I got this link from another blog, and I felt like it was something I should share. I've seen a few of the "I am Second" videos before, but the one from this girl was so moving. She has wisdom beyond her years and knows about God's leading and trusting Him for everything at such a young age. Here it is :]
Seconds - I Am Second
are you still searching?
2.17.2011
This morning when I woke up, the song "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North was in my head, and there was one line from the song that stuck in my brain.
Why are you looking for love? Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough?
This line in the song is coming from God's point of view, and He is asking why we are searching for satisfaction in things apart from Him when He is all that will satisfy us. This morning, I was thinking about how silly it is for us to chase after other things when God promises that He was, is, and will be everything that we need.
Looking for love? God's love for you is everlasting. (Jeremiah 31:3)
Need rest? Jesus promises a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Overwhelmed? God is a rock and a stronghold in the day of trouble. (Psalm 61:1-3)
What about forgiveness? He is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins. (1 John 1:9)
Feeling lonely? You are never left alone or forsaken by God. (Hebrews 13:5)
Not sure what to do next? God has a plan for you and promises to work all things together for good. (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28)
Why then, with all of these promises, do we try to fulfill these desires with other things? I think for me the reason is that confiding in friends or having lots of stuff or whatever else are all tangible things. I can see that I have friends and can see that they are listening to what I have to say. My relationship with them is tangible. The stuff I buy to feel better about myself sits in my room. I can see it. When these emotions are felt, God does not seem tangible or right in the room with us. He seems distant and uninterested in what is going on, when the reality is that the complete opposite is true. He is the only one who is always there no matter what, even if I don't always realize it right away. He is waiting to give me everything I need, and all I have to do is ask Him.
So I guess I'm done searching...
Why are you looking for love? Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough?
This line in the song is coming from God's point of view, and He is asking why we are searching for satisfaction in things apart from Him when He is all that will satisfy us. This morning, I was thinking about how silly it is for us to chase after other things when God promises that He was, is, and will be everything that we need.
Looking for love? God's love for you is everlasting. (Jeremiah 31:3)
Need rest? Jesus promises a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Overwhelmed? God is a rock and a stronghold in the day of trouble. (Psalm 61:1-3)
What about forgiveness? He is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins. (1 John 1:9)
Feeling lonely? You are never left alone or forsaken by God. (Hebrews 13:5)
Not sure what to do next? God has a plan for you and promises to work all things together for good. (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28)
Why then, with all of these promises, do we try to fulfill these desires with other things? I think for me the reason is that confiding in friends or having lots of stuff or whatever else are all tangible things. I can see that I have friends and can see that they are listening to what I have to say. My relationship with them is tangible. The stuff I buy to feel better about myself sits in my room. I can see it. When these emotions are felt, God does not seem tangible or right in the room with us. He seems distant and uninterested in what is going on, when the reality is that the complete opposite is true. He is the only one who is always there no matter what, even if I don't always realize it right away. He is waiting to give me everything I need, and all I have to do is ask Him.
So I guess I'm done searching...
one word: delight
2.16.2011
So a few weeks ago, well more like the beginning of January, someone sent me a link to a website called myoneword.org. It's a different way to do New Year's resolutions by only picking one word that defines something you want to change in your life for this year. I've thought about it since then, and have finally chosen a word. My one word for this year is delight. Delight, according to dictionary.com, means to have great pleasure or to take pleasure in something. I chose this word because I want to be constantly reminded to delight myself in the Lord. At the same time, I want Him to be able to delight in me as His child. This year has already been one of the hardest for me so far, but I will delight in the Lord and praise Him no matter how tough things get. I also want to take time to delight in the little things that get overlooked or taken for granted many times.
Bible verses containing the word Delight:
Psalm 40:8
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD,and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.
Psalm 1:2
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
What's your word for the year? Let me know if you choose one! I'd love to hear about it.
Bible verses containing the word Delight:
Psalm 40:8
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD,and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.
Psalm 1:2
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
What's your word for the year? Let me know if you choose one! I'd love to hear about it.
don't waste your life
2.15.2011
With much thanks to christianaudio.com giving it away for free, I have been listening to the book "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper on my way to and from work for the past couple days. If you have read this book before, I don't have to tell you that it's a good one to read. If you haven't read it, I would recommend it based on what I have heard so far. There are so many good thoughts in this book that there is now way I could share them all on here. However, there are a couple of thoughts from the first four chapters that stick out in my mind right now that I would like to share. This is kind of a long one, so be prepared.
