It is truly amazing how faithful God is to us each and every day! When we mess up in life and begin backsliding He never leaves. Yes, we get farther and farther away from Him because of our sin, but He has never left. He just waits for us to ask forgiveness and come running back to him. A good example I heard the other day was of the prodigal son. The prodigal son's father never left his home searching, but was waiting and watching for his son's return. Upon his son's return the father went out to meet him, embrace him, forgive him, and have renewed fellowship with him once again. This is just how God is with us but even better. See, God is not only looking for our return and waiting to forgive and renew fellowship with us; he also goes out and searches for us to bring us back to him. He gave us the Holy Spirit!
He knows us so well! He knows we will go through times when we are not as close to him as we should be. The Holy Spirit is there to lead and guide us back to the Father when we have lost our way in sin's darkness. God is forever faithful!
I have found over the last month that no matter how uncertain everything around me feels, I do not have to even question God's love and faithfulness to me. When I think of all he has done for a sinner like me who deserves nothing, I am in awe.
Regardless of what we are going through in life God gives us his promises to always be there.
Psalm 36:5- "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds".
Psalm 88:11-"Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?"
Psalm 89:33- "Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail".
Isaiah 25:1- "Oh Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth".
Lamentations 3:23- "They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness".
God is the God of wonder. The God of righteousness. He is a jealous God and with his righteous jealousy comes overwhelming faithfulness to his children. No matter what we are going through in life God will be there to lead, guide, and direct. He gave us a free will to choose whether we follow his guiding or not. Sometimes we listen and sometimes we disregard his leading. Even when we disregard our Heavenly Father he is ready and willing to help us get back on the path he has for each and every one us his children. He may chastise us because we did not listen to him when we should have. This too is part of his faithfulness to us!
God never gives us more than we can bear and he promises when the burden is too heavy he will help carry it.
At points in our life we will question our job, our life, our relationships, our faith; we will question just about everything. We will even question God. When those times do come and we find ourselves questioning God remember God's love and faithfulness is everlasting. He is our Rock and Fortress; a very present help in trouble. He will always be there.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
"February and Everything After"- Counting Crows
It has been quite a while since my last post. I try and write at least once a month but February was not a good month for me.
I will not go into details of the last month but it was a very difficult time to say the least. My emotions continually fluctuated from hurt, anger, pain, frustrastion, betrayal, heartbreak, love, protection, depression, numbness, denial, hate and many more. I was a roller coaster of emotions and still am to an extent although now I am just numb and at a point where I just don't care. This has been a very difficult time and I am still having a very hard time. God is good though through the good and the bad.He has given me a great support group of friends and family to help me along the way. He is forever faithful and though I am angry and hurt I know He still loves me and will keep me close to his side. He is the greatest Comforter and will never leave. He will never fail me even when men do.
I have signed up to become a doula and will be taking classes starting tomorrow up at OSU-OKC for three days from 8 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening. Hopefully this will be a start of a career that I will enjoy. Everything has really been falling into place in that area of my life. I am excited to get started and begin doing what I believe God has called me to do.
My classes for this semester have been rather hard. I am taking an Anatomy and a math class. I enjoy my math class and am doing well in there but my Anatomy could be much better. We have another test coming up this week and I have decided if I do not do well I will go ahead and drop the Anatomy class and stick with math.
I am at a point in my life where I am ready to be out on my own. I am hoping the Doula thing works out and maybe I can move out with a few girls if everything goes well. We'll see... keep that in your prayers!
Still am not dating anyone and haven't found any takers. I am okay with that though and am not really looking for anything. I am content where I am over all and will continue to wait on God and his timing.
Went to the Winter Jam last Saturday and could truly feel the presence of God. It was as if he wrapped his arms around me and held me close. My heart was at peace and I was able to cry out to him. I wasn't going to go to the concert at first but when my sister told me she wanted me to go I went and am very glad I did now.
My sister and I have become very close over the last month and I thank God for that. It's unfortunate the circumstances that brought us closer together but we are and I can't complain about that part.
