Today my good friend Sam let me borrow a book about a subject that God's been putting on our hearts lately. This book is The Irresistible Revolution ( Living as an Ordinary Radical) by Shane Claiborne. ( Shane is this crazy dude who does crazy stuff for God. He's even slept on the street with the homeless and stood up to people who threatened to take away what God had given to people who deserved it. Basically God uses him often.) Already I can't get my nose out of this book. Basically this book shows you all the things you could do better. And I knew getting into it that I would be reading some hardcore life changing material.
So tonight my nose was deep in the pages of this book while I was trying to run concessions for my sisters basketball game, when one of my favorite teachers/ athletic director/ awesome Christian man told me something that made me think. He looked down at the book as I was rushing around the kitchen and said "Be prepared for that to wreck your life." I thought about this for a while. I realized that my life being "wrecked" may not be such a bad thing. God uses the bent and the broken SO often, so if I was "wrecked" then wouldn't he be able to use me all the more? So I decided that I'm ready to be wrecked, I'm okay with being uncomfortable, I'm ready to grow and be used by my Lord and Saviour no matter what. (This scares me a little, but I know it's time.)
When I'm gone i want to be remembered as the woman who took the risk, spent the night with the homeless, gave her best to the poor, was always willing for God to change her, and most of all the woman who let God work awesome miracles through her. (Even if she isn't that pretty, talented, or special.) This seems kind of daunting, but I know that my God will never give me anything I can't handle, so here goes nothing! (Yes, I'm going to say it. Here goes nothing....)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Have you ever completely given God all you have? Or are you like me, and only give him your leftovers? So many times God blesses us and we return it with giving him what we don't want. (Old clothes, a ratty couch, or that really worn down pair of shoes.) I'm not saying donating things is bad, all I'm saying is, why don't we give God our best?
What about giving God other things? Like yourself? The Bible says we need to lay down ourselves. We need to say " Here is my everything God, take it. It's not much, but it's all i have. Here's my life, my heart and my soul. Have it. It's yours now. " But that's so hard! Personally I know I think I can handle it all! (But I can't, don't let me fool you!) It's a selfish thing we do really.
Have you ever met someone who puts all of these self-sacrificing qualities into action? Well I have. (Technically I haven't, but my family talks about her often.)
My great grandma, or Ma Cooper as she was known, was a wonderful woman of God. She was tough as nails, but sweet as sugar. During the Depression people didn't have very much, few people even had a job. But Great Grandpa Cooper did. He had a job on the rail road, which meant that he had a steady, decent paying job. Well my awesome Ma Cooper saw that her neighbors were struggling during this tough time and realized that they needed help. She knew she was very blessed and it was the least she could do to help. Every single night my Ma Cooper fed as many people as she could. Sometimes all she had was beans and cornbread, but she knew that others needed it more than she did. Basically, she showed in her actions, her love for and complete trust in God. That taught my Papaw (aka my grandpa) that if you put God above all else, he will provide. Papaw then taught my Dad, who is now teaching me this value system.
When I'm gone I want to be known as the woman who would give the shirt off her back for anyone, even if that meant she didn't live the most comfortable life. (Once more, we'll see how that happens!!!...)
What about giving God other things? Like yourself? The Bible says we need to lay down ourselves. We need to say " Here is my everything God, take it. It's not much, but it's all i have. Here's my life, my heart and my soul. Have it. It's yours now. " But that's so hard! Personally I know I think I can handle it all! (But I can't, don't let me fool you!) It's a selfish thing we do really.
Have you ever met someone who puts all of these self-sacrificing qualities into action? Well I have. (Technically I haven't, but my family talks about her often.)
My great grandma, or Ma Cooper as she was known, was a wonderful woman of God. She was tough as nails, but sweet as sugar. During the Depression people didn't have very much, few people even had a job. But Great Grandpa Cooper did. He had a job on the rail road, which meant that he had a steady, decent paying job. Well my awesome Ma Cooper saw that her neighbors were struggling during this tough time and realized that they needed help. She knew she was very blessed and it was the least she could do to help. Every single night my Ma Cooper fed as many people as she could. Sometimes all she had was beans and cornbread, but she knew that others needed it more than she did. Basically, she showed in her actions, her love for and complete trust in God. That taught my Papaw (aka my grandpa) that if you put God above all else, he will provide. Papaw then taught my Dad, who is now teaching me this value system.
When I'm gone I want to be known as the woman who would give the shirt off her back for anyone, even if that meant she didn't live the most comfortable life. (Once more, we'll see how that happens!!!...)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Give it Up
One normal morning in Littleton Colorado two teenagers began a long thought out plan of unthinkable evils. The two boys (Just boys.....) named Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris headed into their school to wreak havoc on anyone they could. After a failed bomb they decided to go and kill anyone they could. Most of the shootings were random, all except for two. One of the people killed was a young girl named Cassie Bernall. (The other was named Rachel, she died for the same reason, but Cassie's story is more well known.) Cassie was hiding under a table in the library when the Dylan and Eric turned to her. They asked her one simple question. "Do you believe in God?" One word would kill her. This one word was filled with bravery and certainty, this word was "Yes." Immediately she was shot and killed, all for her belief in God.
As Christians we like to believe that we would give our lives for our Saviour any day. (I believe I would) But how often do we actually come to a place and time where we are faced with this situation? Through the years there have been many people have given their lives up for the Gospel, but it doesn't happen quite as often these days.
