"Mary, Did You Know" has to be my favorite Christmas song. I absolutely love it! And yes, I do get a lot of my inspiration for blogs from songs!
We need to focus on the real reason for Christmas. I know that so many of us has heard this way to many times but I think its a good thing to hear, just to remind us."Jesus is the reason for the season" type logos are to, well....to religious for me. Yes it's true. But I want something deeper than just religion. I want a relationship. My pastor told a story tonight at the Christmas Eve service. It made me cry.
There were a couple of missionaries in a orphanage during Christmas. (I don't remember what country it was) They told the children the story of Jesus and afterward, they gave them some paper, flannel, tissue paper and cardboard to make their own manger scene. The cardboard was for the manger, the tissue paper for the hay, the flannel for a blanket and the paper was to make baby Jesus. One of the missionaries was going around looking at the children's crafts and everything was going well until he came to one little boy. This little boy had two babies in the manger, instead of just one. When he asked the little boy why there were two babies in the manger, the little boy started to tell the Christmas story from the beginning with accuracy until the end. When he came to the end of the story this is what he said.
"When Mary put Jesus in the manger, Jesus asked me if I had anyplace to stay. I said no. I didn't have a mommy, or a daddy, or a place to live. I was all by myself. Jesus asked if I wanted to stay with Him. I really wanted to, but I knew I didn't have a gift for Jesus like the three wise-men. But I thought that maybe He would want me to keep Him warm. I asked Jesus if He would like that. Jesus replied and said, "Yes. If you kept me warm, that would be the greatest gift I have ever received." The little boy then climbed into the manger with Jesus, and Jesus told him that he could stay with Him forever and ever. After finishing his story, the little boy burst into tears and could only repeat the words "forever and ever" over and over again.
"Forever and ever" is why Jesus came to this earth. "Forever and ever" is why we have Christmas. "Forever and ever" is how long Jesus' love lasts for us. "Forever and ever" is how long we will be in Heaven with Jesus Christ, that little baby boy who came to die for us.
There is also another story my pastor told tonight.
There was a mom doing some last minute Christmas shopping. And, as anyone would be on Christmas Eve, she was pretty rushed. At some point in her craze, she realized that her three year old was nowhere to be seen. She retraced her steps and found him with his nose up against a window. In the window was a Nativity scene display. He turned to his mom and said, "Look mommy! It's Jesus! It's baby Jesus!" As his mother hurriedly jerked him away from the window she said, "Hurry up, we don't have time for that."
"We don't have time for that" ?! You don't have time for the whole reason of Christmas when you are out running around for Christmas presents? I know I'm guilty of it. Everyone is. Forgetting why we celebrate Christmas. But my goal this year is to make time for the one and only Christmas present that will last forever and ever.
I still don't know where the song "Mary, Did you Know?" fits into all of this...lol...but I just think it's a pretty cool song. Did Mary know that she was holding the human form of God? Did she know that the baby she held had walked with angels, and would someday walk on water? That just amazes me. The end of the song gives me chills everytime I hear it!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Voice of Truth
So I don't really know what I'm going to write, but I really wanted to write a blog about the song Voice of Truth. Like so many other songs, it has been a theme song of mine for almost the last year. These are my three favorite verses:
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
When I moved here, I really did feel like I was just a little person up against a "Giant". The sling was my faith and the stone was the Holy Spirit. I was so scared. I wasn't scared about making new friends. I knew I could do that. Other than acting, that is my one talent; making friends. There were two major things I was scared of. 1. Losing my faith. and 2. Losing my friends in Minnesota. I kept telling myself that I couldn't do it. I was convinced I was going to fail. I was so mad at God for making me move here, I was ready to turn my back on Him. I was ready to die. I wanted to die. I would have rather died than move to Papio. But He got my attention. Like He always does when I'm ready to do something stupid. He said "Do not be afraid, for this is for My glory."
