Our Christianity is safe. Being a Christian in the United States is safe, comfortable even. Sure there are people who will scoff at or make fun of our choices, but we don't have to worry about being attacked, arrested, imprisoned, beaten, tortured, starved, mocked, burned, frozen, isolated, or killed. We don't have to run or worry. We don't have to hide.
This, however, isn't the case everywhere. Unfortunately, there are many, many countries where Christians are regularly rounded up and imprisoned, often times being sent to "reform camps" where, for at least 2 years, they perform manual labor, forced to fulfill quotas regardless of whether they're healthy or not. Have a few broken ribs? You're fit to work. Were you forced to stand through the night in ice and snow without any sleep? You're fit to work. And, no matter what the reason, if you don't fill your quota, you're beaten black and blue and your quota raised for the next day.
In China, and many other Asian countries, the Communist government forces Christians to decide between joining the government-sanctioned church, where you're safe from persecution but the government can keep watch on and censor what is being taught to promote the government even more, or becoming a part of a house church, which can ultimately place their life in danger by being arrested and tortured for practicing "illegally" but is also the freest form of following Christ. Surprisingly, and thankfuly, most Christians in China have chosen to join house churches, willing to risk their safety for the chance to really develop their faith. This comes at a cost, however. The rapid growth of the house church movement in recent years has alarmed the Chinese government, and they're cracking down even harder on the church leaders. Even now, there are at least five known, prominent church leaders that are imprisoned, two of which are women, without a clear reason to be locked up, other than that they're church leaders. Sadly, such cases are normal.
In the Middle Eastern, Muslim countries, it's just as bad. Christians over there are treated severely, and those that have converted from Islam to Christianity are cruelly and brutally treated. Families of converts will usually ostricize the converts, kicking them out of the family completely, and often times will kill the convert to retain the family's honor. And this treatment is supported by law as well, the killings overlooked by the police and officials and those imprisoned often accused of violating the "blasphemy" law. Muslim extremists will also attack churches and burn Christian homes, as well as attack any that try to share the Christian faith with others. Believers are discriminated against in education, employment, and property ownership. Even still, believers in these countrie remain firm in their faith, and many others are beginning to seek Christ admist the turmoil.
And right below our own country, in Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia, Christians face persecution in various forms. In Chiapas, Mexico, Christians face harrssment from town leaders and neighbors and are often forcibly relocated out of traditionalist communities. Six Christian radio stations have also been shut down in four Chiapin cities, are many more are feared to be shut down. In Cuba, strict regulations are placed on churches and many times churches are denied the building permits that they require. In 2009, thirty pastors were arrested for planning a convention for 200 other pastors, and many other prominent pastors continue to be arrested on false charges. While in Colombia the Marxist guerilla group Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC) continues to terrorize the Christian community. So far, more than 300 envangelicals have been killed, and hundreds of others have been displaced by FARC because they see Christians as a threat to the recruitment of young men and women into FARC.
There are so many countries where Christians are persecuted daily, and not just by words, but they are physically persecuted by neighbors and governments. And, compared to what the brave believers go through within these countries, our walks with Christ are indescribably safe.
This blog has come out of four years worth of ponderings, prayers, thoughts, investigations, and heartbreak. I have especially been hit hard by this reality within the past two years, and my heart cries at the pain of what our brothers and sisters go through, yearns to show them support and to be there standing beside them in the face of persecution, confident that, no matter what the situation, God's perfect grace and strength will shine through. Are you not also struck by the cruelty of these situations?
Prayer is powerful. It is a request to the Creator of everything from the creations that He so deeply loves. And so, all I ask is for you to spend time in prayer for the Christians in these persecuted countries, and, if you desire to do something more, to get involved with an organization that supports pastors, missionaries, or Christian families within these countries. Personally, I am a fan of Voice of the Martyrs, but there are also many other organizations out there that are in need of support. So, please, take the time to consider how blessed we are to live in a country where we have religious freedom, and pray for those who do not have such a luxury.
James 1:2-4, Matthew 5:10-12
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Friday, September 17, 2010
Who am I?
Who am I, that You should use me Lord? I am not clean, I am not blameless, I am unworthy. I don't know any Bible verses, or worship songs. All I know is that I am here. There is no way that You could use someone like me.
You know who you are? You, my dear friend, are a beloved child of God and a powerful tool in His kingdom. Sadly though, I feel that many of us underestimate ourselves and think along the lines that this blog opened with. I have heard so many people say, especially when we're on the topics of missions and burdens, that they don't think that Christ can use them. That they aren't...how to put this... religious enough? And hearing this breaks my heart because I know that the Lord has huge plans for them already. Just look at the first missionary that Jesus sent out. You would think that he would be a man full of Godly wisdom and someone who would know the gospels by heart, right? Haha, well, as always, Jesus is full of surprises. He sends out a man, who had previously been possessed by a demon named Legion, to witness to his village (Mark 5:1-20). Yeah. Jesus comes to this village, heals this man, and then sends him to go be a missionary in his village immediately after. I bet you anything that the man didn't gain some vast well of godly knowledge within that short period of time. And yet God still used him to spread the Word. How much more would the Lord be able to use You then?
