A couple of years ago, I read through the entire Bible.
With my new iPhone, I was looking through some apps to download and decided I wanted to download a Bible so that I could read it wherever I was. The app I found has different reading plans to choose from, so I decided to do a chronological reading that lasts 365 days.
I hope that having the Bible with me all the time, I won't have the excuse of not reading something every day. Even if I didn't bring my Bible with, I at least have it on my phone so I will always be able to read it when I have a free moment.
Starting to read a few chapters though, I want to make sure that my reading doesn't end there. I think a lot of times I think that if I listen to Christian radio, write these blogs and read the Bible that means that God will be satisfied with my effort. I have to do more than that though. It's beyond just the surface things.
I need to make sure that I am learning as I am reading and even more, implementing what God wants me to do with these lessons.
I have to start somewhere, but I have to make sure I don't end there too.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Plan it out...sometimes
This one seems like a no-brainer to me, but as I think about it, maybe other people will be inspired.
I live off of writing things down - work, blogs, and especially lists. I don't know if I have a bad memory or am just too much of a worrier, I have to write everything down to make sure that I remember to do all that I want/need to do.
I have always been a planner, from deciding what I'm going to do this weekend ahead of time to make sure that I'm not left hanging to thinking ahead years in the future. It doesn't always work out as planned, but I like to at least have an idea of what I am going to do - even though sometimes God has different plans.
I thinking planning and staying organized with lists is important, because you won't forget to do what you need to do. You won't forget an important ingredient at the grocery store, and you won't forget to pay bills. I think planning is responsible.
However, I used to plan to the point that I didn't leave room for anything other than my plan. Recently, I didn't plan for my car to break down, and I didn't plan to miss my alarm and forget to get up on Christmas Eve for the drive home. However, I tried not to freak out when my plans went awry. Sometimes situations go wrong.
You have to leave room for God to make his moves. He doesn't always have the same plans that we do, and we have to accept that whether we want to or not.
Also, planning can sometimes make people stiff and unflexible. Spontaneity can definitely make days more fun, when we go on a random trip or take time out of our responsibilities to spend time with friends.
Be responsible with your time, but also leave room for God and for fun.
I live off of writing things down - work, blogs, and especially lists. I don't know if I have a bad memory or am just too much of a worrier, I have to write everything down to make sure that I remember to do all that I want/need to do.
I have always been a planner, from deciding what I'm going to do this weekend ahead of time to make sure that I'm not left hanging to thinking ahead years in the future. It doesn't always work out as planned, but I like to at least have an idea of what I am going to do - even though sometimes God has different plans.
I thinking planning and staying organized with lists is important, because you won't forget to do what you need to do. You won't forget an important ingredient at the grocery store, and you won't forget to pay bills. I think planning is responsible.
However, I used to plan to the point that I didn't leave room for anything other than my plan. Recently, I didn't plan for my car to break down, and I didn't plan to miss my alarm and forget to get up on Christmas Eve for the drive home. However, I tried not to freak out when my plans went awry. Sometimes situations go wrong.
You have to leave room for God to make his moves. He doesn't always have the same plans that we do, and we have to accept that whether we want to or not.
Also, planning can sometimes make people stiff and unflexible. Spontaneity can definitely make days more fun, when we go on a random trip or take time out of our responsibilities to spend time with friends.
Be responsible with your time, but also leave room for God and for fun.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Stick to it
I've had a lot of convictions through the years.
I could probably count on one hand how many I have stuck to without questioning. I rarely stick to my guns.
For instance, my freshman year in college I decided I wanted to switch schools so I could be closer to Nate. After much thought I decided to stay at my school, but it was hard to stick with my original decision. My sophomore year in college, I started to question my relationship with Nate. After I started my job, I almost quit to take a job where I live now.
Those are just a few of the more recent large decisions that I have made and questioned.
It came up again when I looked for a new cell phone last week. I had an upgrade due and needed a new one, because mine was shutting off randomly and just having troubles in general. It was an LG Chocolate Touch and I haven't really liked it since I got it.
However, I didn't want to get a smartphone, because I didn't want to pay the extra data charges. Working from home, I have my computers in front of me most of the time and didn't think it worth it to pay more for data every month.