Well, for now I am off to bed. The classes start bright and early tomorrow and I want to be ready. May all of you have a great month and I will be sure to get on near the end of the month with an update on how everything is going in life.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
I will not go into details of the last month but it was a very difficult time to say the least. My emotions continually fluctuated from hurt, anger, pain, frustrastion, betrayal, heartbreak, love, protection, depression, numbness, denial, hate and many more. I was a roller coaster of emotions and still am to an extent although now I am just numb and at a point where I just don't care. This has been a very difficult time and I am still having a very hard time. God is good though through the good and the bad.He has given me a great support group of friends and family to help me along the way. He is forever faithful and though I am angry and hurt I know He still loves me and will keep me close to his side. He is the greatest Comforter and will never leave. He will never fail me even when men do.
I have signed up to become a doula and will be taking classes starting tomorrow up at OSU-OKC for three days from 8 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening. Hopefully this will be a start of a career that I will enjoy. Everything has really been falling into place in that area of my life. I am excited to get started and begin doing what I believe God has called me to do.
My classes for this semester have been rather hard. I am taking an Anatomy and a math class. I enjoy my math class and am doing well in there but my Anatomy could be much better. We have another test coming up this week and I have decided if I do not do well I will go ahead and drop the Anatomy class and stick with math.
I am at a point in my life where I am ready to be out on my own. I am hoping the Doula thing works out and maybe I can move out with a few girls if everything goes well. We'll see... keep that in your prayers!
Still am not dating anyone and haven't found any takers. I am okay with that though and am not really looking for anything. I am content where I am over all and will continue to wait on God and his timing.
Went to the Winter Jam last Saturday and could truly feel the presence of God. It was as if he wrapped his arms around me and held me close. My heart was at peace and I was able to cry out to him. I wasn't going to go to the concert at first but when my sister told me she wanted me to go I went and am very glad I did now.
My sister and I have become very close over the last month and I thank God for that. It's unfortunate the circumstances that brought us closer together but we are and I can't complain about that part.
Well, for now I am off to bed. The classes start bright and early tomorrow and I want to be ready. May all of you have a great month and I will be sure to get on near the end of the month with an update on how everything is going in life.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Saturday, January 16, 2010
God is God so I Don't have to Be
God gives and God takes away. He is Alpha and Omega. He is the beginning and the end. He is first and He is last. He is God. As human beings we cannot begin to understand Him, his ways, his will, or his purpose at times. It is during these times when we cannot understand that we must simply trust in God to know He knows what He is doing. To remember He has a purpose and a plan for each and every individual. Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts".
I found out only an hour ago about a family dear to my heart who has suddenly lost one of their own. He was playing basketball today when he collapsed and died. What makes it even more sad is the fact it was his birthday today. He had just turned 15 years old. When I first heard this the only word I could form in my head was,"Why?". This boy was healthy, full of life, and loved the Lord. Why would God decide he needed to come home? I can't begin to imagine what his parents, brothers, and sister is going through. What was God's purpose in allowing him to die so abruptly? What is his will in all of this? God has his reasons. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;".
God has his timing in all things. He is the Almighty God. He is God so I don't have to be! These big question marks sitting in my head and many other people's heads will be answered one day. It may not be while here on this earth but when we're in Heaven with our Maker. II Corinthians 12:9b "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness..."
During times like these is when God wants us to realize He is everything we will ever need. He is our strength, our comfort, our protector. He is literally everything. He wants us to lean on Him; to praise Him in the storms of life and to praise him when all is calm. Here is a song the family sang often and speaks to my heart now while mourning the loss of this brother in Christ.
Lean on Me
When no one cared about me f I should live or die,
And no one bothered asking why i'd go alone and cry.
When burdens got so heavy that I could not face the day,
Then i'd feel his arms around me and i'd hear him gently say,
"Lean on Me when you have no strength to stand.
When it feels like you're going under, I'll hold tighter to your hand.
Lean on Me when your heart begins to bleed.
When you come to the place that I'm all you have,
Then you'll find I'm all you need".
When the road ahead looks rugged and the path is getting steep,
I feel that I can't make it and my heart begins to bleed.
