I have come to the end of my facebook fast.
30 days without facebook.
720 hours faceless.
It was extremely irritating at times, I have to admit. But it was also extrememly freeing. Do you know the feeling when you realize you don't actually have to do something and you are free to do many other things that make you feel so much more accomplished and happy? Well, that's how it feels.
During this time I have realized that I can live without facebook. If, for some reason, the creators of this social networking site decided to shut it down, I wouldn't die. If I can go thirty days, I can go a lifetime. Besides, I did spend the first fourteen years of my life without it.
Up until this year, I have never really fasted from anything before. Once, when I was little, I fasted from lunch. I told my mom that God wanted me to. Being a constantly ravenous child, I am sure this was difficult for me at the time. But I don't remember other times I have fasted. A few years ago I did the thirty hour famine, but it wasn't a highlight in my life.
In April God spoke to me and told me to fast from makeup. Ever since then I have been striving to look more like Him. I have been striving to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Him; denying my selfish desires and trying to put Him first in my life. I am not going to lie. It is stinkin hard. But Jesus never said it would be easy, He just said it would be worth it.
I had thought about taking a break from this blog for a while, but God searched my heart again. And I will be starting another 30 days of something new. I will write about that tomorrow.
As for facebook, I will limit myself to a max of 30 minutes a day for starters. I might realize that this is even too much.
Showing posts with label faceless. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faceless. Show all posts
July 7, 2010
July 6, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 29
Think of a time when someone told you a secret. They told you not to tell anyone else. I know this has happened to me dozens of times. When I was younger I was obsessed with "secrets". You could say this is what meant that me and someone else were true friends. A secret would be told. This is when we knew, or we hoped we did, that that the other person would be trustworthy and not tell anyone. Most of the time, the secrets were about boys; who we liked at that time or who we thought was cute. And other secrets were just gossip; rumors about who liked who.
When I was younger, it was easy to keep secrets. I was probably the most trustworthy person I knew. But if someone asked me to keep a secret from my best friend at that time, I was doomed. I told her everything. I almost died once in her bedroom because I was bursting at the seams to tell her a secret from someone else. It wasn't because I wanted to blackmail that other person, or be unloyal. It was because I was so used to not ever being on a leash with my tongue with my best friend. I could trust her with anything. And she could trust me. We could spend days with eachother and never become sick of the other person. We talked constantly.
As I grew older, I began to keep more things to myself. This is probably because as I grew older, more serious things began to happen in my life. Serious sin as well. Some things were kept secret at all costs. I didn't even tell one person.
I once heard that perhaps it would be better for the world if everyone's sins were broadcasted on the news for all to see. What if your deepest secrets; your sins that no one knows about, or few people know about, were on the evening news? What if they were described in detail, revealing all of the times you lied, cheated, stole, disobeyed, and gossiped. They even talked about your envious desires and lustful thoughts.
What if everyone knew everyone's sin? I think sometimes we are so guilty, embarrassed, or shameful of our sin that we are afraid to tell anyone. Maybe it was a past sin or maybe it is an ongoing addiction or struggle that we just can't bring ourselves to talk about with anyone. Trust me. It is so much better to tell someone. Don't tell just anyone. Tell someone you know you can trust.
Keeping secrets gets old after a while.
"For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open." Mark 4:22
When I was younger, it was easy to keep secrets. I was probably the most trustworthy person I knew. But if someone asked me to keep a secret from my best friend at that time, I was doomed. I told her everything. I almost died once in her bedroom because I was bursting at the seams to tell her a secret from someone else. It wasn't because I wanted to blackmail that other person, or be unloyal. It was because I was so used to not ever being on a leash with my tongue with my best friend. I could trust her with anything. And she could trust me. We could spend days with eachother and never become sick of the other person. We talked constantly.
As I grew older, I began to keep more things to myself. This is probably because as I grew older, more serious things began to happen in my life. Serious sin as well. Some things were kept secret at all costs. I didn't even tell one person.
I once heard that perhaps it would be better for the world if everyone's sins were broadcasted on the news for all to see. What if your deepest secrets; your sins that no one knows about, or few people know about, were on the evening news? What if they were described in detail, revealing all of the times you lied, cheated, stole, disobeyed, and gossiped. They even talked about your envious desires and lustful thoughts.
What if everyone knew everyone's sin? I think sometimes we are so guilty, embarrassed, or shameful of our sin that we are afraid to tell anyone. Maybe it was a past sin or maybe it is an ongoing addiction or struggle that we just can't bring ourselves to talk about with anyone. Trust me. It is so much better to tell someone. Don't tell just anyone. Tell someone you know you can trust.
