One of God's greatest gift to us is choice. And we have the choice to choose happiness or not...not sure if in my mind I am simplfying this, but I have the choice to be happy or to be unhappy. You have the same freedom and can choose to be happy or to be unhappy.
Now, I do realize that there are circumstances in our lives that may not seem ideal or positive. But it is our choice to look past our circumstances and find our happiness. For me, my happiness is in God. No matter what kind of day I am having, what kind of relational issue I am having, God will always be God. No changing there...and He is my happiness. Knowing this, I have found great peace within myself, great peace knowing God and wanting to know Him more. This doesn't mean that I don't have problems or bad days, or even bad things happen...because I do and bad things do happen. It's about choosing how to deal with such things; how to look beyond, and above to the One who knows about yesterday, today, and tomorrow - God. It's about knowing that this life we live is not the end all. God is the end all; heaven is our home and what I look forward to. Living this life all for Him - that is my happiness.
Often times, I am disappointed, but those are moments that soon pass.
Look beyond your circumstance, look beyond your problem to find true happiness, choose to do it because no one else can do it for you. Choose to let God in, choose to want to know Him.
I pray that I will never lose focus of my happiness and pray for those who are looking for it.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Strength and Perseverance...
Tomorrow my sister, Erica will be graduating from college. I am so in awe of her accomplishment. She went back to school about two years ago, when she was pregnant with my nephew, Zavier. About 4 months later, Zavier passed away. My sister could have easily given up. Instead she continued going to school while working full-time and being a mother and wife.
It's just incredible when I think about how she was able to do all of this. Now, she will be graduating from college. And, I think, the most amazing part is that she is now expecting her third child, her second son. There is nothing my sister can't do and I thank God for her and the inspiration she is to so many around her.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
It's just incredible when I think about how she was able to do all of this. Now, she will be graduating from college. And, I think, the most amazing part is that she is now expecting her third child, her second son. There is nothing my sister can't do and I thank God for her and the inspiration she is to so many around her.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Courage...
One question that pops into my head frequently is "how do I live all out for God"? I feel like sometimes I'm not doing enough. Just recently, I read "Same Kind of Different as Me" and it's a great book (true story) about how God works in people's lives. A married couple volunteers at a homeless shelter and befriends a homeless person, who is now like family. This got me thinking...
I work downtown, and every morning I see about at least one homeless person that I just pass on by. Honestly, sometimes I am scared to make eye contact. But after I read the book, I thought to myself, why don't I just make a sandwich every morning and give it to a homeless person that I see on my way to work.
So...I bought some bread and PB&J...had the stuff ready to make a sandwich. I haven't made one yet. As I walked to work one morning, I noticed the homeless person that I've seen for awhile now, asleep on the sidewalk. What if starts playing in my head...what if I place the sandwich next to him and he gets mad because I woke him up. What if he doesn't want the sandwich...what if he becomes violent towards me?
Just this last weekend, I read another book, and one of the characters always carried a sandwich with her to give to a hungry person. Another sign? Maybe...
Then, earlier this week, I was walking to the bus stop on the way out of work, and I notice a homeless person up ahead. Now, normally, I don't usually give people cash, mostly because I rarely carry cash, but sometimes I think that this could just be my excuse. In my bag I had four dollars, and thought to myself I could give this guy the few dollars. I passed by him (just walking by, not giving him anything), and there he sat, saying obscene things to me. I was stuck at the intersection waiting for the crosswalk light to give me a go, and I could still hear him calling for my attention. I didn't know if I should walk to the other side, or just wait until I could cross in the direction I needed to go. I waited it out, thankfully, it wasn't too long.
Walking to the bus stop, I could hear his words replaying in my head. I just took one step back, maybe I shouldn't help the homeless?
Or is that just Satan trying to pull me away? Could be, I don't really know.
Where is the courage I should have? Why am I so scared to step out my comfort zone?