1. Piper starts out the book talking about a picture that was hung in his parent's house with this saying on it: "Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last." This is what the main idea of the book is, as Piper talks about the fact that anything we do that does not glorify God is wasted. At this point, barely into the first chapter, I've already realized that I do not want any more of my life to be wasted on things that will not last past this life.
2. After talking about what a wasted life is, he talks about what it means to not waste your life. The opposite of wasting your life on things that do not bring glory to God is to magnify Him in everything that you do. Paul says in Galatians 6:14 that he does not want to glory in anything except the cross of Christ. Piper then makes the point that everything good and everything bad that is eventually worked out for our good (Romans 8:28), can be directed back to Christ's suffering on the cross. All of the good things that happen are because of the mercy that Christ shows believers that was ultimately displayed by His love for us on the cross and His desire to give us what we need despite the fact that we are wretched sinners who deserve nothing. All of the bad things can also point back to the cross because we are called to suffer as Christ suffered for us (Matthew 10:37-39, 16:24).
3. When it comes to magnifying Christ, Piper gave a really good illustration. He said that we can magnify Christ like a microscope or a telescope. Both of these things magnify whatever you are looking at through them, but they do it in two different ways. The microscope takes something that is small and makes it look huge, and thus it is magnified. The telescope, on the other hand, looks at something that is already beyond our comprehension and allows us to see it for what it truly is. This is the way that we should view God.
The overall gist of what I've gotten out of this book so far is that everything that happens in my life should be a reflection of Christ. I can glorify Him in every situation that I encounter, and if I do not do this, then I am wasting my life. Glorifying God with everything that I have in every situation allows me to be an example to those who do not have a relationship with Him, and an encouragement to those who do. When I am completely satisfied in Christ, He is most glorified through my life.
PS- If you read this and the book interests you, I do have three copies of the audiobook available to send to other people, so let me know!
1. Piper starts out the book talking about a picture that was hung in his parent's house with this saying on it: "Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last." This is what the main idea of the book is, as Piper talks about the fact that anything we do that does not glorify God is wasted. At this point, barely into the first chapter, I've already realized that I do not want any more of my life to be wasted on things that will not last past this life.
2. After talking about what a wasted life is, he talks about what it means to not waste your life. The opposite of wasting your life on things that do not bring glory to God is to magnify Him in everything that you do. Paul says in Galatians 6:14 that he does not want to glory in anything except the cross of Christ. Piper then makes the point that everything good and everything bad that is eventually worked out for our good (Romans 8:28), can be directed back to Christ's suffering on the cross. All of the good things that happen are because of the mercy that Christ shows believers that was ultimately displayed by His love for us on the cross and His desire to give us what we need despite the fact that we are wretched sinners who deserve nothing. All of the bad things can also point back to the cross because we are called to suffer as Christ suffered for us (Matthew 10:37-39, 16:24).
3. When it comes to magnifying Christ, Piper gave a really good illustration. He said that we can magnify Christ like a microscope or a telescope. Both of these things magnify whatever you are looking at through them, but they do it in two different ways. The microscope takes something that is small and makes it look huge, and thus it is magnified. The telescope, on the other hand, looks at something that is already beyond our comprehension and allows us to see it for what it truly is. This is the way that we should view God.
The overall gist of what I've gotten out of this book so far is that everything that happens in my life should be a reflection of Christ. I can glorify Him in every situation that I encounter, and if I do not do this, then I am wasting my life. Glorifying God with everything that I have in every situation allows me to be an example to those who do not have a relationship with Him, and an encouragement to those who do. When I am completely satisfied in Christ, He is most glorified through my life.
PS- If you read this and the book interests you, I do have three copies of the audiobook available to send to other people, so let me know!
so this isn't quite on time...
2.13.2011
but instead of being on the computer this weekend, i visited family and made cinnamon pastries with my sister. i think that's a good excuse. i'll blog about my life another day, and it will happen :]
back to blogging again
2.11.2011
i just got off work and am too tired to write anything right this minute, but i am determined to begin blogging again. so if anyone does read this, look for a new post some time tomorrow, hopefully before lunch :]
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