past couple weeks I have been stressed with FASFA and wondering if I would be able to attend college or not this year.  Here's some advice: always apply FASFA early, or it will take forever to know your award.

Well, I only received a small loan and there was no way I would be able to afford college.  I just continued to constantly pray about the situation, and on July 30th I finally received notice that I earned a scholarship for Nursing again.  And trust me, I was screaming in the library with joy when I read the notice on the computer.

And now, everything is much more relaxed for me.  At least for now, I still have to worry about paying off a speeding ticket and books for my classes. Yet, I know I just have to remain hopeful and pray about the situation.

Jeremiah 29:11 states: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Although I am still uncertain as to what God has in store for me, but I think He wants me to become a Nurse and do good for others, just like He has been good to me.

So, if you readers feel like tomorrow you are going to take a death-march attending your first day of school, a math test, or even work! I highly suggest praying about the issue!  God is in control, and he will never fail you!  Because, God is Love.  And Love never Fails. :)

Extra Luggage: Empty Out the Socks and Shirts, Pack more Underwear

 

How many times do you over pack?  Whether you are going to your Grandma Mary's for Christmas, going camping with friends, or going to the beach?  Sure, you are prepared.  But, some items you bring with you are completely unnecessary and require extra hassle to luggage.

As humans, we certainly have extra baggage.  Baggage from past experience, relationships, and bonds that we bring with us wherever we go.  However, not all extra baggage is bad.

We need some extra sometimes to prepare us for where we go by using the wisdom that was learned.  However, there is a difference between carrying our past with us as a security blanket or extra luggage, and being prepared.  Through this concept, allow God to sift through your baggage. 

Allow Him to be like your mother that rummages your suitcase before you leave to camp, making sure you don't bring a rubber snake, but makes sure you have a tooth brush packed.  God will keep packed the very best of what you can use and take the burden of the unstable.

In Matthew 11: 28-30, the verse states:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

So, any extra luggage you are carrying- turn it all over to God!  He will be able to make any problem lighter that it is.  For instance, I have been looking for a job since the end of the school year, and what I have been doing is turning the issue over to God.

I have looked for jobs practically everyday, while attending school from 8 AM to 6:30 PM.  The process I have been doing is maintaining my hopefulness of acquiring a job and praying that a job will happen.

Today, actually, I received an e-mail from one of the jobs I applied to a few weeks ago.  I will really hope and pray that I receive the job!  If I don't, it's not meant to be.  But, I have a hunch it's all according to God's purpose.

In the meantime, anyone reading this who is feeling like they are over packed, carrying extra socks full of sorrow or wrinkled shirts with stains of anger.  Allow God to urge you to pack Underwear full of hope and trust.  

Because, it's like my mother says:

"You can never carry enough Underwear."

 

Have a Blessed Father's Day!

<3 KM