Merry Christmas everyone!

"For to us a child is born, for to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Lighthouse

 

    I'm feeling so run down. I feel like I've been through battle and I'm wounded, bloodied, and beaten. Ever feel that way? I'm physically tired, I don't want to have to think, I don't want to have to deal with anyone, I'm just plain irritable.  It's horrible.  I get upset about little things, and am offended when someone brings my attitude to attention.
    [Shaking my head with a weary smile]  It's alright. God's got his hands around me, under me, over me, and before me. I know that my ugly state will pass with prayer and possibly, a better day. There is hope.  There is ALWAYS hope. I think about how God created me. He put the light in me! It is wonderful to think about is it not?
    When I am irritable, I'm not letting any of Christ's fire shine through.  I suppress it, hide it, and horde it.  God didn't mean for us to do so, he wants us to show the world no matter how WE feel.You are a lighthouse, you have the fire burning deep in your chest.  You shine forth in the darkness.  Through the storms you are lit to guide the way. When battered vessels are about to crash into the rocks, you show them the way.  Through your light they gain a greater prize; their lives and the life of the One who died, Christ. When your fire burns out, others cannot see you, nor can they see the crashing waves plummeting against the cliffs.
    I know that I have been wrong to act the way that I have the last few days. I want my light to shine out over the dark waters. I want to be an example of the Love who came and loved me first. I want to be the 'lighthouse' that God created me to be.

Light and Love,

~Rachel

   

DON'T FEED THE MONSTER!!!

    We started watching a TV series that was very interesting.  It was rather entertaining and worldly I must say.  We watched several episodes and we were all getting sucked in to the plot, the unknowns, and the adventure mixed with slight romance.  It's funny how you don't realize how much something can pull at you. The Devil does this every day.  He wants us to get sucked in, he wants us to be blinded to the idles in our lives.  We were sucked in, but not to the point that we didn't notice it.  After two nights of wasted time, we all came to the decision that the show was not edifying and that it was extremely worldly.  We are not going to watch any more of it, I am glad because I know that the sin in me was starting to enjoy the show. 
    As Christian we should not indulge in sinful behavior or place anything before our eyes that is unclean.  I know that Christ would want us to throw away that movie, that game, or that photo that causes us to feed our sin nature.  It is up to you to realize and act upon your convictions when you find yourself in a compromising situation. Just think of your sinful nature as a monster.  DON'T FEED THE MONSTER!

Prayer Covering

          Sitting in the library on my community college campus.  I don't have enough time to do another math problem, but I have just enough time to write you :) (Math problems take me forever!)
          I pray every time I walk in the doors that God would cover this college with his blessings, mercies, and peace.  He can change a dark place.  I just pray that we (and all the Christians that may go to this campus, and on campuses around the world)  would be lights in the darkness.  I pray that they would be the witness and possibly the only "Jesus" that others will ever see.  Pray for our schools and campuses! 

Thanks, got to run!

Always,

~Rachel

October Baby,Soundtrack #12 Ocean Floor-Gianna Jessen

Will you take the Nails?

I know I wrote this post a few months ago, but I wanted to bring it back up tot the top.  It has changed my life, I pray that it may yours.

    Often I lay on my side in bed facing my wall.  Not at all odd huh?  No.  Most of the time I stare at the cream colored paint until I drift of into slumber.  Well, last night I placed my hand on the wall.  I couldn't see it real well as all the lights were out.  I have done this before, ya know, wondering if your hand print were anywhere, would you be remembered for the things you accomplished with your hands...well, I did this once again.  It drove me to tears just looking at the outline of my hand, I asked myself, Have my hands changed the world? Will they change the world?  Will they try to change the world? Have they saved someones life?  Have they praised God with every part of their being? Have they served honestly, joyfully, and peacefully? Have they been strong and courageous, finding the root of evil?  Have they lifted the fallen back to their feet? Have they cared for the elderly and the sick? Have they held the sword of truth in trembling awe?  Have they been raised in worship to their Creator?  Have they written the Words of Life for all to see?  Have they expressed deep love and passion?  And most of all, have they been willing to take the nails, and die as Christ died?

     This struck me like a ton of bricks.  I don't know if it has or will affect you as it has me.  God is showing me that the work of ones hands (and ones heart) can change the world.

     Will you die to yourself?  Will your hands take the nails? 

     Matthew16:24-26

     Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will loose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

      I want to start a movement called, "WILL YOU TAKE THE NAILS?"
I need help if this is going to gain any momentum at all:)  Please copy and paste, send this to friends, whatever you can do to get this out there.

     "WILL YOU TAKE THE NAILS?" :

     Draw you hand print on your wall, in your journal...somewhere that you will see it in the years to come and write what I wrote above in the green letters, next to it.  Write the date.  
Be remembered for having done something great in the name of the Lord.
God bless!  And I pray that this will become a movement that shakes the world (I hope that it isn't just wishful thinking on my part...)

Tenth Avenue North - By Your Side official music video

Tenth Avenue North - You Are More

You Are More

     Sometimes we don't even see who we have become.  We don't look in the mirror.  We don't want to look at our reflection.  Really, most of the time it has nothing to do with how we "look".The way we look can be fake, created, molded, or whatever else you want to call it.  Our physical appearance can be a mask, covering up who we really are.  Or in some cases, it shows exactly who we are, good or bad. 
    
     To be honest, I am not real good at masquerading what I feel!  I guess it's just me!  Sometimes it's a bad thing (In my opinion).  I can't hold something inside for too long, I swear I'd burst!  Some of us are so good at putting on a smile, that everyone else thinks that we are the happiest people in the world.  Not good.  I'm not saying that if you are feeling particularly nasty that you should 'act' nasty!  I'm saying that sometimes it's better to let things go, talk, and vent your thoughts and feelings.  Don't bust!  It can get messy...trust me!