I started looking for a phone with a Qwerty keyboard, a phone that I could get for free. My last phone is the only phone I've ever paid for, and I didn't like it so I didn't want to waste money on a phone again.
I looked at the very limited variety of basic phones my wireless company provides, and it was select. The only phone I liked - had a keyboard, video and a decent camera - was $100. I didn't want to pay that! So I decided to wait and see if they got new phones.
However, my new puppy decided to grab my phone from my pocket and gnaw on it. She did very little damage and I didn't notice anything wrong until a few hours later I tried to use my phone and the touch screen wasn't working. Apparently her sharp little teeth made an indentation on the touch sensor so the phone couldn't tell I was trying to use the touch screen.
Well, it was time for a new phone.
Nate said I should get an iPhone, but I was determined not to waste his money on extra data charges.
A few minutes into looking at the phone store, I was paying for a new iPhone.
"I don't stick to anything."
"No, you don't."
"Is that bad?"
"Yes. Sometimes you need to."
I started thinking about my lack of willpower. I really need to start sticking to my guns. And maybe I need to stop relying on myself about sticking to my guns. I need to rely on God's power and stick to it with his help.
I think that's my new year's resolution.
I could probably count on one hand how many I have stuck to without questioning. I rarely stick to my guns.
For instance, my freshman year in college I decided I wanted to switch schools so I could be closer to Nate. After much thought I decided to stay at my school, but it was hard to stick with my original decision. My sophomore year in college, I started to question my relationship with Nate. After I started my job, I almost quit to take a job where I live now.
Those are just a few of the more recent large decisions that I have made and questioned.
It came up again when I looked for a new cell phone last week. I had an upgrade due and needed a new one, because mine was shutting off randomly and just having troubles in general. It was an LG Chocolate Touch and I haven't really liked it since I got it.
However, I didn't want to get a smartphone, because I didn't want to pay the extra data charges. Working from home, I have my computers in front of me most of the time and didn't think it worth it to pay more for data every month.
I started looking for a phone with a Qwerty keyboard, a phone that I could get for free. My last phone is the only phone I've ever paid for, and I didn't like it so I didn't want to waste money on a phone again.
I looked at the very limited variety of basic phones my wireless company provides, and it was select. The only phone I liked - had a keyboard, video and a decent camera - was $100. I didn't want to pay that! So I decided to wait and see if they got new phones.
However, my new puppy decided to grab my phone from my pocket and gnaw on it. She did very little damage and I didn't notice anything wrong until a few hours later I tried to use my phone and the touch screen wasn't working. Apparently her sharp little teeth made an indentation on the touch sensor so the phone couldn't tell I was trying to use the touch screen.
Well, it was time for a new phone.
Nate said I should get an iPhone, but I was determined not to waste his money on extra data charges.
A few minutes into looking at the phone store, I was paying for a new iPhone.
"I don't stick to anything."
"No, you don't."
"Is that bad?"
"Yes. Sometimes you need to."
I started thinking about my lack of willpower. I really need to start sticking to my guns. And maybe I need to stop relying on myself about sticking to my guns. I need to rely on God's power and stick to it with his help.
I think that's my new year's resolution.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Life's stories
When I go through the obituaries for a paper I write for, they seem so short.
In fact, we have some death notices that are no longer than the date a person died, where they died, the time of their funeral and the place of their burial.
It makes life seem like it was insignificant. Those names mean nothing to me, and nothing to many of the people who flip through the pages of the paper. However, to some people that name means everything and it digs a dagger into their heart just seeing their life narrowed down to such a small piece.
I think everyone has a story, and obituaries simply don't tell them. Many people don't tell their stories, because they think they're insignificant. However, the fact that everyone has lived and learned means that they have something important to pass on to someone else.
Don't minimize people around you just because it seems like they have nothing to offer. Just because they're life might fit on a few lines in an obituary doesn't mean that's all there was to them. Get to know people before you don't have a chance.
Since Christmas is tomorrow, maybe I should make a tie in with Christmas.
