Not A Fan.

   This morning, through some God-planned events, I was able to drive our blue Hyundai to the hospital I volunteer at.  I usually have to drive our older Corolla, which isn't a bad car (I actually like the car a lot), but it's just nice to drive a newer car once in while. Anyway, I had my Ipod connected through bluetooth and was listening to Not A Fan written by Kyle Idleman.  On the way I had heard some things that impressed me, so before I entered the hospital I had to jot down those thoughts so I could tell you guys about them.  

   Kyle was talking about denying ourselves for Christ, complete surrender. He went on to explain the definition behind the phrase "Lord, Lord" in the New Testament.  In the new testament "Lord, Lord" does not mean Yahweh (Jehovah), instead it translates to a word: Kyrios. This Greek word Kyrios translates to - the owner; one who has control of the person, the master.  Then he introduced a second Greek word, which to some can be a complete letdown. it's Doulos, a word which translates to - a slave, a bondman, man of servile condition.  

   He talked specifically about being a bond-slave, which means that even after the slave was publicly freed, he/she would continue working for that same master (Deuteronomy 15:12-18).  That's how we should serve Jesus, voluntarily, out of complete love for our Saviour who died for us. He doesn't want fans or halfhearted followers; the only thing Jesus wants are committed followers that love him as deeply as he loves them.  

   I'm so glad that I was able to read this book and I know I will be reading more of Kyle's books in the future. Thanks for reading this post, it is such a blessing when I get feedback.  I will be praying for you and I hope you FOLLOW Christ with all your heart!

I BELIEVE, do you?

It's a powerful song that has been playing on Klove a lot recently.
It gets right to the heart of Christianity...what we believe in.
I know the lyrics almost by-heart while singing along with the Newsboys.
Sometimes we need to be reminded about the great basis of our relationship with Jesus!
Even in the hard times we need to be reminded about what we know for a fact.
Now..do YOU believe??

A last-minute Christmas post..

      This past Christmas I found myself thinking a lot about Mary.  She was younger than me when she had a firstborn child. Just thinking about that makes me wonder what it must have been like to the young teenager. She was given a task that surpassed any burden we would want to carry.  It was almost impossible to comprehend and scary to face.  She was a virgin, and a poor one at that.  What would people say?  What would they think?  She could be labeled insane or even stoned to death for adultery.

      The angel explained that nothing was impossible with God (the birth had to happen, so she had to be living).  So I wonder, did she know that she would not be accused of adultery and be stoned?  Did she have courage that someone would believe her?  When the angel left and she had traveled to her cousin Elizabeth's house she was filled with JOY and PRAISE. She was glad for this opportunity.

May we be humbled this Christmas season at the incredible humility and joy of Mary's response.  The calling of God is a gift and we see a meaningful example of that in the story of Mary. Merry Christmas to all (and sorry for posting this so late).

Then Mary said, "I am the Lords servant. Let it be to me just as you have said." 

Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38 CEB) 

Summer Youth Retreat 2013

     Our churches VBS was ending the day the summer youth retreat was starting. It wasn't hard to choose where I'd rather be (no offense to my church). I love going to Pilgrim Camp during the summer; I mean, who doesn't?! Me and my sister split the driving time, while our brother took in the view from the back seat. It was our first time driving that far and for so long (4 hrs 30 mins / 250 miles).

     The lessons during the youth retreat were about the Holy Spirit (which my sister had taught about in VBS just a few days before). The leaders who spoke to us did a very good job, because even though I forgot the place where I normally write notes, I remember most of what we learned:

~ The Holy Spirit is constant and practical. 

~ He is always there to comfort us. 

~ He will guide us always. 

~ We should live as Jesus lived-by the Holy Spirit.

~ We have to joyfully pursue the Holy Spirit. 

~ The Holy Spirit will help cleanse us of areas of sin.

~ You don't need to feel anything, the Holy Spirit is continually working in us. 

~ Our spiritul fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) is the evidence that the Holy Spirit dwells with us. 

     Worship time is definitely what I look forward to the most. The Stand by Hillsong has been a favorite since the first youth retreat I attended. 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman has also been a blessing. We actually sang that song for choir at our church once when it came out. This year though, another song stirred me. The lyrics went like: "Come all consuming fire, invade my life I give into you / Come like whisper still, invade my will I give into you / Awake my soul, and arise to the throne / Embrace the one who bled over us." It is called "Come All Consuming Fire" written by Matt Gawronski

     The activities were fun to watch and participate in. There was basketball and volleyball, which I was content to watch. I like playing basketball, but I'm not used to the vicious competition from the young men. The donut eating contest was also fun to watch, especially wiht Brother Ken Freedman participating. There was one game most played and that was the chin-penny game.  We had to balance a penny on our chin and try to knock others' pennies of their chins. It proved harder than I thought but it was fun anyway. I also met new friends and caught up with old ones that I hadn't seen in a while. 

     "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."  - 1 Timothy 4:12, ESV

"Don't use your youth as an excuse; you can and will go wherever I send you. You can and will say whatever I tell you to say. You have no reason to fear the people you speak to, for I am with you and will defend you."  - Jeremiah 1:7-8, The Voice Bible