     To be perfectly honest.  There is a fine line that we can try to be balanced upon.  That is the Word of God.  There is no way that we can go on being the person that we think we look like, or the
"got it all together" act, without breaking down at some point.  There is an end to every rope except the one that can reach from heaven to pull you out of your mess.

JUST ASK.

DON'T MASK.

Ask God to bring things to the surface, to show you what needs to change.  Ask Him to place the mirror in front of your eyes so that you can see who it is that He has saved you from.  He has reached down to earth to save mankind, HE CAN SAVE YOU!

Ok, so who have you become?  Take a moment to identify what you think about yourself.  Do you see growth?  Do you see pride (Pride never fails does it!  Cunning pride, always tripping us!)?

Wow, so I have to confess!  Sometimes I break down.  Not because I am hiding something, or because I am not me.  I fall to pieces when I do not lean on Christ.  I blow up when I miss seeing the pools of blood that, really, blot out my sin and mistakes.  I run from myself, screaming for salvation...when I am trying to save myself, and run from myself...it doesn't work....does it?  Ok, be honest!  Really, does it?  Not really!!! :P

I fall into a pool of tears when I say something wrong and it seems like I can't do anything right.  When I am trying.  When I am crying. When I am striving...He sees it all.  I ask Him, why?  WHY?!

He has not said why.  Deep down he has placed the answer in my heart.  It is, "I am refining you.  Shaping you into who I created you to be.  I am showing you.  Teaching you.  Weeping over you, and molding you.  I am loving you.  Watching you.  Blessing you.  Showing you Me.  I do not wish you to suffer or fall away.  I want you to be strong and beautiful, without this Time of trial, you will not be my tool or a world changer.  Cast it all upon me..."


You may think, how can hating ones-self refine them????

Well, not exactly that.  It is the learning to lean on Christ that refines.  it is the searching and seeking, the prayer and weeping.  We cannot work and gain Christ on our own.  We must ask Him to help us. 

So, to wrap up this tangled mess of many thoughts, I will say this :  Look at your reflection.  Know who you are.  AND CHANGE.  Grasp Christ and hold on to the Words that he has given you.

Don't you ever give up hope!  Listen, don't give up :)  He loves you more than all of this.  Your are more.  I love you and I care about you.  Don't let go.  If you need prayer, please don't hesitate to email or comment on my blog asking for prayer.  I will pray for you.

This music video is really inspiring.  Please take a peak! :)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwtcwQwgdsA

Sometimes Selfish can't help herself!

   She just can't keep away sometimes!  Selfishness is a form of greed and a deep rooted nature of mankind.  Selfish is slippery, cold, and mean.  She does nothing to help another being out.  She cares for herself and herself alone.
    Because you are a human being, you have invited her in one time too many, am I right?  It's like she can't help herself, she has to butt in and have her say in the conversation.  It is too bad that we answered the door in the first place isn't it?  It is hard to tell a "guest" to leave.  Well, if you didn't want her in your home, then why did you let her in?  I know, I know, she is pitiful and quiet until she crosses the threshold.  Then, once she has been entertained for a moment, she starts blurting out why you should have this and that, and how you don't need this person because of that...yadety, yadety, yadety, and she will go on and on if you don't stop her.  Trust me!  She can sneak in, and then take over.  I say, kick her skinny little rump back out in the cold where it belongs.  Don't be fooled my friends for she will ask to come back in.  Do not listen to Selfishness for she is destruction.
   I hope that you were able to follow the odd personification of our dear friend Selfishness who so gladly budged her way up to the plate for us to see under open eyes. I am often selfish, I am prideful, I can be unkind.  All of these are close relatives of Miss Selfishness.  Let us not invite them into our hearts or our homes.  Pray that God would grace your days with love and prosperity, and contentment.  Selfishness will gain you nothing, she will only take, take, take, and then leave you poorer and emptier inside that before.
   The picture above is a picture of a devilish little dog (Her name is Skeeter, she is really cute and energetic), that would not share this stick with any of the other 6 resident dogs.  After the second day of hording it, it was taken from her and passed through 3 more sets of paws.  As you may see, she has this SELFISHLY POSSESSIVE look on her face.

GRACIOUS! DO WE LOOK LIKE THAT WHEN WE ARE BEING SELFISH??? [Goodness, if I do...yikes!]

Many Laughs,

~Rachel

.

Talk of Freedom

  
 Does freedom still stand?  It's a hard question to be honest.  It is sad that I have to question freedom in a nation that was practically founded upon it.  Freedom is no longer a liberty or a privilege.  Freedom is a word used in books of old and on the lips of soldiers that died for it.  There is a filtered form that is left for us.  The kind of freedom that the government accidentally squashes from it's cold dead hands. 
    If you say something that offends the government you are labeled a hate speaker and your name is smeared in the mud.  What is this!? There goes the first amendment.  Here, let me state the first amendment for you: 

Amendment I

Freedoms, Petitions, Assembly

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    Can't you see how things have changed?  If you speak against Islam, you are labeled a terrorist.  What is this!?
    Is it not Islam that has caused all actual TERROR attacks.

    The Devil has blinded the eyes of the people.  People cannot see that the President and his campaign are promoting the behavior of terrorism (building mosques on universities and in cities, allowing Muslims to infiltrate the school systems with their "Peaceful Religion") What is this!?   Hey, if they can come to the USA (where we invite them!) and fly into our buildings and kill thousands of infidels (so they call all who do not believe in Allah), then they are perfectly happy.  Can't you see that there is something going on?

