Time goes so quickly.
At the moment, life is so fast paced, that it's hard to have any vacancy.
I just get in my car with the destination being one of three places, college, work, or church. It's routine.
Today I came home and just lounged around, only getting up to move between the computer, television and the kitchen. It feels like I've been doing this for half an hour, but it's been three and a half hours. I can't believe how fast time is, every minute you have is borrowed by somebody else, it's just a complete rush, and I don't even remember how it was when I was in high school two years ago, when I spent my time being a teenage girl.
Giving out so much makes it evident to me how much I need God. How can I keep giving out with nothing to inspire me, motivate me, or restore me? I don't understand how non Christians handle it! It's crazy. When I go about life, with no fire, and no vacancy, which is easy to do, but also dead. A dead life. A walking corpse like the bible says. Going back to that way of living in the midst of business is scary, because it's so easy, an easy but exasperating, and plainly dead.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, we shouldn't think of God in terms of time. We can't say, 'I spent an hour with God today so that's me done', or ' I read my bible before so I'm done for today'. Lets not think of our relationship with God int erms of time, but in terms of life. I know for sure those three and a half hours have been wasted, down the gutter and drained through a gris. The same way in which they have drained me, because the energies I have put into it isn't giving me any benefit. Invest your time in something worth investing in, other wise how can there be vacancy? And how can we ever give more out? We need a balance, of recieving and giving. And the Beauty is that God never ever stops giving.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Friday, 10 December 2010
Superchick and Relationships
'All princes start as frogs
All gentleman as dogs
Just wait till it's plain to see
What we're growing up to be..
Cause some frogs will still be frogs
Some dogs will still be dogs
But some boys can become men
Just don't kiss us till then..' ~Superchic[k].
Haha, as cheesy as it is, I love it. My friends introduced me to this band, their lyrics are like a modern bible, move over street version.
In my youth group once when I was about fifteen or sixteen, we were asked yes or no questions and we were to respond by putting our hands up for yes. One of the questions were; 'Do you think you have to want your present girlfriend/boyfriend to be your future wife/husband?'. I got laughed at for being the only one in the room with my hand up, as if it were some absurd idea to be looking for a husband instead a short term boyfriend. The fact this was in a church youth group is mind blowing to me.
To me, if I'm investing my time in a relationship I can't visualise going anywhere, only to the next day, then thats stupid, (IMO). These time waster relationships arn't healthy, and you could argue that God is within them, but I don't see how it is possible for God to be the centre of a relationship that he has not planned the two people involved to be together for the rest of their lives. There's also the argument of 'learning from mistakes to make you ready for your future husband/wife'. The key word is mistakes and not learning. God doesn't place mistakes for us to take in our lives to learn from, he uses the mistakes we make for our better when we bring them to the foot of the cross.
Also, if we're investing time in an aimless relationship, what about the relationship God wants us to be in? Where does this come into place amongst the short and time filler relationships?
Sorry, I sound a bit angry, I just can't commend how people go through their bibles highlighting the parts they think is good for them, then ignoring the rest. Apparantly, marriage doesn't mean to put a ring on someones finger, it means to be subconsciously married, cos the bible is oh so out of date. Forget that, the word stands true yesterday today and forever.
Anyway, going back to the song at the beginning, what was the main point of this blog, don't rush into things. We all start out very silly people, growing up, everyday we learn about ourselves, make mistakes and grow. We should be waiting for relationships till we are mature in ourselves and God, otherwise, it isn't much of a relationship at all. I'm not saying we don't learn from each other, but I am saying we are moulded and changed every day into the person God wants us to be when we let him, so; Just wait till it's plain to see, what we're growing up to be.
All gentleman as dogs
Just wait till it's plain to see
What we're growing up to be..
Cause some frogs will still be frogs
Some dogs will still be dogs
But some boys can become men
Just don't kiss us till then..' ~Superchic[k].
Haha, as cheesy as it is, I love it. My friends introduced me to this band, their lyrics are like a modern bible, move over street version.
In my youth group once when I was about fifteen or sixteen, we were asked yes or no questions and we were to respond by putting our hands up for yes. One of the questions were; 'Do you think you have to want your present girlfriend/boyfriend to be your future wife/husband?'. I got laughed at for being the only one in the room with my hand up, as if it were some absurd idea to be looking for a husband instead a short term boyfriend. The fact this was in a church youth group is mind blowing to me.