Sometimes when we look at Jesus, we see his obituary. We see his death on the cross and think about the great sacrifice that he gave. His death is super important, paired with the fact that he beat death and came back to life three days later, but we can't discount the fact that he lived as well.
On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ - the start of his life. Jesus did a lot in the 33 years that he lived. He touched people; he healed; he taught. As we come to this season, let's start visiting all the important things that Jesus did in his life and learn from him, just the way that we should learn from each others' lives as well.
So remember once more, Jesus is the reason for the season.
Happy birthday Lord. Thank you for coming.
In fact, we have some death notices that are no longer than the date a person died, where they died, the time of their funeral and the place of their burial.
It makes life seem like it was insignificant. Those names mean nothing to me, and nothing to many of the people who flip through the pages of the paper. However, to some people that name means everything and it digs a dagger into their heart just seeing their life narrowed down to such a small piece.
I think everyone has a story, and obituaries simply don't tell them. Many people don't tell their stories, because they think they're insignificant. However, the fact that everyone has lived and learned means that they have something important to pass on to someone else.
Don't minimize people around you just because it seems like they have nothing to offer. Just because they're life might fit on a few lines in an obituary doesn't mean that's all there was to them. Get to know people before you don't have a chance.
Since Christmas is tomorrow, maybe I should make a tie in with Christmas.
Sometimes when we look at Jesus, we see his obituary. We see his death on the cross and think about the great sacrifice that he gave. His death is super important, paired with the fact that he beat death and came back to life three days later, but we can't discount the fact that he lived as well.
On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ - the start of his life. Jesus did a lot in the 33 years that he lived. He touched people; he healed; he taught. As we come to this season, let's start visiting all the important things that Jesus did in his life and learn from him, just the way that we should learn from each others' lives as well.
So remember once more, Jesus is the reason for the season.
Happy birthday Lord. Thank you for coming.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Held responsible
When I first got my puppy, I didn't get mad when she pottied on the floor or barked for attention. She was new to the world and didn't know that what she was doing was wrong.
When she did something wrong I would tell her "No," and then would show her a right way to act. If she pottied on the floor, I would stop her and take her outside and tell her that was the right place to go.
The longer she has been here, the more I can tell that she is learning right from wrong. She still messes up, and I don't get too upset unless she does something that I know she knows is wrong. I'm sure the older she gets, the more I will get mad if she deliberately disobeys me.
The more she knows what is right and wrong, the more she will be responsible for her actions and will get punished when she doesn't do what is right.
Thinking about that, I thought about the way that God views us. For those who aren't Christians, I'm sure he is upset that they make choices contrary to what he wants for their lives. However, if they don't know what they are doing is wrong, I don't think he gets quite as angry.
I think what really must upset God is when his children, especially those who have known him for quite a while, do something wrong. He has to hold us responsible and punish us, because we are deliberately disobeying his orders.
However, I'm so appreciative for love and grace. When my puppy messes up, but then she cuddles up to me with those big black eyes to give me a little lick and tell me she loves me, the anger always floats out of my heart. I'm thankful that although God is so much bigger than me, he still will forgive me and give me another chance just because I'm his daughter and he loves me.
When she did something wrong I would tell her "No," and then would show her a right way to act. If she pottied on the floor, I would stop her and take her outside and tell her that was the right place to go.
The longer she has been here, the more I can tell that she is learning right from wrong. She still messes up, and I don't get too upset unless she does something that I know she knows is wrong. I'm sure the older she gets, the more I will get mad if she deliberately disobeys me.
The more she knows what is right and wrong, the more she will be responsible for her actions and will get punished when she doesn't do what is right.
Thinking about that, I thought about the way that God views us. For those who aren't Christians, I'm sure he is upset that they make choices contrary to what he wants for their lives. However, if they don't know what they are doing is wrong, I don't think he gets quite as angry.
I think what really must upset God is when his children, especially those who have known him for quite a while, do something wrong. He has to hold us responsible and punish us, because we are deliberately disobeying his orders.
