Thursday I said to myself I would update because I was expecting good news.. and I thought, no better time than to wait until I already have it!! Well, as usual, things didn't go according to my plan, so I didn't update. I thought, I'll wait until tomorrow when I'm sure to get a phone call relaying the 'good news'. Well Friday it didn't happen either. Then Saturday and Sunday passed, and here I am.
As I type this I realize that I already have the good news!!! I was waiting on a verbal confirmation, but as I've been praying for my job offer to manifest (materially), while not posting the good news, I've put myself in a bind. If I say I believe it has manifested, yet fail to express it here on a blog, do I really believe it is so? In the natural, it is not yet come to pass and I have not yet verbally received the job offer. But I'm believing God for the supernatural! I trust in Him, and not in a phone call I was supposed to receive this past Thursday. This is faith.
I have faith that the company I interviewed with last Wednesday will call me today with a job offer. I can feel it in my spirit. I've been praying and hoping and believing for a job such as this one, and I truly believe God is working it out for me. In the meantime, He was generous enough to bless me with yet another job, part time.
So the point is, this IS the good news! I had a great interview, and I have the job. I can't wait to see the other blessings God has in store for me.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Saturday, August 16, 2014
No manipulation
'What is truly ours will come to us easily."
That thought popped in my head earlier this week. Recently in my life there's been some familial differences / conflict, and as a recent graduate I've struggled to find a job so this phrase floating into my mind so lyrically seemed very fitting. I'm sure this is an adaptation of one or a few quotes I'm already familiar with yet I still rendered this significant. It came out of the blue, and like most valued instances, right when I needed it most.
I've been trying and TRYING to find a job- to the point where it's almost laughable it has been so frustrating. There was one company that I really had my heart set on, but they did not hire me (however, that is not to say I've given up on them because I haven't. They are still my number one and I've jumped through some of the necessary hoops for them to reconsider me). I've applied a ton of places in my hometown, and a few places in North Carolina where I also have family yet still nothing. I've been thanking God for a job, and I truly believe it will manifest but it won't be in my timing because my timing would've been two months ago. This is where the above quote ties in.
I don't believe this is to mean that we should give up, hole ourselves up with Netflix and our favorite snacks and just wish what we want into existence, because that surely won't work. I take this to mean that we are not to worry and work ourselves into a frenzy over certain situations. Of course I should take the necessary steps to get my 'dream job', but if it doesn't happen right away it is not meant to be mine at the moment. In a couple months or even a year from now it may be that I'm better suited for the position, and I have to be okay with that.
That thought popped in my head earlier this week. Recently in my life there's been some familial differences / conflict, and as a recent graduate I've struggled to find a job so this phrase floating into my mind so lyrically seemed very fitting. I'm sure this is an adaptation of one or a few quotes I'm already familiar with yet I still rendered this significant. It came out of the blue, and like most valued instances, right when I needed it most.
I've been trying and TRYING to find a job- to the point where it's almost laughable it has been so frustrating. There was one company that I really had my heart set on, but they did not hire me (however, that is not to say I've given up on them because I haven't. They are still my number one and I've jumped through some of the necessary hoops for them to reconsider me). I've applied a ton of places in my hometown, and a few places in North Carolina where I also have family yet still nothing. I've been thanking God for a job, and I truly believe it will manifest but it won't be in my timing because my timing would've been two months ago. This is where the above quote ties in.
I don't believe this is to mean that we should give up, hole ourselves up with Netflix and our favorite snacks and just wish what we want into existence, because that surely won't work. I take this to mean that we are not to worry and work ourselves into a frenzy over certain situations. Of course I should take the necessary steps to get my 'dream job', but if it doesn't happen right away it is not meant to be mine at the moment. In a couple months or even a year from now it may be that I'm better suited for the position, and I have to be okay with that.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Water Baptism
Yesterday was my 22nd birthday, and what made it so special was that my church was offering an opportunity to be water baptized during our Sunday morning experience. Usually they have it on our Wednesday night service, but when I found out that it would be on my birthday I couldn't ignore it.
That being said, that does not mean I did not almost ignore it. In fact, when I was sitting in church Sunday about a month and a half ago and it was first announced during a video at the beginning of the service, my first thought was "no". I continued to think "It's my birthday. What if I have plans? What if I decide to go somewhere? I surely am not expected to feel obligated to get water baptized. Maybe I'll just do it the next time." Typing this it is hard to believe that was my initial reaction, but it was! I feel ashamed by those feelings now, but truthfully I don't think it is that out of the ordinary to feel this way. In our culture today (especially in my age group) we do not like to feel tied down, and we do not like to make commitments. We prefer to keep our options open and then jump at the best one that fits our schedule and fleshly desires.
Still, I could not get it out of my mind, this 'water baptism'. It was on my birthday. Then another excuse popped into my head "Well, technically, you have already been water baptized. You shouldn't need to do it again." This is true, I thought. And yes it is true, however I was baptized in the seventh grade in the Methodist church I used to attend. At the end of our confirmation class we were given bibles with our names engraved on the front, and we were baptized. I can't say it was a voluntary deed and that I was happy to do it (in fact knowing me back then, I probably didn't even want to go to church that morning, and to be honest I cannot recall one piece of information from that class). So clearly, my heart was not in the right place.
