So I thought I would just post something about what's going on in my life, because it's been forever since I've put anything up here. That's because life has been really crazy lately and I'm just now getting into the routine of things again.
Let's start with school shall we? Well, I'm in my junior year and I cannot wait to be out of high school - honestly I'm just ready to get past these years in a small town when I have big dreams that no one else can seem to see. Unfortunately, education in necessary to get into college. Though I am always looking for opportunities that God places in my daily path, because there is a reason that I'm in this school; I just don't know it yet, or maybe I never will. So that's been something God has really been teaching me, and it's something I'm definitely still learning.
Church? Yes!! Finally, I'm in a church that cares! Since I got back from my trip we have been visiting new churches and I love the one I'm at now. It wouldn't seem too hard to be friendly and inviting, but obviously it is. That just makes me sad, the church should be the place where anyone can go and feel accepted and loved - but so many times it's not. I have no idea why that is though, the greatest commandment is to love yet we cannot do that?
Basically my life has gone from one extreme to the other and back again while settling somewhere in the middle. It seems as though I'm always learning and growing and seeing new things that aren't right in my life - I'm so thankful though because if we stop growing what's the point? Honestly God has placed some incredible people in my life that have just helped me so much and I know that they will be there for me whenever I need them. I'm beyond ready for the next season in my life and I hope it continues bringing me closer to God because that is my heart's song. After all, if I'm not living for God what's the point in living?
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
James 3
"Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." James 3:2
"And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?" James 3:10-11
I really enjoy the book of James because it's so relevant, of course all of the Bible is but it seems as though James could be written to the church of today spot on! So many people do not allow themselves to filter what they say to the extent that they should - to the extent that we, as Christians, are instructed to. Of course we find it wrong to say curse words and extremely vulgar things, but so many of our words are overlooked because compared to "the world" they're not that bad, may I just say that if you are saying the phrase, "It's not that bad" you are probably in the wrong and simply trying to justify it. If we go around saying one thing and then the complete opposite what are we portraying? As it says, "No, you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring."(James 3:12) We can't live on both sides of the fence, it just doesn't cut it.
The majority of what we say, is what we see and hear. Therefore if you are constantly enveloping yourself in the ways of this world by watching the wrong TV shows, listening to the wrong music, reading the wrong books, or hanging around the wrong people you are not going to be spurting off scripture you heard once on Sunday morning. So along with watching our tongues, we have to take it back a step further to the root by weeding out what is controlling our speech.
"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying." James 3:13-14
Again, I just love it! If we aren't living honorably and making wise choices, God doesn't want us to hide it. I feel like so many people think that either God wants them to conceal their sin by lying, or that they can just pretend their sin doesn't exist. That is the furthest thing from God's heart, sometimes we forget that our God is kind and loving, He is easy to forgive and always forgets. It's pretty hard to grasp at times because the human race is so far from that, but it's true.
"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." James 3:17
Someone once told me that many times in life we become so focused on all of the things we think that we need to be that we mess it all up because in that we forget the foundation of those things. Wisdom is pure, peace loving, gentle, etc. but we don't have to focus on becoming all of those things, we just have to have "wisdom from above" and the rest will follow. I know that's something that I have had to learn and learn and then re-learn it all over again. We don't have to seek after those traits, we just have to seek after the heart of God.
"And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?" James 3:10-11
I really enjoy the book of James because it's so relevant, of course all of the Bible is but it seems as though James could be written to the church of today spot on! So many people do not allow themselves to filter what they say to the extent that they should - to the extent that we, as Christians, are instructed to. Of course we find it wrong to say curse words and extremely vulgar things, but so many of our words are overlooked because compared to "the world" they're not that bad, may I just say that if you are saying the phrase, "It's not that bad" you are probably in the wrong and simply trying to justify it. If we go around saying one thing and then the complete opposite what are we portraying? As it says, "No, you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring."(James 3:12) We can't live on both sides of the fence, it just doesn't cut it.
The majority of what we say, is what we see and hear. Therefore if you are constantly enveloping yourself in the ways of this world by watching the wrong TV shows, listening to the wrong music, reading the wrong books, or hanging around the wrong people you are not going to be spurting off scripture you heard once on Sunday morning. So along with watching our tongues, we have to take it back a step further to the root by weeding out what is controlling our speech.