    This is just one example of the loss of freedom.  and the ignorance of the American people.  

    Freedom is not what it used to be, as I have stated.  What of the second amendment?  Obama is trying to squeeze things and make it harder for gun owners.  that does not match up with the Bill of Rights.  Here is the second Amendment:

 

Amendment II

Right to bear arms

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

    Thousands of people fought and died so that you could be free.  Now think, ARE YOU?

    I'm not trying to start anything, I just want you to think about this stuff.  What if all freedom is wiped from the land?  What will "We The People" do?  Will we sit and let whoever it may be trample us and our country?  Or will we fight for our freedom one again?  I don't know what we will do.  Pray that God spares us from having to make that choice.   

    I know that if you are in the opposite party, you probably don't agree with anything that I am saying.  I pray that no matter what, God would guide those who chase after him.  Not after the worldly things. God Bless America!

 

K-LOVE - Citizen Way - "Should've Been Me" LIVE

Election Day Comes

     The dreaded day approaches.  A day of excitement, anticipation, and horror.  A time for votes, cheers, and butterfly stomachs.  One will come out on top.  The other will slowly meld into the crowd, the faces of every day life.  One will endeavor to save this nation.  One will stop at nothing to bring it to its knees.  One will be victorious whether in a true sense or a dictating one.  The other will  be shaken by the thought of how his nation will not be what it once was. 
     I dread.  It is what has to be said.  I am afraid.  It is what is true.  Why?  Because I see before I am supposed to see.  It is because I feel before I am supposed to feel.  The United States of America is going down.  The question is:  Which president will try to stop it?  I think that most of you know the answer to this question.  Maybe you don't.  I feel like this land is suppressed by a people, by and evil, by something.  Like it is going to burst forth any day now, and God will show his justice to those who deserve it.  The Devil is the prince of this earth and I have a feeling that he is very excited about this Election.
     It is the most violent campaigns I have ever lived through.  You see all the threats?  Primarily from the Obama party. Satan sure knows how to divide a Nation! He is dividing the peoples.  The Bible says, "A house that is divided falls", does a Nation that is divided fall?  A Nation that is fighting, pulling back and forth, threatening, and cheating, will fall.  Doesn't it strike you that people don't see this?  Why cant they see?  They have been blinded by their own reflection, technology, and lies.
    I know that S should not worry.  Christ holds even the smallest sparrow.  He holds me.  I pray that God would give me peace through this election and that he would bring peace to those who feel the way that i do.  I pray that God is able to show his glory no matter the outcome of this election.

Autumn Praises

Autumn is so gorgeous!  My sister and I had fun doing a "photo shoot" out in our front yard.  It got me to thinkin', God didn't have to make Earth so beautiful.  He didn't have to make the pretty flowers of the spring or the glorious changing of the trees in the fall.  He could have said, "Green, Alive.  Brow, dead." and the leaves all fall off the trees.  Think, it's exactly what he could have done.  I am so thankful that God cares enough about us that he made beauty.  I love Autumn and I can't help but praise God when I look at the trees!

Autumn Blessings,

~Rachel

Profound you say?

I am sorry that lately my posts have been rather on the bland side!  I don't feel any inspiration to try and think up something profound, because thinking up something of my own accord would be vane.  More than worthless.  Because I have nothing of and in itself that is lovely and true to say.  Only God can inspire true meaning and power.  Even when we think that what we have to say is extraordinary, God has something so much more meaningful to speak through us.  Let what you have to say fall from your lips and let God's heart pour out of your every being.

Say The Words. Hear the Message

    When God places something on your heart to say. Speak it.  It is that simple.  When the Spirit moves don't refuse.  God wants to work through you.  Look through your nervous fear and say the Words.

    Sometimes it is hard to tell whether it is fleshly desires or the Spirit's prodding to come out and say something.  If you can't decide, God  is probably not speaking.  Your heart will speed up and you will get butterflies when God is moving.  Normally if you have to think about it too much, it is your own mind trying to devise what to say.  That is not speaking the Words.
    Sometimes it is best to close your eyes and reflect on the message.  What is being said?  What is God saying here?  Are questions that you can ask yourself.  Sometimes listening is the best thing that you can do.

Say the Words,

~Rachel

The Best of Friends

Do you have a friend that is always there, always caring?  A friend that you can laugh with and cry on.  A person that you can trust and share your heart with?  It is a blessing to have these kind of friends.  Sometimes it is a bigger blessing than most of us realize.  [Here is a picture of my puppy Phoebe (The white one),and Belle, the older and wiser of the two.  Phoebe thinks that Belle loves her to death!  Phoebe sure loves Belle.  Belle tolerates and borders on enjoyment most of the time.]  I wish that I could be as faithful to all of my friends that my puppy is to me!  It is possible, it's just hard to be as faithful and loving as this creature allot of the time. 

Inward Struggles

  
 
Inward struggles have no qualms about fighting and tearing you up inside.  They do not regard what is going on in your life or how you feel. They are wild and nearly unmaintainable.  But, they can be tamed.  I have been wrestling with myself for weeks over some things in my life.  To be transparent with you guys I'm going to come out and tell you that I have struggled with pride (raise your hand if that's you?)...(Liar!)...sorry.  I know that pride is a common struggle.  But I have struggled with it all of my life.  Not only is pride a problem in my life but my words can often get me in trouble as well.
   I struggle often with not being loving to one of my brothers.  I know that it is wrong and that I should love even my enemies.  But he's not supposed to be my enemy.  I have been trying to let go of some of the things he says and i have been trying to keep my own slate clean.  It's hard when it seems that a particular person is always there goofing around or maybe just joking.  For some reason I take things from him allot more seriously that I should.  I know what God wants me to do.  He ask that I love him no matter what.  And don't get me wrong, it's not all him.  I get irritated and I say things that sink my hopes of being a loving sister.  I am a sinner as well and I am just as guilty as anyone who chooses to quarrel. If you guys could pray for me in my walk as I try to grow closer to God and closer to my family, that would be great!