Then I turn to see who's coming to join me in the way,
And I see that it's my Savior and I hear him gently say,
"Lean on Me when you have no strength to stand,
When it feels like you're going under, I'll hold tighter to your hand.
Lean on Me when your heart begins to bleed.
When you come to the place that I'm all you have,
Then you'll find I'm all you need".
Please keep this family in your prayers. They need prayers more than ever right now and need to feel God's comforting love with his peace that passes all understanding.
I close with this verse in mind. James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away".
Life can end in a moment. God holds the keys to both life and death in His hands. Cherish the life you are given and be prepared for the moment God calls you to be with Him.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
I found out only an hour ago about a family dear to my heart who has suddenly lost one of their own. He was playing basketball today when he collapsed and died. What makes it even more sad is the fact it was his birthday today. He had just turned 15 years old. When I first heard this the only word I could form in my head was,"Why?". This boy was healthy, full of life, and loved the Lord. Why would God decide he needed to come home? I can't begin to imagine what his parents, brothers, and sister is going through. What was God's purpose in allowing him to die so abruptly? What is his will in all of this? God has his reasons. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;".
God has his timing in all things. He is the Almighty God. He is God so I don't have to be! These big question marks sitting in my head and many other people's heads will be answered one day. It may not be while here on this earth but when we're in Heaven with our Maker. II Corinthians 12:9b "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness..."
During times like these is when God wants us to realize He is everything we will ever need. He is our strength, our comfort, our protector. He is literally everything. He wants us to lean on Him; to praise Him in the storms of life and to praise him when all is calm. Here is a song the family sang often and speaks to my heart now while mourning the loss of this brother in Christ.
Lean on Me
When no one cared about me f I should live or die,
And no one bothered asking why i'd go alone and cry.
When burdens got so heavy that I could not face the day,
Then i'd feel his arms around me and i'd hear him gently say,
"Lean on Me when you have no strength to stand.
When it feels like you're going under, I'll hold tighter to your hand.
Lean on Me when your heart begins to bleed.
When you come to the place that I'm all you have,
Then you'll find I'm all you need".
When the road ahead looks rugged and the path is getting steep,
I feel that I can't make it and my heart begins to bleed.
Then I turn to see who's coming to join me in the way,
And I see that it's my Savior and I hear him gently say,
"Lean on Me when you have no strength to stand,
When it feels like you're going under, I'll hold tighter to your hand.
Lean on Me when your heart begins to bleed.
When you come to the place that I'm all you have,
Then you'll find I'm all you need".
Please keep this family in your prayers. They need prayers more than ever right now and need to feel God's comforting love with his peace that passes all understanding.
I close with this verse in mind. James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away".
Life can end in a moment. God holds the keys to both life and death in His hands. Cherish the life you are given and be prepared for the moment God calls you to be with Him.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Sunday, January 3, 2010
3 Months...Are You Serious?
Wow, I can't believe it has been 3 months since my last post! I try to do one at least once a month but as you can see that hasn't really happened lately. I and my family have been extremely busy lately.
November started out with my birthday and I am now no longer a teenager. I am officially in my 20s! We had Thanksgiving down in Texas and it was really great. If you don't already know Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. We were able to spend it with almost all of my mom's family. There was about 30 people for Thanksgiving dinner.
December came with us moving into our new house! We are now out of the city and living in the country. I am still getting used to it but have enjoyed it very much. The drive is something I am still not really used to and it definitely takes time to get to the city. Everyone knows we got snowed in Christmas eve. Luckily, my grandparents were able to make it up the Monday before and they were able to enjoy the country Christmas. It was our first white Christmas and it was gorgeous. We didn't do a whole lot for Christmas since we were busy trying to move in our new house but we had a blast none the less and the snow really made Christmas amazing. God really blessed.
January has just began. I have about a week and a half left before the new semester starts back up at RSC. I go back to work though on Tuesday. We start a WSI (Water Safety Instructor) class on Wednesday. I'll be going to that for a week to get my WSI certification. It'll be kinda long because it is almost every day from 9-4 but I won't complain because it will be a pay raise.