I've lately had the pleasure of reading "I Would Die for You" by Brent and Deanna Higgins about their son BJ. BJ lived an incredible, but short life of 15 years. He accepted Christ in elementary school. He started witnessing in second grade. How prepared do you think he was? How prepared do you think you would have been? How prepared do you think you are now?
My point is that God can use anybody. You don't have to be the most "spiritual" person in the world. In fact, sometimes it's better if you aren't "spiritual", but rather just authentic. When the Lord first used me, I was struggling with depression and insecurity, and I was definitely NOT in a good place with God. But He still used me. What makes you think that He can't use you as well?
Matthew 9:37-38
You know who you are? You, my dear friend, are a beloved child of God and a powerful tool in His kingdom. Sadly though, I feel that many of us underestimate ourselves and think along the lines that this blog opened with. I have heard so many people say, especially when we're on the topics of missions and burdens, that they don't think that Christ can use them. That they aren't...how to put this... religious enough? And hearing this breaks my heart because I know that the Lord has huge plans for them already. Just look at the first missionary that Jesus sent out. You would think that he would be a man full of Godly wisdom and someone who would know the gospels by heart, right? Haha, well, as always, Jesus is full of surprises. He sends out a man, who had previously been possessed by a demon named Legion, to witness to his village (Mark 5:1-20). Yeah. Jesus comes to this village, heals this man, and then sends him to go be a missionary in his village immediately after. I bet you anything that the man didn't gain some vast well of godly knowledge within that short period of time. And yet God still used him to spread the Word. How much more would the Lord be able to use You then?
I've lately had the pleasure of reading "I Would Die for You" by Brent and Deanna Higgins about their son BJ. BJ lived an incredible, but short life of 15 years. He accepted Christ in elementary school. He started witnessing in second grade. How prepared do you think he was? How prepared do you think you would have been? How prepared do you think you are now?
My point is that God can use anybody. You don't have to be the most "spiritual" person in the world. In fact, sometimes it's better if you aren't "spiritual", but rather just authentic. When the Lord first used me, I was struggling with depression and insecurity, and I was definitely NOT in a good place with God. But He still used me. What makes you think that He can't use you as well?
Matthew 9:37-38
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Hello Again
It's been awhile, hasn't it? I haven't completely recovered myself, and I'm still very much afraid of taking all of the encouragement and compliments straight to my ego once more, but maybe the fear will help me be more aware of how I accept things so I think I'm about ready to try this again. So for right now, I'll give you a quick summer update with more details to come at a later time.
Well, at the moment I'm in Ohio with my family for the first time in.....ummm..... a while. It's been awesome to see my family again and catch up with them, to enjoy the soft, northern grass that Texas lacks (along with cool summers. I can't say that I'm missing the 100+ heat that Texas offers to me.) I love being able to come up here and see my family. But it has been difficult for me to adjust to. Right before coming up here, I came home from spending two weeks in Baja, Mexico with the most amazing team I have ever met. The Lord blessed me with a chance to serve with them and I am extremely grateful! Two weeks of being completely surrounded by this team and their love and encouragement, and then two days after we got home I came up here to Ohio where I have no one close to my age to hang out with. Texting has been cut to a minimum (I'm still getting used to being able to do that again, but I'm trying to cut down on it anyways) and my two younger, boy cousins just aren't interested in talking as opposed to their Star Wars video games and legos. *Sigh*. It's times like these where the loneliness of being an only child really hit hard. Don't get me wrong. I love my family immensely! It's just been hard to adjust to being kind of alone after my mission trip.
To be honest with you all, I've been having trouble ever since I got to Ohio. Mostly due to my own limited understanding as a human. One of my best friends lent me some books for the trip, all of which I've enjoyed and been challenged by in some way or another. But something has been bothering me as I read them. I don't know what it is, but I feel that it's important for me to understand. Unfortunately, as I've been searching for it and trying to tap into it, I've been unable to comprehend what I'm searching for even in the slightest. It's like I'm hitting a brick wall every way I turn and I'm starting to get desperate because of it. If anyone reading this could pray for me, I would be extremely grateful.