I still struggle with the battle between listening to the Giant laughing at me, telling me that there is no use, that I should just give up and listening to the voice of Truth. But at least now, I kind of have just a glimpse of God's plan for me here. The puzzle pieces are starting to fit together. Just like they always do!
With God's love, the Holy Spirit in me, and Jesus by my side,
I will believe the voice of Truth.
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
When I moved here, I really did feel like I was just a little person up against a "Giant". The sling was my faith and the stone was the Holy Spirit. I was so scared. I wasn't scared about making new friends. I knew I could do that. Other than acting, that is my one talent; making friends. There were two major things I was scared of. 1. Losing my faith. and 2. Losing my friends in Minnesota. I kept telling myself that I couldn't do it. I was convinced I was going to fail. I was so mad at God for making me move here, I was ready to turn my back on Him. I was ready to die. I wanted to die. I would have rather died than move to Papio. But He got my attention. Like He always does when I'm ready to do something stupid. He said "Do not be afraid, for this is for My glory."
I still struggle with the battle between listening to the Giant laughing at me, telling me that there is no use, that I should just give up and listening to the voice of Truth. But at least now, I kind of have just a glimpse of God's plan for me here. The puzzle pieces are starting to fit together. Just like they always do!
With God's love, the Holy Spirit in me, and Jesus by my side,
I will believe the voice of Truth.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Saving Trees, Killing Children
I was on my way to babysitting tonight and I was listening to the radio and there was a song by Casting Crowns (one of my favorite bands) that I had not heard before. It's "While You Were Sleeping". It's one of their Christmas songs. One of the verses goes like this:
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we’re lying in the dark
There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
Save the trees and kill the children??? What sick, twisted country does that!?! Apparently, ours. That makes me so incredibly furious!!! We make such a fuss about global warming and polar bears and gas prices and immagrents and "hugging" trees while all the while we are murdering (appx.)3,700 unborn babies each day!!!!!!!
That makes me sick.
When I was babysitting, the little one year old was crying for his parents so I held him on my lap and rocked him until he was calm. After sitting in my lap for a while, he ran his hand up and down my arm, then took my finger and held it. The whole time I was thinking how millions of tiny hands like those have been stilled. Millions of little voices saying "Daddy" or "Sissy" have been silenced. Millions of little feet toddleing around have been stopped.
Don't get me wrong, all those other political issues are important too, but they physically aren't hurting anyone.
Abortion is just plain and simple, down right murder.
Save the trees and kill the children?
Seriously, America? Seriously?
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we’re lying in the dark
There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
Save the trees and kill the children??? What sick, twisted country does that!?! Apparently, ours. That makes me so incredibly furious!!! We make such a fuss about global warming and polar bears and gas prices and immagrents and "hugging" trees while all the while we are murdering (appx.)3,700 unborn babies each day!!!!!!!
That makes me sick.
When I was babysitting, the little one year old was crying for his parents so I held him on my lap and rocked him until he was calm. After sitting in my lap for a while, he ran his hand up and down my arm, then took my finger and held it. The whole time I was thinking how millions of tiny hands like those have been stilled. Millions of little voices saying "Daddy" or "Sissy" have been silenced. Millions of little feet toddleing around have been stopped.
Don't get me wrong, all those other political issues are important too, but they physically aren't hurting anyone.
Abortion is just plain and simple, down right murder.
Save the trees and kill the children?
Seriously, America? Seriously?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Dance With God, He'll Let the Perfect Man Cut In
I'm done looking. I'm done trying.
I thought I had found the perfect guy but I was wrong...once again.
I didn't have my heart broken but I was just disappointed. I've liked him for over a year. I knew he was changing. He has not been himself since the spring. So I am not surprised but deep down I always told myself that the old him was there somewhere and that he would come back someday. But now, I think he is to far gone. Nothing is impossible. Yeah, he could go back to his old self. But its going to take a miracle. A supernatural miracle.
He supports abortion. I was not expecting that. The old him would never support the murder of unborn babies. That hurt me. Not because I liked him but because he was my friend and he knows where I stand. I was shocked. I couldn't believe my ears. I wanted to start yelling. To knock some sense in his head.