Basically, what I'm getting at here is; we as Christians need to take more chances in life. Just think what would happen if we did! In Asia people smuggle mere pages of the Bible into China, just so that someone can be given a small portion of the hope that fills the Bible. Risks are hard to take! We live our lives in nice houses, doing nice and normal things, but are never willing to take the extra step. (That one big step like moving across the world to help teach natives about God. Or anything that we're uncomfortable doing for God.)
When I'm gone I want to be known as the woman who took risks for her Saviour, and maybe even the woman who gave her life for him. It's a scary thought. Are you willing to take a leap of faith? (I think I could... Once more, we'll see how that goes....)
P.s. Here's a little song about Cassie by Flyleaf.
As Christians we like to believe that we would give our lives for our Saviour any day. (I believe I would) But how often do we actually come to a place and time where we are faced with this situation? Through the years there have been many people have given their lives up for the Gospel, but it doesn't happen quite as often these days.
Basically, what I'm getting at here is; we as Christians need to take more chances in life. Just think what would happen if we did! In Asia people smuggle mere pages of the Bible into China, just so that someone can be given a small portion of the hope that fills the Bible. Risks are hard to take! We live our lives in nice houses, doing nice and normal things, but are never willing to take the extra step. (That one big step like moving across the world to help teach natives about God. Or anything that we're uncomfortable doing for God.)
When I'm gone I want to be known as the woman who took risks for her Saviour, and maybe even the woman who gave her life for him. It's a scary thought. Are you willing to take a leap of faith? (I think I could... Once more, we'll see how that goes....)
P.s. Here's a little song about Cassie by Flyleaf.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Others
People aren't always easy to love, they lie, cheat, and sometimes they are completely rude. But unfortunately, you and I are people too. That means that occasionally we do the things that anger us the most. What I'm trying to say here is, those people are no better than us. (As much as we try to believe the opposite...) Not only should we not consider ourselves no better than others, we actually need to consider others better than ourselves. This is something i consider very hard to do. Personally, i tend to have selfish tendencies. (But I'm trying hard to change this, and be more Christ-like.)
Have you ever heard of the Salvation Army? Well a man named William Booth started the Salvation Army all the way back in 1878. Mr. Booth was an amazing man who loved God with all his heart and strived to help everyone he could. One Christmas Mr. Booth wanted to send a telegram to all of his workers, he wrote a message and asked his assistant to go send it out. Unfortunately his assistant told him that they did not have enough money to send this message. So Mr. Booth shortened his letter and sent his assistant to send the message out again. Yet again, the assistant came back with bad news. A letter this long was still too expensive. Frustrated, Mr. Booth asked just how many words they could send so that all him employees would get a message. Meekly the assistant replied - "one". Mr. Booth thought long and hard about a word that would have great meaning to everyone. Finally, he found what he was looking for. A simple six letter word. OTHERS.
This word was meant to remind people that their number one priority was not themselves, but in fact others. Others doesn't only mean the pretty girl at church, or the really smart guy at school; it also means the homeless man downtown, the drug addict next door, or the prostitute that everyone is afraid to look in the eye. God doesn't care who these people are, where they have been, or even what they have done. God loves these people with all of his heart, he proved it by spending his time with the dregs of society. (Aka, the people who needed him the most. )
When I'm gone I don't want to be remembered as the self centered girl I catch myself being, but as the girl who loved God and all of his creations. (Once again, we'll see how that goes...)
Have you ever heard of the Salvation Army? Well a man named William Booth started the Salvation Army all the way back in 1878. Mr. Booth was an amazing man who loved God with all his heart and strived to help everyone he could. One Christmas Mr. Booth wanted to send a telegram to all of his workers, he wrote a message and asked his assistant to go send it out. Unfortunately his assistant told him that they did not have enough money to send this message. So Mr. Booth shortened his letter and sent his assistant to send the message out again. Yet again, the assistant came back with bad news. A letter this long was still too expensive. Frustrated, Mr. Booth asked just how many words they could send so that all him employees would get a message. Meekly the assistant replied - "one". Mr. Booth thought long and hard about a word that would have great meaning to everyone. Finally, he found what he was looking for. A simple six letter word. OTHERS.
This word was meant to remind people that their number one priority was not themselves, but in fact others. Others doesn't only mean the pretty girl at church, or the really smart guy at school; it also means the homeless man downtown, the drug addict next door, or the prostitute that everyone is afraid to look in the eye. God doesn't care who these people are, where they have been, or even what they have done. God loves these people with all of his heart, he proved it by spending his time with the dregs of society. (Aka, the people who needed him the most. )
When I'm gone I don't want to be remembered as the self centered girl I catch myself being, but as the girl who loved God and all of his creations. (Once again, we'll see how that goes...)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Me First
Gandhi once said,
So what do I want when I'm gone? Not only do I want to be a good person who loves and follows God, but I want to be someone who inspires others to do the same. (We'll see you that goes...)
"Be the change you want to see in the world",but that's easier said than done. As humans we strive to change. We change our hair, our close and our minds constantly. I know I've tried to change bigger things in my life like my actions, mindset, and habits. But what about changing something more? No, not going green or anything like that, I'm talking about people. What if we changed the world by first changing the people. But like Gandhi said, before we can do that we first have to change ourselves. We always say that people should be more kind and loving and less selfish and hateful, but we have to do those things first.
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