"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying." James 3:13-14
Again, I just love it! If we aren't living honorably and making wise choices, God doesn't want us to hide it. I feel like so many people think that either God wants them to conceal their sin by lying, or that they can just pretend their sin doesn't exist. That is the furthest thing from God's heart, sometimes we forget that our God is kind and loving, He is easy to forgive and always forgets. It's pretty hard to grasp at times because the human race is so far from that, but it's true.
"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." James 3:17
Someone once told me that many times in life we become so focused on all of the things we think that we need to be that we mess it all up because in that we forget the foundation of those things. Wisdom is pure, peace loving, gentle, etc. but we don't have to focus on becoming all of those things, we just have to have "wisdom from above" and the rest will follow. I know that's something that I have had to learn and learn and then re-learn it all over again. We don't have to seek after those traits, we just have to seek after the heart of God.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Day 2 - Your Crush
Dear crush,
Well, actually I'm crush free at the moment, and I'm completely okay with that. Right now I don't see the point in dating, because honestly I'd much rather be completely focused on God.
-Amber.
Well, actually I'm crush free at the moment, and I'm completely okay with that. Right now I don't see the point in dating, because honestly I'd much rather be completely focused on God.
-Amber.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Day 1 - Your Best Friend
Dear Ollie,
Where to start? First off, I'm not quite sure this is the right day to write you a letter, since the sisters day is later. Because after all, you are way more than my best friend - we're sisters in all ways but biological. For some reason you love my dysfunctional family and want to be a part of it(well, you are a part.)
You are so amazing, through everything I've been through you've been there with me. Even after I moved and lost touch with so many friends we're Ollie and Ninja, sisters forever. You're the person who understands me through and through, we have our big dreams together. And that alone means a lot to me. You are so wise and mature in your faith, and I've always looked up to you so much for that. In fact when we were little I wanted to be just like you. Honestly, your faith in God is so inspiring to so many people - I'm sure you don't even know half of the impact you've made.
I wish I had a better way with words so I could really make it plain how much you mean to me, but alas I don't. So I just hope you know how much I do care, and love you. (:
-Ninja.
Where to start? First off, I'm not quite sure this is the right day to write you a letter, since the sisters day is later. Because after all, you are way more than my best friend - we're sisters in all ways but biological. For some reason you love my dysfunctional family and want to be a part of it(well, you are a part.)
You are so amazing, through everything I've been through you've been there with me. Even after I moved and lost touch with so many friends we're Ollie and Ninja, sisters forever. You're the person who understands me through and through, we have our big dreams together. And that alone means a lot to me. You are so wise and mature in your faith, and I've always looked up to you so much for that. In fact when we were little I wanted to be just like you. Honestly, your faith in God is so inspiring to so many people - I'm sure you don't even know half of the impact you've made.
I wish I had a better way with words so I could really make it plain how much you mean to me, but alas I don't. So I just hope you know how much I do care, and love you. (:
-Ninja.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
James 2.
2:1 "...How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?"
So many times in society today we are so quick to judge by looks - which is exactly the opposite of what we as Christians should be doing. Just because someone comes into church "dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry" (vs. 2) doesn't mean that people should go out of their way to accommodate them. Think about it, would you honestly treat a person who walked in wearing tattered clothing the same way? God is so good. When we step into His presence He's not looking at what we're wearing, He's looking at our hearts. There's a song I really like called "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath, and it talks about asking God to allow us to see things the way he does. To truly look at people and see them the way God does - and newsflash! God isn't looking at your great new shoes or hair cut when you go to worship! But when we encounter people daily we shouldn't be fawning over one person because they look important - that is not by any means how Christ approached people.
"Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?" James 2:5
Though most of the time I do not see it as a blessing, or being chosen by God - being poor does mean being rich in faith. So many times in my life my family has had no clue how we were going to make it. In fact right now is probably one of the worst of those times. Rich in faith? You have to be. When you are literally fully depending on God to supply your needs it takes faith. And that is definitely something my family is learning. Honestly, right now I have no clue what I'll be eating next week. But you know what? I serve a God who is greater than any worldly/physical thing. My God is by no means limited by what I see, because he sees the greater picture. I don't need to worry, which is so easy to say but honestly living it isn't that rough. My faith in God has increased so much in these past months, and it wouldn't be if I wasn't going through what I am.
Then there's the promise of the Kingdom. Hallelujah! Something that popped out at me was "the poor in this world." I'm not sure if that gets you, but PTL, this world, my life, the time on this earth, is but a vapor! Who cares about our momentary discomfort?(Well, God does.) But I mean, once you look at the fourth quarter, with two minutes left on the clock, your behind by five points, on the 30 yard line, the fact that your QB is injured doesn't matter - you are going to finish that game. And my word, you're going to win! Even if you're tired, sweaty, and discouraged. In life we get so shook up by the physical problems that pop up, but man it's not going to put us down. We have eternity with Jesus. We have the promise of his Kingdom! Woah. I wish you could feel my excitement about that.