Why?? I just don't get it.
I know I've said this before but I'm done looking for a guy. I promised God I wasn't going to date during high school but I was having second thoughts on that promise. Now I've decided to keep it. Its just not worth my time, emotions and thoughts. I have more important things to do. God will bring my prince to me someday. I don't doubt that. But I just need to be patient.
I need to dance with God.
I thought I had found the perfect guy but I was wrong...once again.
I didn't have my heart broken but I was just disappointed. I've liked him for over a year. I knew he was changing. He has not been himself since the spring. So I am not surprised but deep down I always told myself that the old him was there somewhere and that he would come back someday. But now, I think he is to far gone. Nothing is impossible. Yeah, he could go back to his old self. But its going to take a miracle. A supernatural miracle.
He supports abortion. I was not expecting that. The old him would never support the murder of unborn babies. That hurt me. Not because I liked him but because he was my friend and he knows where I stand. I was shocked. I couldn't believe my ears. I wanted to start yelling. To knock some sense in his head.
Why?? I just don't get it.
I know I've said this before but I'm done looking for a guy. I promised God I wasn't going to date during high school but I was having second thoughts on that promise. Now I've decided to keep it. Its just not worth my time, emotions and thoughts. I have more important things to do. God will bring my prince to me someday. I don't doubt that. But I just need to be patient.
I need to dance with God.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Good Time to Blog
So I haven't blogged in a while and I wanted to say something to clear things up a bit.
So lately, I have been mentioning to people that I'm am going up to Minnesota for the summer to visit friends and participate in the Elk River Community's Theatre production of The Secret Garden. I always get the same response. "Well, if you go up there for the summer, how are you going to meet anyone here? How are you gonna make friends?"
First of all, I've already met some amazing people here. And I'm sure I will only meet more. It's not like I hate Nebraska. I actually like it here. But I still have extremely close friends in Minnesota and its really hard being away from them. I just think its fair that I spend 2 months in Minnesota with them, when I get to spend 10 months here with my new friends. I'm not the kind of person who can just up and leave. When I make friends, especially close ones, we will be friends for a very long time, if not for a lifetime.
Second of all, I'm sorry if my talking about Minnesota and sharing my memories gets annoying but you know what? I lived there my whole life. I still consider it my "home". I can't just stop talking about it and missing it.
I've gotten closer to some of my friends in Minnesota because I moved. Which is an amazing thing! But it just makes it that much harder to be 400 miles away.
But I'm glad I'm here.
It's kind of like, if I could mush Minnesota and Nebraska together....everything would be perfect.
So anyway, just wanted to clear things up. I don't want to escape up to Minnesota every chance I get because Nebraska is so horrible. No. I want to go to Minnesota so I can spend time with my friends there too.
By the way. I will be in Minnesota for Thanksgiving and the week and a half after Christmas. I'll probably be staying with Sarah most of that time so text me and we can hang when I'm in town!
<3 YA!
Friends by Michael W. Smith
And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.
So lately, I have been mentioning to people that I'm am going up to Minnesota for the summer to visit friends and participate in the Elk River Community's Theatre production of The Secret Garden. I always get the same response. "Well, if you go up there for the summer, how are you going to meet anyone here? How are you gonna make friends?"
First of all, I've already met some amazing people here. And I'm sure I will only meet more. It's not like I hate Nebraska. I actually like it here. But I still have extremely close friends in Minnesota and its really hard being away from them. I just think its fair that I spend 2 months in Minnesota with them, when I get to spend 10 months here with my new friends. I'm not the kind of person who can just up and leave. When I make friends, especially close ones, we will be friends for a very long time, if not for a lifetime.
Second of all, I'm sorry if my talking about Minnesota and sharing my memories gets annoying but you know what? I lived there my whole life. I still consider it my "home". I can't just stop talking about it and missing it.
I've gotten closer to some of my friends in Minnesota because I moved. Which is an amazing thing! But it just makes it that much harder to be 400 miles away.