Learning to let go

 
    Learning to let go. It's not easy but I plan to do it.  I wish I could say that I was a master at letting go.  I'm not.  That's why it is called letting go, right?  Because it isn't easy to do, yet some of us have got it down pretty well.  Letting go of my worries, pride, and stress.  It seems like it should be easy to say goodbye to these things!  I wish it were!  I worry about stuff that is way out of my reach!  Why?  I can tell ya, I'm placing my trust in myself, not in the all-knowing, all-caring, Creator who watches even over the sparrow.
     I have a midterm coming up tomorrow.  I'm stressed about it.  What can I do?  Nothing but study, right?  AND PRAY!  I don't wish that God just up and poofs a 100%, well.....(that would be nice...) but yeah, I want to feel like I earned it, but I also want God to help keep the peace inside of me and the stress out.  Not stress out, but you know what I mean! :P
     Anyways, I am trying to place it in Gods hands!  I am trying to lean on Him more than I ever have.  I want to get to the point where I don't care about picky little things that just distract me from seeing the beauty in things.  I want to be able to sit down and be with God without worrying about a paper I have to write.  I'm not saying I want to become lazy, I just want to be trusting in God.  Ya know what I mean?

~Rachel

To What Extent?

   
 
      I was reading this morning in 1 Corinthians.  The verse, in chapter 15: 33.  Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."
     Wow, okay.  This struck home.  Here is what I am thinking:  Goodness!  I don't hang out with 'bad company' and get corrupted!  yeah, yeah, it's true, but if you want to look deeper into the meat of this verse you will get it a little better.  Like I said,  I don't hang out with a rough group.  I mean, there are some rough people out there, boy I don't want to be their friend! So, I just chose not to hit the backspace.  Did you see what I just said???  "Boy, I don't want to be their friend!" WOW.  This is digging into my heart as I type this.  Do you see?!  To what extent shall we take this verse?  We have to take it to the foot of the cross, because I really don't know where else to take it.
    Christ was in the company of a rough crowd most of his life, look at his disciples for one.  They were no angels.  He looked upon these people with love and he showed them that he cared about them.  How could he have shown them his love if he passed them by and gave them the peace sign and said, "Peace dude, I love you man!"  He didn't do that!  He held company with them.  He went to their house!  He ate with them!  He washed their feet!  Goodness sakes!!!   Can't you see it???  He was not corrupted, his steps did not waver.
     Okay, you have to take this the right way.  I am not telling you to go careening into the arms of "bad" company.  I want you to realize that love is not just a word, a thought, a feeling, it is an action, a heartfelt emotion that drives anyone that has the Spirit within them.  I want you to see that there are broken people out there and I want you to realize that not every Christian is strong enough in the faith to place himself in the company of the lost.  If you are able to see that you would be easily swayed by the people around you (for the worse), then that makes you smart to keep away while you ask God to make you stronger and try to resist the Devil.  The question that you have to ask is, "Am I influencing them, or are they influencing me?"  Take God's word seriously!  He knows what He is saying when He speaks about your morals!
     We are called to go out into the world and spread the good news.  That means that we are going to be among the people that this verse talks about.  It is important that you take a breather.  Go be with the fellow brothers and sisters of the faith.  Don't think that you can be in the world for ever and not be swayed by it.  We all need a chance for fresh air.  Come up out of the water and breathe!  There is no shame in the realization that you are being swayed.  Get out'a there and come back when God calls again.  It is better that you are able to set an example for years to come rather than be pulled into the flow of worldly life where you will find yourself swimming up stream to get out.
    Christ knew what He was doing when he dined with the tax collectors.  He also knew what he was doing when he was hung on the cross.
    Don't let Christ's powerful sacrifice fall to the floor because you failed to see what the world around you was doing.  Keep your wits about you and your Bible in your back pocket :P  Christ will lead you and you listen, follow, and believe.  Don't shrink from the rough crowd, stand tall in it (if you are so called) and shine, be the light that people can see in the darkness.
     Think about how you look at people.  Look at the horrible thing I said earlier.  You want to be a friend.  You may be their only friend.  Don't judge them, for they do not know what they are doing.  Look upon them with love.  Don't give them the peace sign, give them the sign of love.  Notice when you are judging, they could just as easily be judging you.  Keep your own slate clean and keep it right with God.  Okay!  I got it out of my system!  Gracious!  I needed to type that!  Thank you for listening to me ramble on!  I hope that God was able to speak to you through this.  Blessings!

Rachel

Please Pray for Brooke

I would ask that you be praying for Brooke, you may know who she is from previous posts. She is a dear friend and like a sister to me.  She is in NY right now and we have lost contact.  I just pray that everything is alright and that she is growing into a deeper relationship with Christ.  Please be praying for her!  Thank you guys so much!

Truly,

~Rachel

9/11

    The 11th anniversary of one of America's greatest tragedies. I hardly ever remember things from when I was four and five years old, but one thing I remember as if it where yesterday is the falling of the twin towers.  I remember the television,  the billowing smoke coming from the World Trade Center, the tears in my parents eyes.
    I didn't realize how great the loss of life was back then.  All I knew was that my daddy was leaving to go help the Police there in New York City.  For months daddy was back and forth, not home for more than two or three days at a time.  It was hard being young, not knowing what was going on.  But being at the age that I am, I now see that my small loss was nothing in comparison to the tragedy that took place that dreadful day 11 years ago.   