But even with the trouble I've had, God has been good to me. Like I said, I've been mostly alone up here in Ohio and have had a LOT of freetime I usually can't find to read the Bible and read the books that my friend lent me. The Lord has blessed me with this time not only to read but also to process the amazing trip that He let me go on. Also, my family took a day to go up to Cedar Point, probably for the last time before I graduate. My goal was to ride all of the roller coasters that I had not yet ridden after the many MANY summers we've spent up there (which I did complete. Took me sixteen years, but I've finally finished up my Cedar Point list, including the fearsome Top Thrill Dragster). But while we were in line for one of the coasters, the Lord once again blessed me in the form of two college aged girls standing behind me. They were wearing shirts for a mission trip they took to Kentucky, so I asked them where they went for their trip and that started a conversation about mission trips and church that lasted a good hour or so. They were from Michigan, and the two of them had actually just met a few weeks ago on their mission trip. Funny how Christ can lead us to our brothers and sisters in completely unexpected ways. We're now facebook friends.
So the Lord has been good to me. I am grateful for all He's done for me and continues to do. I can't believe that summer is almost over. I'll be a junior this year... scary scary thought. But also very exciting. I pray with all my heart that the Lord blows me away this year and gives me the boldness I need to continue stepping out of my comfort zone at school, church, and even at home. More details about my mission trip and trip to Ohio are to come. God bless you all. Any prayer requests?
Well, at the moment I'm in Ohio with my family for the first time in.....ummm..... a while. It's been awesome to see my family again and catch up with them, to enjoy the soft, northern grass that Texas lacks (along with cool summers. I can't say that I'm missing the 100+ heat that Texas offers to me.) I love being able to come up here and see my family. But it has been difficult for me to adjust to. Right before coming up here, I came home from spending two weeks in Baja, Mexico with the most amazing team I have ever met. The Lord blessed me with a chance to serve with them and I am extremely grateful! Two weeks of being completely surrounded by this team and their love and encouragement, and then two days after we got home I came up here to Ohio where I have no one close to my age to hang out with. Texting has been cut to a minimum (I'm still getting used to being able to do that again, but I'm trying to cut down on it anyways) and my two younger, boy cousins just aren't interested in talking as opposed to their Star Wars video games and legos. *Sigh*. It's times like these where the loneliness of being an only child really hit hard. Don't get me wrong. I love my family immensely! It's just been hard to adjust to being kind of alone after my mission trip.
To be honest with you all, I've been having trouble ever since I got to Ohio. Mostly due to my own limited understanding as a human. One of my best friends lent me some books for the trip, all of which I've enjoyed and been challenged by in some way or another. But something has been bothering me as I read them. I don't know what it is, but I feel that it's important for me to understand. Unfortunately, as I've been searching for it and trying to tap into it, I've been unable to comprehend what I'm searching for even in the slightest. It's like I'm hitting a brick wall every way I turn and I'm starting to get desperate because of it. If anyone reading this could pray for me, I would be extremely grateful.
But even with the trouble I've had, God has been good to me. Like I said, I've been mostly alone up here in Ohio and have had a LOT of freetime I usually can't find to read the Bible and read the books that my friend lent me. The Lord has blessed me with this time not only to read but also to process the amazing trip that He let me go on. Also, my family took a day to go up to Cedar Point, probably for the last time before I graduate. My goal was to ride all of the roller coasters that I had not yet ridden after the many MANY summers we've spent up there (which I did complete. Took me sixteen years, but I've finally finished up my Cedar Point list, including the fearsome Top Thrill Dragster). But while we were in line for one of the coasters, the Lord once again blessed me in the form of two college aged girls standing behind me. They were wearing shirts for a mission trip they took to Kentucky, so I asked them where they went for their trip and that started a conversation about mission trips and church that lasted a good hour or so. They were from Michigan, and the two of them had actually just met a few weeks ago on their mission trip. Funny how Christ can lead us to our brothers and sisters in completely unexpected ways. We're now facebook friends.
So the Lord has been good to me. I am grateful for all He's done for me and continues to do. I can't believe that summer is almost over. I'll be a junior this year... scary scary thought. But also very exciting. I pray with all my heart that the Lord blows me away this year and gives me the boldness I need to continue stepping out of my comfort zone at school, church, and even at home. More details about my mission trip and trip to Ohio are to come. God bless you all. Any prayer requests?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Break Time
I'll be taking a much needed hiatus from this blog for a while. I realized something tonight that has been plaguing me for a while, though I didn't know what it was until today. I was reading the book "Redeeming Love" and there's a part where the main characters realize that they were trying to play God in their lives. I paused, then read again, and then something clicked. I've been trying to play God too. Not in the same way that the characters did, but through my writing instead. So many times I've taken compliments for my writing for my own ego when in reality it had all been the Lord's doing. I'm tired of thinking of accomplishments as something I've done and not something He's done. I'm tired of boosting my own ego. I'm tired of denying Him. And that's what I've been doing. I've been depriving the Lord of the praise that He should be receiving from me, His daughter. And I'm ashamed. So with this reflection on myself, I've decided that it's time to take a little break from blogging (and writing in general) while I go back to the core of all things and start over. Pray for me while I'm gone, please, and may our Savior bless you in every way.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one."
Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one."
Matthew 6:9-13
Monday, March 22, 2010
Rich in Faith
It's been 2 years now. It's been 2 years since I went to Kentucky, 2 years since my first mission trip, 2 years since I found myself again, 2 years since God cut through the darkness of my life. It was over spring break of my 8th grade year that our team of junior high students drove for 2 days up to Kentucky in 3 crowded vans (there's a longer story behind that, but I'll save that for another time) to serve the people in the small town of Pippa Passes. It's always around this time of year when my memories of that trip are the strongest. I tend to zone out in class (yes, yes, I know I shouldn't do that) and recall the different events that were all squished together in those 3 short days of service in that community. But when I do zone out, the first thing I will think of is not how our team impacted the area or our experiences, but rather how the people of Pippa Passes impacted us and the suffering the people in that area will go through.
God was extremely good to me on that trip. I was going through a really rough spot in my life, wrestling with some really hard things that had pulled me away from my Savior for so long. And then God led me to Pippa Passes on a mission trip. He led me to the exact area I needed to show me His love and grace. He turned my life around with the book of James (which REALLY kicked my butt, just by the way) and the encouragement of amazing people, and the view of the beautiful world that He created. But He really struck my heart through the absolutely wonderful residents of Pippa Passes. They were so open to our team and grateful that we were there. One of the families we were serving even cooked us a huge dinner one night! And this was a family that didn't have to do this for us, that really didn't have the money to afford to do this for us with all the people they had in the family. They welcomed us into our home and treated us as family. I wanted to cry because they were so loving towards us. Another night we went to a local building where they were having a bluegrass concert. We learned a line dance and danced with the people there and just got to know them. And during the time we were there, the man in charge called us out and thanked us, and everyone in the building cheered and thanked us as well. It's an amazing thing when you go to serve without expecting any recognition or reward and receive a room full of applause. Everyone was so open and loving, but there was more to it than that...
Our 3 days ended strongly, and we started our drive home. I slowly slipped back into my life again, but with a changed attitude. I didn't notice I had changed at all! It wasn't until a year later, when my friend wanted to "interview" me about my mission trip for her journalism class that I was made aware of it. I was just talking about our amazing trip, and my friend made the comment "Yeah, I noticed you had changed when you came back. You were happier." Maybe I was. God had left a permanent mark in my heart. Kentucky and the people there were firmly placed in my heart. I went through the rest of my 8th grade year and a lot of my 9th grade year trying to follow God and remembering Pippa Passes. There was something that kept calling me back to that time, something I wanted to figure out. Then sometime in 2nd semester of 9th grade, a TV special came on about the poverty in the Appalachian region, mainly Kentucky. I immediately cleared my night and sat in front of the TV. And as these stories of 3 people were told, my heart broke and my mind clicked and I cried. I sobbed. We're talking about the type of weeping that takes up an entire box of Kleenex here. And it wasn't the stories themselves that broke my heart, but it was the realization of what I had been trying to figure out for a whole year that made me break. The people we had met in Pippa Passes were already Christians, and I understood their love for us in that sense, but what I had been missing was that staggering amount of faith that each and every person we met had shown through their lives and actions. And the realization that they could have so much faith in God, so much hope for their future with Him, while living in conditions I couldn't imagine is what made me cry.
Matthew 6:21 states that "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I had once thought that I understood what it was saying. Now as I look back at my short trip to Pippa Passes, I know that I didn't understand it AT ALL! I take things from granted all the time. I complain and ask God why life is so hard. But I'm blessed with my life. I have the privilege of being able to go to college. I don't have to drop out of school so I can help support my family. I haven't had to suffer addiction, abuse, hunger, cold, or any of the terrors of poverty. The people of Pippa Passes are definitely better off than a lot of people in poverty, but the problems of their community is a world I had never been aware of before. And to see the people who had so much less than I had and had to work twice as hard as I will to have a semi-comfortable home, to see their amazing faith in their Savior and Lord to provide for them and protect them was the best thing God could ever have shown me! The people we met had joy. They had trust and love in God. I was somewhat bitter when I met them that spring break, and they taught me what faith in God really was. I have confidence that their joy came from knowing that their treasure was in Paradise with Jesus Christ their Lord.