Keeping secrets gets old after a while.
"For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open." Mark 4:22
July 5, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 28
"Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus." Mark 3:1-6
Again, this is part of the Bible I read and just say...this is ridiculous. "Don't work on the sabbath". So you can't heal a crippled man?? Why would anyone be that legalistic? Why would anyone be so focused on the rules? This seems proposterous right? What evil person would do that?
But then I think, how many times have I done that? How many times do I get so focused on all of the rules, that I forget to love? I forget to put all of what I read in scripture into practice.
We look at the pharisees and think how stupid and selfish and legalistic they are. But it's different whenever we think of it in perspective of our own lives.
Romans 13:8-10 says: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
Again, this is part of the Bible I read and just say...this is ridiculous. "Don't work on the sabbath". So you can't heal a crippled man?? Why would anyone be that legalistic? Why would anyone be so focused on the rules? This seems proposterous right? What evil person would do that?
But then I think, how many times have I done that? How many times do I get so focused on all of the rules, that I forget to love? I forget to put all of what I read in scripture into practice.
We look at the pharisees and think how stupid and selfish and legalistic they are. But it's different whenever we think of it in perspective of our own lives.
Romans 13:8-10 says: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
July 4, 2010
30 Days Faceless day 27
In Mark Chapter 2, Jesus is questioned by people. They asked him why was it that John's disciples and the Pharisees fasted, but Jesus' disciples were not. Jesus' answer was this: "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will ome when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast."
(verses 18-20)
What is fasting? Well, generally, it is going without something. In this text, it is food. But you don't have to fast from food. You can fast from a variety of things. Fasting is a challenge because it is giving up something you really like. I could fast from playing video games...but that wouldn't do anything for me, since I don't even play them.
When you fast, you give up something that is taking the place of God in your life. Maybe it is keeping you from reading your Bible everyday, or from sharing the Gospel, or from praying, or from meditating and listening to God.
But that is not the end of it. You not only give it up, you put God in place of that thing. The time you spent on the thing you are fasting from, now becomes God's time with you.
It is an amazing thing to do; something that will bring you incredibly close to God.
This is why Jesus' disciples did not fast. They were already there with Jesus Christ; doing His work, talking with him, listening to Him, and learning from him. Jesus said there will be a time after He leaves that the disciples will fast.
Jesus wants us to fast. No, this is not a constant thing we are supposed to do. But it keeps our focus on God. It is a type of worship; showing Him that He is all that we Need and want; that we would give up stuff for Him.
(verses 18-20)
What is fasting? Well, generally, it is going without something. In this text, it is food. But you don't have to fast from food. You can fast from a variety of things. Fasting is a challenge because it is giving up something you really like. I could fast from playing video games...but that wouldn't do anything for me, since I don't even play them.
When you fast, you give up something that is taking the place of God in your life. Maybe it is keeping you from reading your Bible everyday, or from sharing the Gospel, or from praying, or from meditating and listening to God.
But that is not the end of it. You not only give it up, you put God in place of that thing. The time you spent on the thing you are fasting from, now becomes God's time with you.
It is an amazing thing to do; something that will bring you incredibly close to God.
This is why Jesus' disciples did not fast. They were already there with Jesus Christ; doing His work, talking with him, listening to Him, and learning from him. Jesus said there will be a time after He leaves that the disciples will fast.
Jesus wants us to fast. No, this is not a constant thing we are supposed to do. But it keeps our focus on God. It is a type of worship; showing Him that He is all that we Need and want; that we would give up stuff for Him.
July 3, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 26
Like many people, when Clash of the Titans came out in theaters a few months ago, I went to see it. I spent my hard earned cash and had good entertainment with friends. I know it is kind of late for a movie review, but some things stuck out to me in this movie and I just haven't remembered to write them down. I am continually reminded of it.
This movie is about the mortal son of the god Zeus. The whole movie is about people rebelling against the gods; destroying temples, statues, idols, not praying, ect. First of all, yes Zeus's son is mortal. Why? Because Zeus got a mortal woman pregnant. He did this to get revenge on a mortal man. The gods in this film become powerless because of man's unwillingness to pray. It seems that prayer fuels the gods, or something like that.
This all seems ridiculous to me. They are gods...and yet they need man to survive? It is so utterly and completely different from the One True God. God doesn't need us. It is the complete opposite. We need Him! Our prayers do not fuel Him, or keep him alive in any way. He keeps us alive. God would never use any of us. He wouldn't take out revenge on you by sleeping with your wife. He is holy, perfect, and righteous.