I am hoping this new year brings alot of changes for the better. I am hoping to get into LPN School and after a year of that it will automatically reserve me a spot for a year of RN school. I am really hoping everything goes as planned. I am anxious to get into the medical field! Maybe there's a possibility of a relationship too. Well, a girl can only hope but I'm still waiting on God's timing. He knows my heart and will do what he sees best. His ways are not my ways.
May your new year be prosperous and blessed! Hopefully I will be on here soon with a new thought in mind.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
November started out with my birthday and I am now no longer a teenager. I am officially in my 20s! We had Thanksgiving down in Texas and it was really great. If you don't already know Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. We were able to spend it with almost all of my mom's family. There was about 30 people for Thanksgiving dinner.
December came with us moving into our new house! We are now out of the city and living in the country. I am still getting used to it but have enjoyed it very much. The drive is something I am still not really used to and it definitely takes time to get to the city. Everyone knows we got snowed in Christmas eve. Luckily, my grandparents were able to make it up the Monday before and they were able to enjoy the country Christmas. It was our first white Christmas and it was gorgeous. We didn't do a whole lot for Christmas since we were busy trying to move in our new house but we had a blast none the less and the snow really made Christmas amazing. God really blessed.
January has just began. I have about a week and a half left before the new semester starts back up at RSC. I go back to work though on Tuesday. We start a WSI (Water Safety Instructor) class on Wednesday. I'll be going to that for a week to get my WSI certification. It'll be kinda long because it is almost every day from 9-4 but I won't complain because it will be a pay raise.
I am hoping this new year brings alot of changes for the better. I am hoping to get into LPN School and after a year of that it will automatically reserve me a spot for a year of RN school. I am really hoping everything goes as planned. I am anxious to get into the medical field! Maybe there's a possibility of a relationship too. Well, a girl can only hope but I'm still waiting on God's timing. He knows my heart and will do what he sees best. His ways are not my ways.
May your new year be prosperous and blessed! Hopefully I will be on here soon with a new thought in mind.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Sunday, October 25, 2009
This and That
I should really be studying or taking a nap right now but can't seem to do either one so I thought it was about time to post a new blog instead.
Autumn has hit full force now. I had been wondering when it would happen and I think it did this past week just over night. With the change came the process of putting away the summer clothes and pulling out the winter clothes. It's definitely not my favorite thing in the world to do but I was able to accomplish a lot. I got rid clothes that I continually shoved to the back of the closet or put in the bottom of the drawers, telling myself that I would wear it eventually if I found the right shirt or skirt to go with it. I gave up telling myself this and just did what I should have done a few seasons back- just put everything in a garbage bag and donate it to a second hand store.
My classes are going alright. I still am not fond of either one of my classes. I am learning to enjoy Mythology more but that is mostly because of the teacher. She is someone you can actually sit and listen to and find what she is saying interesting. My Humanities teacher, on the other hand, is completely opposite. I cannot handle listening to her. She is like the teacher on the Peanuts cartoon who continually just says, "Whomp whomp. Whomp whomp whomp!" I have come up with ways to pass the time in class though. I have read two novels in the past month and have started a third one I find to be very interesting. I can't wait until the end of these sixteen weeks!
Life has been pretty busy lately! I like it that way though. It seems to keep me on my toes and out of trouble. I applied for the RN program again about a month back but won't find out if I made it in until December sometime. If I do not get in the program for next semester I am going to change my plans a little bit. I have pinpointed what I wanted to do as my career. I knew I wanted to work in the Neonatal but after reading a book a few weeks back I have decided I would like to become a midwife. This is what I will start gearing towards if I don't get in the program in December. The only thing is I am not sure what my next step would be. I have tried getting a hold of a few midwives but neither one of them have returned my emails. I think my next step is going to be calling the OU Med Center and talk to one of their midwives. Hopefully they will point me in the right direction.
