Have you ever had a day all to yourself? One of those lazy days, with nothing to do but write and draw and think and stay in your fuzzy pink slippers.
Those days start out great. I do four days of school, so before I got a part in this play, I would have 1 weekday of relaxation and playtime.
On those days, I would get really hyped about being a good person. I would lie in my bed in the early morning before anyone else was awake, greeting the sun as it shone through my bedroom window. I'm going to be awesome today, I'd tell myself. I'm going to really help somebody today. I'm going to dedicate this day to the Lord. And I'm going to wash my face, just for me, because today is going to be a perfect day. I would set up a schedule in my mind. I would have a makeover -- take a shower, brush hair, paint nails, scrub lips. I would read my bible and pray for a long time, then go the hunger site and the animal rescue site and feed those in need for free. I would make that day awesome and productive.
Well, that day was gone before I realized it. What had I done? Blogged, ate, brushed my teeth, blogged some more. Oh, and yelled at my brother. Thus is the life of an blogger addict. At the end of one of those supposedly glorious days, I would feel a bit depressed as I crawled into bed.
I had gotten nothing done. I had done nothing for myself. I had done nothing for others and nothing for God. What was wrong with me? Why had I turned a potentially productive day into a, well, lazy day? Where had this gotten me? Did winning my virtual Playstation world really help improve my life? Did it get me new friends? Did it get my closer to God? Did it zap a zit? No.
I think that every day, we should at least do 1 thing productive. One thing that will get you or someone else somewhere. Reach your goals, chase your dreams, help someone, pray. Don't let yourself fall into the laziness trap. Honestly, it's selfish. It's selfish not to take care of yourself. It's selfish to not take care of others, and it's selfish not to seek a closer relationship with the One who is giving you this life.
This is truly living -- taking care of yourself, others, and your relationship with God. Make the best of your day, of your life.
30.1.09
27.1.09
Slippery Slope
The roads are icy and this made me think – isn’t an icy road like sin?
You’ve seen it on the news – cars crashing, people slipping, schools being closed early. Why? People know it’s dangerous! Icy roads and bridges are slippery. You can’t speed up, but you can’t suddenly stop, either. Turning to sharply can end in disaster. There are so many things that can go wrong
Once you choose to get on that road, it’s tough getting off. You have to concentrate and get back to safety.
Sometimes...you can't.
It really is like sin, I think. Once we go down that road, it's hard to get off. Oh, yeah, you've got your excuses. You can justify it in some way. Or "it won't happen to" you. Think again.
The more we sin, the easier it gets. A little white lie here, a little partying there, and before you know it, you're spinning on an icy road.
Like Carrie Underwood says in Jesus Take the Wheel, "Jesus take the wheel, take it from my hands, cause I can't do this on my own. I'm letting go, so give me one more chance. Save me from this road I'm on." Did you catch that? Carrie sings about a woman driving on an icy road when her car spins out of control. Now "for the first time in a long while she bowed her head to pray". If you've messed up a lot, there will be consequences, but Jesus is willing to save you! You can't do it on your own, but Jesus is really into mercy. Forgiveness is offered. All you have to do is ask.
Tonight, I'd just like to ask you to not even get on that dark road. It only leads to trouble. Take the road to Jesus, to life, to true joy, to peace. The other road will get you nowhere.
You’ve seen it on the news – cars crashing, people slipping, schools being closed early. Why? People know it’s dangerous! Icy roads and bridges are slippery. You can’t speed up, but you can’t suddenly stop, either. Turning to sharply can end in disaster. There are so many things that can go wrong
Once you choose to get on that road, it’s tough getting off. You have to concentrate and get back to safety.
Sometimes...you can't.
It really is like sin, I think. Once we go down that road, it's hard to get off. Oh, yeah, you've got your excuses. You can justify it in some way. Or "it won't happen to" you. Think again.
The more we sin, the easier it gets. A little white lie here, a little partying there, and before you know it, you're spinning on an icy road.