But I'm glad I'm here.
It's kind of like, if I could mush Minnesota and Nebraska together....everything would be perfect.
So anyway, just wanted to clear things up. I don't want to escape up to Minnesota every chance I get because Nebraska is so horrible. No. I want to go to Minnesota so I can spend time with my friends there too.
By the way. I will be in Minnesota for Thanksgiving and the week and a half after Christmas. I'll probably be staying with Sarah most of that time so text me and we can hang when I'm in town!
<3 YA!
Friends by Michael W. Smith
And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
This Weekend
I went to the International House of Prayer this weekend. It was amazing! God reminded me of so many things. Like how He has never left me, how He has the power to heal a broken heart if we let Him and how He loves us more than we could ever imagine. It says in Song of Solomon that every time we even cast a glance at Him, His heart is ravished! Ravished!! Its like that feeling you get when you talk to someone you really really like. Except 10000 times better! So that means, that whenever I think about Him, when I throw up a quick prayer, or open my bible to read for a few minutes, His heart is filled with joy and love. Wow. The Bible also says that He thinks thoughts about us all the time! Not just every once in a while, but 24/7! ALL the time! He loves us for who we are. He is so proud of us! He watches us all the time just smiling. I can just imagine Him watching us and calling His angels over..."Hey! Hey come look at this! Look at Katie! Look at what she is doing! Oh I love her so much! I am so proud of her! Wow! Did you see that?! She just talked to me! Wow!!"
He also is constantly reminding me of what He said to me the very first time I went to Kansas City in 2007. He showed me that I knew in my head that He loved me, but I didn't believe it with my heart. I knew who God was, but I didn't know God. It's still like that. I've grown so much in my knowledge of Him, but I want soooo much more! I want to be best friends with Him! I know He wants to be best friends with me!
These last couple days were pretty cool. I know this weekend will only get better!
He also is constantly reminding me of what He said to me the very first time I went to Kansas City in 2007. He showed me that I knew in my head that He loved me, but I didn't believe it with my heart. I knew who God was, but I didn't know God. It's still like that. I've grown so much in my knowledge of Him, but I want soooo much more! I want to be best friends with Him! I know He wants to be best friends with me!
These last couple days were pretty cool. I know this weekend will only get better!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Home
This song is perfect for me since I just moved to Nebraska.
Yes, I made the choice
For papa, I will stay
But I don't deserve to to lose my freedom in this way
You monster!
If you think that what you've done is right, well then
You're a fool!
Think again!
Is this home?
Is this where I should learn to be happy?
Never dreamed
That a home could be dark and cold
I was told
Ev'ry day in my childhood:
Even when you grow old
Home should be where the heart is
Never where words so true!
My heart's far, far away
Home is too
Is this home?
Is this what I must learn to believe in?
Try to find
Something good in this tragic place
Just in case
I should stay here forever
Held in this empty place
Oh, that won't be easy
I know the reason why
My heart's far, far away
Home's a lie
What I'd give to return
To the life that I knew lately
But I know I can't
Solve my problems going back
Is this home?
Am I here for a day or forever?
Shut away
From the world until who knows when
Oh, but then
As my life has been altered once
It can change again
Build higher walls around me
Change ev'ry lock and key
Nothing lasts, nothing holds
All of me
My heart's far, far away
Home and free!
Now, not 100% of this applies to me....my parents aren't monsters or fools lol...but it really does relate in many ways. I moved here because of my dad's job. Belle had to stay with the Beast because of her father. "Yes, I made the choice. For papa, I will stay" I know that there is something good for me here...I just haven't found it yet. "Try to find Something good in this tragic place". I took everything and everyone in Elk River for granted. Huge mistake. "What I'd give to return,To the life that I knew lately." Even though this has been a huge change, I know that there is much more to come. "As my life has been altered once, It can change again".