 

When Jesus Cries

Cast down to the earth from far above, every tear and every thought to be.
  All the planets and all the stars they see.
  See the love and mercy that falls every night.
  He cries you know, for you and me.  For the sparrow in it's flight.
  No matter where you stand, he holds you still, in his hands.



Take comfort in this.

Always,

~Rachel

Bleak Hearts

Cast about as I may, the darkness still,
I fear to stay.
Weary soul and weak of mind,
They say the light, it once did shine.
Bleeding hands, broken bones,
Try to laugh, but only groans.
Beasts they stalk and rule the night,
The birds they dare not take to flight.
The trees, dead, parched and dry,
Can no one hear the sorrows cry?
Every wind that blows is bleak,
Tis not hope that I wish to seek.
For Hope has died, long years past.
Our land is gone, no home that lasts.
 


This is a poem that I wrote when I was sitting on me bed doing devotions.  God has impressed this on me, almost like this is how so many of the lost in our generation feel.  It is sad, maybe even a little morbid, but It has slapped me in the face.  Can't you see the hopelessness that so many must feel?

If you are the person that recited that poem in your heart a hundred times before even reading it, I would love to pray for you!  I love you!  You are so much more than what other people see of you.  You are a being created for a purpose on this planet!  I love you and God loves you more than you know!

He Can't Get Over You

Romans 8:37  
    

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalms 34:17-18

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Can't you see it?  He can't get over you!  You are His and He will never let you go.  When you cry, He holds every tear.  He is torn every time you are hurt.  He casts his robes upon your shoulders when you are naked.  Like I have said, H.E. C.A.N.N.O.T. (A.N.D. W.I.L.L. N.O.T.) G.E.T. O.V.E.R. Y.O.U. Ever.

Really? Is it a hill to die on?

I am sure you have heard this said before.  You know, when two people are fighting, you say, "Is it a hill to die on?" meaning, Really, you would fight about this?

I say that we should not die on every hill that we pass over.  We will fight, and disagree as humans, but we can still work on this.

The only hill you should die on is a hill that has seen the blood of a pure man die, the hill that bore three crosses and the son of man, the hill that was called death.  That is the only hill that you should die on.

~Rachel

The Circle Maker

     Are you a circle maker?

     You are thinking, What the heck is a circle maker!?
Right?

     Some of you may have read Mark Batterson's book The Circle Maker.

     Well, a 'circle maker' is a person that prays with faith.

     No, not just faith.  But FAITH.  Authority is a key as well.  Praying big, wait, let me re-iterate that for you, PRAYING BIG PRAYERS. 

     You honor God when you have the faith to pray for something that you can't in any way shape or form complete on your own.  Say, I am praying for a job so that I can help out with car insurance and a missions trip to Alaska (some callings won't go until they are fulfilled).  I know that the job in itself isn't a huge deal...yeah, but the funding for Alaska, that is huge!  I am praying circles around the trip that I know that I will take.  I am praying for the people that I will see in future missions trips, that God would prepare their hearts.  I am praying that God would prepare my heart.  I am praying for flights and travel that I will need on those trips...

...See what I mean?  Look ahead and pray over God's plan for your life.  Pray over your future family, marriage, and courage. 

     If your will lines up with God's will.  You will find an abundance of answered prayers.

     Be a circle maker...ask Big things of a God that is Big enough to accomplish them.

Love all you guys!  Thanks for reading!

~Rachel

Polluted

                                                                            
          Last night I was blessed to be able to go to a Christian youth movement thing called Come Alive.  At first I felt extremely oppressed.  To this moment I can't pinpoint what it was exactly.  but I felt kind of run down and saddened by the looks of our generation.  It is watered down and polluted.  Watered down by what?  Complacency.  Polluted by whom? The Devil of course!

          The pollution is caused by the Devil and our own sinful desires.  Relationships can poison our love for God.  They can cause us to be consumed by a fire that can not only burn us but consume us.  Relationships are  not a bad thing within themselves.  It is how the relationship is handled, conducted and controlled.  Every relationship must be guarded carefully. When you find yourself alone with that person, what are you going to do?  Will you step into the trap?  Will you flee from temptation? Will you walk the line?

           Married people have a different kind of control to their relationship, that we unmarried people don't understand.  So....I won't be getting into that.

           When you form an attachment to someone by becoming close physically, it will hurt the both of you in later years if it turns out that you don't end up 'together'.  Every small step takes you closer to the line. It starts ripping down your convictions and your morals.  When you think, I'm not sleeping around.  I'm not a bad kid.  Just think, if you take a white piece of paper and a paint brush with brown paint.  And you think, Ok, we can hold hands, I only ever said I wouldn't kiss a girl/guy before I was married. Now dip that paint brush and paint a 'TS' on the paper.  TS stands for tiny step.  Now you go out to a movie, Well, there's only one scene that's bad.  We can watch this as long as we close our eyes for the bad parts.  You don't end up closing your eyes for the part, and the picture is stuck in your brain causing lustful thoughts to multiply. Now you may paint, L for lust.  Well, I guess I can kiss her...I really, really, really,want to!!! But...never mind.  That was the past.  I've made new convictions.  Paint a C for compromise.  We love each other so much that we couldn't keep away!  It's no big deal, right?  I mean, you have to do it some day. You can go ahead and paint your whole paper brown.  Your purity, your convictions, and your innocence have now left you. That FIRST step was what started it all. That tiny little "innocent" step really snowballed didn't it? Please don't take that first step.  Once you do, the next thing you know, you'll have lost a gift that was given you to keep for marriage.

