Opals..a Perfect Imperfection

Opals are my favorite stone because on the outside you see rainbow colors that change with the angle of light. Inside the opal there are many scratches and dents that make up many surfaces that reflect the light, therefore they are imperfect but beautiful.  They are very similar to humans.  We all have the bad in us, the sins and the bad qualities.  None of us are perfect.  God made us so we could shine light to others through our difficulties. All those dents make us who God wants us to be and we should always look up to God with happiness. So, like everyone says (or should say), your beauty reflects from the inside out. So, let us shine forth!

I'm Unique!

There is always a new hope to be found..

     I never thought that you could get so many messages from one movie. I just didn't think it could happen. But, it actually can happen. And it did. For me, at least. The movies name is "New Hope." It was made last year, in 2012. Now, without further adieu  I'd like to tell you about the lessons I found in the movie. 

~WARNING: If you haven't seen the movie I'd recommend watching it before you read anything below, because I'll be talking about some of the plot and I don't want to ruin it for you!~ 

     

     God DOES Care

After losing her boyfriend Chase to suicide, Jasmine starts to believe that God doesn't care about "some troubled high school kid." Michael, the preacher's kid, who is also new in town, reassures her that God does care. He tells her "We all have struggles, but God hasn't given up on you." God doesn't give up on anyone, especially those that are going through struggles.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says; "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

God also tells us; “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Heb.13:5).” 

     There will be PEACE

After losing a son, things will never go back to the way they were, but Chase's parents want it to. They go to counseling with the new pastor (Michael's father). Sometimes we don't think we will ever get past the current struggle, but God promises us peace, and his unfailing love. 

Isaiah 54:10 says: "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." 

     Love those that  DON'T love you back

Michael's father explains this one pretty well in the movie. He says "Loving the ones that love us, that's easy, anybody can do that. It's loving the ones that hate us..well, that's the real challenge." It can be a challenge, physically and emotionally, and Michael takes the challenge. Sometimes, a friendship can be born out of the greatest challenges of our life. 

God tells us; "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)."

     Losing someone you loved, is NEVER easy

Lucas Green is eighteen and just went through the tragic loss of his brother. They must have been close in age because they played high school basketball together. I could never image losing my twin sister or brother at this age, but it could happen..today, tomorrow, or fifty years from now (or if I'm lucky I could die before they do..LOL). Lucas takes his anger out at Michael the most because Michael plays Chase's position on the basketball team and starts dating Chase's girlfriend. At the end, Michael tells Lucas that he'll never give up on him..and that proves true. The movie ends and then their are pictures that tell of a wonderful friendship between the two. 

I ABSOLUTELY recommend watching this film. I have never felt so touched by a movie even though I didn't shed any tears. I think it reminded me of some great lessons, that I'll never forget. It's an unforgettable and powerful film!

Mercy..compassion for all..

     It's been a while since I have posted something, and I missed writing posts. It's been a busy last month, since I've started my second semester of my sophomore year of college. For our break, me and my sister spent a lot of time together..it was a great three weeks (those are stories for another day). 

     I was thinking about what I should post and then my aunt gave me an idea. Well, she doesn't actually know that she gave me the idea. She went into the hospital yesterday morning in labor and around 13 hours later gave birth to a baby girl. She wants the baby to have the name: Mercy. So..I decided to write about what Mercy is...

The dictionary states:

1. Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
2. An event to be grateful for, esp. because its occurrence prevents something unpleasant or provides relief from suffering.

and those are pretty good definitions. 

     One word comes to mind when I think of mercy, and that word is Jesus. He died for all our sins on the cross, even though we should be punished for what we do wrong. Jesus has power to punish us and sometimes he does. But, we can always cry out to him for his mercy and he will freely give it to us. Mercy isn't the only thing that he freely gives to us at all times. Along with it there is peace, compassion, grace, forgiveness, hope, and love. 

     I hope that you have a wonderful year (yeah, never wished you that, my bad)! 

A Woman of Character...

Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of being a woman of grace, like the "Proverbs 31 woman." It's almost as if it's been instilled into me, because it's become a greater desire. I try my best, and sometimes I get dissapointed because I know that I did something wrong.  
Somethings, like honoring my husband, isn't completed yet, but even though he doesn't exist as my husband yet I still pray daily for him. I pray that he grows deeper with God everyday and that his heart is prepared to help me stand stronger with the Lord. 
I know the Lord is with me and that I will become the woman he wants me to be, even if it's not a perfect Proverbs 31 example; I'll still be a woman of character, molded by Gods characteristics! 

Imperfection.

"Practice makes perfect" is a thing I was told a lot when I was growing up, especially when I was busy preparing for a performance with my violin. I hated when people said that and I would always say: "It will never be perfect!" (probably walking away as I said it..). Sometimes I wish that I could help solve everyone's problems, but I know that can never be done. I'm not perfect and I know that I lack the perfection in order to do that. But I still wish...especially when the person is hurting.

Below is a poem I saw on the internet a few days ago I love the ending, it's so true! 

A Perfect Christian

You could count on a perfect Christian
To always be gentle and humble,
To be immune to sin,
And never, ever stumble.

He’d study and remember
All of God’s commands;
He’d be trustworthy, moral and honest;
You’d know just where he stands.

With others, she’d be in harmony;
She’d never lose her cool;
Forgiving and forgetting,
Following the Golden Rule.

He’d surrender his life to God,
Full of joy and peace,
Free of stress and worry…
Perfect, pure release.

She’d lift up everyone,

Full of sweet compassion,
Free of worldly wants,
Ignoring worldly fashion.

But we can’t ever be perfect,

So we always need to pray
for the strength to do our best
to love God and obey.

By Joanna Fuchs