When I see stuff like this, creatures created by God, set in an environment that could only have been put together by an almighty Creator, I stop to admire the beauty that I so often take for granted. Something as simple as a bird leaves me awestruck at the awesome nature of our God. The colors and making of everything that surrounds us is a constant reminder of the amazing love that God has for us. I so often ignore or simply pass by beautiful and incredible things that should remind us of a love that never fails, a love that didn't want us to simply live, but wanted us to live to the fullest. Live and love in a world of color and diversity. The fantastic things we pass by without a second glance, were made for us as an ongoing love letter from a perfect Creator. One of the greatest ways to see God, is to see and appreciate his beautiful creations.

Future

Too many times I am so caught up worrying about the future that I miss what is happening in the present. I have concluded that if God wanted us to know our future He would have provided the means for us to see it. So until we get to be our future selves, we cannot know what God has in store for us. The last thing that we need to worry about is a future that an Almighty God already has planned for us. He is going to open doors where they need to be opened, and close them where they need to be closed. It is a silly waste of time to worry about a future that is already planned for us. Our responsibility is to listen to the direction that God is steering us. Beyond that, we need to let our future be decided by God. Which makes it pointless for us to worry about our future. What is happening around you now is what should have your attention. The people you encounter, the opportunities you may have, the lessons you could be learning...these are the things that we should be paying attention to. Everything and everyone in your life right now, is there because God put them there. How sad if we pass up the people in our lives now and miss something God has for us because we are too eager for the future.

Decisions

I need wisdom. I dont normally like to quit something i started, including a school situation, but as i get into the school year I feel like I am wasting alot of things. I feel like Im wasting time, I spend over half my day in electives. I feel like im wasting my parents money, they are paying for me to take classes that dont matter? I think I could make better use of my time. College classes, working, helping with the church, building relationships, the list goes on and on. I need wisdom in deciding what i should do as far as school goes. I am praying about going to a school where i am not is school doing nothing all day. I may be making too big of a deal out of this...but there is more to it than my use of time. The environment at my current school is not one I like and I think that I could be doing more for Christ at a less "christianized" school. I am not sure of anything at this point and I would appreciate your prayer.

Where I'm At

School has begun and life is once again settling into a steady rythem. As my schedual begins to fill back up I am determined to keep my piorities clear. This year I want to meet new people, build new relationships, get a direction for my life, go outside my comfort zone and reach out, and above all reach a new level in my relationship with Christ. I want to use my last year in "less-stress" highschool to get a firm grip on everything so I am fully equipped to handle college (and after) and all that comes with it. As far as guys go I'm thinking that I am not gunna do anything to advance that area of my life right now. If God wants me to be with someone anythime soon then He will make it happen, in His timing, and with who He has for me. I just gotta trust Him with it. I cant wait to see where God has me going. I think He has great things in store for this year and I cant wait to see them unfold!

On the Backstretch

Finished up my last day of work today...a bitter sweet sort of goodbye. I am excited to start and finish my last year of highschool and get on with life...but its always sad to wave goodbye to the vibrant days of Summer. I am hoping to set my focus this year on preparing for college life, independent of parental supervision, and growing closer to God as my personal Savior. I am hoping to make a difference this year, as to where that will be, i am not yet sure. I am confident, however, that God will use me wherever He thinks I need to be. I am also putting my future in His hands. My greatest worry is not meeting the right guy, or choosing the wrong direction for a career or the wrong college. I know that I need to give these worries up to God and trust that He has a plan for my life and will do what is best for me. As I go through this year, I am not gunna push anything or try and make something happen...if its supposed to happen, then it will...but not in my time, and maybe not in the way that i expect it to. I am hoping for a great senior year full of lots of fun and lots of great memories! I hope something exciting happen!!

Food For Thought

I have been reading the book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I am actually not that far into it but something in the very beginning caught my attention and made me stop and think. C.S. Lewis says that in his book he will not proclaim any one of the many denominations of christianity to be "the right one". He says christianity is following the teaching of Christ and accepting His son as your personal Savior, pure and simple. The different ways that that message is presented is really insignificant if we take time to think about what is at stake. Lewis says that as christians our mission is to reach the lost, unbelievers that surround us every day. I dont know anyone who would disagree with that statement. He believes that if we as christians are always fighting each other over which denomination is the correct one, or which little details are more accurate, then we do nothing but push nonbelievers farther away from accepting Christ as their Savior. He says that if there is not unity amoung the believers then how can we expect any nonbeliever to want what we have if all they see is fighting and strife.
I think Lewis is right on the money with this mindset, but it goes deeper than just denominations and details of one over the other. It reaches into every church of every denomination. When people think of the church or christians they cringe because what they know as "christians" has given the church and the followers of Christ a bad name. When they think christians or church they think of rules, hypocritical people condemning everyone who doesnt think like they do, people who are hateful to each other over insignificant differences. Tell me, if this is the impression we give then how can we possinby blame lost people for not running to christianity with open arms?
The church is supposed to be the body of Christ. Christians are to be the hands and feet of Christ extended. Christ represents love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, compassion and an opportunity to come as you are and not be judged. If christians are supposed to be His hands and feet extended then shouldn't we show nonbelievers those things? The things that Christ himself was in His time on earth? If what nonbelievers saw today, from the people they think are condemning jerks, was love, compassion, forgiveness, grace, a non-judging spirit, and unity, wouldn't they be more willing to listen to what we have to say about the one we follow?
As we head back into the school year and are once again surrounded by those who need to feel the love of Christ, i encourage you as well as myself to be the hands and feet of Christ. See what a difference we can make if we are what God needs us to be as His followers.