         Not every relationship ends this way.  I see people that court their partners and don't get intimate till marriage.  That is amazing and they have the best marriages today.

          Look at your paper.  It is soppy, ugly and wet.  Just like us, we are sinners, wallowing in our filth.  But listen, listen, you don't have to.  You don't have to stare at your own ruins!

          Christ Died that you may become clean and new.  He took himself and laid it over everything that you have ever thought or done wrong.  He placed his crimson, blood stained letter and laid it over your muddied life.  He can make you whole again and restore your purity.  He loves you so much that He died that you might not perish.

          Don't throw what Christ did for you in the trash.  Show him that you respect him enough to save yourself for him, and your intended.  There are so many times that I have spat in His face, and I am sorry for it.  I am broken over it.  I pray that you would be as well.  I pray that you would embrace Christ, because he has been with you through it all, now it is your turn to stay close by his side.

I may sound crazy, but not normal, is cool.  Right?

Prayers,

~Rachel

Let us talk of Submission...

Submission??!!  Why?  You might say.

Well my dearest, it seems to be lacking in the era.  Would you not agree?

So, to begin, I might add: Submission is not being a doormat.  Note the word NOT.

Submissions is a state of respect, honor and grace.  It is not what this world would like to make it out to be.

If you think about it, it is a strength.  So many people look at submission as a weakness, or an act of helplessness. NO, no, no!  Hear me out.  Submissions is strength!

If you have the self control to lay down your selfish desires and cater to another's needs, then you are stronger than the one who server his (or her) own needs.

Don't look upon submission as weakness.  Stand tall and know that it is character. 

What then is life?

What Then Is Life?

Rachel L. Stickler

8/5/2012

The outsiders speech. A talk of the world in the eyes of the one who has yet to see the Light.

Trapped, forever trapped in this cursed tower.  There is no hope for me, I will never see the light of dawn from within these stone walls.  Never shall a breath of freedom be sung from the belly of this iron dragon.  All is old, lost, never to be made new.  All will pass, yet I will live on in my misery.  The towers will seemingly crumble, though their power keep its hold.  My hair will become like snow and my back will bend with the age of many years. 

It was once said, “Those who hope, are shattered.” I wouldn’t dare to see if it is true.  Though I doubt there would be much of me left to break in pieces. 

No prince in golden armor, no magnificent white horse.  Nothing to stay my sorrows.

What then is life?  Is it not the slavery that they call freedom?  Or the hatred they call love?  Cannot a single man find his peace?

Everyone goes his way.  Never looking up, or in the waters of their own reflection.  What beasts they cannot see, for they have become blind.  What falsehood that is called one’s heart, for all veins flow with the blood of deception.

Hah, they call it joy, but a substance from a bottle is nothing more than a masquerade or a blotting out of one’s memories.

Shall I even mention happiness?  That is grasping all that one can carry and more.  Even if it breaks a family to shards.  Greed is made to be a thing of common smiles and a mask of laughter.

Like the stones that are newly laid, wagons will still roll over, and the horses will still trample them.  Not one sees that they too are wearing away.

Not even the mountains can keep from crumbling into the sea, how can we keep on this crooked rode and still live?

Where then is the hope?

A beating within me throbs its new arrival.  A vision of a blood spattered man with a crown of thorns, a crimson stained cross.  A sinless one who died for all.  True sacrifice, and mercy, love and redemption.  Can it be that he died for me?  That he can break these chains?  Yes!  Yes, my weary soul! It is He.  He who has now given hope to the hopeless, rest to the weary, and salvation to the lost.

Just a child...when did we decide that life was not good enough?

How can you say that a child is not a living being when it is in the womb?  Yes, it is darn small, but it is still a child, it still could grow up to be someone just like you.  They could be a world changer, an encourager, a life saver.  They could smile up at you when you are down.  They could tell you that they love you.  They could laugh and become the joy of your heart.  They could Live. Christ loves you as much as the child in your womb....

He is no Fool

       
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
~Jim Elliott

 

            I find myself being "to busy" to do my devotions in the morning and I find that it is hard to read the Bible throughout the day if I don't do it in the morning.  I have to get it in in the morning or else...

           There is so much that keeps my eyes off the prize.  There is way to much out there that keeps us away from what God has done.  If only we could see through the clutter, then we would be able to escape to the foot of the cross.

          I am slowly but surely realizing this.  I have found that God demands so much more from us than our garbage and spare time.  He demands our hearts, our lives, and our souls.  Have you prayed?  Have you given to Him what belongs to Him?  Why are you holding back what will be nothing in the End?

         Just think about these things a bit.  It has really changed my heart.

Blessings,

~Rachel

If only we could see

                                                              Romans 8:18-30

Imagine what creation will be like when it is new.  Think, in Romans the Bible says that Nature is groaning with 'birth pains' and that it is being held back and that when the Son comes, it will burst forth into it's full glory.  Can you even conceive?  I cannot even imagine the beauty.  Think of the lovely spring now, what will it be like when He comes again?

Old Fashioned?...Maybe!

Think of all the things that have changed over the years.  The media, technology, styles, everything.  There is next to nothing that has not been touched by change.  Why is this?

We humans are always looking for a way to make things bigger, better, and more fit to our wants and desires.  We were created to search for a higher being (God), and instead of searching for spirituality and Christ, we are looking for love in all the wrong places.  People are striving after something that they cannot grasp, something that they can't easily find through all of the clutter.  The Internet, media, news, and social lives of people today are distracting them from the thing that means the most.