To me, if I'm investing my time in a relationship I can't visualise going anywhere, only to the next day, then thats stupid, (IMO). These time waster relationships arn't healthy, and you could argue that God is within them, but I don't see how it is possible for God to be the centre of a relationship that he has not planned the two people involved to be together for the rest of their lives. There's also the argument of 'learning from mistakes to make you ready for your future husband/wife'. The key word is mistakes and not learning. God doesn't place mistakes for us to take in our lives to learn from, he uses the mistakes we make for our better when we bring them to the foot of the cross.
Also, if we're investing time in an aimless relationship, what about the relationship God wants us to be in? Where does this come into place amongst the short and time filler relationships?
Sorry, I sound a bit angry, I just can't commend how people go through their bibles highlighting the parts they think is good for them, then ignoring the rest. Apparantly, marriage doesn't mean to put a ring on someones finger, it means to be subconsciously married, cos the bible is oh so out of date. Forget that, the word stands true yesterday today and forever.
Anyway, going back to the song at the beginning, what was the main point of this blog, don't rush into things. We all start out very silly people, growing up, everyday we learn about ourselves, make mistakes and grow. We should be waiting for relationships till we are mature in ourselves and God, otherwise, it isn't much of a relationship at all. I'm not saying we don't learn from each other, but I am saying we are moulded and changed every day into the person God wants us to be when we let him, so; Just wait till it's plain to see, what we're growing up to be.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
I am yours
I cannot believe it is the 1st of December!
Yes, I do class the whole month of December as Christmas. Advent is amazing. Every week when someone lights that candle on a sunday morning, I get that much more excited.
I had no idea what the date was (this is not unusual) untill I asked a lady in college today 'cause I had to sign and date something, she told me and we both let out a happy 'yey!'. It's crazy how quick the years are going, you know that you're growing up when you don't look that much different a year ago. I have 1 month and 13 days of being a child, and I'm hanging on for dear life.
I had wrote a whole blog before under the same title, and very stupidly didn't manage to save it, so instead of recalling what I previously wrote, I shall just share the thoughts going around my head recently. I feel very sad I have lost it forever, and there is now no evidence of the time I put into it. So sad. I also now have the task of completing this before the 2nd of December, three hours for this, The Apprentice, and Celebrity get me out of here. I don't particularly like the programme, I just really like Dom Jolly.
After I realised my previous blog was deleted, I tried to do a bit of work, which resulted in a quiet time. I don't know why I call it a quiet time, I am rarely quiet during praying or worshipping, however, I do shut up for the reading in addition to a lovely concentration face. Sarkasmus. Anyway, I re-discovered my love for the book of James, and I read this:
"Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet."
As I read this line, 'With Everything' by Hillsong was on. And I was literally drawn off my bed where my dog looked up to see why I had left his side, and knelt on the floor.
Today it's been made apparant to me that we have to make every effort for God. When I put every effort into making my day God-filled and being a true disciple, loving, forgiving and kind, my day feels much more complete than when I'm being a bit of a rat. Everything we do goes toward something great, which is God's name being glorified, and spreading the news that he is a living, real and truly incredible God. Me and my best friend have become really accountable to each other. We have started saying to each other when we are out and about, 'it's the little things that count'. As part of God's greatness, he is all seeing, and all knowing. So when I talk about trying to get things for free (e.g. cinema tickets) or telling my parents a white lie so I can stay out later, I am reminded that those things arn't me giving my all.
People seem to be telling me more often than not now to stop striving. I'm not sure how much I agree. Google says to strive is to 'make great efforts to achieve or obtain something'. I think it's important we make great efforts to achieve being Jesus-like. Yeah, I know we get it wrong. I know all too well we get it wrong, but still, if we don't make every effort, then surely it's not much effort at all. I think God just wants us to try, try with everything we have to spend each day close to him. After all, that is what he created us for, to return to him. And that purpose of creation makes me just want to give him a hug, and say, yeah, I am yours. And belonging to God is very different from belonging to the world.
Yes, I do class the whole month of December as Christmas. Advent is amazing. Every week when someone lights that candle on a sunday morning, I get that much more excited.
I had no idea what the date was (this is not unusual) untill I asked a lady in college today 'cause I had to sign and date something, she told me and we both let out a happy 'yey!'. It's crazy how quick the years are going, you know that you're growing up when you don't look that much different a year ago. I have 1 month and 13 days of being a child, and I'm hanging on for dear life.
I had wrote a whole blog before under the same title, and very stupidly didn't manage to save it, so instead of recalling what I previously wrote, I shall just share the thoughts going around my head recently. I feel very sad I have lost it forever, and there is now no evidence of the time I put into it. So sad. I also now have the task of completing this before the 2nd of December, three hours for this, The Apprentice, and Celebrity get me out of here. I don't particularly like the programme, I just really like Dom Jolly.