I miss the old days. I miss Mr. Auen at RCA yelling at us because we always talked during class. I miss putting on the 40 minute "stay in school" "eduaction is good" cheesy mystery play with English I class. I miss being able to turn in English homework late because Mrs. Walton knew what it was like to have rehearsals and performances. I miss Hannah's "Praise JESUS!" "Don't tell me your momma don't feed you browwniess cause i knoww she does!" "TINA you fat lard!!" I miss being able to run up and down the halls singing broadway songs and everyone in school would just look at me and thing "oh it's KD and Sarah. Whatever..." I miss Anna and Kelsey and our gummy bear fights (with MY gummy bears....) in the locker area. I miss Mr. Jarvis' "MySchool Musical" for our spring choir concert. The best concert ever!!! I miss being able to tell Mr. Auen, Mrs. Walton or Dr. Shultz that you were having a bad day and you needed to go cry somewhere and they would let you skip class. I miss the fact that I could go to Mr. Auen crying my eyes out for some stupid reason, he would tell me how stupid the reason was, but then he would pray for me. I miss Brody. Now that is a shocker. I miss Brody Smith. Now you know I'm desperate! I miss how he would never shut up in History or English!!! :D I miss chapel prep and singing worship everyday. Dude chapel prep was so cool! At the beginning of the year, I always had Anna turn my mic down because I was totally not confident enough. I hate microphones. But by the end of the year, I was singing my heart out with the mic at the regular sound level. I still hate microphones but...ya know. Oh! And I miss taking down the chairs for youth group during chapel prep on Wednesdays! Funness.... I miss Pastor Mike's bible classes. I just miss Rivers Christian Academy. I like my new school but Rivers will always be my school. I will always be a Rivers girl.
I miss having rehearsal at Parker elementry, even though I hated it there and wanted to be on the stage. I miss Eileen even though she was the worst type-cast director ever!!! But I miss doing her shows. Especially Aladdin and Rapunzel. I miss hanging out backstage with all my friends. I miss spewing diet pepsi through my nose all over backstage during rapunzel when mike cracked a joke. I miss having Heidi as a director for AGG.
I miss friday nights at heidi's with dani, sarah, and occasionally other people. Brad's "little man who lives inside the camera." Buddy chasing me and sarah with a big pointy stick. Dani being the camel front when I was the camel butt! :) I miss going to the water park. Valleyfair. Heidi backing into sarah's car. Or us going to see the Happening. Which was hilarious. Even though its supposed to be a horror movie.....hmmmmm.....
I miss Derick's "awkward derick hugs". Me, him and Sarah going to see Momma Mia and going to target. Or "pokemon = poke gay man......you fail" LOL! I miss Mike's "you would!" "you little...piece of....candy!" "Rawr means I love you in dinosaur!" "143!!!" I miss bible class with Anna. I miss endless sleepovers with Sarah. "Manly gay man" "fall in a hole". Listening to bend and snap in the car.
And I miss everything else I forgot to mention...lol
Dude this was supposed to be a quick blog but i guess not, huh?
Well anyway. My point was, that Belle sings this song at the very beginning of the story. At the end she falls in love with the beast and gets a handsome prince.
I might feel stuck, and lost right now, but I know that in the end I will not regret this!
Yes, I made the choice
For papa, I will stay
But I don't deserve to to lose my freedom in this way
You monster!
If you think that what you've done is right, well then
You're a fool!
Think again!
Is this home?
Is this where I should learn to be happy?
Never dreamed
That a home could be dark and cold
I was told
Ev'ry day in my childhood:
Even when you grow old
Home should be where the heart is
Never where words so true!
My heart's far, far away
Home is too
Is this home?
Is this what I must learn to believe in?
Try to find
Something good in this tragic place
Just in case
I should stay here forever
Held in this empty place
Oh, that won't be easy
I know the reason why
My heart's far, far away
Home's a lie
What I'd give to return
To the life that I knew lately
But I know I can't
Solve my problems going back
Is this home?
Am I here for a day or forever?
Shut away
From the world until who knows when
Oh, but then
As my life has been altered once
It can change again
Build higher walls around me
Change ev'ry lock and key
Nothing lasts, nothing holds
All of me
My heart's far, far away
Home and free!