Psalm 27:14
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
I work downtown, and every morning I see about at least one homeless person that I just pass on by. Honestly, sometimes I am scared to make eye contact. But after I read the book, I thought to myself, why don't I just make a sandwich every morning and give it to a homeless person that I see on my way to work.
So...I bought some bread and PB&J...had the stuff ready to make a sandwich. I haven't made one yet. As I walked to work one morning, I noticed the homeless person that I've seen for awhile now, asleep on the sidewalk. What if starts playing in my head...what if I place the sandwich next to him and he gets mad because I woke him up. What if he doesn't want the sandwich...what if he becomes violent towards me?
Just this last weekend, I read another book, and one of the characters always carried a sandwich with her to give to a hungry person. Another sign? Maybe...
Then, earlier this week, I was walking to the bus stop on the way out of work, and I notice a homeless person up ahead. Now, normally, I don't usually give people cash, mostly because I rarely carry cash, but sometimes I think that this could just be my excuse. In my bag I had four dollars, and thought to myself I could give this guy the few dollars. I passed by him (just walking by, not giving him anything), and there he sat, saying obscene things to me. I was stuck at the intersection waiting for the crosswalk light to give me a go, and I could still hear him calling for my attention. I didn't know if I should walk to the other side, or just wait until I could cross in the direction I needed to go. I waited it out, thankfully, it wasn't too long.
Walking to the bus stop, I could hear his words replaying in my head. I just took one step back, maybe I shouldn't help the homeless?
Or is that just Satan trying to pull me away? Could be, I don't really know.
Where is the courage I should have? Why am I so scared to step out my comfort zone?
Psalm 27:14
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Distinguishing...
How do we distinguish between God's plans for us, our plans, and even the evil that we sometimes mistake as God's plan for us?
Alot of times we say well it was God's plan, or God's will. What about the bad, sad, horrible things that happen in this world? Is it really God speaking to us or trying to get our attention? I think that sometimes we think that the bad around us must be God's plan since maybe he didn't stop it, or prevent it. He didn't intervene...why?
What is it exactly that God is trying to get across when He makes bad things happen to us? There is something wrong with that question - God doesn't make bad things happen to us. We may be mistaking evil for God's will. Or even our own free will and choices that we ourselves make...
I asked my friend if God disciplines us by causing terrible things to happen to us, like the way shepherds would break a sheep's leg in order to protect them and get them to listen to the Shepherd. This was her response, "No God doesn't do that. We live in a fallen world and those things happen. I think the Shepherd did that to put the sheep in time out, so to speak, so it can be still and heal. What's interesting is when a bone is broken it grows back even stronger."
Distinguishing correctly - not a simple thing to do. It's so easy to blame God for all that goes bad. But we do live a fallen world, where evil and our own free will reign.
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Alot of times we say well it was God's plan, or God's will. What about the bad, sad, horrible things that happen in this world? Is it really God speaking to us or trying to get our attention? I think that sometimes we think that the bad around us must be God's plan since maybe he didn't stop it, or prevent it. He didn't intervene...why?
What is it exactly that God is trying to get across when He makes bad things happen to us? There is something wrong with that question - God doesn't make bad things happen to us. We may be mistaking evil for God's will. Or even our own free will and choices that we ourselves make...
I asked my friend if God disciplines us by causing terrible things to happen to us, like the way shepherds would break a sheep's leg in order to protect them and get them to listen to the Shepherd. This was her response, "No God doesn't do that. We live in a fallen world and those things happen. I think the Shepherd did that to put the sheep in time out, so to speak, so it can be still and heal. What's interesting is when a bone is broken it grows back even stronger."
Distinguishing correctly - not a simple thing to do. It's so easy to blame God for all that goes bad. But we do live a fallen world, where evil and our own free will reign.
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Redemption...