Like Carrie Underwood says in Jesus Take the Wheel, "Jesus take the wheel, take it from my hands, cause I can't do this on my own. I'm letting go, so give me one more chance. Save me from this road I'm on." Did you catch that? Carrie sings about a woman driving on an icy road when her car spins out of control. Now "for the first time in a long while she bowed her head to pray". If you've messed up a lot, there will be consequences, but Jesus is willing to save you! You can't do it on your own, but Jesus is really into mercy. Forgiveness is offered. All you have to do is ask.
Tonight, I'd just like to ask you to not even get on that dark road. It only leads to trouble. Take the road to Jesus, to life, to true joy, to peace. The other road will get you nowhere.
25.1.09
Happy Birthday, Dalton!
We had a guest at AWANA Cubbies tonight! That bumps us up to 3 whole Cubbies! Abigail, my youngest sister, is still having trouble. Speaking of Abigail, she has a birthday in a week or two. She'll be turning 5. Time flies! She still thinks she's cute baby who needs to be held and spoiled. (Ha, I can just hear Hannah saying "amen".)
Speaking of birthdays, this small and non-biblical post is dedicated to my brother Dalton, who will be turning 8 on Tuesday!! Happy Birthday, Dalton! He is having a StarWars birthday with Darth Vader plates because he is absolutely obsessed (seriously, obsessed, like obsessive-compulsive disorder, I think). SHH--he's getting episodes 1 & 3 of Star Wars. Hehe. (You couldn't just buy him cool socks?) Oh, no. It had to be StarWars. Well, if he's happy, then I'll just go easy on him for a few days so he can have his fun. Until he starts attacking me with his lightsaber and Yoda force mind powers. Then I will have to intervene.
God bless,
Melissa
Speaking of birthdays, this small and non-biblical post is dedicated to my brother Dalton, who will be turning 8 on Tuesday!! Happy Birthday, Dalton! He is having a StarWars birthday with Darth Vader plates because he is absolutely obsessed (seriously, obsessed, like obsessive-compulsive disorder, I think). SHH--he's getting episodes 1 & 3 of Star Wars. Hehe. (You couldn't just buy him cool socks?) Oh, no. It had to be StarWars. Well, if he's happy, then I'll just go easy on him for a few days so he can have his fun. Until he starts attacking me with his lightsaber and Yoda force mind powers. Then I will have to intervene.
God bless,
Melissa
24.1.09
All the Right Ingredients
Let’s bake a cake today. We’ll need sprinkles to make it look good. We could write a funny phrase in icing. We can use our brains to determine how many half teaspoons are in one tablespoon. And you can’t forget the sugar, to make it sweet. (You can’t have too much sugar!) There’s something else we need…a secret ingredient, maybe?…oh, it’s no secret. Most people don’t even believe we need to use this, but let’s use baking powder, ok? (Or is it soda…? Whatever makes bread rise, let’s dump it in.)
If we didn’t add that final ingredient, what would happen to our cake? It’d be more like a sugary tortilla. Not good. (Hmm…icing and guacamole…?) Baking powder/soda makes the cake rise. You COULD bake that cake without baking powder/soda, but it wouldn’t be very good. You’d probably end up giving it to the dog, if he’s willing to eat it, that is.
Ya know, that’s kind of like us, isn’t it? Not the dog, but the cake. We have all the great obvious ingredients – flour, water, oil, sugar, and a witty saying in icing – in us right now. We can be smart, funny, friendly, and good-looking, all in one great package. But the person who came up with that cake recipe designed it to be used with baking powder. Without it, the cake can’t rise.
We are the cake with all the great ingredients, but we are incomplete if we don’t have Jesus! With Jesus, we rise above everyone else. We become more than humans. We become amazing! We become beautiful (or handsome, for all you macho boys – I mean, men – out there)! We were designed to have all these great ingredients, but if you take Jesus away, we’ll just be flat. We won’t be useful. And, eventually, we’ll get tossed in the trash. Yet having that one ingredient, Jesus, makes us complete, makes us wonderful, makes us useful.