I can go on countless mission trips, travel to the ends of the world, go to every nation on every continent, but nothing could ever replace what 3 short days in Pippa Passes, Kentucky taught me. God brought me there for a reason: to demonstrate His power, beauty, and incredible love for me. Me! A sinner! Someone who had spent years running from God and ignoring Him! My Lord and Savior loves someone like me! And not only does He love me, but He called people I had just met to love on me and help me along my path, whether they knew it or not. Our God is just incredible that way. He has placed Kentucky deep into my heart, constantly reminding me of the kind of faith He's called me to have. I don't know if He will call me back to Kentucky as a servant or if He will tell to do something much bigger for them, but the thing I do know is that God was there with me in Pippa Passes. I could feel Him in the residents' love, I could see Him in the beauty of His mountains, I could hear Him in everyone's encouragement. He brought me there with a plan in mind and radically changed the way I viewed myself and especially the way I viewed my faith. My treasure is with my Lord now, my heart is beating for Him, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) My question to you is, where is your treasure?
Some final thoughts:
- I just recently got some wall decals that I really wanted to share with you all! Why? Because they're amazing Bible verses! One is 2 Corinthians 5:7 and the other is actually Matthew 6:21 (this one's on the wall right next to my bed. Great reminder!) I have a feeling that my room will soon be covered in Bible verses, not that I mind.
-Secondly, I've been having a C.S. Lewis splurge this week. He's great, God gave him such a gift! So, when I finish reading all the books I have of his (in the middle of Mere Christianity right now) then I think I'm going to post a blog with my thoughts on them. So yeah, look forward to that if you want.
-Thirdly, God is blowing me away in many ways this week! And I have a feeling more is to come too. God is just amazing like that! I've literally been dancing and singing to the Lord as I never have before.
-Fourthly, I spent this past weekend up in Waco at Baylor with my sister. So much fun! I'm so grateful God gave me this chance to just spend time with Sydney. I love and miss you sis!
And that's it. One last verse before I go because I feel a lot of people might need this sometime soon. Matthew 6:34. God bless you all!
-Allie
God was extremely good to me on that trip. I was going through a really rough spot in my life, wrestling with some really hard things that had pulled me away from my Savior for so long. And then God led me to Pippa Passes on a mission trip. He led me to the exact area I needed to show me His love and grace. He turned my life around with the book of James (which REALLY kicked my butt, just by the way) and the encouragement of amazing people, and the view of the beautiful world that He created. But He really struck my heart through the absolutely wonderful residents of Pippa Passes. They were so open to our team and grateful that we were there. One of the families we were serving even cooked us a huge dinner one night! And this was a family that didn't have to do this for us, that really didn't have the money to afford to do this for us with all the people they had in the family. They welcomed us into our home and treated us as family. I wanted to cry because they were so loving towards us. Another night we went to a local building where they were having a bluegrass concert. We learned a line dance and danced with the people there and just got to know them. And during the time we were there, the man in charge called us out and thanked us, and everyone in the building cheered and thanked us as well. It's an amazing thing when you go to serve without expecting any recognition or reward and receive a room full of applause. Everyone was so open and loving, but there was more to it than that...
Our 3 days ended strongly, and we started our drive home. I slowly slipped back into my life again, but with a changed attitude. I didn't notice I had changed at all! It wasn't until a year later, when my friend wanted to "interview" me about my mission trip for her journalism class that I was made aware of it. I was just talking about our amazing trip, and my friend made the comment "Yeah, I noticed you had changed when you came back. You were happier." Maybe I was. God had left a permanent mark in my heart. Kentucky and the people there were firmly placed in my heart. I went through the rest of my 8th grade year and a lot of my 9th grade year trying to follow God and remembering Pippa Passes. There was something that kept calling me back to that time, something I wanted to figure out. Then sometime in 2nd semester of 9th grade, a TV special came on about the poverty in the Appalachian region, mainly Kentucky. I immediately cleared my night and sat in front of the TV. And as these stories of 3 people were told, my heart broke and my mind clicked and I cried. I sobbed. We're talking about the type of weeping that takes up an entire box of Kleenex here. And it wasn't the stories themselves that broke my heart, but it was the realization of what I had been trying to figure out for a whole year that made me break. The people we had met in Pippa Passes were already Christians, and I understood their love for us in that sense, but what I had been missing was that staggering amount of faith that each and every person we met had shown through their lives and actions. And the realization that they could have so much faith in God, so much hope for their future with Him, while living in conditions I couldn't imagine is what made me cry.