Now, not 100% of this applies to me....my parents aren't monsters or fools lol...but it really does relate in many ways. I moved here because of my dad's job. Belle had to stay with the Beast because of her father. "Yes, I made the choice. For papa, I will stay" I know that there is something good for me here...I just haven't found it yet. "Try to find Something good in this tragic place". I took everything and everyone in Elk River for granted. Huge mistake. "What I'd give to return,To the life that I knew lately." Even though this has been a huge change, I know that there is much more to come. "As my life has been altered once, It can change again".
I miss the old days. I miss Mr. Auen at RCA yelling at us because we always talked during class. I miss putting on the 40 minute "stay in school" "eduaction is good" cheesy mystery play with English I class. I miss being able to turn in English homework late because Mrs. Walton knew what it was like to have rehearsals and performances. I miss Hannah's "Praise JESUS!" "Don't tell me your momma don't feed you browwniess cause i knoww she does!" "TINA you fat lard!!" I miss being able to run up and down the halls singing broadway songs and everyone in school would just look at me and thing "oh it's KD and Sarah. Whatever..." I miss Anna and Kelsey and our gummy bear fights (with MY gummy bears....) in the locker area. I miss Mr. Jarvis' "MySchool Musical" for our spring choir concert. The best concert ever!!! I miss being able to tell Mr. Auen, Mrs. Walton or Dr. Shultz that you were having a bad day and you needed to go cry somewhere and they would let you skip class. I miss the fact that I could go to Mr. Auen crying my eyes out for some stupid reason, he would tell me how stupid the reason was, but then he would pray for me. I miss Brody. Now that is a shocker. I miss Brody Smith. Now you know I'm desperate! I miss how he would never shut up in History or English!!! :D I miss chapel prep and singing worship everyday. Dude chapel prep was so cool! At the beginning of the year, I always had Anna turn my mic down because I was totally not confident enough. I hate microphones. But by the end of the year, I was singing my heart out with the mic at the regular sound level. I still hate microphones but...ya know. Oh! And I miss taking down the chairs for youth group during chapel prep on Wednesdays! Funness.... I miss Pastor Mike's bible classes. I just miss Rivers Christian Academy. I like my new school but Rivers will always be my school. I will always be a Rivers girl.
I miss having rehearsal at Parker elementry, even though I hated it there and wanted to be on the stage. I miss Eileen even though she was the worst type-cast director ever!!! But I miss doing her shows. Especially Aladdin and Rapunzel. I miss hanging out backstage with all my friends. I miss spewing diet pepsi through my nose all over backstage during rapunzel when mike cracked a joke. I miss having Heidi as a director for AGG.
I miss friday nights at heidi's with dani, sarah, and occasionally other people. Brad's "little man who lives inside the camera." Buddy chasing me and sarah with a big pointy stick. Dani being the camel front when I was the camel butt! :) I miss going to the water park. Valleyfair. Heidi backing into sarah's car. Or us going to see the Happening. Which was hilarious. Even though its supposed to be a horror movie.....hmmmmm.....
I miss Derick's "awkward derick hugs". Me, him and Sarah going to see Momma Mia and going to target. Or "pokemon = poke gay man......you fail" LOL! I miss Mike's "you would!" "you little...piece of....candy!" "Rawr means I love you in dinosaur!" "143!!!" I miss bible class with Anna. I miss endless sleepovers with Sarah. "Manly gay man" "fall in a hole". Listening to bend and snap in the car.
And I miss everything else I forgot to mention...lol
Dude this was supposed to be a quick blog but i guess not, huh?
Well anyway. My point was, that Belle sings this song at the very beginning of the story. At the end she falls in love with the beast and gets a handsome prince.
I might feel stuck, and lost right now, but I know that in the end I will not regret this!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Religious Rights?
So today in play production class we went up to the library to do research on Alzheimer's disease because our one act play for competition is about that. So my friend Tatiana picked up a little list of books that have been banned in the school.
