Emannuel

We take worship for granted, especially in the United States. We are very blessed to be in a country where we can worship freely. Unfortunately, Christians have also taken their relationship with God for granted, including me. Sometimes, we limit our worship within the four walls of the church building and we don't take our worship past Sunday morning. Worship is everyday. Church should be everyday because we are the church. We are meant to worship God everyday. It's the very least that we can give to God because He deserves everything.

I was listening to a song by MercyMe entitled "God With Us." In the song it says:

Such a tiny offering, compared to Calvary. Nevertheless, we lay this at Your feet.

The very least that we can do for God is to sing songs with empty hands held high. God gave us more than that.  He gave us life. He gave us the beauty of creation for us to enjoy. He gave us family and friends. Most importantly, He is with us when we let Him in our lives.
 

In The Potter's Hands

Today in class, we learned about pain. Pain is not always a bad thing. Its a feeling or a sensation that lets us know that something can hurt us. I believe that the worst kind of pain is emotional pain. It hurts the more than physical pain because it cannot be treated with medicine. Having a severe emotional pain for a very long time an actually cause us to eventually feel numb and one way to feel something again would be to inflict physical pain on ourselves. I learned this from last semester, which helped me understand why cutters cut themselves. There are so many things in this life that can bring us down. We all  have problems and we go through stress. For some, it will take a major crisis for them to break down, including myself. That's why I honestly couldn't handle being in the psyche hospital. I felt like I could be in there any time if God let me. I just need to be reminded sometimes that pain is a good thing. God breaks us down sometimes, but He doesn't leave us broken. He takes us in His hands and forms something beautiful out of our dirt...

My Social Network

Sometimes, it's hard for me to admit that I'm hurt, especially in public. I'm surprised how many people would actually put up how they really feel on their statuses. Facebook is now a place of expressing yourself, no matter what it is. Facebook is the place to show everyone "What is on your mind?"

What is on my mind? To be honest, sometimes you don't want to know.

Unfortunately, our social networks have replaced our daily communication with God. Is it easier to show people what is really on your mind? Or run straight to God with your problems?

It's harder for me to say publicly that I've been hurt and betrayed. It's harder for me to say what I'm really struggling with. It's hard to trust people sometimes.....most of the times.

I do admit that sometimes I find it harder to run to God because I turned away from Him, betrayed Him, and hurt Him with my actions and thoughts. But He welcomes me with open hands and listening ears. He wants me to run to Him for my problems because He's been through it all. Even when we don't know it, the one thing that we need in our lives is God's presence. It cannot be explained, it has to be experienced. In God's presence is peace, joy, and unconditional love that our heart longs for.

"You know the depths of my heart yet You love me the same. You are amazing God!" -Chris Tomlin

My Friend "RaAaAaAandy!"

Let me tell you about my friend "RaAaAaAandy!". He is definitely not the brightest crayon in the box (I mean this in more ways than one). If you know me, you might know who I'm really talking about. Most of my friends including myself have made fun of this guy. We know that he has made a lot of dumb decisions in his life, and it seems that he is completely oblivious to them at times. Today, he found me at a mall and I decided to invite him for lunch during my study break. I found out that there are a lot of positive things about him.
Here's the list:

• He has a license, which is a big deal since he can drive himself anywhere...if he has a car.
• He graduated high school and attended AND passed some of his college courses...which my seem impossible. THIS IS A BIG DEAL. TRUST ME. 
• He is independent. He lives by himself in an apartment. He cooks for himself and does his own laundry. Until now, my mom still does my laundry because she doesn't want me too. She also cooks for me...or if I'm hungry, I just go out to eat. I still live with my parents.
• He gets whatever he wants. Recently, he owns a second blackberry after he just sold his iPhone. I own a "free" phone from sprint and I don't even pay the bills for it because I'm broke all the time. 
• He owns an Xbox 360 and Playstation 3....for a second time. I have a Playstation 2 at home which was bought secondhand. He probably owns a flat screen tv...I have a "tube style" Tv at home.
• He is not stressed about his job....because he doesn't have one. He doesn't worry about paying for the car insurance...because he just sold his car. Yet, he seems happy for the most part....and WORRY FREE. 
• He wears new clothes which he bought maybe two weeks/months ago...my shoes are new if it wasn't for my boss giving them to me last July. Half my clothes are stolen from by brother's closet. The rest of my clothes are from 2 years ago.

Here is my conclusion....if I could trade lives with my friend "RaAaAaAaAndy" for one day, I would. I wouldn't really care if people made fun of me because I can care less what people think about me. I think that some people make fun of  "RaAaAaAaAndy" because they're jealous of him. I happen to think that "RaAaAaAaAndy" is really blessed. Today, we compared our lives and found out that we have a lot to be grateful for. Thanks for the lesson, "RaAaAaAaAndy!"
³"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
 ⁵Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
 ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
 ⁷Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
 ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
 ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
 ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  ¹¹"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

good grief

Everything by Lifehouse

Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.

You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Cause you're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything,everything
You're all I want your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

When I say..."I am a Christian" by Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!