It blows my mind how people actually used to worship these gods. And how some people worship gods like this today. It also amazes me how we as humans think we are above God. We think we can rebel against Him and cause Him some sort of harm. But the Lord God cannot be hurt by us. He is invincible. And if we rebel, he is more than capable of handling our little temper tantrums. We soon realize what we really need. Or, I hope.
This movie is about the mortal son of the god Zeus. The whole movie is about people rebelling against the gods; destroying temples, statues, idols, not praying, ect. First of all, yes Zeus's son is mortal. Why? Because Zeus got a mortal woman pregnant. He did this to get revenge on a mortal man. The gods in this film become powerless because of man's unwillingness to pray. It seems that prayer fuels the gods, or something like that.
This all seems ridiculous to me. They are gods...and yet they need man to survive? It is so utterly and completely different from the One True God. God doesn't need us. It is the complete opposite. We need Him! Our prayers do not fuel Him, or keep him alive in any way. He keeps us alive. God would never use any of us. He wouldn't take out revenge on you by sleeping with your wife. He is holy, perfect, and righteous.
It blows my mind how people actually used to worship these gods. And how some people worship gods like this today. It also amazes me how we as humans think we are above God. We think we can rebel against Him and cause Him some sort of harm. But the Lord God cannot be hurt by us. He is invincible. And if we rebel, he is more than capable of handling our little temper tantrums. We soon realize what we really need. Or, I hope.
July 2, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 25
Have you ever read the Bible and thought "this is ridiculous". I know I have.
In Mark chapter one, Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilea. He saw two brothers, who were fishermen, casting their nets into the sea. He called out to them "Come, follow me and I will make you fisher's of men." They dropped their nets and everything they were doing, and followed him. Again this happened further down the shore as Jesus kept walking. He saw two more fishermen who were casting nets with thier father. He called out to them and they dropped what they were doing, left their father with the hired men in the boat, and followed him.
Now, am I the only one who sees this as crazy? These men didn't even know Jesus. He was a stranger to them. He wasn't well known yet at all. He was just a carpenter's son and few knew him.
If I was at my job, at the java house, and some stranger came in that I have never seen before, and told me to follow him, I would have raised my eyebrows and thought he was insane. I would not have followed him.
What about the two men's father who they were with? I bet he was thrilled...his sons just left without a word and folllowed some stranger. He must have thought they were rebellious, ungrateful sons.
Why did they do it? Why did they drop everything for someone they never met?
In Mark chapter one, Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilea. He saw two brothers, who were fishermen, casting their nets into the sea. He called out to them "Come, follow me and I will make you fisher's of men." They dropped their nets and everything they were doing, and followed him. Again this happened further down the shore as Jesus kept walking. He saw two more fishermen who were casting nets with thier father. He called out to them and they dropped what they were doing, left their father with the hired men in the boat, and followed him.
Now, am I the only one who sees this as crazy? These men didn't even know Jesus. He was a stranger to them. He wasn't well known yet at all. He was just a carpenter's son and few knew him.
If I was at my job, at the java house, and some stranger came in that I have never seen before, and told me to follow him, I would have raised my eyebrows and thought he was insane. I would not have followed him.
What about the two men's father who they were with? I bet he was thrilled...his sons just left without a word and folllowed some stranger. He must have thought they were rebellious, ungrateful sons.
Why did they do it? Why did they drop everything for someone they never met?
July 1, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 24
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'." Matthew 16:24
What is denying yourself? It is not a term that we are familiar with here in the 21st century, in America. We have stuff. We have plenty. We are never satisfied. We always want more. Denying our selfish desires and wants is not something high on our to do list, or something that even enters our minds.
Denying ourself means denying our own selfish desires. It means not doing what we want, and doing what God wants instead. It means putting God first in our lives; not letting things or people take His place. What are you placing before God?
In Luke 14, Jesus told a parable about a man who was preparing a great banquet. He invited many guests and sent a servant to give them the invitations. But all of them had excuses: "I just bought a field, so I must go and see it", "I just bought five yoke of oxen and I must try them out", and "I just got married, I can't come."
When the servant came back and reported this to his master the master was angry. He ordered his servant to go into the streets and invite anyone and everyone: the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Still there was room in his house, so he sent his servant out onto the roads and country lanes until his house was full of guests.