"...How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds." James 2:18
"...His faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete." James 2:22
"Just as the body is dead without breath, so also is faith dead without good works." James 2:26
So you say that you are a Christian, big deal. I can say I'm a car all that I want, but goodness, when it comes down to it I have four limbs - not wheels. Actions speak louder than words, and most likely always will. If Jesus had come to earth and just sat and talked, sure some people would have listened, but not nearly as many people would have accepted the fact that he was Christ. With Christ as our example we cannot just sit around saying halfheartedly, "Jesus loves you. I'm a Christian." That's not going to fly. We have to be active in our faith! One of Jesus' first commands was to ... GO! So many people in the world have met "Christians" and truthfully, the association with that word is not the best any more. Which is why we really have to live out our faith. We have to stop staying in our comfort zone, we must go out and live to reflect God's glory.
Random verse that stuck out: "You say you have faith, for you believe there is one god. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and the tremble in terror." James 2:19
So many times in society today we are so quick to judge by looks - which is exactly the opposite of what we as Christians should be doing. Just because someone comes into church "dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry" (vs. 2) doesn't mean that people should go out of their way to accommodate them. Think about it, would you honestly treat a person who walked in wearing tattered clothing the same way? God is so good. When we step into His presence He's not looking at what we're wearing, He's looking at our hearts. There's a song I really like called "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath, and it talks about asking God to allow us to see things the way he does. To truly look at people and see them the way God does - and newsflash! God isn't looking at your great new shoes or hair cut when you go to worship! But when we encounter people daily we shouldn't be fawning over one person because they look important - that is not by any means how Christ approached people.
"Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?" James 2:5
Though most of the time I do not see it as a blessing, or being chosen by God - being poor does mean being rich in faith. So many times in my life my family has had no clue how we were going to make it. In fact right now is probably one of the worst of those times. Rich in faith? You have to be. When you are literally fully depending on God to supply your needs it takes faith. And that is definitely something my family is learning. Honestly, right now I have no clue what I'll be eating next week. But you know what? I serve a God who is greater than any worldly/physical thing. My God is by no means limited by what I see, because he sees the greater picture. I don't need to worry, which is so easy to say but honestly living it isn't that rough. My faith in God has increased so much in these past months, and it wouldn't be if I wasn't going through what I am.
Then there's the promise of the Kingdom. Hallelujah! Something that popped out at me was "the poor in this world." I'm not sure if that gets you, but PTL, this world, my life, the time on this earth, is but a vapor! Who cares about our momentary discomfort?(Well, God does.) But I mean, once you look at the fourth quarter, with two minutes left on the clock, your behind by five points, on the 30 yard line, the fact that your QB is injured doesn't matter - you are going to finish that game. And my word, you're going to win! Even if you're tired, sweaty, and discouraged. In life we get so shook up by the physical problems that pop up, but man it's not going to put us down. We have eternity with Jesus. We have the promise of his Kingdom! Woah. I wish you could feel my excitement about that.
"...How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds." James 2:18
"...His faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete." James 2:22
"Just as the body is dead without breath, so also is faith dead without good works." James 2:26
So you say that you are a Christian, big deal. I can say I'm a car all that I want, but goodness, when it comes down to it I have four limbs - not wheels. Actions speak louder than words, and most likely always will. If Jesus had come to earth and just sat and talked, sure some people would have listened, but not nearly as many people would have accepted the fact that he was Christ. With Christ as our example we cannot just sit around saying halfheartedly, "Jesus loves you. I'm a Christian." That's not going to fly. We have to be active in our faith! One of Jesus' first commands was to ... GO! So many people in the world have met "Christians" and truthfully, the association with that word is not the best any more. Which is why we really have to live out our faith. We have to stop staying in our comfort zone, we must go out and live to reflect God's glory.
Random verse that stuck out: "You say you have faith, for you believe there is one god. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and the tremble in terror." James 2:19
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
30 Day Letter Challenge: Revamped!
Alright, so I started this before I left for Africa. And it's totally crazy, but I feel like I'm in a completely different part of life now than I was. So of course those letters, I feel, kind of don't apply to where I am. So the point is: I'm re-writing them. (:
The end.