My time to decide was getting shorter. We had to sign up if we were to be a part of the water baptism, and when I had about a week and a half left to do so my final pathetic excuse for an excuse rang in my ears "I don't want to get baptized in front of everyone..I mean thats kind of intimidating. I don't like that kind of attention. And are they going to completely submerge me? What about my makeup? What about my hair?!" I laughed to myself as I thought this because I knew how ridiculous that thought sounded. It was at this moment I committed myself, and then announced it to my aunt and uncle. Once I did so I felt so relieved and so free! Why did it take me a little over a month just to make a simple commitment??
As I've been studying the Bible and listening to teaching tapes, I've learned that the devil will speak nonsense into our lives to get us to believe a lie. We can know what is right in our spirit, but our flesh can want a completely different thing. The devil will attack our thought life first, because usually when we think on something a long time we end up doing it. I hadn't even tried to make plans to take a trip for my birthday, but the devil wanted me to keep this door open. When I definitely decided that I would be in town yesterday, then there was the excuse that I had already done it. When I decided that that particular event didn't really count, then he appealed to something else I cared about: my looks. When I decided that didn't really matter to me and said out loud to my family this was something I wanted to do, I felt a release and I knew I was doing the right thing.
Yesterday was such a great, peaceful, and joyful day because of God and my family. I am so glad I didn't listen to the selfish voices in my head and I stuck to what was right. I can only imagine what blessings there are in store for me next!
That being said, that does not mean I did not almost ignore it. In fact, when I was sitting in church Sunday about a month and a half ago and it was first announced during a video at the beginning of the service, my first thought was "no". I continued to think "It's my birthday. What if I have plans? What if I decide to go somewhere? I surely am not expected to feel obligated to get water baptized. Maybe I'll just do it the next time." Typing this it is hard to believe that was my initial reaction, but it was! I feel ashamed by those feelings now, but truthfully I don't think it is that out of the ordinary to feel this way. In our culture today (especially in my age group) we do not like to feel tied down, and we do not like to make commitments. We prefer to keep our options open and then jump at the best one that fits our schedule and fleshly desires.
Still, I could not get it out of my mind, this 'water baptism'. It was on my birthday. Then another excuse popped into my head "Well, technically, you have already been water baptized. You shouldn't need to do it again." This is true, I thought. And yes it is true, however I was baptized in the seventh grade in the Methodist church I used to attend. At the end of our confirmation class we were given bibles with our names engraved on the front, and we were baptized. I can't say it was a voluntary deed and that I was happy to do it (in fact knowing me back then, I probably didn't even want to go to church that morning, and to be honest I cannot recall one piece of information from that class). So clearly, my heart was not in the right place.
My time to decide was getting shorter. We had to sign up if we were to be a part of the water baptism, and when I had about a week and a half left to do so my final pathetic excuse for an excuse rang in my ears "I don't want to get baptized in front of everyone..I mean thats kind of intimidating. I don't like that kind of attention. And are they going to completely submerge me? What about my makeup? What about my hair?!" I laughed to myself as I thought this because I knew how ridiculous that thought sounded. It was at this moment I committed myself, and then announced it to my aunt and uncle. Once I did so I felt so relieved and so free! Why did it take me a little over a month just to make a simple commitment??
As I've been studying the Bible and listening to teaching tapes, I've learned that the devil will speak nonsense into our lives to get us to believe a lie. We can know what is right in our spirit, but our flesh can want a completely different thing. The devil will attack our thought life first, because usually when we think on something a long time we end up doing it. I hadn't even tried to make plans to take a trip for my birthday, but the devil wanted me to keep this door open. When I definitely decided that I would be in town yesterday, then there was the excuse that I had already done it. When I decided that that particular event didn't really count, then he appealed to something else I cared about: my looks. When I decided that didn't really matter to me and said out loud to my family this was something I wanted to do, I felt a release and I knew I was doing the right thing.
Yesterday was such a great, peaceful, and joyful day because of God and my family. I am so glad I didn't listen to the selfish voices in my head and I stuck to what was right. I can only imagine what blessings there are in store for me next!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
No Stipulations
Why do bad things happen? Why is there so much evil in the world?
One night I was out with one of my best friends and somehow we got to talking about God, a topic that until then had been left untouched between the two of us. She knew I went to church pretty often, yet I didn't have an inkling of her religious background. I mentioned something in the support of God, following up with an affirmative statement that I did believe in God. She just kind of made a face and said "I don't know. I mean with all the bad things that happen..I just don't think so."
I remember talking with another friend walking home one evening and he confessed a similar statement. I said I was going to church in the morning, and then I asked if he believed in God. (He really seemed like a person who would believe in God. He was always so upbeat, and smiling, and just a generally all around good person; I couldn't see how he could not.) "No," he said. "There is just too much bad in the world. If God was real, why would bad things happen?" At the time I wasn't equipped to give an answer, or to spark a debate, so I fell silent and let it hang between us for a few strides and changed the subject.