Honestly I never understood this parable. I never thought it was a big deal. But last night I finally saw the big picture. At the beginning of the story Jesus says: "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the Kingdom of God." Jesus has a feast prepared for us. He is opening is house to us and preparing a great banquet. He has invited every single one of us. He wants us to be in a relationship with Him, He wants us to read His word, He wants us to talk to Him and spend time with Him. But how many times have we made excuses? I know the excuses in Luke are somewhat outdated and not applicable. But what about instead of just buying a field you say, "I just bought the new iphone 4...sorry God", or instead of oxen, "I just got a new car and I have to test it out", or "I just don't have time", "I'm busy", "I have plans with a friend", "I have to harvest my crops on farmville", "I'm texting"....when will we stop giving excuses?
Last night I heard someone speak on this subject. He got down on his knees and begged us to follow Jesus. He begged us. It made tears come into my eyes. This man was on fire and he was passionate and he wanted us to be too.
Last year I heard a man I greatly admire give a talk. It was heartfelt and real and trasparent. He had nothing to hide. He was truly a man after God's own heart. And his desire was for us to be that way too. At the end of it he said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." That is something I wish I could say.
What is denying yourself? It is not a term that we are familiar with here in the 21st century, in America. We have stuff. We have plenty. We are never satisfied. We always want more. Denying our selfish desires and wants is not something high on our to do list, or something that even enters our minds.
Denying ourself means denying our own selfish desires. It means not doing what we want, and doing what God wants instead. It means putting God first in our lives; not letting things or people take His place. What are you placing before God?
In Luke 14, Jesus told a parable about a man who was preparing a great banquet. He invited many guests and sent a servant to give them the invitations. But all of them had excuses: "I just bought a field, so I must go and see it", "I just bought five yoke of oxen and I must try them out", and "I just got married, I can't come."
When the servant came back and reported this to his master the master was angry. He ordered his servant to go into the streets and invite anyone and everyone: the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Still there was room in his house, so he sent his servant out onto the roads and country lanes until his house was full of guests.
Honestly I never understood this parable. I never thought it was a big deal. But last night I finally saw the big picture. At the beginning of the story Jesus says: "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the Kingdom of God." Jesus has a feast prepared for us. He is opening is house to us and preparing a great banquet. He has invited every single one of us. He wants us to be in a relationship with Him, He wants us to read His word, He wants us to talk to Him and spend time with Him. But how many times have we made excuses? I know the excuses in Luke are somewhat outdated and not applicable. But what about instead of just buying a field you say, "I just bought the new iphone 4...sorry God", or instead of oxen, "I just got a new car and I have to test it out", or "I just don't have time", "I'm busy", "I have plans with a friend", "I have to harvest my crops on farmville", "I'm texting"....when will we stop giving excuses?
Last night I heard someone speak on this subject. He got down on his knees and begged us to follow Jesus. He begged us. It made tears come into my eyes. This man was on fire and he was passionate and he wanted us to be too.
Last year I heard a man I greatly admire give a talk. It was heartfelt and real and trasparent. He had nothing to hide. He was truly a man after God's own heart. And his desire was for us to be that way too. At the end of it he said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." That is something I wish I could say.
June 30, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 23
I have 16 days left of my childhood. In sixteen days, I will be eighteen, an "adult". I am not exactly looking foward to it. So I looked up what I can do when I turn eighteen that I couldn't before, to make me become more excited.
The list included: I can buy tobacco, get a tattoo, buy spray paint, sue someone, be sued, get married, get into clubs, buy a lottery ticket, apply for a loan, get a blockbuster membership, enlist in the military, go to jail, become an undercover cop, change my name, get a credit card, become a stripper, rent a house, enter almost any sweepstakes, buy stuff on infomercials, rent a port-a-potty, drive an ice cream truck, buy a house, pay taxes, get a pay-pal account, get or give a lap dance, drive a company vehicle, carry a weapon (with a license), buy insurance, skydive, and gamble.
YES! NOW I am excited! I mean wouldn't you be? I can smoke and spit tobacco, become a stripper and give people lap dances, change my name to Lucinda, become an undercover cop, drive an ice cream truck while carrying a gun, gamble, then marry someone and buy a house with all the money I won!
I am very sorry. But this is still not exciting. I don't plan on doing most of those things. I will probably buy a lottery ticket and get a membership at blockbuster. I have to apply for a loan, but other than that, I don't have aspirations for any of these "awesome" "adult" things. I had to laugh when I was researching this topic. The question was on yahoo answers. The answers were...interesting to say the least. One of the answers was "You can have sex with anyone you want and they won't go to jail." Another answer was, "Go to jail...be careful." A lot of answers were: "You can do anything you want! Except buy liquor and rent a car." Are these people really excited about this? I am sorry. I am not.