The end.
James 1.
Alrighty, so me and my good friend are going through books of the Bible chapter by chapter to really dig into God's word and see what He's telling others through his Word. So this week we're reading James 1, and we are both so psyched because God has revealed such amazing things that I totally need right now. So here's what God really showed me through James 1: (PS. I'm getting personal.)
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2
This is a verse I struggle with, but I figure it's something God really wants me to learn because troubles come very often in my life - along with the entire human population. But lately it seems my struggles have been multiplied by ten. It's hard to take joy in not knowing whether or not you're going to be able to eat, much less live in your house. But James had it pretty rough also, he was Jesus' half brother I know that if I ever had to see my brother go through anything even close to what Jesus did it would possibly kill me - so talk about trials. I guess this also comes to the problem of counting happiness as joy. So many times we compare our walk to God to our feelings - especially happiness, but God promises us something so much more than just cheap happiness, He offers us joy which is everlasting. It's kinda like eating tofu versus eating steak.
"Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." James 1:8
God is our rock, but when we move our foot off of him onto a much less stable foothold we become unstable. In Hosea 3 God compares how Hosea's wife commits adultery on him, we commit adultery on God when we mess around with the world. Basically we prostitute ourselves with the world. Woah, did you get that? If you say you love God, yet love the world you are committing spiritual prostitution. Woah. That's pretty rough, but our God is a jealous God. He doesn't just want our Sundays and Wednesdays, and then us going out into the world every other day. No, God wants every single bit of us. I know that in my personal life the times that I wasn't putting God first I was definitely not having a good time - you could say I was unstable! But when we turn to God our feet our planted on this huge rock.
"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." James 1:17
I just really like that. I don't have any comments really - I just love how great our God is.
Those are the verses that just really struck a chord with me. So if you'd like you can comment and discuss, I'm just really excited about what God has already shown me and what He's going to show me in the future.
Glory to Papa!
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2
This is a verse I struggle with, but I figure it's something God really wants me to learn because troubles come very often in my life - along with the entire human population. But lately it seems my struggles have been multiplied by ten. It's hard to take joy in not knowing whether or not you're going to be able to eat, much less live in your house. But James had it pretty rough also, he was Jesus' half brother I know that if I ever had to see my brother go through anything even close to what Jesus did it would possibly kill me - so talk about trials. I guess this also comes to the problem of counting happiness as joy. So many times we compare our walk to God to our feelings - especially happiness, but God promises us something so much more than just cheap happiness, He offers us joy which is everlasting. It's kinda like eating tofu versus eating steak.
"Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." James 1:8
God is our rock, but when we move our foot off of him onto a much less stable foothold we become unstable. In Hosea 3 God compares how Hosea's wife commits adultery on him, we commit adultery on God when we mess around with the world. Basically we prostitute ourselves with the world. Woah, did you get that? If you say you love God, yet love the world you are committing spiritual prostitution. Woah. That's pretty rough, but our God is a jealous God. He doesn't just want our Sundays and Wednesdays, and then us going out into the world every other day. No, God wants every single bit of us. I know that in my personal life the times that I wasn't putting God first I was definitely not having a good time - you could say I was unstable! But when we turn to God our feet our planted on this huge rock.
"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." James 1:17
I just really like that. I don't have any comments really - I just love how great our God is.
Those are the verses that just really struck a chord with me. So if you'd like you can comment and discuss, I'm just really excited about what God has already shown me and what He's going to show me in the future.
Glory to Papa!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
30 Day Letter Challenge.
Here we go, I've decided to take the 30 day letter challenge.
I'm quite excited to see how it turns out, hopefully it will be for the better.
I do leave for Africa this coming Saturday, so I'll start posting again in mid-August when I get back, I just really want to start this today.
So I guess it's day one.
-Braelynn
I'm quite excited to see how it turns out, hopefully it will be for the better.
I do leave for Africa this coming Saturday, so I'll start posting again in mid-August when I get back, I just really want to start this today.
So I guess it's day one.
-Braelynn
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Time.
Well, it has certainly been a while since I have used this. I actually forgot I had it.
But I've come to a point in my life where I'm finding out more about everything; myself included. Writing, however good or bad it may be, seems to help the world make more sense.
So if you're reading this, welcome to part of my life.
-Braelynn
But I've come to a point in my life where I'm finding out more about everything; myself included. Writing, however good or bad it may be, seems to help the world make more sense.
So if you're reading this, welcome to part of my life.
-Braelynn
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