Matthew 6:21 states that "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I had once thought that I understood what it was saying. Now as I look back at my short trip to Pippa Passes, I know that I didn't understand it AT ALL! I take things from granted all the time. I complain and ask God why life is so hard. But I'm blessed with my life. I have the privilege of being able to go to college. I don't have to drop out of school so I can help support my family. I haven't had to suffer addiction, abuse, hunger, cold, or any of the terrors of poverty. The people of Pippa Passes are definitely better off than a lot of people in poverty, but the problems of their community is a world I had never been aware of before. And to see the people who had so much less than I had and had to work twice as hard as I will to have a semi-comfortable home, to see their amazing faith in their Savior and Lord to provide for them and protect them was the best thing God could ever have shown me! The people we met had joy. They had trust and love in God. I was somewhat bitter when I met them that spring break, and they taught me what faith in God really was. I have confidence that their joy came from knowing that their treasure was in Paradise with Jesus Christ their Lord.
I can go on countless mission trips, travel to the ends of the world, go to every nation on every continent, but nothing could ever replace what 3 short days in Pippa Passes, Kentucky taught me. God brought me there for a reason: to demonstrate His power, beauty, and incredible love for me. Me! A sinner! Someone who had spent years running from God and ignoring Him! My Lord and Savior loves someone like me! And not only does He love me, but He called people I had just met to love on me and help me along my path, whether they knew it or not. Our God is just incredible that way. He has placed Kentucky deep into my heart, constantly reminding me of the kind of faith He's called me to have. I don't know if He will call me back to Kentucky as a servant or if He will tell to do something much bigger for them, but the thing I do know is that God was there with me in Pippa Passes. I could feel Him in the residents' love, I could see Him in the beauty of His mountains, I could hear Him in everyone's encouragement. He brought me there with a plan in mind and radically changed the way I viewed myself and especially the way I viewed my faith. My treasure is with my Lord now, my heart is beating for Him, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) My question to you is, where is your treasure?
Some final thoughts:
- I just recently got some wall decals that I really wanted to share with you all! Why? Because they're amazing Bible verses! One is 2 Corinthians 5:7 and the other is actually Matthew 6:21 (this one's on the wall right next to my bed. Great reminder!) I have a feeling that my room will soon be covered in Bible verses, not that I mind.
-Secondly, I've been having a C.S. Lewis splurge this week. He's great, God gave him such a gift! So, when I finish reading all the books I have of his (in the middle of Mere Christianity right now) then I think I'm going to post a blog with my thoughts on them. So yeah, look forward to that if you want.
-Thirdly, God is blowing me away in many ways this week! And I have a feeling more is to come too. God is just amazing like that! I've literally been dancing and singing to the Lord as I never have before.
-Fourthly, I spent this past weekend up in Waco at Baylor with my sister. So much fun! I'm so grateful God gave me this chance to just spend time with Sydney. I love and miss you sis!
And that's it. One last verse before I go because I feel a lot of people might need this sometime soon. Matthew 6:34. God bless you all!
-Allie
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Hmmmm.....
This post won't be that long. I haven't had a lot of excitement since Sunday (Baja+ guest speaker= awesome day!) mainly because I've been sick since then. The past few days have consisted of sleep, TV, and then more sleep. Not exactly life changing, and really disappointing after the weekend I had.
First on my list, Baja meeting. So I'm planning on going down to Baja, Mexico this summer for a mission trip with a small team from our church. We're going to be spending a week on a worksite helping build a summer camp for the children in that community as well as doing a VBS for the kids. Then the next week we're doing our adventure part and going kayaking. While I know that this trip itself will be exciting, the part that's really got me fired up is the team I'm working with. God has definitely brought together a great team and I'm really looking forward to seeing Him move through us! We had our first "official" meeting on Sunday, complete with the team building game, discussions, etc. I have to say, it's been awesome to be able to get back into the mission trip groove with the meetings and letters and stuff. I've missed it all year.
Second, our guest speaker. He's been a missionary in Africa for several years, building schools for the areas where most kids are unable to continue schooling even when they passed the national test. It's just sad what those poor kids go through, and hearing a story like this really puts into perspective all that we as Christians should and can do for others. I don't know whether I'm being called to be a teacher in Africa or not, but hearing his story has just been making me think over everything I'm already doing and how much more is possible for me to do through God's power.
But it's really rather disappointing that after such an awesome Sunday, I became sick and had to stay at home. Nausea, sore muscles, a sore throat, a headache so bad I can't concentrate on ANYTHING (feels like a million sledgehammers pounding against my head), dizziness whenever I move even a tiny bit. Seriously, I've had to lean against something or go REALLY slowly when walking just so that my legs won't collapse from under me, not to mention how dizzy I feel when moving. It's been miserable not being able to do anything for these three days (soon to be 4). But from being so weak, I've had to rely on God to get me through the days. While my headache has prevented me from reading my Bible and listening to music, I've been praying a LOT. So I guess being sick was partly a good thing since I've had to learn to lean on God's strength instead of my own.
