Wednesday, April 21, 2010

James 4:7-10
Translation: The Message

7-10So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.
I saw this on someone's facebook status and it really struck me. I love how Eugene Peterson words this passage.

I hope that ya'll were able to take something away from this.

=)

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Today was just one of those days. I went to bed last night sort of in a pensive mood. I dreamed not so great things. Then today I messed up a speech, I completely blew it off and appeared absolutely laid back. I didn't get the internship I had vied for. SO overall today is not so great. I know that sometimes it takes days like this to make life seem more worthwhile, but I wish I could do a rewind and start over (wait...is that regret). I am not sure what my feelings are ...I just kinda want tomorrow to be better. not much hope due a drug action quiz =(

Things I have been thinking about:
-why is it that even years later, I cant seem to forget your birthday, yet I forgot my parents anniversary although boldly written in my planner- WHY CANT I LET IT GO!
-why is my subconscious holding on?
-why am i not cleaning my room?
-WHY IS THE SKY BLUE???????

Monday, April 19, 2010

Just thought I would update you on how well I have been keeping up with my end of the bargain. I actually kept within budget and was able to get a small reward for myself. I however got an advance for the next two weeks....and lets just say I wasn't as prudent as before. HOWEVER, I will add that what I purchased was workout clothes (oh yeah have I mentioned I have started going to the gym). So we start the budgeting game again. Hopefully my small splurge won't hold me back to much!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

(done on monday =) )

Today at the Baptist church there was a play instead of service..which was ...interesting. They do this twice a year once for christmas and one for around easter. The only real thing I took away from the pew was a song they sang:

"you love me still" - I looked for it but couldn't find a copy anywhere, and to be quite honest I really can't even remember what it sounds like.- All I know is that it really touched me.


It just reminded me of God's amazing love for us

I did however listen to an actual message online which dealt with some of the kingdom attitudes. I will be doing a reflection on it later.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Alright so ....most of you who read this probably know that I grossly overspend in ways that I probably should keep account of. I have become horrible with money and my parents/friends have gotten on to me  about this several times. So its time to take drastic measures....I must budget. I was given 100$ in my account I am supposed to cover groceries with this money and food and (side spending). I was really proud of how well i was going to be with this money. Let me tell, you money just disappears its like a magic trick (I think its one of the best ones out there...still haven't figured out the secret). On friday I went grocery shopping and spent 35$ ( I thought that it would be enough for the next whole week). On saturday I went to a local barnes and noble to study for biostats and of course I am going to buy a cup of coffee ( WHO DOESN'T?) and on a break I might have toured the target ( I WAS REAALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD...but i gave in and bought a shirt...it was however only 6$- in my defense its one of the colors of this season). The point is I realized that I had only 46$ left in my account and I was in trouble...so I sought help. I asked one of my friends to help me keep on track and teach me to budget. On a side note: this was probably something I should have been taught at a young age (that was a fail). His response was that I should use the remainder of the money for the next two weeks and split it in half---one half would be for spending and the other half would be for shopping. Every dollar I spend from this week will be taken out from the shopping half. It was a plan. I did no spending on sunday. Today I did no spending ...and then my room-mate needed to go to wal-mart. The truth is I did forget to buy salad and salad is an essential and I thought I needed soda too. I get there with the intent of buying two packets of salad and a soda and leave spending 18$ (=( ) that leaves me 6$ to technically keep within my budget for the rest of the week. Do you think I can do it? Any tips?
Where's the APPLE?

Dear Steve Jobs:

I seem to be missing an important component on the "apple key" for my macbook pro. The apple has disappeared and is no where to be found. If you happen to see it, please let it know that it is sorely missed. Thank you for all of your help.

Image via:flickr
Valued Customer
____________

ps. Please stop marketing the IPAD so well. I am almost sold.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

I realized recently that I have become my own worst offender. I am starting to become one of those nomadic church hoppers. The one who goes to one church one sunday and then another on the next. I will grant that I only switch between two and if they were closer together the choice would be obvious. The distance and timing makes it difficult to go to the church that I would prefer or feel more at home. On the sunday's that I do get to go I only get to go the morning service and am not really plugged in. I can't have the best of two worlds so I have decided that I need to plant myself in the local one and become plugged in once again. These were the thoughts I had when I woke up and ended up missing the service I wanted to go to and had to hurry to make it to the local service where I could have gone to sunday school in the morning. I realized that life isn't perfect and neither are churches. The key is to get closer to God and make the best of whatever situation you are given. If I try and make it to the service that is thirty minutes away but has great praise and worship I am missing out on sunday school and fellowship. I think these thoughts and today's service helped med to realize that I am more called to stay at the local and get connected- and pray for the changes that I would like to see. Also: If you are reading this blog and you know someone who really wants to get into youth ministry for the college age kids as a paid position: EMAIL ME--> email on the side bar. I will give you more details.

Now that that's said and done today's message was titled

Dealing With Doubt:

The passage was taken from John 20:24-29 -talking about Jesus dealing with Thomas's doubts.

John 20:24-29 (The Message) 
 24-25But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master."
   But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it."
 26Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."
 27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe."
 28Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"
 29Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."
Whenever we deal with Thomas we also see a negative stigma. "Doubting Thomas" or Thomas had a lack of faith. The truth of the situation is that Thomas was probably a realist or pragmatist. The others has the opportunity to see Jesus and affirm their faith. Thomas just wanted the same experience they had. How many of us would truly believe without seeing?

In order to overcome our doubts we must do three things: 

we Acknowledge our doubt- this provides opportunity to work through and deal with doubt
we Confront our doubt- thomas didn't stop participating with the others he just wanted the same experience that they had. When Jesus appeared he didn't badger Thomas about his lack of belief in stead he helped him to be apart of the experience and offered him an opportunity to overcome his doubts.
we overcome our doubt

Summary: God wants us to overcome doubt. NOT just for an intellectual purpose but to know God and to develop a relationship with him. Don't just know about God but know who he is.


Saturday, April 10, 2010

 I was thinking yesterday when I watched "YOU"VE GOT MAIL", for about the fiftieth time, how much different the movie would have to be if it were made today. I mean with the invention of twitter and all they probably could have met much sooner... she would have tweeted "@starbucks with a venti latte" and he would be at that starbucks. The invention of technology could be both a good and bad thing. Any ways as always it never ceases to amaze how this movie although made more then a decade ago still captures the essence and draws you in. I LOOOOOOVE the way she decorates her apartment.

Here are some pictures of her apartment:





More can be found at : http://decorology.blogspot.com/2009/11/kathleen-kellys-shabby-sweet-
studio.html

all images property of Time Warner, Inc.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Alright its been a while. I have been on a blogging hiatus. I needed some time to think. Maybe readjust. Get some inspiration. I also needed to study (which helps) and keep focused with school for a bit. BUT now I AM BACK, and OH HOW I HAVE MISSED WORDLESS THOUGHTS. As I was away I had some time to think about plenty of ideas for new blog post. AND as I am sure that all of you have noticed I HAVE A NEW AND IMPROVED TEMPLATE. okay okay I know I cant really take credit for this at all even though I wish I could. I don't know if I can say thank you enough for the help that I HAVE RECEIVED. N-E ways nothing really exciting for right now but keep with it. (PS I have a weird fetish for justifying my papers)