These conversations resonated with me for months upon months, and even to this day it is hard for me not to feel regret over my lack of knowledge.
Fast forward to nine months later: A few weeks ago I was watching Joesph Prince and he was talking about the beginning of creation, more specifically, Adam and Eve. He spoke of the Tree of Knowledge. Most of us know the story: Adam and Eve were given the beautiful Garden of Eden and God told them they could eat of any tree in that garden, except for the Tree of Knowledge. Well naturally, they were then tempted, and then ate of the tree. Man's first sin.
I'm watching this and I'm thinking, 'Well why did God put the tree there anyway??!' I mean right??Why not eliminate the whole problem, cut out the middle man, (a typical Generation Y reaction) and make EVERYTHING in the land good and delicious and pure to eat. Then there would be no evil because there would be no sin, right? Seemed like a great answer to me. However, then Mr. Prince went on to explain that God wanted to give man free choice. He did not want to be a controlling God, and he did warn Adam and Eve of the tree.
Probably about five days ago I was minding my own business, not even really thinking about God and thought of the sermon Joesph Prince gave and then thought of the conversations I had had with my two friends almost a year earlier. Something clicked and I thought, God gives us free choice. He's not going to force us to behave well (even though sometimes I wish he would). He wants us to, and he'll love us no matter what we do, but there are no stipulations involved. It is all up to us. I meditated on this for a while and realized how simple it all really was.
One night I was out with one of my best friends and somehow we got to talking about God, a topic that until then had been left untouched between the two of us. She knew I went to church pretty often, yet I didn't have an inkling of her religious background. I mentioned something in the support of God, following up with an affirmative statement that I did believe in God. She just kind of made a face and said "I don't know. I mean with all the bad things that happen..I just don't think so."
I remember talking with another friend walking home one evening and he confessed a similar statement. I said I was going to church in the morning, and then I asked if he believed in God. (He really seemed like a person who would believe in God. He was always so upbeat, and smiling, and just a generally all around good person; I couldn't see how he could not.) "No," he said. "There is just too much bad in the world. If God was real, why would bad things happen?" At the time I wasn't equipped to give an answer, or to spark a debate, so I fell silent and let it hang between us for a few strides and changed the subject.
These conversations resonated with me for months upon months, and even to this day it is hard for me not to feel regret over my lack of knowledge.
Fast forward to nine months later: A few weeks ago I was watching Joesph Prince and he was talking about the beginning of creation, more specifically, Adam and Eve. He spoke of the Tree of Knowledge. Most of us know the story: Adam and Eve were given the beautiful Garden of Eden and God told them they could eat of any tree in that garden, except for the Tree of Knowledge. Well naturally, they were then tempted, and then ate of the tree. Man's first sin.
I'm watching this and I'm thinking, 'Well why did God put the tree there anyway??!' I mean right??Why not eliminate the whole problem, cut out the middle man, (a typical Generation Y reaction) and make EVERYTHING in the land good and delicious and pure to eat. Then there would be no evil because there would be no sin, right? Seemed like a great answer to me. However, then Mr. Prince went on to explain that God wanted to give man free choice. He did not want to be a controlling God, and he did warn Adam and Eve of the tree.
Probably about five days ago I was minding my own business, not even really thinking about God and thought of the sermon Joesph Prince gave and then thought of the conversations I had had with my two friends almost a year earlier. Something clicked and I thought, God gives us free choice. He's not going to force us to behave well (even though sometimes I wish he would). He wants us to, and he'll love us no matter what we do, but there are no stipulations involved. It is all up to us. I meditated on this for a while and realized how simple it all really was.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
The Beginning
I have to say that I was pretty nervous to do this blog, but I'm taking a leap of faith and running with it. After a general Google search of Christian blogs (I found some that were just plain misleading), I recognized was that the majority of authors were 30-50 years old. I felt there was a gap left open for my age group (18-25), and perhaps an added voice may help this niche of the blogging community. It is hard to be a follower of Christ at my age in today's society. I know, because I've walked the line. I've kept one foot in-between the open door, and it doesn't really work.
I've started this blog to record my journey of being more like Christ and less like the world, myself, my friends, my neighbor, etc. I'm not a minister. I certainly do not know all there is to know about God, but I am learning. It's going to be a long process but I'm willing to put in the work, because I believe it is truly important. My goal is to do two entries a week, but definitely at least one a week. I will share any resources and references I use, and I truly hope this blog helps and supports those who are on the same path I am.
I've started this blog to record my journey of being more like Christ and less like the world, myself, my friends, my neighbor, etc. I'm not a minister. I certainly do not know all there is to know about God, but I am learning. It's going to be a long process but I'm willing to put in the work, because I believe it is truly important. My goal is to do two entries a week, but definitely at least one a week. I will share any resources and references I use, and I truly hope this blog helps and supports those who are on the same path I am.
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