SO.....yeah. That's it. It was a bit longer than I thought it would be, I probably rambled a lot. Forgive me if I did, my mind isn't exactly in the best condition right now.... On a completely different note, Sydney's home!! I'm just sad I had to be sick when she came home. But hey, spring break is coming up and I'll get to hang out with her at Baylor next Friday and Saturday, so it's not that bad. Hopefully something exciting will happen over spring break, I'm tired of just sitting around the house. Any prayer requests guys?? Love you all.
First on my list, Baja meeting. So I'm planning on going down to Baja, Mexico this summer for a mission trip with a small team from our church. We're going to be spending a week on a worksite helping build a summer camp for the children in that community as well as doing a VBS for the kids. Then the next week we're doing our adventure part and going kayaking. While I know that this trip itself will be exciting, the part that's really got me fired up is the team I'm working with. God has definitely brought together a great team and I'm really looking forward to seeing Him move through us! We had our first "official" meeting on Sunday, complete with the team building game, discussions, etc. I have to say, it's been awesome to be able to get back into the mission trip groove with the meetings and letters and stuff. I've missed it all year.
Second, our guest speaker. He's been a missionary in Africa for several years, building schools for the areas where most kids are unable to continue schooling even when they passed the national test. It's just sad what those poor kids go through, and hearing a story like this really puts into perspective all that we as Christians should and can do for others. I don't know whether I'm being called to be a teacher in Africa or not, but hearing his story has just been making me think over everything I'm already doing and how much more is possible for me to do through God's power.
But it's really rather disappointing that after such an awesome Sunday, I became sick and had to stay at home. Nausea, sore muscles, a sore throat, a headache so bad I can't concentrate on ANYTHING (feels like a million sledgehammers pounding against my head), dizziness whenever I move even a tiny bit. Seriously, I've had to lean against something or go REALLY slowly when walking just so that my legs won't collapse from under me, not to mention how dizzy I feel when moving. It's been miserable not being able to do anything for these three days (soon to be 4). But from being so weak, I've had to rely on God to get me through the days. While my headache has prevented me from reading my Bible and listening to music, I've been praying a LOT. So I guess being sick was partly a good thing since I've had to learn to lean on God's strength instead of my own.
SO.....yeah. That's it. It was a bit longer than I thought it would be, I probably rambled a lot. Forgive me if I did, my mind isn't exactly in the best condition right now.... On a completely different note, Sydney's home!! I'm just sad I had to be sick when she came home. But hey, spring break is coming up and I'll get to hang out with her at Baylor next Friday and Saturday, so it's not that bad. Hopefully something exciting will happen over spring break, I'm tired of just sitting around the house. Any prayer requests guys?? Love you all.
Monday, February 15, 2010
25 miles per hour
Well, tomorrow I turn sixteen. I'll be old enough to get my driver's license and drive on the roads. Considering that, my dad and I have been going out for more drives so I can be ready to take the test within the next month or so. We went out for a two hour drive yesterday, actually, and I was able to drive with speeds up to 50 mph for the second time. It was exhilarating, but also a bit frightening. But anyways, after driving at that speed for a while, we got to a neighborhood area and the speed limit dropped to 30 mph. Then it dropped again to 25 mph. I don't know about you, but after experiencing how fast a car could go, 25 mph seemed so SLOW!!! It felt like torture to have so much power and not being able to use it. But you know what, it was for my own good.
The way I see it, when you speed in a neighborhood, there are three ways that it could end. 1. You get out without any injury and without getting caught. 2. You get caught by the police, or 3. You end up crashing into something. Now think about it. Only one of these outcomes is positive. That's only a 1/3 chance of happening. About 33% chance. Not exactly awesome statistics, huh? That's why there's a speed limit. It's to keep us safe and out of trouble, even if we don't like it. Now apply this to your own life, particularly with parents and rules. We have so many choices in front of us and so many different ways we can go, but some of them aren't the best decisions for us. We may have a lot of power over own lives, but how do we use that power? Do we choose parties over school? A boyfriend over our other friends? Sneaking out over obedience? We all want to grow up so fast and be able to finally be independent from our parents, but sometimes we have to slow down and be cautious. We have to go 25 mph.
Our parents and teachers are like our own personal speed limits. We may not like their rules, but we have to obey them to stay safe. We also need to obey them because that's what pleases God. God tells us in the 10 Commandments to "honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12). Now if something's in the 10 Commandments, obviously it's important to God. Not only that, but it's the 5th commandment, before even not murdering or committing adultery. It must be REALLY important. In fact, it's so important that it's repeated throughout the Bible. There's a section in Romans 13 that talks about submitting to authority. And a section in Ephesians 6 on children and parents. Colossians 3:20 repeats the command. Even 1 Peter 2 has a section on submission to rulers and masters. There are a LOT of sections on obedience to authority. Why is it so important? Well, obviously because it's what best for us and what God wants. Think about it. God gave us parents and teachers to take care of us and to teach us, the same way that He'll one day entrust a new generation to our care. Obedience to them is obedience to the Lord. The Bible says that obeying our parents is pleasing to God. They may take away some of the fun in life, but God tells us to listen to them anyways, for our own sake and His glory. And when you slow down, you'll notice that there are a lot of beautiful things right around you. There are meanigful friendships, good grades, and awesome memories to make! Not to mention the trust of our parents. Consider it a scenic route. It may be slower, but you get to experience the wonderful world God meant for us to know.