The Bible was one of them.
I guess I should have expected it but I really wasn't so I was super surprised. The Koran was also one of the books on the list. I said something about being really surprised and my friend Kyle said "It's because they cause controversy."
That got me thinking. Banning books that cause controversy seems like people don't want to put up with the arguments. Like they are afraid and they don't want a challenge. If people were so convinced that the Bible wasn't historically correct, or that God doesn't exist, then why are they banning the Bible...and even the Koran? If they think they are right, then they have nothing to be afraid of...correct?
I don't know. This probably only makes sense in my head. It's hard for me put into words what I'm thinking sometimes. I mean, I'm not bashing these people. They can believe what they want. I just don't think it's right to ban the Bible or the Koran when we supposedly have free "religious rights" in this country. It makes me mad when the government is saying we have "religious rights" when, slowly but surely, they are taking more and more away.
It just doesn't seem right to me.
The Bible was one of them.
I guess I should have expected it but I really wasn't so I was super surprised. The Koran was also one of the books on the list. I said something about being really surprised and my friend Kyle said "It's because they cause controversy."
That got me thinking. Banning books that cause controversy seems like people don't want to put up with the arguments. Like they are afraid and they don't want a challenge. If people were so convinced that the Bible wasn't historically correct, or that God doesn't exist, then why are they banning the Bible...and even the Koran? If they think they are right, then they have nothing to be afraid of...correct?
I don't know. This probably only makes sense in my head. It's hard for me put into words what I'm thinking sometimes. I mean, I'm not bashing these people. They can believe what they want. I just don't think it's right to ban the Bible or the Koran when we supposedly have free "religious rights" in this country. It makes me mad when the government is saying we have "religious rights" when, slowly but surely, they are taking more and more away.
It just doesn't seem right to me.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
I Finally Understand
I've been super selfish the last few months. I've been so focused on the fact that I'm heartbroken and homesick that I've kind of forgotten the real reason I'm here. Yeah. I'm gonna be heartbroken and homesick. That's just part of the package. Of course I'm going to miss all my friends and family. Of course there will be tears. None of that is bad or wrong. It's ok to be sad. Its ok to remember those wonderful memories in Minnesota. But it's not ok to make it all about myself.
I was at my friend's youth group on Wednesday night and the speaker was talking about all the things teenagers are into these days. Drugs, sex etc. God really spoke to me during that time. "I gave you that passion to see teenagers come to Me for a reason. I brought you to Nebraska for a reason. You are going to Papillion South High School for a reason. Now put those things together..." I was like, "Oh snap!" What have I been missing? I knew that God had a plan for me here but I was so focused on my own pain I refused to accept it.
God has given me this amazing passion for kids my age. I would like nothing better than to see a revival go through out my school. Just to see the Holy Spirit's fire in that school would be amazing! I love the song we sang at youth group that night. Not only because it really speaks out what I feel but also just because it, for some reason, always makes me think of my beloved youth group CGYC back home! :D
It's the song Marvelous Light. Right now this is my prayer:
Your love it beckons deeply,
a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take Your life.
Oh you know that battle I was having earlier...the one about me just giving up? Yeah. Jesus won that battle for me......about 2,000 years ago. Here's some more from Marvelous Light:
Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave You've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!
Goodness!! I'm so excited for what God has for me here at my high school it's not even funny! That doesn't mean I'm not in pain, because I am, but at least now I kind of have a glimpse of why God sent me here.
Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross You are the truth,
You are the life, You are the way
I was at my friend's youth group on Wednesday night and the speaker was talking about all the things teenagers are into these days. Drugs, sex etc. God really spoke to me during that time. "I gave you that passion to see teenagers come to Me for a reason. I brought you to Nebraska for a reason. You are going to Papillion South High School for a reason. Now put those things together..." I was like, "Oh snap!" What have I been missing? I knew that God had a plan for me here but I was so focused on my own pain I refused to accept it.