After I realised my previous blog was deleted, I tried to do a bit of work, which resulted in a quiet time. I don't know why I call it a quiet time, I am rarely quiet during praying or worshipping, however, I do shut up for the reading in addition to a lovely concentration face. Sarkasmus. Anyway, I re-discovered my love for the book of James, and I read this:
"Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet."
As I read this line, 'With Everything' by Hillsong was on. And I was literally drawn off my bed where my dog looked up to see why I had left his side, and knelt on the floor.
Today it's been made apparant to me that we have to make every effort for God. When I put every effort into making my day God-filled and being a true disciple, loving, forgiving and kind, my day feels much more complete than when I'm being a bit of a rat. Everything we do goes toward something great, which is God's name being glorified, and spreading the news that he is a living, real and truly incredible God. Me and my best friend have become really accountable to each other. We have started saying to each other when we are out and about, 'it's the little things that count'. As part of God's greatness, he is all seeing, and all knowing. So when I talk about trying to get things for free (e.g. cinema tickets) or telling my parents a white lie so I can stay out later, I am reminded that those things arn't me giving my all.
People seem to be telling me more often than not now to stop striving. I'm not sure how much I agree. Google says to strive is to 'make great efforts to achieve or obtain something'. I think it's important we make great efforts to achieve being Jesus-like. Yeah, I know we get it wrong. I know all too well we get it wrong, but still, if we don't make every effort, then surely it's not much effort at all. I think God just wants us to try, try with everything we have to spend each day close to him. After all, that is what he created us for, to return to him. And that purpose of creation makes me just want to give him a hug, and say, yeah, I am yours. And belonging to God is very different from belonging to the world.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Called to love but called to serve
Today, like many other days, I had a debate with my college friends about God. Luckily for me, one of my closest christian friends is in the same friendship group as me, so we didn't get completely torn apart.
As much as I love my college friends, they are extremely quick to jump on the bandwagon, and disprove anything that they personally don't believe in.
I would very much like to be able to say 'this is wrong', or 'people should embrace what others believe' or 'they should have respected my opinions'. But I think that would be very hypocritical.
You see, I figured that, if the majority in the debate today where christians including me, listening to two non christians talk about their reasons for why sex is right, why alcohol is fine, and why God is a joke, I would most definitley give them a piece of my mind. Probably similair to the way my friends treat my belief.
So, I am sending this message out there, a question really, to where do we draw the line between respecting our peers, and proclaiming that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Proclaiming God's word is a fight. There's no denying it. It's hard to help people understand where you are coming from, without basically saying 'what you do is wrong' when they ask the question 'so you think I'm going to hell?'. There is going to be conflict.
To go back to my first point, how can I expect people to be respectful of my faith, and to try and understand what its about, and maybe even be willing to come along to church or a friday night meeting to see what its all about for themselves, when I have absolutley no intention to go and try out any other faith, accept what my friends believe is right, nor be willing to 'come along', whatever it may be.
Honesty, I feel a bit stuck. Especially with friends as firey as mine, where these discussions happen pretty much every week. I guess I'll have to find the balance between love and respect, and being a disciple of Jesus, called to share the good news.
What do you think?
As much as I love my college friends, they are extremely quick to jump on the bandwagon, and disprove anything that they personally don't believe in.
I would very much like to be able to say 'this is wrong', or 'people should embrace what others believe' or 'they should have respected my opinions'. But I think that would be very hypocritical.
You see, I figured that, if the majority in the debate today where christians including me, listening to two non christians talk about their reasons for why sex is right, why alcohol is fine, and why God is a joke, I would most definitley give them a piece of my mind. Probably similair to the way my friends treat my belief.
So, I am sending this message out there, a question really, to where do we draw the line between respecting our peers, and proclaiming that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Proclaiming God's word is a fight. There's no denying it. It's hard to help people understand where you are coming from, without basically saying 'what you do is wrong' when they ask the question 'so you think I'm going to hell?'. There is going to be conflict.
To go back to my first point, how can I expect people to be respectful of my faith, and to try and understand what its about, and maybe even be willing to come along to church or a friday night meeting to see what its all about for themselves, when I have absolutley no intention to go and try out any other faith, accept what my friends believe is right, nor be willing to 'come along', whatever it may be.
Honesty, I feel a bit stuck. Especially with friends as firey as mine, where these discussions happen pretty much every week. I guess I'll have to find the balance between love and respect, and being a disciple of Jesus, called to share the good news.