On that note, I'm switching to a different topic that I'm really excited about! It's actually just something I did this past week that made me really happy and doesn't really relate to this at all. But I want to share it with you guys anyways. So Katy and I have been reading a book series called the Sierra Jensen books which follow the life of a high school girl and her walk with Christ. I can relate a LOT to her story. Actually, it's a bit scary how well I can relate to her at times. I feel as if the author was really writing about MY life sometimes. But anyways, they've been really beneficial to figuring out a couple of things in my own walk with Christ. So there was a part in the second volume of the books where Sierra writes out a list of things she's looking for in a romantic relationship. She tells her parents and they give her a purity ring. That made me think about how I was approaching dating. So this week, I wrote out my own list and told my parents that I wanted a purity ring. I feel a lot better about my relationships, knowing that I won't just jump into dating without knowing what I'm looking for. I'd definitely recommend all high school girls to read this book and make their own list. It's helped me out a lot personally, and I feel a lot of you girls would benefit from the series as well. (you guys can too if you want to).
Well that's all for now. Any prayer requests?
The way I see it, when you speed in a neighborhood, there are three ways that it could end. 1. You get out without any injury and without getting caught. 2. You get caught by the police, or 3. You end up crashing into something. Now think about it. Only one of these outcomes is positive. That's only a 1/3 chance of happening. About 33% chance. Not exactly awesome statistics, huh? That's why there's a speed limit. It's to keep us safe and out of trouble, even if we don't like it. Now apply this to your own life, particularly with parents and rules. We have so many choices in front of us and so many different ways we can go, but some of them aren't the best decisions for us. We may have a lot of power over own lives, but how do we use that power? Do we choose parties over school? A boyfriend over our other friends? Sneaking out over obedience? We all want to grow up so fast and be able to finally be independent from our parents, but sometimes we have to slow down and be cautious. We have to go 25 mph.
Our parents and teachers are like our own personal speed limits. We may not like their rules, but we have to obey them to stay safe. We also need to obey them because that's what pleases God. God tells us in the 10 Commandments to "honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12). Now if something's in the 10 Commandments, obviously it's important to God. Not only that, but it's the 5th commandment, before even not murdering or committing adultery. It must be REALLY important. In fact, it's so important that it's repeated throughout the Bible. There's a section in Romans 13 that talks about submitting to authority. And a section in Ephesians 6 on children and parents. Colossians 3:20 repeats the command. Even 1 Peter 2 has a section on submission to rulers and masters. There are a LOT of sections on obedience to authority. Why is it so important? Well, obviously because it's what best for us and what God wants. Think about it. God gave us parents and teachers to take care of us and to teach us, the same way that He'll one day entrust a new generation to our care. Obedience to them is obedience to the Lord. The Bible says that obeying our parents is pleasing to God. They may take away some of the fun in life, but God tells us to listen to them anyways, for our own sake and His glory. And when you slow down, you'll notice that there are a lot of beautiful things right around you. There are meanigful friendships, good grades, and awesome memories to make! Not to mention the trust of our parents. Consider it a scenic route. It may be slower, but you get to experience the wonderful world God meant for us to know.
On that note, I'm switching to a different topic that I'm really excited about! It's actually just something I did this past week that made me really happy and doesn't really relate to this at all. But I want to share it with you guys anyways. So Katy and I have been reading a book series called the Sierra Jensen books which follow the life of a high school girl and her walk with Christ. I can relate a LOT to her story. Actually, it's a bit scary how well I can relate to her at times. I feel as if the author was really writing about MY life sometimes. But anyways, they've been really beneficial to figuring out a couple of things in my own walk with Christ. So there was a part in the second volume of the books where Sierra writes out a list of things she's looking for in a romantic relationship. She tells her parents and they give her a purity ring. That made me think about how I was approaching dating. So this week, I wrote out my own list and told my parents that I wanted a purity ring. I feel a lot better about my relationships, knowing that I won't just jump into dating without knowing what I'm looking for. I'd definitely recommend all high school girls to read this book and make their own list. It's helped me out a lot personally, and I feel a lot of you girls would benefit from the series as well. (you guys can too if you want to).
Well that's all for now. Any prayer requests?
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