God has given me this amazing passion for kids my age. I would like nothing better than to see a revival go through out my school. Just to see the Holy Spirit's fire in that school would be amazing! I love the song we sang at youth group that night. Not only because it really speaks out what I feel but also just because it, for some reason, always makes me think of my beloved youth group CGYC back home! :D
It's the song Marvelous Light. Right now this is my prayer:
Your love it beckons deeply,
a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take Your life.
Oh you know that battle I was having earlier...the one about me just giving up? Yeah. Jesus won that battle for me......about 2,000 years ago. Here's some more from Marvelous Light:
Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave You've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!
Goodness!! I'm so excited for what God has for me here at my high school it's not even funny! That doesn't mean I'm not in pain, because I am, but at least now I kind of have a glimpse of why God sent me here.
Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross You are the truth,
You are the life, You are the way
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Testify to Love
So I was bored and there were a few episodes of Touched By an Angel on TV and I remember watching those as a lil kid so I decided to watch them. The first one I watched was absolutly incredible. It had the singer Wynonna Judd as as a guest star and at the end of the episode she sang Testify to Love which was amazingly powerful and the song, mixed with the episode's story line, drove me to tears. It hit my heart...I don't know why...but it did. The second episode was good but wasnt as powerful. But it did have one verse that stuck out to me. One of the characters in the show quoted a verse from the bible. "Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord." I didn't really think much of it then, but then just about half an hour ago, I listening to KTIS and Testify to Love started to play. Once again, it hit my heart. I figured that the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me something so I opened my bible, which I havent done in a while , and I opened up to Romans 12:19. Can you guess what that verse says? That's right. "Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord." I freaked. I asked Him, "What are You trying to tell me??" This is what He said.
Testify My love Katie. Don't worry about what happened in the past, what is happening now, or what will happen in the future. I will take care of that. Don't worry. Vengeance is Mine. You're only job right now is to witness and shout out My love and My mercy. Testify My love and everything will fall into place perfectly.
I felt so ashamed. I've been around so many people lately who don't believe in what Jesus did for them and they know I'm a Christian and yet I laughed along with the crude jokes and the dirty comments. I just have this total peace about the future now, especially with moving and going to my new school. God has given me ONE job to do. ONE job. I can do one job with out screwing up right? I don't have to worry about what college I'm going to, or what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I just need to focus on what is happening now and being a living testiment of who God truely is and He will do the rest. And I can still be the silly quirky Katie that everyone knows and loves (i think....lol) but I just need to remember, that joy is not for my personal gain but for the glory of God and showing people that He is not hateful God but a loving, joyful One who has neverending compassion for every single soul on this earth...including me, a worthless, bratty, dirty, selfish person. If He can have compassion on me, He can have compassion on anyone. No doubt that tonight was an eye-opener for me...
I truely believe that tonight I was not only touched by an angel, but by the Holy Spirit himself.
Testify My love Katie. Don't worry about what happened in the past, what is happening now, or what will happen in the future. I will take care of that. Don't worry. Vengeance is Mine. You're only job right now is to witness and shout out My love and My mercy. Testify My love and everything will fall into place perfectly.
I felt so ashamed. I've been around so many people lately who don't believe in what Jesus did for them and they know I'm a Christian and yet I laughed along with the crude jokes and the dirty comments. I just have this total peace about the future now, especially with moving and going to my new school. God has given me ONE job to do. ONE job. I can do one job with out screwing up right? I don't have to worry about what college I'm going to, or what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I just need to focus on what is happening now and being a living testiment of who God truely is and He will do the rest. And I can still be the silly quirky Katie that everyone knows and loves (i think....lol) but I just need to remember, that joy is not for my personal gain but for the glory of God and showing people that He is not hateful God but a loving, joyful One who has neverending compassion for every single soul on this earth...including me, a worthless, bratty, dirty, selfish person. If He can have compassion on me, He can have compassion on anyone. No doubt that tonight was an eye-opener for me...
I truely believe that tonight I was not only touched by an angel, but by the Holy Spirit himself.
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