As some would say: "Welcome to the real world Ali".
I wonder if it's better to live in ignorance than know the ins and outs of this fallen world. That is why I miss being a child. Everything was peachy and you had everything in the world to look forward to. "Freedom" means different things to everyone. I suppose that to some, it is moving out of the house, getting a tattoo, and doing whatever you want. To most, it is getting away with as much as possible. But if that's freedom, keep me in chains.
The list included: I can buy tobacco, get a tattoo, buy spray paint, sue someone, be sued, get married, get into clubs, buy a lottery ticket, apply for a loan, get a blockbuster membership, enlist in the military, go to jail, become an undercover cop, change my name, get a credit card, become a stripper, rent a house, enter almost any sweepstakes, buy stuff on infomercials, rent a port-a-potty, drive an ice cream truck, buy a house, pay taxes, get a pay-pal account, get or give a lap dance, drive a company vehicle, carry a weapon (with a license), buy insurance, skydive, and gamble.
YES! NOW I am excited! I mean wouldn't you be? I can smoke and spit tobacco, become a stripper and give people lap dances, change my name to Lucinda, become an undercover cop, drive an ice cream truck while carrying a gun, gamble, then marry someone and buy a house with all the money I won!
I am very sorry. But this is still not exciting. I don't plan on doing most of those things. I will probably buy a lottery ticket and get a membership at blockbuster. I have to apply for a loan, but other than that, I don't have aspirations for any of these "awesome" "adult" things. I had to laugh when I was researching this topic. The question was on yahoo answers. The answers were...interesting to say the least. One of the answers was "You can have sex with anyone you want and they won't go to jail." Another answer was, "Go to jail...be careful." A lot of answers were: "You can do anything you want! Except buy liquor and rent a car." Are these people really excited about this? I am sorry. I am not.
As some would say: "Welcome to the real world Ali".
I wonder if it's better to live in ignorance than know the ins and outs of this fallen world. That is why I miss being a child. Everything was peachy and you had everything in the world to look forward to. "Freedom" means different things to everyone. I suppose that to some, it is moving out of the house, getting a tattoo, and doing whatever you want. To most, it is getting away with as much as possible. But if that's freedom, keep me in chains.
June 29, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 23
Have you ever noticed the many instances in the Bible with faith and water?
Jesus was on a boat with His disciples. A big storm came and the disciples were freaking out, but Jesus was fast asleep. They woke him and He calmed the storm. They were amazed. Jesus asked them where their faith was (Matthew 8).
When the israelites were slaves, God told Moses to have Aaron stretch out his staff over the Nile so that it would be turned into blood (Exodus 7). Aaron and Moses had to have faith that God would do it.
Jesus walked on water to the boat where His disciples were. The disciples were frightened and thought he was a ghost. Peter called out to Him, showing faith. Jesus told Him to come out onto the water and he did. But he saw the waves and doubted. Jesus pulled him out and called him "you of little faith" (Matthew 14).
Moses' mother had faith that God would save her son. She placed Him in a basket and set him in the Nile River. God saved Moses (Exodus 2).
Noah built an ark when God told him to, even though he didn't even know what an ark was. He didn't even know what rain was. But God saved him and his family from the flood (Genesis 6-7).
Moses parted the red sea with God's help, having faith that God would deliver the israelites(Exodus 14).
Jesus was at a wedding and they ran out of wine. He told the servants to bring Him jars of water and they did it, even though it probably sounded crazy. They needed wine, not water. But then Jesus turned the water into wine(John 2).
The israelites were out in the desert and did not have any water. Moses struck the rock as God commanded and water poured out of it (Exodus 17).
The subject of faith is talked about many times in the Bible with the context with water.
Faith is being sure of what I hope for, and certain of what I do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the foundation for what I believe.
Water often symbolizes purity and cleansing or baptism in the BIble.
Hebrews 10:22-23 says: "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
I think these last verses capture the connection between faith and water very well.
Jesus was on a boat with His disciples. A big storm came and the disciples were freaking out, but Jesus was fast asleep. They woke him and He calmed the storm. They were amazed. Jesus asked them where their faith was (Matthew 8).
When the israelites were slaves, God told Moses to have Aaron stretch out his staff over the Nile so that it would be turned into blood (Exodus 7). Aaron and Moses had to have faith that God would do it.
Jesus walked on water to the boat where His disciples were. The disciples were frightened and thought he was a ghost. Peter called out to Him, showing faith. Jesus told Him to come out onto the water and he did. But he saw the waves and doubted. Jesus pulled him out and called him "you of little faith" (Matthew 14).
