Get with it...

Wow...
lots of stress coming along..
in these times, it makes me want to trust God all the more...
I try... sometimes...
But often I forget that its not by my own strength that I can overcome these obstacles.
Without God, there would be no way to do so.
Trust...

Feels a little cliche... But we really need to trust in God.
...
You start to doubt when you lose trust.
We need to stay as close as we can... especially since we're already so far away

Thank the Lord!! Praise His GLORIOUS NAME

Ah... so wonderful a feeling.
When conflicts are resolved, it gives a very nice sensation.
At least when you make an effort to resolve it.
So nice... it'd be good if we could all do that for all our lives.
God tells us that He will judge. And many people think that means that they will get punished the way we think. But God offers forgiveness and grace, we don't think its satisfying but it's not our decision, its not our choice what his punishment is.

Something that's been bothering me lately is the fact that many people use verses from the Bible out of context to try to make a point. If you look though, when Jesus was in the desert being tempted, Satan used the same tactic. Which can make you really think, is it right to do so? Even if it is for a righteous reason, it may come out wrong and that's never good. I've experienced this in the past. And luckily I've learned from it.
So now, I've decided that I'm going to ACTUALLY... like REALLY try to finish all of the bible. Currently I'm on Numbers.
For example, many of the verses from the book of Job are when Job is questioning God and his friends are telling Job to curse God and just end his life. But unless you understand the entire story, and you read all of it, you cannot use each little verse. It is the story that gives the meaning, not the phrases that make up the story. Unless you have all of it, it is incomplete and the proper meaning does not come across.

One Way

My very very very very good friend Heather is getting baptized =D. It's a wonderful thing. Really it is. Whether people say you SHOULD or shouldn't, it's your choice. But if they're saying you shouldn't, there's a reason. Directed at Heather, quoting bible verses and saying everything isn't enough. There's a whole other aspect. That is your relationship with God. Don't think about how you act around your Christian friends or non-christian friends. How do you act, how do you think. Is it a way pleasing to God? Are your thoughts pure? Or not good? ex. Thinking about smacking your brother for ordering you around. or sneaking out of the house to get away from your parents/family.
Baptism is a great thing. You shouldn't be doing it for anybody, or to "show off". It's not something you use to brag about. It's okay to get recognition. It's between you and God. Reasons to get baptized:

• It's a command from God.
• Jesus did it, and follow Him.
• A public testimony to show that you are proud to be a Christian.

Now what is it to be a Christian? Overall to be saved, you need to believe that Jesus is the Lord, and that He died on the Cross for you. Also to repent your sins and accept that you are a sinner. But knowing that He died for us, we are compelled to do more. And that's why we should do good things for God.
Don't feel pressured to get baptized. Do it when you're ready. If you don't get baptized, it doesn't mean you won't get saved. I find it's most often that children that grow up in a church that either: 1. Get baptized only because of their parents, or 2. Stop going to church all together. It's because they've had a sheltered life mostly. Many people go through tragic events and turn to God after. It's His way of helping people. So if you are one, *cough cough*, make sure you use the experiences you've had. It should be something amazing to go through. Don't take it for granted. A lot of people want to go to church but cannot.
A lot of people also stop going to church all together. It's a pity... truly it is. Don't try to force them to come back. Make sure they have the chance to turn back. If God intends them to come back, He'll do something. But make sure you're ready if God calls you to be the one to help them come back.

Listen to your parents

I know it's hard sometimes... What they say may seem ridiculous... But you have to remember, they care about you. Instead of directly disobeying them, take some time to talk with them. IF they get into a fury of some sort, give them a gentle hug and tell them that you love them. Listen to your parents, even if what they say seems absurd. They have a lot more experience. Think how you'll be years from now when you're a parent. People are not perfect. You have to acknowledge that. God loves us. Our parents love us. God puts people above us for a reason. Instead of trying to go against them, you should go along. WWJD is a very common symbol. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked. That is what the Bible is for. So we can see what Jesus actually did. So talk the issue over with your parents. Nobody screams, nobody yells. Acknowledge your faults if you have them. Don't blame everything on them, or on yourself. If they begin to spew all these things about how bad you are, simply acknowledge it. Even if it's a little off, just take it. Don't correct them while they're talking, especially in a situation like that.
Remember that God puts us all where we are for a reason. God doesn't make mistakes, He made you, and your parents. So nobody is or was ever a mistake.