Where do you come from?

The other day, my friend Elie had a classmate ask her "Do you believe in Adam and Eve?" Of course, she said "Yeah. Why?" The classmate responded "Then how do you explain black people?" Confused by this stateme nt, my friend asked me to help her find an answer (she's been a Christ follower for 3 years, but doesn't know the Old Testament stories very well). My first reaction was laughing. If this isn't proof that Christianity has been "white-washed" with the blonde hair blue eyed baby Jesus, then I don't know what is. 

(If you have a reason, post it in your comment. I'd love to see what everyone came up with). 

Had it been me who was asked that question, I would have smarted off with "Technically Adam and Eve were most likely Middle Eastern, so where did, not only the blacks, but the whites, Indians, Asian, Eskimos...come from?" But then I came up with a slightly scientific answer--being closer to the sun or out in the sun more gives you a darker pigment. If you look at where each ethnicity comes from, you can explain it like that, but then I had to think of a biblical answer....Tower of Babel!!! If you don't know this story, it is one of my favorite stories in the Bible (find it here!) Pretty much, the people got cocky and thought they could be better than God, so God, being the brilliant deity he is, mixed the people so much they could even relate to each other, much less communicate. Thus he created language, culture, and color for all sorts of ethnicities. Would you have answered it differently? Any other explanations? 

Oh Crap...a Democrat!

The election is coming soon. I hope you all know who you are voting for! If not, just ask me. :) I'm so excited to vote in a few weeks! First election ever!! :) 

 

Squeezed!

"If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God's purpose is not simple to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may SQUEEZE SWEETNESS OUT OF US." 

What is He filling you with? Are you getting squeezed? I know I am!

"He who believes in me...out of His heart will flow."  John 7:38

(From My Utmost for His Highest) 

Friends

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow; Don't walk behind me, I may not lead; Walk beside me, and just be my friend.

Albert Camus

These are some new friends whose blogs I've started reading. Enjoy!! Try them out. 

Jordan

Seth

Sheridan

Nicole

Wedge

Alec

Craziness!!

I don't know if anyone still reads this, but I'm back. School got really busy after my foot surgery and I had to spend A LOT of time on that, which meant little computer use. :( But I finally caught up, so I'm gonna get back into routine. :)

"In that day the LORD will punish the fallen angels in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. They will be rounded up and put in prison until they are tried and condemned. Then the LORD Almighty will mount his throne on Mount Zion. He will rule gloriously in Jerusalem, in the sight of all the leaders of his people. There will be such glory that the brightness of the sun and moon will seem to fade away." --Isaiah 24:21-23

Funny!!!

Go check out this video. It had me almost rolling on the floor!!

http://www.jibjab.com/originals/time_for_some_campaignin

Any other good political videos I should watch? I love this kind of humor!

Leadership Quote-2

"When I was a young leader, independent and too busy to pray,

I blew stuff up and wounded every third person I led. 

But now that I am mature and have left my childish ways...

I do that somewhat less!

And now these three remain:

the faith to follow God boldly,

the hope to press on even when my heart is breaking,

and the love to enrich the hearts of all those I lead.

But the greatest of these is love--the the love that only comes from a quiet, close, daily walk   with Christ. "

Leader Quotes-1

"Jesus didn't seek to minimize the challenge he gave his followers. Remember his words in Matthew 10:16? "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves." What is Jesus saying? "This is the real deal. The stakes are high. The possibility of failure is real. And I'm not going to protect you from all risk. You've got to step out. You've got to lead." And they did!"

Are you stepping out and leading? Or are you waiting for someone to save you from the risks? 

Freedom

Freedom by Run Kid Run

All my chains I can't disengage 
And I don't believe that I want to 
One hand sings your praise 
The other brings me shame 
I have selfishness to blame 

And I'm singing for freedom 
I know I'm not the only one 
Praying to the one 
Who can bring me this freedom 

I'm ready for change 
Broke down I lay I keep holding my chains 
No long bound but here I stay 
I scream Father please I need rescuing 
I need You and You alone 

And I'm singing for freedom 
I know I'm not the only one 
Praying to the one 
Who can bring me this freedom 

I'm ready for (change) 
Still You patiently await 
Yet I won't just let go 
I see You and You alone 
Saying freedom 

And so I'm singing for freedom 
The time has come separation lost the war to love 
Take my hand gace has found you where You once began 
You're Alive! You're Alive! in the waking of new life 
Take my hand in the end there's only love 
There's only love 
There's only singing for freeom 
I know I'm not only one 
Praying to the One 
Who can bring me this freedom 
I'm ready for I'm ready for... 
Father please I need rescuing 
I need You and You alone 

Sing for freedom, God we need you and you alone. Let it sink deep. 

Comments? Thoughts? Great song, right? 

Punish vs. Discipline

I'm back. It's been a busy week. Ok, so here's what I think the difference is. 