My dad put an offer on a house out in Newcastle a few weeks back. We have been trying to get out of the area we are living in now for a while and have been searching for a house for about 2 years. He found this one out in Newcastle and really likes it. I am still a little unsure about it. I am just so used to living in the city where everything I need is only maybe 10 minutes away. I am not sure what it will be like living out in the country when everything I do is right here where I live now. I know my parents have prayed about it and I have prayed about it as well. I have finally just asked God if He wants us to move out there then allow everything to go smoothly with the appraisals and inspections...etc. and if He did not want us to move out there something would happen to where we would not be able to. Either way I have decided I would be at peace with whatever happens and just leave it in His hands. I, being the human I am, do not like the unknown and the uncertainty that comes along with it. God, in his infinite wisdom, already knows what is going to happen and will allow it to happen all in his timing. I just have to do what I find to be one of the hardest things for me to do; that is be patient and wait for his leading.
I realize this was not one of my normal blog posts but this is what has really been going on in the last month. I hope all of you are having a great Autumn! This is my favorite season and I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far! Before I close this blog out I would like to share the lyrics of a song I heard the other day that really spoke to my heart.
"What Faith Can Do"
Everybody falls sometimes
You gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you’re stronger, stronger than you know
And don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
You may decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it’ll be all right
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
Overcome the odds
When you don’t have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)When the world says you can’t
It will tell you that it can -Kutless
A little bit of faith always goes a long way. Remember nothing is impossible with God!
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Autumn has hit full force now. I had been wondering when it would happen and I think it did this past week just over night. With the change came the process of putting away the summer clothes and pulling out the winter clothes. It's definitely not my favorite thing in the world to do but I was able to accomplish a lot. I got rid clothes that I continually shoved to the back of the closet or put in the bottom of the drawers, telling myself that I would wear it eventually if I found the right shirt or skirt to go with it. I gave up telling myself this and just did what I should have done a few seasons back- just put everything in a garbage bag and donate it to a second hand store.
My classes are going alright. I still am not fond of either one of my classes. I am learning to enjoy Mythology more but that is mostly because of the teacher. She is someone you can actually sit and listen to and find what she is saying interesting. My Humanities teacher, on the other hand, is completely opposite. I cannot handle listening to her. She is like the teacher on the Peanuts cartoon who continually just says, "Whomp whomp. Whomp whomp whomp!" I have come up with ways to pass the time in class though. I have read two novels in the past month and have started a third one I find to be very interesting. I can't wait until the end of these sixteen weeks!
Life has been pretty busy lately! I like it that way though. It seems to keep me on my toes and out of trouble. I applied for the RN program again about a month back but won't find out if I made it in until December sometime. If I do not get in the program for next semester I am going to change my plans a little bit. I have pinpointed what I wanted to do as my career. I knew I wanted to work in the Neonatal but after reading a book a few weeks back I have decided I would like to become a midwife. This is what I will start gearing towards if I don't get in the program in December. The only thing is I am not sure what my next step would be. I have tried getting a hold of a few midwives but neither one of them have returned my emails. I think my next step is going to be calling the OU Med Center and talk to one of their midwives. Hopefully they will point me in the right direction.
My dad put an offer on a house out in Newcastle a few weeks back. We have been trying to get out of the area we are living in now for a while and have been searching for a house for about 2 years. He found this one out in Newcastle and really likes it. I am still a little unsure about it. I am just so used to living in the city where everything I need is only maybe 10 minutes away. I am not sure what it will be like living out in the country when everything I do is right here where I live now. I know my parents have prayed about it and I have prayed about it as well. I have finally just asked God if He wants us to move out there then allow everything to go smoothly with the appraisals and inspections...etc. and if He did not want us to move out there something would happen to where we would not be able to. Either way I have decided I would be at peace with whatever happens and just leave it in His hands. I, being the human I am, do not like the unknown and the uncertainty that comes along with it. God, in his infinite wisdom, already knows what is going to happen and will allow it to happen all in his timing. I just have to do what I find to be one of the hardest things for me to do; that is be patient and wait for his leading.
I realize this was not one of my normal blog posts but this is what has really been going on in the last month. I hope all of you are having a great Autumn! This is my favorite season and I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far! Before I close this blog out I would like to share the lyrics of a song I heard the other day that really spoke to my heart.
"What Faith Can Do"
Everybody falls sometimes
You gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you’re stronger, stronger than you know
And don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
You may decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it’ll be all right
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
Overcome the odds
When you don’t have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)When the world says you can’t
It will tell you that it can -Kutless
A little bit of faith always goes a long way. Remember nothing is impossible with God!
