Life!

This past weekend has literally been life changing for me! Especially the sermon in church yesterday, where our pastor taught about life. And it made me realize that some people don't have that same chance to live life. Their life is over before they get that chance.

Just hearing that makes me reevaluate my life. Am I living every day and making it count? I've been given life and that's a gift from God! That's something precious! So why aren't I living life? Why aren't I being enthusiastic about it. I mean, come on! LIFE! Just saying that word gives me goosebumps.

I don't think we understand the importance of life. Life is so much more than just living everyday! It's so much more than just waking up in the morning and going to bed. When you hear the word life what do you think? When I hear it, I think of vibrancy, energy, and just being full of love for living.

It's so hard to put it into words, but life is so much more than we sometimes think of it.

Oftentimes though, we start thinking that life sucks or is dull or is no longer exciting. And often we stop thinking of it as a blessing and more as a curse. But life isn't a curse at all! It's a blessing.

The devil gets in our heads so much and tells us that life isn't really worth living because it's full of pain. But that's not true because Jesus DIED to GIVE us LIFE! And for that we need to be thankful!

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.

Never forget those words.

On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand

You know what's amazing? And sometimes a blessing? When people around me tell me that they admire how strong my faith has been through all the pain and suffering. But it's also a bit strange. Because all this time I've thought to myself, "I don't have faith. I don't even think this'll work out. If this is what being a Christian is all about... I don't think I can do it anymore." I've had those moments, but it amazes me how people don't see that. Even though I set up a front about how much I trust God with all this and sometimes when I was told, "You must really be leaning on God right now," most of the time I was thinking, "God? What's He got to do with this? I don't see Him helping anywhere."

So you see, it hasn't all been me standing firm on the solid rock. Actually I see it as Satan pouring water on it and making me slip and slide while I'm trying to maintain a proper balance. And it's strange, but after being through that and being complimented on my strength, I realize that the people who I look up to, who I see as my role models because of how strong they've been, well it hasn't been that way for them either. It hasn't been "Oh yippee! Look at me! I get to go through something tough and practice my faith in God. This is totally the best thing ever!" On the contrary, it's been more of, "Oh crap. Look at all this crap. This crap makes my life seem... Crappy."

But it's such a blessing to be told that I still let my light shine when I didn't feel a light inside. And that everything I went through, and still am going through, did have a purpose! Honestly, that's my favorite thing about this all. Probably the only good thing that could come through all this.

And it's totally true about you! Whatever your going through, people will see you as a light! Their gonna see you as someone strong and courageous and their going to look up to YOU for that for the rest of their lives. Doesn't that make you feel awesome inside?

Although, even though my faith did slip and slide a lot, in the long run, it's made me so much more thankful to have a Saviour who I can look to in my darkest hour. And it's helped me deepen my faith so much more. And made me realize that even if I gave everything up and lost everything, I would still have my faith and that's more than I could ever want.

Someone recently said that they love how strong I am and how I am one of their role models because of how I've pulled through things and how I've remained strong. And that made my day. Knowing that even in my darkest hour full of hurt and pain, I gave someone else the courage to pull through what their struggling with.

Just knowing that they look up to me for that makes me wanna shout at the top of my lungs, "BRING IT ON!"

This came to me today when I was talking about this with my Mom: Struggles are a way of setting an example and showing those around you that you can stand through it all, no matter what comes your way.

Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your need and will strengthen your frame.

Love Your Enemies!

Just to let you know! This isn't for my Route 66 project, but God put something on my heart and I would like to share it very much.

Lately, there have been some things going on in my life. Such as learning that some people don't always say nice things about others. Now, I knew that in life, some gossip about others, it's common knowledge! And when I was younger (Around 12 or so), I figured, well what would it hurt to do that same thing? Don't worry, I know better now, but it took me about a year to find out how gossip truly can hurt someone.

Some things you should know:

1. First off I was totally wrong. Totally, completely wrong in thinking in that way. And no offense, but so are you if that's the way you think. Isn't that going against everything God teaches? He teaches us to love our enemies and bless them that persecute us. Also meaning those who spread rumors and tend to expand the truth for the sake of our downfall.
Mark 12:31 says,
"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

2. By doing the same thing your hurting someone else. A living being who could very well be going through some things that are already bringing strife and pain in their lives. Do you want to be the reason they hate living? Do you want to be the reason they dread waking up in the morning? If that's your true goal, you need a life!

