What does the summer bring?

So I am going to ask a few questions that I would like you all to respond to.

1. When you think of summer what is the activity that you think of?

2. When you think of vacation where do you want to go?

3. What are you going to be doing during your summer?

Well Let me start by answering these questions so you can have an idea.

1. I think of swimming , and hanging out with friends.

2. I think of going to Italy.

3. This summer I am going through James to prepare my heart for fall, I am working, and hanging out with friends, and most of all dedicating more time to God.

These three questions have lead me to my topic today because when most people think summer we don't think about more time spent with God, we think more time for ourselves. A little selfish don't you think. I'm not trying to say that I don't think about myself when I think of summer, I'm trying to say that I/we shouldn't. Easier said than done..typical answer, I've used it many times, just ask my family. God is the person we should never forget, or put ourselves above, but for some odd reason we do it anyway. It's sort of like showing favoritism to ourselves, which God doesn't like when we show favoritism to anyone. God says to love others as we love ourselves, and as Christ loved us. In this world we were created equal but we sure dont treat people like that. Do you remember that Jesus was once human like us? Well He was and He had to fight the same temptations that we fight every day. "It's too hard, I just can't stop" Phil 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. So then why can't you stop, It's because you really don't want to. If you wanted to stop you would seek God for help and begin to stop that sin. It's just like in my first post about Addictions. They are things that we "just can't stop" but really we can with God. THe more time we give to Him instead of to ourselves or others around us, the more we will be able ti fight our addictions and the temptations of this world.
What are you afraid of? What tempts you? What things keep you from Spending more time with God?

Where to Look?

in Today's world there are so many people struggling. Did you know that in 2007 37.3 million( 13%) of the American Population was in poverty, or that Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death, or that 1 in every 4 Amercans have a STD's? We live in this world, this is the reality of what is going on around us. Well How do we help those who are lost. How do you come up with words to describe God's love for them. Simple, ask God! Sometimes we tend to forget about God when we see things going on around us so we try to take things into our own hands. Maybe you were one of the 37.3 millions in poverty, or maybe you have thought about suicide, or just maybe you were that 1 with the STD. We all have choices to make, and when your not positive of the right answer or what to do, don't forget the Man who died so that YOU could be living today. Did you know that God could snap his fingers and make your life end because no one on this earth deserves his love let alone his grace, but yet he still gives. He is not out to get us, He loves you and that is why when me make mistakes He still loves us but that doesn't mean to keep making the same mistake or to do something just because He will forgive you later. In a relationship or a friendship, it is not a one-way street. The other person shouldn't be doing all the work to keep the relationship. A relationship works on both ends, you take your differences and you make them work because that relationship means something to you. For example, You just got married and you decide that your wife/husband is your personal maid or the one who is suppose to go to work and make the money for YOU to spend. Well think again, because if that is you, that relationship is not going anywhere. It's the same with God, If we expect Him to do our "chores" for us then God is the only one working on the relationship. God loves you so have a chat soon, he misses talking with you!

God's Unfailing Love

Well, I know I was going to update before now but I was so wrapped up in God's work that I didn't get time to post. From Monday thru Thursday, I was in the city for a missions trip and the group of 7 people did amazing things throughout the week. Monday night we all made and served dinner at the Hope Lodge for cancer patients. There was many conversations, and many smiling faces when we left. When we got back to the church it was my turn to lead the devotional for the night. I talked about the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-13. I didn't think it went very well because I was so exhausted, and my self-esteem is still a huge battle. Tuesday came around and the group was working on some projects around the church we were staying at. Then in the afternoon went to a rec center and helped out with the young children there. That night we went out to dinner as a group then came back and had devotions and then we did group prayer, where one person at a time stood in the center of the circle and let us know what we could pray for them about and we prayed for them as we felt led. Wednesday came along and projects that weren't finished yet got done and some went to a park and enjoyed the nice weather to get a little down time during our spring break. Then later that evening we went to a homeless shelter and helped serve dinner. Thursday we packed up and cleaned up around the church then went to the rec center for a few hours before we left for home. I came home and had choir practice right away so i came home for 2 minutes and left again, got home exhausted and passed out in my bed. Friday came along and I didn't get out of bed until late, which I'm sure all of know that feeling after a long week of working non-stop. I had a date around 5 which went really well. He is a christian too and so it's very easy to talk to Him about God and life as a Christian. I got to come home for a few hours before I went to church to help out at my church overnight with the homeless that were staying in our church all week. It was an amazing week that I was completely exhausted from but Saturday I pretty much caught up on my sleep and was late to babysit but thankfully the family was very understanding. When God shows you His unfailing love, How does He show it to you? Leave a comment and let me know :)