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Friday, September 25, 2009
A Valley and Mountain Tops
September is already come and just about over. I have been so busy lately; I cannot believe how fast this month has gone by. Can I just say I am not a big fan of Mythology. Studying the different stories and trying to keep them straight is one thing but the stories themselves are just preposterous and from a Christian perspective, disgusting at times. I think I will come out of the class with an A but I don't recommend the class to anyone unless you are interested in that kind of stuff.
Well, once again with a new month comes a new thought to be posted. One of my favorite sayings is, "For every valley there are always two mountain tops." Isn't that so true?! The sad thing is sometimes we forget. We love it when we are on the mountain top of life looking down but when we are down in the valley pushing forward to the next mountain top we forget to keep our eyes up and look for the mountain top. Instead we are looking around the valley and everything in it. I am speaking in metaphores but you know what I mean. When going through a 'valley' in our life all we see is the negative around us. We don't always look back at the mountain top we just conquered or forward to the mountain top we are preparing to climb to the top of. The valleys of life get to be too much for us at times and we get tired. We get tired and we sit down where we once stood. Those are the hardest times in life; when it seems we can't go any farther. I have some exciting news for you though!!
The Bible says in: Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Hebrews 13:5 "...I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
Isaiah 41:10 " Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Psalm 20:1-2 "The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from thy sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion."
John 14:16-17 " And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
These are just a few of the hundreds of verses in th Bible that show us the promises of God. He promises that even when we do go through the valleys of life He will be right there by our side pushing us to keep trudging along; to go just a little farther than we did before. See, He knows what the future holds. He knows just how far the next mountain top is and He will give everything you need to get there.
"Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
but I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand."
Whatever you may be going through in life; Whatever valley you seem to be sitting in; just remember God holds tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next. Look for the next mountain top in life. He is pointing it out just keep searching for top.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Well, once again with a new month comes a new thought to be posted. One of my favorite sayings is, "For every valley there are always two mountain tops." Isn't that so true?! The sad thing is sometimes we forget. We love it when we are on the mountain top of life looking down but when we are down in the valley pushing forward to the next mountain top we forget to keep our eyes up and look for the mountain top. Instead we are looking around the valley and everything in it. I am speaking in metaphores but you know what I mean. When going through a 'valley' in our life all we see is the negative around us. We don't always look back at the mountain top we just conquered or forward to the mountain top we are preparing to climb to the top of. The valleys of life get to be too much for us at times and we get tired. We get tired and we sit down where we once stood. Those are the hardest times in life; when it seems we can't go any farther. I have some exciting news for you though!!
The Bible says in: Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Hebrews 13:5 "...I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
Isaiah 41:10 " Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Psalm 20:1-2 "The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from thy sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion."
John 14:16-17 " And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
These are just a few of the hundreds of verses in th Bible that show us the promises of God. He promises that even when we do go through the valleys of life He will be right there by our side pushing us to keep trudging along; to go just a little farther than we did before. See, He knows what the future holds. He knows just how far the next mountain top is and He will give everything you need to get there.
"Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
but I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand."
Whatever you may be going through in life; Whatever valley you seem to be sitting in; just remember God holds tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next. Look for the next mountain top in life. He is pointing it out just keep searching for top.
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Friday, August 21, 2009
Goodbye Summer
It's the beginning of another school year and I am not really looking forward to it. Classes start Monday and I don't even have my books yet. That's how much I am dragging my feet. I guess I need to get on the ball this weekend and get my things together. I am only taking two classes this semester and studying for a COMPASS test to get my math score higher. I think that will keep me busy enough. I hope you all are more excited about the coming semester than I am. Many of you have started your school year already and there are some who are still waiting to get started. May God be with us all!
Well, a new month and a new thought in mind....
Sometimes you don't fully realize how your testimony affects other people and how many people are watching you. Working at the pool as a lifeguard I am around very secular people. I try very hard to have others there see Jesus through me without me having to say anything at all. They all know I have my values and beliefs and they respect that. There are a few people I am thinking of right now who work there that -although they don't want to show their interest- are curious to how I, as a Christian, would react to certain things. Let me be a little more specific and try to explain because I am sure that made no sense at all.