Moses' mother had faith that God would save her son. She placed Him in a basket and set him in the Nile River. God saved Moses (Exodus 2).
Noah built an ark when God told him to, even though he didn't even know what an ark was. He didn't even know what rain was. But God saved him and his family from the flood (Genesis 6-7).
Moses parted the red sea with God's help, having faith that God would deliver the israelites(Exodus 14).
Jesus was at a wedding and they ran out of wine. He told the servants to bring Him jars of water and they did it, even though it probably sounded crazy. They needed wine, not water. But then Jesus turned the water into wine(John 2).
The israelites were out in the desert and did not have any water. Moses struck the rock as God commanded and water poured out of it (Exodus 17).
The subject of faith is talked about many times in the Bible with the context with water.
Faith is being sure of what I hope for, and certain of what I do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the foundation for what I believe.
Water often symbolizes purity and cleansing or baptism in the BIble.
Hebrews 10:22-23 says: "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
I think these last verses capture the connection between faith and water very well.
June 28, 2010
June 27, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 21
A lot of change is happening in my life. Everything is new. I am in unfamiliar, uncharted territory. I am nervous. I am frightened. And sometimes it can become discouraging. Tonight I read these verses:
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:8-9
Wherever I go, whether it be just outside my house, a completely different city or state, or any new unfamiliar place, God will be with me. He commands me to be strong and courageous. That command is easier said than done. But the end of the verse is encouragement for that command. God is with me; therefore, I should be strong and courageous and neither scared nor discouraged. I have God on my side.
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:8-9
Wherever I go, whether it be just outside my house, a completely different city or state, or any new unfamiliar place, God will be with me. He commands me to be strong and courageous. That command is easier said than done. But the end of the verse is encouragement for that command. God is with me; therefore, I should be strong and courageous and neither scared nor discouraged. I have God on my side.
June 26, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 20
Every saturday morning at the java house I work at, we serve swedish pancakes, homeade by Danny our head barista. I am his official helper. I place the pancakes on the plate, and put whatever the customer wants on there (whip cream, strawberries, butter, syrup, or lingonberries). To sum it all up, I make them look pretty.
Danny may flip the pancakes off of the pans and they may be twisted, broken, ripped, and even torn apart. But I know the secret to making it all look scrumptious and delightful. I was thinking about this as I was working this morning. Danny always lets me know when one ripped, "Oh! That is a mess. But I know you'll make it look pretty! They'll never know!" I am, afterall, that good.
So, I began to think about my job of making a messed up pancake look pretty. I hide it under the other two pancakes on the plate, or I fold it a certain way. I have a perfect technique of making it unseen and unnoticable. But then I thought, how good am I at doing this in real life? When I am messed up and broken and torn, do I just make myself look pretty on the outside and hide my pain or sin inside so no one will see? This is quite a serious thing.
Of course, this isn't a big deal with pancakes. It is food. It all tastes the same no matter what it looks like and it would not be bad if someone found out that the second pancake in their stack wasn't in one piece. But what about life? What about my life?
This is something I want God to search my heart for. Am I a hypocrite? Do I make my outside look pretty for others but leave the real me hidden?
I know this is easy for me to do, especially when I am struggling in pain or difficulties in my life. I hide it all so I won't "burden" anyone with what I am going through. I put on a smile and don't tell a soul. I hold in the tears when all I want to do is cry. I say I am good when I am really not. I tell half truths to get around the conversation that would make me ache again. I make my life look pretty.
Danny may flip the pancakes off of the pans and they may be twisted, broken, ripped, and even torn apart. But I know the secret to making it all look scrumptious and delightful. I was thinking about this as I was working this morning. Danny always lets me know when one ripped, "Oh! That is a mess. But I know you'll make it look pretty! They'll never know!" I am, afterall, that good.
So, I began to think about my job of making a messed up pancake look pretty. I hide it under the other two pancakes on the plate, or I fold it a certain way. I have a perfect technique of making it unseen and unnoticable. But then I thought, how good am I at doing this in real life? When I am messed up and broken and torn, do I just make myself look pretty on the outside and hide my pain or sin inside so no one will see? This is quite a serious thing.
Of course, this isn't a big deal with pancakes. It is food. It all tastes the same no matter what it looks like and it would not be bad if someone found out that the second pancake in their stack wasn't in one piece. But what about life? What about my life?
This is something I want God to search my heart for. Am I a hypocrite? Do I make my outside look pretty for others but leave the real me hidden?