Stepping away from the "Old Ways" and the "Old Days", has really changed things.  I would say, for the worst.  I mean, it is nice having running water and lights, and the Internet for that matter.  But look what TV is doing.  Television today is not the black and white (mostly) decent movies. It does not reflect anything that is Godly.  It promotes sex, porn, and bad behavior.  Why?

We are sinful creatures.  We are drawn to this stuff as a natural sin-nature instinct.  But is is right?  NO!  It is by no means right!  It is something that we should resist.  I'm not saying you should throw your TV int he trash, I am saying that you need to guard what your eyes see and you need to 'vote' for what is right.

Clothing is another big issue.  In the 1800's or even the early 1900's, a person would be appalled to see what the average teen girl wears today.  I will say this: It is hard to find clothing now-a-days! But, that does not give us the excuse to wear things that would not honor God.

When we put on clothing that can cause men (and boys) to desire, we are at fault as much as they are.  I know that boys have a tendency to let their mind "Travel", but we are as responceble for that as they are.  If we were to put on clothing that was not so tight, bright, or eye catching, we would not be at fault for the thoughts that go through heir heads.  Let us stick up for our brothers in Christ and think before we don the mini skirt.

Many of you may take this the wrong way.  I may be sorry for anything harsh, I love you and care about you.  I don't want you being harmed, or the purity of another tainted because of something that was not thought out, or was not even though about. My favorite saying is, "Don't advertise what is not for sale."

I'm not saying you have to dress like a nun or something, just think about what the clothes you are about to put on will cause others to thing.  Will they honor God, your heart, others?

I know that this post jumped around a bit.  But my biggest concern is that you got my point.  If you have any questions, comments, or even complaints...let me hear what you have to say!

Beauty of God's Creation

Family Worship Time

          We have just started having a regular time of worship before bed at our house.  It has really been a blessing.  Even though I can't sing, I still enjoy praising God...you should try this :)

~Rosebud

Of Books and Films

         I love books, old dusty ones are my favorite! Well...I like movies too, just not as much as books.  What about you guys?  Books?  Movies?

          Anyways, to get to the point of what I am saying:  There are books and movies out there that are obscene, perverted and unacceptable.

          I know of (I have not read or watched them) some new movies and books that are way-out-of-this-world bad.  I know that some of you may have stepped into seeing or reading things that are of this nature.  I am not judging you by any means!  I am just putting out a warning.  When you buy that romance novel or go to watch that inappropriate movie with your friends, you are supporting it.  You are telling the producers and writers what they are making is alright and that it is in demand. 

Why are we doing this?

Think for yourself and reply if you will.

~Rachel

Contemplation

          Contemplate all the things that God has given you.  Look at  the trees and the grass beneath your feet.  What of your friends and family?  Do we forget all of these wonders that have been given us?  Contemplation.  It is a long word, yes? I like the very picture of it, the calm, the peace, every aspect of life can fall into it's depths.  What cannot be grasped by it but God himself?

Many Thoughts,

~Rachel

At The Break Of Dawn

Every morning I am up at 6 in order to do the chores whether I like it or not.  I have my good mornings...and with the good comes the bad.  But anyways, I am up early (not as early as some) out in the cooler (You see, it gets hot early.  Sometimes it doesn't cool off much overnight) air.  The hopeful breeze waking me further.  The sun normally rises about the time I step out the door.

Grumpy face or happy face, the sunshine loves on me every time I walk out to the barn.  God's grace is like the sun or the break of dawn, it shines on us no matter how we are, no matter what we are feeling.  The sun rises EVERY morning, bringing us new mercies.  New Mercies folks.  Isn't that swell?  Can't imagine if we had to wake up to the awful thought of yesterdays fights and squawks.  I mean, look at the way you have been forgiven!

Can you not be like the break of dawn as well?  Can you not give new mercies?  Can you not love like there was no tomorrow?  Let us be like the Son.  He shines on us, let us reflect that light.

Speaking Truth

Speaking truth can be hard, especially when it hurts.  Truth hurts.  It is painful sometimes to admit when we are wrong or when we know that truth has not been on our lips.  Truth can go a long way.  Never, I mean NEVER!  Underestimate the power of the "T" word.

Even if you speak truth (In a kind way, that would honor God) to someone and they don't receive it, it will have a lasting effect on them. 

There are those "Truths" that would be best left unsaid.  Truth is not to be used as a way of manipulation.  Example: "Well it's true!  And you know it!"

Has anyone done that before?  I am guilty :(

 Truth is the Word of God.  Truth is a promise kept.  Truth is pure love.

We must speak truth to those who have not heard it.

In Truth,

~Rachel

Down Days

Do you ever have those days where you feel like a horrible person and you just don't think you can do anything right?  You tell yourself that if someone says one more unkind thing you will brush it off and forget about it...and then it happens...and you blow up.  Ever had it happen?

I have those days, they are miserable ones at that.  But the glorious thing about it is that I know that I'm never going to change by my power (it would be a physical impossibility). I can turn to Christ and ask Him to help me carry my burdens, anger, and frustration.  He will never turn his back on you, even when you blow up.  It may make him sad, but He will never leave you.  Remember this in those days when you feel that nothing goes well.

Prayers,

~Rachel

India's Cry for Help

Friends and dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

          Please be praying for India.  At this time my brother is corresponding with a pastor from India who is asking for a great many prayers.  We do not know their location or the names of anyone in the ministry, but I do know that prayer is definitely needed.
          I want with all of my heart to help and send money and things to the ministry.  I need all the prayer I can get as well! I have been praying for this sort of opportunity for some time now and I don't know what to do!!! Pray that God would point me in the right direction.