The word punish is derived from the word "punire" in Latin which means to attack or strike. However discipline is derived from the same word as disciple. So my conclusion? When you discipline someone, you are trying to train them or helping them learn a lesson and follow in the right path. Punishment typically done out of anger as Jabberfrog pointed out. Punishing isn't done out of love but is usually meant to suffer. 

Tune in next week to reflect on some quotes from Courageous Leadership. 

Punish vs. Discipline

Have you ever thought about what the difference is between punishing someone or disciplining them? Do you have any thoughts as to if there is even a difference (other than one sounding more harsh than the other...)?

Here are my thoughts:

(Tune in later this week to see my explanation and killer Latin skills).

Holy....Discontent?

I'm so excited so many of you are reading my blog!! If it ever goes over your head, I'm so sorry. I'm a deep thinker. :) 

One question today---

"What is it in the world that just makes you angry? What injustice just sets you off every time you see it on television? Hunger? War? Dictators? Oppressed Women? Religion? What is it that sets off a "holy discontent" in your spirit? What causes you to have sleepless nights?"

I'll give you my answer once you respond. :)

hello?

Does anyone still read my blog?! 

No one is commenting...if you're out there leave me a comment so I know you're there!!

"I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this would have happened."-Frodo

"So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decided is what you'll do with the time that is given to you."-Gandalf

What are you doing with your time-whether you want this time or not? Are you continuously aiming for the 'goal'? Or are you wishing away the time God has given you to do His works? 

(Lord of the Rings, a great movie. If you've managed to never see it, watch all three.)

Sell it ALL!!

"Sell all that you have..." (Luke 18:22-read the story here). IN other words, rid yourself before God of everything that might be considered a possession until you are a mere conscious human being standing before HIm, and then give God that. That is where the battle is truly fought--in the realm of your willbefore God. Are you more devoted to your idea of what Jesus wants than to Jesus Himself? If so, you are likely to hear one of His harsh ad unyielding statements that will produce sorrow in you. What Jesus says is difficult--it is only easy when it is heard  by those who have His nature in them. Beware of allowing anything to soften the harsh words of Jesus Christ.

This is another devo from My Utmost for His Highest. Sell all that you have. You'd think it be easy. Are you holding on to anything other than Jesus Himself?

Final Days

These are my best friends. I've talked about them a lot, but I just wanted you to know this is our last official weekend before we become college students. Can you believe it? I just thought I'd share a little bit about them in this post.

Chris--he's been my best friend this past year, and he's grown so much. He's taking classes at OCCC this fall (I'm so proud of him, I can't even begin to tell you). He's been very patient with me and always has my back.

Hannah--we've been friends for as long as I can remember, and she's grown up a lot this year. She's made decisions in her life I would never have the guts to do and has reaped so many benefits. I'm really proud of her too! She'll still be in high school, but that doesn't matter.

Elie--she's gone to Cali until Christmas break. She has one incredible story and it's so different from mine. She and I really balance each other out! I can't wait to hear what God is gonna do with you in Cali.

Taylor--we've walked in and out of each other's lives over the past year, but we always manage to become great friends again. He's my logic buddy. We can sit and talk about stuff forever and never reach an end as we over-analyze everything on the planet. :) He'll be with me at UCO!

Caroline--another person who has stood by me in everything. We'll be at UCO too! She's so creative, more than I'll ever be! 

Lori--I'm so proud of you for going to OBU. Leaving home is such a big deal, but it's worth it. God will give you so many experiences to grow you, you'll be thankful you left. Don't worry on missing out on things, I don't think much will happen in any of our lives. :)

And I'll close with a poem a friend of mine wrote:

"Beautiful beginnings start with an end, 

a faded dream or loss of a friend."

God's going to do great things with us~just look at our lives already~~

Here we go...the next chapter is here. 

"Never become attached to anything that continues to hurt God. For you to be free of it, God must be allowed to hurt whatever it may be."

This is from an incredible devotional, which this person gave me, titled My Utmost for His Highest. 

Are you attached to anything that hurts God? Will you let go, or will God have to hurt it?

In my life, God usually has to hurt it. 

Who am I?

Here's a great post on Swerve today. Really made me think. Who has God created me to be? 

Let me know what you think!

Happy Birthday Aubs!!

One of my girls has a birthday today!

Aubrey (striped shirt) has a special birthday today and I'm so excited! We're going to Chili's tonight to celebrate! She was one of the girls I nannied last summer and I just love the girl. She's incredible and this summer she just started an email she sends out weekly to all her friends! It's so fun to read and she amazes me everyday! 

I love you Aubs!!

I Caved

So my computer finally died, and I gave into the bandwagon and I now am a proud owner of a.......

MAC BOOK!!!

Isn't it pretty?!?

Have you entered the Apple world?