I know this is easy for me to do, especially when I am struggling in pain or difficulties in my life. I hide it all so I won't "burden" anyone with what I am going through. I put on a smile and don't tell a soul. I hold in the tears when all I want to do is cry. I say I am good when I am really not. I tell half truths to get around the conversation that would make me ache again. I make my life look pretty.
June 25, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 19
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" Luke 21:33
Have you ever thought about the Bible and how it was written? And how there are many different authors and yet it all flows together? God spoke to every author and He has what He wants in the Book. It amazes me. No other book is like it. All of it is God-breathed.
When I open up my Bible, I read it, but it also reads me. Hebrews 4:12-13 says: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."
When we read the Bible the Holy Spirit speaks to us, convicts me, and reveals our hearts and inner motives in a way that is incredibly powerful and life changing. I know no other book as influential.
Have you ever thought about the Bible and how it was written? And how there are many different authors and yet it all flows together? God spoke to every author and He has what He wants in the Book. It amazes me. No other book is like it. All of it is God-breathed.
When I open up my Bible, I read it, but it also reads me. Hebrews 4:12-13 says: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."
When we read the Bible the Holy Spirit speaks to us, convicts me, and reveals our hearts and inner motives in a way that is incredibly powerful and life changing. I know no other book as influential.
June 24, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 18
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21
It's easy to love those who already love us. The hard thing is to love when no one is loving back; loving your "enemies". This is something that has always been hard for me. Usually, I get along with everyone pretty well. But God always places that one person in my life that I don't seem to get along with. You could say that He is trying to tell me what I need to work on. My mom says there will always be that one person.
It is easy to say one sarcastic comment to another person't sarcastic comment, one snide remark to another snide remark...but Romans 12:17-18 says: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
I remember my mom always quoting verse 18 to my brothers and I. "As far as it depends on YOU, live at peace with everyone." It depends on you, not the other person. There is no excuse...no "but he..." or "but she.." I don't ever see that written in the Bible. Ever.
The message version of verses 17-18 say this: "Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody."
"Discover beauuty in everyone" reminds me of a quote in the movie "Lord, Save us from your Followers". It says: "If you love someone, you will go out of your way to find the best in them."
I love that quote. And it is something that I am trying to keep with me this week, and throughout my life. I'm trying to find the best in everyone, even in my "enemies".
It's easy to love those who already love us. The hard thing is to love when no one is loving back; loving your "enemies". This is something that has always been hard for me. Usually, I get along with everyone pretty well. But God always places that one person in my life that I don't seem to get along with. You could say that He is trying to tell me what I need to work on. My mom says there will always be that one person.
It is easy to say one sarcastic comment to another person't sarcastic comment, one snide remark to another snide remark...but Romans 12:17-18 says: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
I remember my mom always quoting verse 18 to my brothers and I. "As far as it depends on YOU, live at peace with everyone." It depends on you, not the other person. There is no excuse...no "but he..." or "but she.." I don't ever see that written in the Bible. Ever.
The message version of verses 17-18 say this: "Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody."
"Discover beauuty in everyone" reminds me of a quote in the movie "Lord, Save us from your Followers". It says: "If you love someone, you will go out of your way to find the best in them."
I love that quote. And it is something that I am trying to keep with me this week, and throughout my life. I'm trying to find the best in everyone, even in my "enemies".
June 23, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 17
Have you ever thought about who God is? How big He is? How powerful and awesome He is?
Once, my friend told me that she read that sometimes we get so caught up in one side of God; that He is my dad, my friend, my buddy..that we don't see the big picture. We don't remember everything that He is. He is Holy. He is righteous. He is Lord.
Yes, God is personal, but that doesn't mean He is just like us. J.I. Packer says this: "Our personal life is a finite thing: it is limited in every direction, in space, in time, in knowledge, in power. But God is not so limited. He is eternal, infinite and almighty. He has us in his hands; we never have him in ours. Like us, he is personal; but unlike us, He is great."
It is an amazing priveledge to be able to have a personal relationship with God; The One amazing God who created me. He created everything out of nothing. I was made, but He is the One who made me. It is just so amazing to think about that. I have a relationship with the King of the Universe.
I had a beginning. I was born in 1992. God is eternal. He has always been here and always will. He is the Alpha and Omega.
Psalm 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."
God is so big. So amazing. So wonderful. He is our Lord, our King, and our Redeemer.
God is great.
Once, my friend told me that she read that sometimes we get so caught up in one side of God; that He is my dad, my friend, my buddy..that we don't see the big picture. We don't remember everything that He is. He is Holy. He is righteous. He is Lord.