So you can have your twisted tortilla, I want the big cake. I want the real deal.
If we didn’t add that final ingredient, what would happen to our cake? It’d be more like a sugary tortilla. Not good. (Hmm…icing and guacamole…?) Baking powder/soda makes the cake rise. You COULD bake that cake without baking powder/soda, but it wouldn’t be very good. You’d probably end up giving it to the dog, if he’s willing to eat it, that is.
Ya know, that’s kind of like us, isn’t it? Not the dog, but the cake. We have all the great obvious ingredients – flour, water, oil, sugar, and a witty saying in icing – in us right now. We can be smart, funny, friendly, and good-looking, all in one great package. But the person who came up with that cake recipe designed it to be used with baking powder. Without it, the cake can’t rise.
We are the cake with all the great ingredients, but we are incomplete if we don’t have Jesus! With Jesus, we rise above everyone else. We become more than humans. We become amazing! We become beautiful (or handsome, for all you macho boys – I mean, men – out there)! We were designed to have all these great ingredients, but if you take Jesus away, we’ll just be flat. We won’t be useful. And, eventually, we’ll get tossed in the trash. Yet having that one ingredient, Jesus, makes us complete, makes us wonderful, makes us useful.
So you can have your twisted tortilla, I want the big cake. I want the real deal.
22.1.09
Tagged!
I've been tagged. I have waited for this moment since I was first introduced to the world of blogging. It's been a lifelong dream -- for a whole year. Here we go!
1.
What is your occupation right now?
Student, Servant of God, Writer, Dreamer, Fashion Police
2.
What color are your socks right now?
White. I know, I'm boring.
I actually do have crazy socks, I'm just not wearing them. You don't ride in crazy socks. No no.
3.
What are you listening to right now?
Video Girl - Jonas Brothers :]
4.
What was the last thing that you ate?
my mom's famous homemade chili that I made
5.
Can you drive a stick shift?
Isn't that something to do with a car...? If so, then I'd like to point out that I'm 13.
6.
Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Nick Jonas
7.
Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Oh yeah. Thanks Jillian!
8.
How old are you today?
13 -- and I'll be 14 in less than a year. :]
9.
What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
figure skating, dancing
10.
What is your favorite drink?
Cherry Coke, any juice or smoothie, Shirley Temple, Strawberry Daquiri (virgin!), Vitamin Water, Sobe Water, anything fruity
11.
Have you ever dyed your hair?
No way...tsk tsk tsk
12.
Favorite food?
spaghetti, tacos...do cheez-its and pretzels count?
13.
What is the last movie you saw?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (omb I could so gush about this!)
14.
Favorite day of the year?
December 25, October 4th
15.
How do you vent anger?
praying, writing, and saying, "Well, you're not so great yourself!" yeah....
17.
What is your favorite season?
I was not made for winter.
18.
Cherries or Blueberries?
Blueberries. But I love both!
19.
Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
Ha, if only, if only....
20-21.
How many sibs do u have?
4
22.
Living arrangements?
in a small box on the outskirts of town, under lock & key
or in my house....
23.
When was the last time you cried?
when I was told my dad was getting laid off
24.
Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to?
sorry, the people I'd tag have already been tagged!
but my oldest friend is Rachel (her blog is Invisible Oranges, and she still hasn't posted)
25.
What did you do last night
took a bath & read "Totally God's" by Megan Clinton (great book!)
26.
What are you most afraid of
wasps, hornets, fire, having to choose which family member I will save from a volcano
27.
Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
*sniff* I don't eat meat. :]
Definetly cheese! And pickles! And mustard. And lettuce. And tomatoes.
28.
Favorite dog breed?
Labs, Golden Retrievers, Japanese Chins...pretty much everything
29.
Favorite day of the week?
Saturday
30.
How many states have you lived in?
1 -- the stars at night, are big and bright, here in the heart of Texas!
31.
Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds are a girl's best friend (or so I'm told).
32.
What is your favorite flower?
Roses! Next would be orchids.
So, I'm supposed to tag people. But everyone who would probably want to do this has already been tagged. So...I'll be pathetic and end with a goodbye.
God bless,
Melissa
1.
What is your occupation right now?
Student, Servant of God, Writer, Dreamer, Fashion Police
2.
What color are your socks right now?
White. I know, I'm boring.
I actually do have crazy socks, I'm just not wearing them. You don't ride in crazy socks. No no.
3.
What are you listening to right now?
Video Girl - Jonas Brothers :]
4.
What was the last thing that you ate?
my mom's famous homemade chili that I made
5.
Can you drive a stick shift?
Isn't that something to do with a car...? If so, then I'd like to point out that I'm 13.
6.
Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Nick Jonas
7.
Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Oh yeah. Thanks Jillian!
8.
How old are you today?
13 -- and I'll be 14 in less than a year. :]
9.
What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
figure skating, dancing
10.
What is your favorite drink?
Cherry Coke, any juice or smoothie, Shirley Temple, Strawberry Daquiri (virgin!), Vitamin Water, Sobe Water, anything fruity
11.
Have you ever dyed your hair?
No way...tsk tsk tsk
12.
Favorite food?
spaghetti, tacos...do cheez-its and pretzels count?
13.
What is the last movie you saw?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (omb I could so gush about this!)
14.
Favorite day of the year?
December 25, October 4th
15.
How do you vent anger?
praying, writing, and saying, "Well, you're not so great yourself!" yeah....
17.
What is your favorite season?
I was not made for winter.
18.
Cherries or Blueberries?
Blueberries. But I love both!
19.
Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
Ha, if only, if only....
20-21.
How many sibs do u have?
4
22.
Living arrangements?
in a small box on the outskirts of town, under lock & key
or in my house....
23.
When was the last time you cried?
when I was told my dad was getting laid off
24.
Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to?
sorry, the people I'd tag have already been tagged!
but my oldest friend is Rachel (her blog is Invisible Oranges, and she still hasn't posted)
25.
What did you do last night
took a bath & read "Totally God's" by Megan Clinton (great book!)
26.
What are you most afraid of
wasps, hornets, fire, having to choose which family member I will save from a volcano
27.
Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
*sniff* I don't eat meat. :]
Definetly cheese! And pickles! And mustard. And lettuce. And tomatoes.
28.
Favorite dog breed?
Labs, Golden Retrievers, Japanese Chins...pretty much everything
29.
Favorite day of the week?
Saturday
30.
How many states have you lived in?
1 -- the stars at night, are big and bright, here in the heart of Texas!
31.
Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds are a girl's best friend (or so I'm told).
32.
What is your favorite flower?
Roses! Next would be orchids.
So, I'm supposed to tag people. But everyone who would probably want to do this has already been tagged. So...I'll be pathetic and end with a goodbye.
God bless,
Melissa
21.1.09
Not Recieving God's Gifts
"The true children of God are those who let God’s spirit lead them." – Paul, in his letter to the Romans
One of the elders of my church preached last Sunday about how you can be a Christian and still miss out on the gifts of Christianity. I didn’t get to hear – I was Princess Regina in a skit, leading children’s church. I did, however, think that it was an interesting thought.
So, if you’re a Christian, you’ve got the Holy Spirit in you. Not only that, but as a Christian, you have eternal life and will someday live in heaven with God. But is it true that you can actually miss out on God’s gifts if you aren’t fully in tune with him?
You can! I know this may not be good news to you, but unless you are walking in faith and giving God your all, you will miss out on some of the wonderful gifts that God is offering you. Let’s explore some of those gifts that you may be missing out on.
Peace. Say good-bye to peace if you aren’t spending daily time with God.
Problems. Bad things happen to everyone. God is willing to help you with your problems, but you have to admit your problems to him first and ask him for his guidance.