One day I was sitting behind the desk and I had some Christian music playing. One of the swim instructors said," What group is that? I haven't heard them before." I told him it was DCTalk and probably not a group he would have heard before unless he listened to that music. He said, " Here is my take on it all.... I don't mind the people who go to church and all that. It is not something for me though. I just had a bad experience a while back and I don't care to know a whole lot about it." Note that up to this point I had never said one word to him about Christianity or my being a Christian or anything and he already knew. I could tell he wanted to continue the conversation so I asked him what had happened that made him 'turn off' to Christianity. He then explained to me how a few years back he was sitting in class and a few girls were listening to a song and he said,"Hey, I know that song!" The girls looked at him and told him that he didn't. He swore he did and told them the lyrics, and who sang it. They told him he was confused because they didn't listen to 'worldly music', they only listened to 'Christian music'. When in fact he had the song right. He pulled out his mp3 and played it for them. They still argued with him that he wouldn't really know the song because he listened to secular music and they listened to Christian music. After telling me that story he continued by saying," I had been interested for a little while about being a Christian and stuff like that but after talking to the girls and their acting the way they did with me, I wasn't interested anymore." I just looked at him and said," I'm sorry. Christian's who have a chip on their shoulder and think they are better than everyone else are the one's who give Christian's who really mean it and are trying a bad name." I then continued by saying," I don't want to force Christianity on you but I hope that you can see I am on of the one's who are trying and don't think I am any better than anyone else." He said," No, you're cool." He then asked, " You aren't gonna preach to me now?" I told him I wasn't going to. I said,"I'd love to talk to you about it sometime and answer questions that you might have but I am not gonna stand up and preach to you. I'll wait til you are interested again." Since then he has talked to me some about Christianity and the church I go to and what I do. I just hope he continues asking questions and I can find the right opportunity to tell him about Christ. I know it isn't the right time yet but I hope it's soon.
This story is a little bit different and this guy has a different background all together but let me tell you what happened that also caused me to remember people are watching and listening even when you don't realize it sometimes. The two of us had made a bet a while back and decided that whoever won the bet would be bought dinner by the other person. Well, I lost the bet and thus had to buy him dinner in the near future. He reminded me almost every day and if I wasn't working he was sure to text and let me know I owed him a dinner. After just a few days he text me and said, "I really want some cheesecake." I told him I'd make him a cheesecake instead of buying him a dinner if that's what he wanted. I ended up doing that and taking it to him just the other day. He text me later to say thank you and told me he had shared with a few other people at work. I text him back and said," Omg! You shared!" Now in my head the abbreviation 'omg' is 'oh my gosh' and after I sent the text I realized that not everyone sees omg the same way I do. He text back and said,"Ya know when I read your last text and saw you put 'omg' I read it as 'oh my gosh' because it was coming from you and not someone else." I text him back and said," yeah, I realized after I had sent it what people usually see it as but yes, you're right; i see it as 'oh my gosh." He said,"I figured you probably did but it was just funny because I have never read it that way before and I did this time without even thinking about it because it was coming from you." At that moment I was glad that I try to watch what I do and say around people because I was shocked that this person in particular even payed attention to me or the kind of person I am.
Now don't get me wrong. There are many times I fail in the area of my testimony and look back and wish I would have done something differently, whether it was something I said or something I did but it's always a good reminder to know people are watching you and many times they're curious. Try not to be a stumbling block to others. I am sure you have stories of your own that you could share about how your testimony helped someone else or caused them to ask questions and want to know what it is you had that they didn't!
I realize this post is not very in depth but hopefully it was a good reminder that people are always watching, especially if you are a Christian. They watch how you act, what you say, what you do, where you go, where you don't go, and so much more.
Before I end this post I want to leave you with a quote. "The single greatest cause of Atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Well, a new month and a new thought in mind....