3. How does this benefit you? Do you really think jumping in the same boat will benefit you? Because even if it does even for one minute, it's short lived, trust me.
Luke 6:29 says,
"If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also..."
Matthew 5:39 says,
"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Sounds pretty painful, doesn't it? But that's what God requests of us. And if that's what He wants, then goodness gracious, I'm gonna do just that!

4. Aren't you giving them a reason to dislike you? By playing their game, your doing exactly what they want you to be doing. By being kind to them, your giving them no excuse to dislike you, whatsoever. In fact, your giving them reasons to love you. And your showing God's light through you.
Romans 12:20 says,
"On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed them; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

5. WWJD. Jesus would DEFINITELY NOT hurt people in any way, including this one. So why would any of us? Think about it.

Romans 12:17-19 says,
"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord."

Matthew 5:44-46 says,
"But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?"

Proverbs 15:1 says,
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

Proverbs 16:7 says,
"When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

I could go on, but I think you get the point.

Blessings! (On your AND your enemies!)

Thanks!

Everybody goes through a phase in life when they feel like they don't amount to much. Or when they think that they don't have any affect on anyone. Or when they just don't feel useful or needed. A lot of times, we feel as though what we're doing just isn't enough. And I've often felt that way concerning furthering God's kingdom.

Where do I fit in in His big picture? Where can I help? Who can I minister to and who's life can I affect? Or who's life do I affect? It's easy to get mixed up about things like that. And often we don't even know what affect we have on God's kingdom. Anyways! Enough about me!

Quite a few of my friends have had a big affect on me encouragement wise. And most of them don't even know it. After a few months of encouraging me to take bigger steps of faith, one of my friends admitted to me that they just didn't feel needed. Or didn't see where they fit in in the kingdom of God. I was shocked when they confessed this, because I had thought that they knew how badly I needed them in my life.

But its things like that that make me realize how little we appreciate everything everyone does for one another. Even the small things should be rewarded. And I've decided to dedicate this post to all those people who have encouraged me throughout these past few months of struggle. I'm not to good at putting my emotions and thoughts into words, but I know I should at least make a failed attempt, if any.

So thank you all so much for being here for me and encouraging me to just keep going on with life and continue to help in God's ministry. You have no idea how much you have helped me in my journey and its all of you who have kept me going and have kept my faith in God strong. Thanks! <3
-Naomi

Carry Me

Why is it so easy to get hurt, but so hard to get over that hurt? That's one of my many questions this week. But the problem with having so many questions is not having the answers to any of them. Or at least, not having the answers to most of them. But you know what's an even more complicated question? Why does God not answer our many questions about life? Does He like how we run around like chickens without heads because the fact amuses Him? That's what I thought at first. But then I realized that if I had so many questions and no answers and didn't trust God to show me the answers in His own way, His own time, what kind of Christian does that make me? What's the point of running around like a chicken without a head if it doesn't help anything. It won't give me answers and it won't solve my problems.

I've learned so much this past month about giving things to God and letting Him deal with it all. You know that song "Dead Man (Carry Me)" by Jars of Clay?

Carry me, I'm just a dead man lying on the carpet, can't find a heartbeat. Make me free, I wanna be a new man, tired of the old one, out with the old plan.

See, the person who's singing this is talking about how they can't make it without God. They can't take anymore steps because of all the things their going through in life. That's what we feel like sometimes, am I right? We can't take anymore steps because we're just so weighed down by everything we go through everyday. Some of you wake up and think, "What am I going to do today? There's nothing worth doing if it doesn't change anything." and some of you think, "I don't care about anything anymore." That's the time when you need to give it up to God and let Him carry you. Only God can help you through your time of need and struggling.

If God brought you to it, He will bring you through it.

Fearless Sheep

Fearless. What does it mean to be fearless? Does it mean tackling the unknown even though you don't know the outcome? Or is it simply standing up for what you believe in? As I sit here and write, I still don't know what the total definition of fearless is.

The definition I've found is "fearless: unafraid: oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them." But what does it mean to each of us as individuals? To you it might mean trying out for the basketball team and being scared that you won't make it. To me it might mean trying out for a musical when I have stage fright and think I won't make it.

