The power of positivity can make a tremendous difference in any situation. This past week at Breakaway, a weekly Bible study held on campus, the message was about positivity. If we stop and think about the words we are saying we often find that most things we talk about are negative. From little things like complaining about school to grumbling about how we are hungry or stressed, we are constantly complaining. I was very convicted this week because it is so true.
How is the light of Jesus suppose to shine from us when we are constantly talking about things that make us unhappy? If everyone around you is whining and complaining and you join in, you no longer stand out because you are doing the same thing as everybody else. The Bible calls us to live a life that sets an example of how Jesus lived. 1 Philippians 2:14 tells us,
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without
fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like
stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." The Bible says it right there. If we go about life without complaining or arguing the light of Jesus will shine out of us.
Positivity is life giving. I encourage you to go through your week, watching what you say, keeping in mind that a positive response can have a greater impact than any small complaint will ever have. It's a lot harder than you think.
The Lord is good!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Taking on God's Creation
This morning my friend Erin and I decided we wanted to wake up early and
watch the sunrise. We woke up early, got some coffee and headed to the
lake to watch the sunrise. I am completely in awe of The Lord today. When everything in this world fades, He remains constant. The sun rises every single day regardless of the temperature or weather. This can been seen as a reminder of The Lord's faithfulness.
Psalm 113:3 says "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of The LORD is to be praised!"
This morning I was able to praise The Lord while watching the sun rise. It is so important to take time to thank Him for even things like the sun rising every morning.
The Lord is good!
Psalms 113:3
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
Psalms 113:3
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
Psalms 113:3
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
Here is a video of the sun rise! We even caught a shooting star in the video at the end!
Psalms 113:3
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
Psalms 113:3
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
Psalms 113:3
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Sun#sthash.rbCnZPZU.dpuf
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Taking on Goodbyes
Even though I am no longer "taking Africa" (I've already done that!), I would like to continue this blog about my life. I think its appropriate for my grandmother to get this first blog post (that isn't about Kenya).
Yesterday I said goodbye to my sweet Mimi for the last time. Looking back on my time spent with her these last few days I realized just how lucky I am to have such a loving and supportive family. There are many people who only see their grandparents once or twice a year, and who do not have a personal relationship like I have with my grandparents. It was a blessing to have grown up with an amazing role model for a grandmother. Words can not explain how much I am going to miss her. One thing is for sure, she always had class even up until the end. I never once saw her question her illness. She may not have liked it at times, but she never questioned God's will. It's hard to say goodbye to someone who you love so much, but every day is numbered by the Lord and there isn't anything that can change that. Death is always hard because it is a reminder that we are sinner and that we need Jesus while we live here on this earth. Because of Christ's love for us we can be reassured that there is no fear in death.
Jesus says in John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." One thing that has been a comfort is in the last talk I had with my Mimi she told me "I'll be painting the rainbows, and I'm going to add another color just for you."
I encourage you to take the time to tell your loved ones just how much they mean to you. It's times like these where I am beyond thankful I was able to tell my Mimi just how much I loved her!
Here are a few favorite Mimi memories:
Yesterday I said goodbye to my sweet Mimi for the last time. Looking back on my time spent with her these last few days I realized just how lucky I am to have such a loving and supportive family. There are many people who only see their grandparents once or twice a year, and who do not have a personal relationship like I have with my grandparents. It was a blessing to have grown up with an amazing role model for a grandmother. Words can not explain how much I am going to miss her. One thing is for sure, she always had class even up until the end. I never once saw her question her illness. She may not have liked it at times, but she never questioned God's will. It's hard to say goodbye to someone who you love so much, but every day is numbered by the Lord and there isn't anything that can change that. Death is always hard because it is a reminder that we are sinner and that we need Jesus while we live here on this earth. Because of Christ's love for us we can be reassured that there is no fear in death.
Jesus says in John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." One thing that has been a comfort is in the last talk I had with my Mimi she told me "I'll be painting the rainbows, and I'm going to add another color just for you."
Here are a few favorite Mimi memories:
- Camp Mimi was what we called our summer stays with my grandparents
- All the countless museums I've been to and trips to the Ft. Worth Zoo
- The way she made Cinnamon toast or cinnamon rolls every time we stayed with her for breakfast
- The countless phone calls to check up on me and talk about life
- Naming stingrays in the Cayman Islands
- The many summer vacation my family was taken on because of my grandparents generosity
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Sharing the Gospel
There are no right or wrong words to say when sharing the gospel. As long as the truth is told it doesn't matter how it is done. The Lord uses everyone's story in a different way.
As I get ready to open up to the people we are ministering to it's important to ask the Holy Spirit to meet me at each door. I know that I may not know what to say now, but I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit will give me the words to say and that it will bring glory to Gods name. I know at some point during this trip I will be out of my comfort zone but I just have to remember that God is using me to do great things in order to fulfill his plan.
I have no doubt that our mission will continue even when we leave. It's something that Pastor Daniel (the local church pastor) has and is still drilling into his church people. It's not about the Americans coming in and saving the day, because we will leave. The people have to understand that while we are here we will help, but once we leave it's up to them to keep the mission going. We are here to guide and help, not be the Heroes.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Preparing for missions
Sunday June 16, 2013
Preparing for a mission trip like Africa hasn't been easy, besides all the shots and having to find the right clothes, it's been hard emotionally too. It takes lots of trust in The Lord and reading your Bible in order to fully understanding the Gospel, and what it means and how to share it without leaving any important things out.
Preparing for a mission trip like Africa hasn't been easy, besides all the shots and having to find the right clothes, it's been hard emotionally too. It takes lots of trust in The Lord and reading your Bible in order to fully understanding the Gospel, and what it means and how to share it without leaving any important things out.
You see it's so easy to go to a place like Kenya and tell the people there, "I came all the way from America just to share the amazing story of Gods grace with you," but it's something that I often find myself struggling to bring into conversations with people I don't know. I feel like Americans in general get so caught up in the rush of our culture that we don't even stop to think that our home is our mission field. God placed us specifically where we need to be in order fulfill his plans. Key words: HIS PLANS. I know even I'm guilty of thinking "what do I want, what should I do?" When in reality it's, what is God's plan? As Christians we can take rest in the fact that we don't have to plan out our lives, we don't have to know what to do next because God has already figured it out. All we have to do is put out trust in his future!
Even though I am traveling all the way to Kenya, I hope that the urgency I have to share the Gospel with the Kenyan people is ever present when I return and that I would find it easier to make Texas my mission field as well! OFF I GO!!!!
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