Sometimes you don't fully realize how your testimony affects other people and how many people are watching you. Working at the pool as a lifeguard I am around very secular people. I try very hard to have others there see Jesus through me without me having to say anything at all. They all know I have my values and beliefs and they respect that. There are a few people I am thinking of right now who work there that -although they don't want to show their interest- are curious to how I, as a Christian, would react to certain things. Let me be a little more specific and try to explain because I am sure that made no sense at all.
One day I was sitting behind the desk and I had some Christian music playing. One of the swim instructors said," What group is that? I haven't heard them before." I told him it was DCTalk and probably not a group he would have heard before unless he listened to that music. He said, " Here is my take on it all.... I don't mind the people who go to church and all that. It is not something for me though. I just had a bad experience a while back and I don't care to know a whole lot about it." Note that up to this point I had never said one word to him about Christianity or my being a Christian or anything and he already knew. I could tell he wanted to continue the conversation so I asked him what had happened that made him 'turn off' to Christianity. He then explained to me how a few years back he was sitting in class and a few girls were listening to a song and he said,"Hey, I know that song!" The girls looked at him and told him that he didn't. He swore he did and told them the lyrics, and who sang it. They told him he was confused because they didn't listen to 'worldly music', they only listened to 'Christian music'. When in fact he had the song right. He pulled out his mp3 and played it for them. They still argued with him that he wouldn't really know the song because he listened to secular music and they listened to Christian music. After telling me that story he continued by saying," I had been interested for a little while about being a Christian and stuff like that but after talking to the girls and their acting the way they did with me, I wasn't interested anymore." I just looked at him and said," I'm sorry. Christian's who have a chip on their shoulder and think they are better than everyone else are the one's who give Christian's who really mean it and are trying a bad name." I then continued by saying," I don't want to force Christianity on you but I hope that you can see I am on of the one's who are trying and don't think I am any better than anyone else." He said," No, you're cool." He then asked, " You aren't gonna preach to me now?" I told him I wasn't going to. I said,"I'd love to talk to you about it sometime and answer questions that you might have but I am not gonna stand up and preach to you. I'll wait til you are interested again." Since then he has talked to me some about Christianity and the church I go to and what I do. I just hope he continues asking questions and I can find the right opportunity to tell him about Christ. I know it isn't the right time yet but I hope it's soon.
This story is a little bit different and this guy has a different background all together but let me tell you what happened that also caused me to remember people are watching and listening even when you don't realize it sometimes. The two of us had made a bet a while back and decided that whoever won the bet would be bought dinner by the other person. Well, I lost the bet and thus had to buy him dinner in the near future. He reminded me almost every day and if I wasn't working he was sure to text and let me know I owed him a dinner. After just a few days he text me and said, "I really want some cheesecake." I told him I'd make him a cheesecake instead of buying him a dinner if that's what he wanted. I ended up doing that and taking it to him just the other day. He text me later to say thank you and told me he had shared with a few other people at work. I text him back and said," Omg! You shared!" Now in my head the abbreviation 'omg' is 'oh my gosh' and after I sent the text I realized that not everyone sees omg the same way I do. He text back and said,"Ya know when I read your last text and saw you put 'omg' I read it as 'oh my gosh' because it was coming from you and not someone else." I text him back and said," yeah, I realized after I had sent it what people usually see it as but yes, you're right; i see it as 'oh my gosh." He said,"I figured you probably did but it was just funny because I have never read it that way before and I did this time without even thinking about it because it was coming from you." At that moment I was glad that I try to watch what I do and say around people because I was shocked that this person in particular even payed attention to me or the kind of person I am.
Now don't get me wrong. There are many times I fail in the area of my testimony and look back and wish I would have done something differently, whether it was something I said or something I did but it's always a good reminder to know people are watching you and many times they're curious. Try not to be a stumbling block to others. I am sure you have stories of your own that you could share about how your testimony helped someone else or caused them to ask questions and want to know what it is you had that they didn't!
I realize this post is not very in depth but hopefully it was a good reminder that people are always watching, especially if you are a Christian. They watch how you act, what you say, what you do, where you go, where you don't go, and so much more.
Before I end this post I want to leave you with a quote. "The single greatest cause of Atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)