But why do these sorts of things that show our talents makes us fearful? Why do we feel afraid to do what God has given us a talent to do? How would our lives be now if the Apostle Paul had been too afraid, too fearful, to do his calling in life? Or what about Billy Graham, one of the greatest evangelists of all time? Think of what we all have to offer the world with our many talents! Are we benefiting anyone by being fearful? Are we giving what God wants us to give if we're being fearful? No! We're not! We're pretty much hiding under a rock because of fear. Look around you! Do you think that all those people out there got to where they are because they were fearful?

There's different ways of being fearful. Fearful of what people think. Fearful of what's to come. Fearful of what God's plan is for you in life. And last, but certainly not least, fearful of not living before death.

Psalm 23:4 says: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

See, even though we're full of fear, it's only natural! We're all just a bunch of dumb sheep who don't know any better. I mean that in the nicest possible way.... Well, I don't mean we're sheep in the sort of sense where we walk around eating grass and saying, "Baaaaa..." all the time. I mean we're frightened and need our Shepherds protection no matter what we do. And that's exactly what we've been promised! No matter what happens we know that our Shepherd is always with us, even when we feel lost and afraid, He is always there to guide us and comfort us and show us the way He's called us to go.

We have a God who's always there to love us and teach us so why are we so afraid? Why are we so fearful? Trusting God is what it's all about! Don't be fearful about anything in life that's not worth being fearful for! Sheep never question their shepherd. Why should we?

In a way, sheep are being better followers of their teacher than we are! Do you really wanna be shown up by a bunch of SHEEP? I know I don't! So suit up and start acting like a fearless sheep! So long as you don't eat grass or say, "Baaaa..."

The Library... AKA: My Happy Place.

The library might just be my favorite place in this whole entire world. For one thing... It's quiet there, no one to disturb or bug me while I read *coughDADcough*. For another... It's just filled with books... Hence why it's called a library. And for one more thing... Okay, I've got nothing else other than it's quiet with no one bugging me. But not only is the library one of my favorite places, so is the fountain that sits not far away. In the Spring to Fall time, the fountain is always on and flowing with water, which is quite refreshing on a hot day with a hint of a breeze. But today the fountain wasn't on... Sadly... But I still sat on my special bench (The farthest bench away from civilization. Meaning people don't talk to me when I sit there. It's wonderful!) and froze my rear and fingers off reading my book. But even when I'm not reading a book, it's great to just sit there and contemplate the things that go on in life. Stressful things, fun things, and yes, even not so fun things... Which would also fall into the stressful category. Thinking is something I do entirely too much but when I'm sitting there, I enjoy it, no matter what I'm thinking about. Mostly it's just about school, music, and weirdly enough, books! ;) Once in a while, someone will brave walking by me and say, "Good afternoon," or something of the sort, but today as I sat there, it was utterly quiet and peaceful and I'm not sure how I got to this topic but it just tumbled into my head as I was reading about someone knocking on a door. A verse came to me when I read this sentence and I have no idea why.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. ~ Revelation 3:20

It got me thinking quite a bit as I sat there and pondered what this verse meant to me and why it had come into my mind. You know how sometimes people come to your door and knock and you just ignore them? You just ignore them and hope they go away, am I right? Sure sometimes we claim not to have heard, but if someone's pounding at your door, that's not a very good or plausible excuse, if you excuse my saying so. Not to mention it's rude. But that's besides my point. Jesus comes to our doors a lot and knocks. Sometimes He pounds too. But we just crank up our stereos and TV's and claim not to have heard Him calling. Well, with all your stuff blaring at deafening volume, it's no wonder you can't hear Him! Your deaf. Your deaf and you won't listen to Someone who might just have something good for you that you need to hear. Whether it's good or not, you won't listen. Won't give the poor guy the time of day that He deserves. So let me ask you this one question. When are you going to listen to Him? When will you finally answer the door and let Him in? If I tell you that He's standing out in the cold waiting for you, will you feel guilty enough to let Him in? No one likes being ignored. So let Him in and listen. If you still can't hear Him, turn your stuff down and shut your mouth for once. That might help. God gave us one mouth for speaking and two ears so we can hear twice as much.

Speak, Lord, You have my attention!