Wisdom. If you aren’t reading your bible every day, do you really expect to understand it?
I’ve told you the bare basics of it. There’s a lot more stuff you can scoop out of this topic – do it! And take a look at the journal jots below.
I want to be a true child of God, the kind that Paul describes – a child who loves God and who loves those around me. Are you with me?
Journal Jots:
Can you think of any other gifts you miss out on when you aren’t giving God your all?
After hearing Paul, would you call yourself a true child of God?
What gift do you need to work on more?
Can true peace be found in the world, or must it come from God?
If you were to acquire those gifts, what would you have to do?
One of the elders of my church preached last Sunday about how you can be a Christian and still miss out on the gifts of Christianity. I didn’t get to hear – I was Princess Regina in a skit, leading children’s church. I did, however, think that it was an interesting thought.
So, if you’re a Christian, you’ve got the Holy Spirit in you. Not only that, but as a Christian, you have eternal life and will someday live in heaven with God. But is it true that you can actually miss out on God’s gifts if you aren’t fully in tune with him?
You can! I know this may not be good news to you, but unless you are walking in faith and giving God your all, you will miss out on some of the wonderful gifts that God is offering you. Let’s explore some of those gifts that you may be missing out on.
Peace. Say good-bye to peace if you aren’t spending daily time with God.
Problems. Bad things happen to everyone. God is willing to help you with your problems, but you have to admit your problems to him first and ask him for his guidance.
Wisdom. If you aren’t reading your bible every day, do you really expect to understand it?
I’ve told you the bare basics of it. There’s a lot more stuff you can scoop out of this topic – do it! And take a look at the journal jots below.
I want to be a true child of God, the kind that Paul describes – a child who loves God and who loves those around me. Are you with me?
Journal Jots:
Can you think of any other gifts you miss out on when you aren’t giving God your all?
After hearing Paul, would you call yourself a true child of God?
What gift do you need to work on more?
Can true peace be found in the world, or must it come from God?
If you were to acquire those gifts, what would you have to do?
19.1.09
Sheep, Zebras, Lions, and Satan
Throughout the bible we are refferred to as sheep. (And yes, maybe in a stupid way. After all -- we think we know everything.) We are a large flock of sheep, lazily doing very little to help our world.
What else does the Bible say? Peter tells us that we need to, "Control yourselves and be careful!" He warns us that, "The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat." ((1 Peter 5:8-end))
That's pretty scary! We are helpless, dumb, lazy sheep and there is a lion watching us, waiting for one of us to stray too far. When we do, he pounces.
For example, in the African savannah, a herd of zebras are grazing happily. The leader lifts his head, sensing danger -- the musky smell of lions. The lion stalks the herd but does not attack because they are too strong together. Yet when one zebra strays from the herd, the lion pounces on it.
In the same way, we need fellowship with other Christians to make us stronger. Satan will be watching our every move, and if we stray from the Master and from our fellow Christians, we will be attacked.
Then what does Peter tell us? "Refuse to give into Satan by standing stronger in your faith. You know that your Christian family all ove the world is having the same kinds of suffering. And after you suffer a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever."
Wow!
What else does the Bible say? Peter tells us that we need to, "Control yourselves and be careful!" He warns us that, "The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat." ((1 Peter 5:8-end))
That's pretty scary! We are helpless, dumb, lazy sheep and there is a lion watching us, waiting for one of us to stray too far. When we do, he pounces.
For example, in the African savannah, a herd of zebras are grazing happily. The leader lifts his head, sensing danger -- the musky smell of lions. The lion stalks the herd but does not attack because they are too strong together. Yet when one zebra strays from the herd, the lion pounces on it.
In the same way, we need fellowship with other Christians to make us stronger. Satan will be watching our every move, and if we stray from the Master and from our fellow Christians, we will be attacked.
Then what does Peter tell us? "Refuse to give into Satan by standing stronger in your faith. You know that your Christian family all ove the world is having the same kinds of suffering. And after you suffer a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever."
Wow!
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