I love the word "redemption". Redemption is the act of redeeming. Redeeming is defined as the following:
a. to buy back
b. to free from what distresses
c. to change for the better
d. repair, restore
e. to atone for
A good friend once told me that God is in the business of "redeeming" :)
Redemption, have you ever felt God's redemption? I have. It's not just something that happens once, at least not for me. It happens every time I make a mistake, every time I make a bad decision or selfish decision. I can feel God redeeming me and saying, "it's ok, just try again".
God has bought me back from all my sins. He has freed me from my guilt. He has changed me for the better. He has repaired my broken ways and broken thoughts on how to live. He sent Jesus to atone for my sins, for all of our sins.
And with redemption comes freedom, freedom from the past, freedom from the world, freedom from guilt. Freedom to believe and know God is the Almighty, freedom to believe and know that God is the Redeemer, freedom to believe and know God will always redeem.
"O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin." Psalm 130:7-8
a. to buy back
b. to free from what distresses
c. to change for the better
d. repair, restore
e. to atone for
A good friend once told me that God is in the business of "redeeming" :)
Redemption, have you ever felt God's redemption? I have. It's not just something that happens once, at least not for me. It happens every time I make a mistake, every time I make a bad decision or selfish decision. I can feel God redeeming me and saying, "it's ok, just try again".
God has bought me back from all my sins. He has freed me from my guilt. He has changed me for the better. He has repaired my broken ways and broken thoughts on how to live. He sent Jesus to atone for my sins, for all of our sins.
And with redemption comes freedom, freedom from the past, freedom from the world, freedom from guilt. Freedom to believe and know God is the Almighty, freedom to believe and know that God is the Redeemer, freedom to believe and know God will always redeem.
"O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin." Psalm 130:7-8
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Nothing more...
There is nothing more incredible than God's people, in one place, worshipping Him. I have experienced this quite a few times and each time it is the greatest feeling.
Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11
Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11
Friday, May 27, 2011
Insecurity...
When thinking of my passion, I often find myself a little insecure to talk about it. What if I don't say the right thing, what if I sound crazy, what if I sound righteous, what if I offend someone, what if, what if, what if...
I think that's why I like keeping this blog to write about my relationship with God. My passion is God. I may not always say or do the right things, but my passion is my passion. I never really shared my blog with lots of people. A part of me just wanted random people to stumble upon it. After I found out I was pregnant, I decided that I would share my blog on Facebook as a way to share the news, but more importantly to share some of my posts and maybe encourage a person to start seeking God for someone who doesn't really know Him.
A friend of mine asked me the next day after I shared my blog on FB, why I posted my diary for everyone to see. The question was in passing and I didn't say what was truly in my heart. I shared it so that maybe one single person could begin seeking God and find Him too. I don't know if that will happen, but that is my hope.
Another friend just earlier this week asked me what my passion was (we were talking about jobs), instantly, I said "not tax" (my job, by the way I like it but could definitely live without it). What I really wanted to say was possibly being a missionary, doing some type of mission work. I'm not good at talking about my passion...this is my insecurity.
Here is what I will meditate on and maybe one day I won't feel so insecure.
"...don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time." Matthew 10:19
I think that's why I like keeping this blog to write about my relationship with God. My passion is God. I may not always say or do the right things, but my passion is my passion. I never really shared my blog with lots of people. A part of me just wanted random people to stumble upon it. After I found out I was pregnant, I decided that I would share my blog on Facebook as a way to share the news, but more importantly to share some of my posts and maybe encourage a person to start seeking God for someone who doesn't really know Him.
A friend of mine asked me the next day after I shared my blog on FB, why I posted my diary for everyone to see. The question was in passing and I didn't say what was truly in my heart. I shared it so that maybe one single person could begin seeking God and find Him too. I don't know if that will happen, but that is my hope.
Another friend just earlier this week asked me what my passion was (we were talking about jobs), instantly, I said "not tax" (my job, by the way I like it but could definitely live without it). What I really wanted to say was possibly being a missionary, doing some type of mission work. I'm not good at talking about my passion...this is my insecurity.
Here is what I will meditate on and maybe one day I won't feel so insecure.
"...don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time." Matthew 10:19
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