Yes, God is personal, but that doesn't mean He is just like us. J.I. Packer says this: "Our personal life is a finite thing: it is limited in every direction, in space, in time, in knowledge, in power. But God is not so limited. He is eternal, infinite and almighty. He has us in his hands; we never have him in ours. Like us, he is personal; but unlike us, He is great."
It is an amazing priveledge to be able to have a personal relationship with God; The One amazing God who created me. He created everything out of nothing. I was made, but He is the One who made me. It is just so amazing to think about that. I have a relationship with the King of the Universe.
I had a beginning. I was born in 1992. God is eternal. He has always been here and always will. He is the Alpha and Omega.
Psalm 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."
God is so big. So amazing. So wonderful. He is our Lord, our King, and our Redeemer.
God is great.
June 22, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 16
Sometimes it is difficult to know what God's plan is. It's difficult to know if what you want to do is what the Lord wants you to do. Most of the time it is discouraging when you hear the devil trying to convince you that you aren't good enough to do the thing you are trying to do. But for me, it was SO encouraging. If Satan is trying to stop me, it must be for the Lord right?
I'm sorry this is so vague. But I would be extremely thankful for prayer as I go on.
I'm sorry this is so vague. But I would be extremely thankful for prayer as I go on.
June 21, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 15
I've been two weeks without facebook and I am so glad I did this. There are better ways to spend my time and I believe that when my fast is over I will limit myself to how much time I spend on that website each day. Facebook is a good place to communicate with others, but I used it too frequently and aimlessly to where I was just staring at the page going no where.
I think the term "faceless" was actually good for this fast...
I am out of the social loop. I am no longer communicating as much with the world. I am not posting statuses, pictures, or writing on people's walls. People have probably forgotten about me. I have become faceless.
I think the term "faceless" was actually good for this fast...
I am out of the social loop. I am no longer communicating as much with the world. I am not posting statuses, pictures, or writing on people's walls. People have probably forgotten about me. I have become faceless.
June 20, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 14
It is funny how certain sounds come to mean certain things or trigger certain thoughts or reactions...like how the sound of a garage door opening can make you think of your dad coming home. And even when you know it isn't him, you still think of him. Even when you are only two years old, when you think you hear the sound, you come running into the kitchen waiting for him to come in, trying to open the door with your small hands so you can see him...and you don't understand when your mother is saying that it was only the dishwasher.
It is also funny how easily one can forget things...forgetting someone is not home so you are confused when you don't see them. You set the table for five when only four are actually in the house going to eat. The seat next to you at the table feels empty and bare. You say something and can imagine what the missing person would say if they were there. I guess that is what it is like to miss someone.
It is also funny how easily one can forget things...forgetting someone is not home so you are confused when you don't see them. You set the table for five when only four are actually in the house going to eat. The seat next to you at the table feels empty and bare. You say something and can imagine what the missing person would say if they were there. I guess that is what it is like to miss someone.
June 19, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 13
Last night I began reading "Dug Down Deep" by Joshua Harris (yes, i know I am obsessed). It is kind of like a journal of him unearthing what he believes and why it matters. In the first chapter he talks about how we are all theologians in some shape or form. We all believe something about God, even if we think he is not real. We all have beliefs and opinions, the question is whether or not what we know about God is true.
Favorite quote of the chapter:
"We're either building our lives on the reality of what God is truly like and what he's about, or we're basing our lives on our own imagination and misconception."
This statement really got to me. We all live our lives based on our beliefs, whether we know it or not, our beliefs effect everything we do and how we live. Do I really know God? Or am I just living based on my own imagination and misconception?
I am excited about reading the rest of this book and reading more of the word as well.
Favorite quote of the chapter:
"We're either building our lives on the reality of what God is truly like and what he's about, or we're basing our lives on our own imagination and misconception."
This statement really got to me. We all live our lives based on our beliefs, whether we know it or not, our beliefs effect everything we do and how we live. Do I really know God? Or am I just living based on my own imagination and misconception?
I am excited about reading the rest of this book and reading more of the word as well.
June 18, 2010
30 Days Faceless Day 12
The past month or so I have been reading Job. I honestly haven't been doing a good job of reading it every day like I wanted. But tonight God was determined I did...and I mean determined. He tugged at my heart, planted the idea in my mind, and even made the show I was watching stop playing. These six verses really stuck out to me.
Job 22:21-27
"Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks and ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest of silvers for you. Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fullfill your vows."
Job 22:21-27
"Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks and ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest of silvers for you. Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fullfill your vows."
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