I just don't understand...

Why do we say we are Christians, yet turn around and criticize those who are different than us? Why can't we accept the fact that God made each and everyone exactly how He wanted them, that there's no "normal"? We all have personalities. Accept it. Is there a point of being too forgiving, too generous, too nice, too loving? God calls us to love Him, and love others. If that's the case, then shouldn't it be that there isn't a point of being too much all those things I said? Why do we call ourselves followers of Christ, yet turn and try so hard to fit in with the world around us? Why do we try to cover up the times when our conscience is working, or when we stand out? If we are what we say we are, then show it.

"Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says:

I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.

Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.

The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!

Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!

Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."

Revelations 3:14-22

Note: I will be the first to admit guilty to all of these things

Encouragement.

So I was just going over the list on my blog that had all the posts and I was deleting the drafts that were never posted. Well, I saw a post that had a comment on it and was like, hmmm i don't think i ever saw that. So I read it, and sadly it was anonymous. But I wanted to thank you, mr./miss anonymous. Cuz that really just encouraged me in 1: what you wrote and 2: that you were actually reading my blog :). so thanks.

I hope everyone had a great first week of school (well as good as it can get) and that God blesses you this coming week in the things you'll be doing! Remember, you are the vessels and pictures of God to other people. Show them how awesome He is.

Change.

It's inevitable. But right now, I'm not ready for it. I hope that changes. I hope I can make the best of what God has given me. cuz He knows what's best.

the little things....

to continue with my list of things that i am blessed with and thankful for....

61. family nights
62. seeing my friends start off onto new chapters of their lives...even though it's extremely sad.
63. best friends
64. skype
65. papa
66. grandma
67. sunsets
68. that i am here
69. God works in wonderful ways
70. Vacation Bible School
71. Grace Point Presbyterian Church
72. new pastors
73. Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

i can't find it in me to write my thoughts...

i've come here about 3 times, each time meaning to write a recap of the summer. but everytime, i just can't put it in words. at least words that will make sense to you. but in a nutshell, this summer has been....surprising, wonderful, hard, learning, stretching, adventurous, memorable, fun, exciting, emotional....there's probably more i could say, i just don't know how. but i do know that in the big events and even little things i am doing now, i am SOO thankful because i didn't think i would be here this time last summer. everything im doing that last summer i thought was the last is such a blessing. and i thank God SOO much. but i ask wanna ask you to keep praying for me. im starting to say goodbye to people leaving for college and such, and who knows when the next time i'll see them is? will i ever? this is so hard for me. but i'm trying to trust God in all of it. which is so much easier said than done.

theses verses are becoming some of my favorite and i ask that you pray this for me if you ever think about it...

"Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there." -1 Corinthians 7:17 the message


"14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." -Ephesians 3:14-21