"People ask me where I am heading after school, what field I am interested in, and etc. etc. I tell everyone, "Missions Photography". If you do not know what that is, it is basically documenting missionaries, their work, and the people group they are trying to reach, while I myself am apart of ministering in whatever way I can. I love photography, but I love people more. I don't think a job is worth more than a human life. I believe a human life is what makes a job worth doing and doing well. I have always believed that whatever job you do, you should do it for something more than self-ambition."

Dude. Found this on a photographer's blog. He just basically took the thoughts right out of my head. I need to meet this kid.

This was in a book I'm reading for school….

"It [is] not good being 'rather' or 'to some extent' religious. Because either Jesus rose on Easter Day-or he did not. And if he really did rise from the dead, if he really died for our sake-then the this is so overwhelming that it must permeate our entire life…"

Ever feel torn? Like you're in the middle of two groups, but don't completely belong to either? It's so hard. It's hard being in the middle, but feeling more to one group but not wanting to offend the other. It's hard being in the middle when you want to equally spend time with each but things conflict. It's exhausting trying to juggle both.

God is good. All the time.

And all the time. God is good. Even in those times where we think we know it all, and wonder why He's letting things happen, guess what? We don't know it all. And He knows exactly what's going on and what's gonna come out of it. Praise God. He's pretty much awesome.

*Note: Once again, before I start talking, I just want to mention that the things I say are things that just stand out to me. I don't think I'm any better than anyone else, or that I don't do the very things I hate. Just wanted to make sure that's clear…I hope that I don't offend anyone or step on any toes, but then again, I almost hope I do. In a good way. A way that wakes us up and causes change.

So. Something that's really been bothering me. There's a lot of stuff (crap) that goes on with my group of friends. Yes, I know. That's natural. We're human. But this group of friends is one that I really respect and feel encouraged by because I know they are all my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know that if I need prayer or anything, I can just ask. But. What bothers me is that even though they are all awesome people, we bring each other down. We find the little things, or use people's past, and then talk about it. We judge, we gossip, and there's so much miscommunication and hurt that goes on. Guys. THIS IS YOUR FAMILY. Your brothers and sisters in Christ. Don't you think we get enough from people who aren't Christians? Shouldn't we try to put differences aside, and create a place where we know we are accepted for who we are? This is our role as Christians. We are a body. How is a the body of Christ supposed to fight the world when it's constantly fighting itself?

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…" Ephesians 4:2-3

"Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up…May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romas 15:2, 5-6

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

I know it sounds so much easier said than done. And I know nothing in this world is going to be perfect. But I realllly believe that we can work on this and improve. It's hard. Trust me. I know it is. It's hard to forgive. But we have GOT to stop tearing each other apart and bringing each other down!