However, I'm so appreciative for love and grace. When my puppy messes up, but then she cuddles up to me with those big black eyes to give me a little lick and tell me she loves me, the anger always floats out of my heart. I'm thankful that although God is so much bigger than me, he still will forgive me and give me another chance just because I'm his daughter and he loves me.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
In vain
Psalm 2:1 says, "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?"
People want independence so much that nations are forever raging and people are forever fighting to gain it. Whether it's from foreign leaders like Americans did during the Revolutionary War or teenagers from parents, we are always trying to get out from under the control of others.
The Psalm continues, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."
I think this Psalm is really important today. Groups of people are banding together to try and get rid of every hint of religion, especially Christianity, from this country. Students can't write about their faith in papers or pray in class. The military can't put up a cross for a memorial. People don't even want to say "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
People are constantly banding together against God and against his Anointed, Jesus. However, the first part of this Psalm is most important - "Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain?" It's all in vain.
Any kind of struggle against God is in vain. People have a choice not to accept Christ, and they might think they have won on Earth. However, the moment they die they will see that their struggle against the one who created the heavens and the earth was in vain. They will receive their punishment eventually.
Even the Devil's ruses are in vain. He might have some temporary victories in life, but his struggles against God will eventually lead him to a lake of fire. God will win.
If you're struggling against God right now, realize that it's in vain. It's a lot of work for no gain.
People want independence so much that nations are forever raging and people are forever fighting to gain it. Whether it's from foreign leaders like Americans did during the Revolutionary War or teenagers from parents, we are always trying to get out from under the control of others.
The Psalm continues, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."
I think this Psalm is really important today. Groups of people are banding together to try and get rid of every hint of religion, especially Christianity, from this country. Students can't write about their faith in papers or pray in class. The military can't put up a cross for a memorial. People don't even want to say "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
People are constantly banding together against God and against his Anointed, Jesus. However, the first part of this Psalm is most important - "Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain?" It's all in vain.
Any kind of struggle against God is in vain. People have a choice not to accept Christ, and they might think they have won on Earth. However, the moment they die they will see that their struggle against the one who created the heavens and the earth was in vain. They will receive their punishment eventually.
Even the Devil's ruses are in vain. He might have some temporary victories in life, but his struggles against God will eventually lead him to a lake of fire. God will win.
If you're struggling against God right now, realize that it's in vain. It's a lot of work for no gain.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Seeing God at work
It’s so wonderful to see God’s blessings in others’ lives.
Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with one of my best friends from college.
She came to town to celebrate Christmas with her husband’s family and had a free night to spend with me. It was wonderful, because we haven’t seen each other since June and haven’t had a chance to talk for probably more than a month.
The best part of the conversation was seeing what exciting new opportunities God has brought into her life, opportunities that could only have happened thanks to an Almighty being looking over her.
First, I’ve prayed for her job situation as she has had a rough past year and a half in a terrible work environment. However, recently a new job popped up that worked out great with her personality, was a in great location and had the perfect pay and schedule.
In order to accept that new job, she and her husband had to make a move. However, they found a place that was in a great location and worked out well with their timeline.
She also decided that she wanted to get further education in Christian studies to enhance her knowledge of her faith - which I’m sure pleased God even more. At a preview day, which she didn’t initially feel was any benefit to her, she opened up a door prize of a mug to find a $1,000 scholarship.
Only God.
Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with one of my best friends from college.
She came to town to celebrate Christmas with her husband’s family and had a free night to spend with me. It was wonderful, because we haven’t seen each other since June and haven’t had a chance to talk for probably more than a month.
The best part of the conversation was seeing what exciting new opportunities God has brought into her life, opportunities that could only have happened thanks to an Almighty being looking over her.
First, I’ve prayed for her job situation as she has had a rough past year and a half in a terrible work environment. However, recently a new job popped up that worked out great with her personality, was a in great location and had the perfect pay and schedule.
In order to accept that new job, she and her husband had to make a move. However, they found a place that was in a great location and worked out well with their timeline.
She also decided that she wanted to get further education in Christian studies to enhance her knowledge of her faith - which I’m sure pleased God even more. At a preview day, which she didn’t initially feel was any benefit to her, she opened up a door prize of a mug to find a $1,000 scholarship.
Only God.
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