What do you think?
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Change
'Where you invest your love, you invest your life.'
Whenever I hear this mumford & sons lyric, I can't not think about where I invest my love.
This lyric is the core to being stripped. Do me a favour and try not to think about the Christina Aguilera album from back in the day, but being stripped of what friends at college or family are so content and just with living with.
So many times, I take a step back to have a look at my life and its direction. And so many times I'm unhappy and break down. Break down in my world; cry about it for a period of time, praying, then falling into the trap that now I've addressed the problem, it's fine, done and dusted. Amongst all this, where is Change?
No change is the reason that there are so many of those times I have to look at my life and be unhappy with the same things. I know it sounds simple, but I know for a fact I'm not the only one out there who struggles with change.
We need to go back to the core. Stripped. Start again. Not just, build on top of the problems, or try and edit the problems. You can try and change it yourself I guess, change the things you do, the things that consume your time, but that has proven difficult for me. Until I surrender, I will never change.
Today I got so frustrated to the point where I couldn't even speak to my mum, cos I knew that any interaction would be me shouting, how silly. The reason I was so wound up? Because my dad has lost some of my CD cases. I hate finding CD's with half a case, or no case, or no sleeve. Pet peeve I guess. I'm pretty certain that getting upset over that was a complete waste of my time. A complete waste of my time with no positive outcome. Fortunatley for us humans, when we invest our time and love in something or somebody else, there is only ever a positive outcome.
No wonder I'm so tired all the time, all my energies go into being frustrated or upset, ha.
Blogs are brilliant for self-evaluation.
Whenever I hear this mumford & sons lyric, I can't not think about where I invest my love.
This lyric is the core to being stripped. Do me a favour and try not to think about the Christina Aguilera album from back in the day, but being stripped of what friends at college or family are so content and just with living with.
So many times, I take a step back to have a look at my life and its direction. And so many times I'm unhappy and break down. Break down in my world; cry about it for a period of time, praying, then falling into the trap that now I've addressed the problem, it's fine, done and dusted. Amongst all this, where is Change?
No change is the reason that there are so many of those times I have to look at my life and be unhappy with the same things. I know it sounds simple, but I know for a fact I'm not the only one out there who struggles with change.
We need to go back to the core. Stripped. Start again. Not just, build on top of the problems, or try and edit the problems. You can try and change it yourself I guess, change the things you do, the things that consume your time, but that has proven difficult for me. Until I surrender, I will never change.
Today I got so frustrated to the point where I couldn't even speak to my mum, cos I knew that any interaction would be me shouting, how silly. The reason I was so wound up? Because my dad has lost some of my CD cases. I hate finding CD's with half a case, or no case, or no sleeve. Pet peeve I guess. I'm pretty certain that getting upset over that was a complete waste of my time. A complete waste of my time with no positive outcome. Fortunatley for us humans, when we invest our time and love in something or somebody else, there is only ever a positive outcome.
No wonder I'm so tired all the time, all my energies go into being frustrated or upset, ha.
Blogs are brilliant for self-evaluation.
Monday, 22 November 2010
What?
To begin..
I'll explain why I'm writing a blog. Primarily, I want to be a journalist. I have been told countless times 'There is no money in journalism', 'There's no jobs in journalism anymore' etc. Unfortunatley for me, I think I would be much more suited living in the world about fifty years ago, because of my prefferred career choice amongst other reasons. I was given advice to starts blogging online, and I'd been thinking about it for a while. So I guess this is the way I can express my journalistic flare in life, but also, to give who ever may read this (if anyone at all) a look into the mind of a young christian girl, hopefully that some people reading can relate too. My best friend says I have some interesting thoughts.
I'll be talking (blabbing on) about college, university, decisions, boys, music, family, friends, and most importantly, about being 'Stripped' of the world, and full of life.
I'll explain why I'm writing a blog. Primarily, I want to be a journalist. I have been told countless times 'There is no money in journalism', 'There's no jobs in journalism anymore' etc. Unfortunatley for me, I think I would be much more suited living in the world about fifty years ago, because of my prefferred career choice amongst other reasons. I was given advice to starts blogging online, and I'd been thinking about it for a while. So I guess this is the way I can express my journalistic flare in life, but also, to give who ever may read this (if anyone at all) a look into the mind of a young christian girl, hopefully that some people reading can relate too. My best friend says I have some interesting thoughts.
I'll be talking (blabbing on) about college, university, decisions, boys, music, family, friends, and most importantly, about being 'Stripped' of the world, and full of life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)