Blessings,

~Rachel

These Scars

        These scars were inflicted for you.  They were torn into my body that you may not carry the wounds of your own sin.  I was beaten beyond recognition, mocked to the point of extreme humiliation.  I was shamed and spit upon.  My back was lain open for the things I did not do.  My hands were pierced through so that I may hang from a cross because of the desires of man.  Willingly I was led to my death.  The most gruesome death in history; that you may live.  My Father turned from me, that you could see.  The world was upon my shoulders as I watched the Roman soldiers gamble for my clothes.  Greed yet gripped their hearts, but I cried, for they knew not what they were doing.
        I died that day.   I was lain in a tomb...
...Three days passed and then I rose again.  These scars in my hands, the raised lashes across my back...they are for you.  They are the bitter sweet memory of what I suffered for your sake.  I, Christ Jesus, the son of God and Man have died for you one death, I love you so much that I would die a thousand times to save your life once more.
       The reason why I tell you this is so that you may understand.  The one thing that can express the depth of my affection for you are These Scars.

 ~ Jesus

Broken People are Beautiful People

          Every soul is broken to a certain degree.  Some don't even realize their brokenness.  Look around you, you will find broke people, humans that have hurt, been hurt, and pained in their lives.  But is there only pain? Will there always be pieces to shattered lives across the globe?

          God loves broken people.  He also loves to use them for his glory.  There is nothing more pleasing or glorifying to God than when a shattered life is placed before Him, when we ask him to lift us up and put us back together.

          Broken people are beautiful people.  You are a wonderful creation.  I am a wonderful creation.  God has been waiting all of your life for the moment when you would hand him all your brokenness and say, "I can't fix this on my own."

He will look at you and smile, love in his eyes, and a graceful heart.

"I can put you back together."


Beauty and Blessings,

~Rachel

Broken toys and Broken people

          Like a child, sometimes we have to come forward and place the broken pieces before our Father.  Like a kid with a broken toy.  There is no way that we can fix the toy, it is utterly destroyed.  Or, in some cases, the toy isn't so broken.  Maybe a crack, a fallen off weal.  Not too bad, right?  No.  That toy is going to slowly break further as the child plays with it.  Soon the toy will fall to pieces.

          Like our lives.  We are broken people.  We have broken pieces.  Sometimes we try to ignore them, and say that they are only little things.  No problem.  Well, when your brokenness is swept under the rug, it is still there.  And sometimes it festers, grows bigger, and weighs you down.  Soon it will break beyond your repair.

          Don't sweep your broken shatters away, pick them up as best you can and bring them to your Father and say, "Daddy, can you fix it?"

~Rachel

Will you give him your all?

          As we walk in the light do we ever look back to the darkness? As we read the Word of God, do we take it to heart, think upon it, and live it out? Are we plastic people? Do we do one thing and say another? Do we preach from the Book and turn and do something dishonoring? Do we pray for Humility and not try to practice it? Can we truly live as two faced Believers?

         Yes, it is understood that we are going to sin, but look deeper my friends! What is it that flaws the relationship with your Creator? What is it that is slowly pulling you from what you know it right? What is it that calls to you in the quiet? What is destroying the faith that you once knew?

          What is it?

          That thing my friends is what you have to dig out. You have to find, render useless, and throw away. Cast your sin from you, ask Christ to help you fight the battle.

          He wants your whole heart, not half of it! He died all the way. He was whipped, scourged, and placed on the cross. Never once did he cry out in contempt.

          Psalms 53:7 says, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth."

          We cannot Give our whole heart to Him as he did for us.

         Wrong! 

          Give up that which is drawing you away. Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, "You shall love the lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind."

To be honest, I don't think Jesus said this just to say it. I struggle with this as we all do. I have things that put a wall between me and God. Its time to ask Him to help me break it down and push the rubble away. Will you give Christ your all?

God Bless!

~Rachel

Not a Blemish

If you were asked to pluck every flawed leaf from a tree, you would find that it would be easier to burn the tree than to sort through the leaves, for no leaf is perfect, every one holds its blemish.  Not one is perfect in human eyes.  But, if you only look through the eyes of the Creator, you may find that not a single leaf would fall to the grass, for He created them ALL.  AND EVERY ONE IS PERFECT. ~ Rachel

We all like to look at ourselves and point out all of our flaws and shortcomings.  Some of us even do these things to others.  We can easily tear ourselves and one another to shreds, or we can look to our Creator.  He created each of us exactly how he planed.  He loves you because of what he made you for and because you are so beautiful to Him. Yes, yes, we can be evil beings as well...it is true.  He did not put that evil in us, we did.  We had free will and in the beginning we chose death.  Try reading Genesis Chapter 3.  But when it comes to YOU, He created YOU and he loves you and because of His Son's death on the cross, you are made new and you are perfect.

~Rachel

"Will you take the nails?"

     Often I lay on my side in bed facing my wall.  Not at all odd huh?  No.  Most of the time I stare at the cream colored paint until I drift of into slumber.  Well, last night I placed my hand on the wall.  I couldn't see it real well as all the lights were out.  I have done this before, ya know, wondering if your hand print were anywhere, would you be remembered for the things you accomplished with your hands...well, I did this once again.  It drove me to tears just looking at the outline of my hand, I asked myself, Have my hands changed the world? Will they change the world?  Will they try to change the world? Have they saved someone's life?  Have they praised God with every part of their being? Have they served honestly, joyfully, and peacefully? Have they been strong and courageous, finding the root of evil?  Have they lifted the fallen back to their feet? Have they cared for the elderly and the sick? Have they held the sword of truth in trembling awe?  Have they been raised in worship to their Creator?  Have they written the Words of Life for all to see?  Have they expressed deep love and passion?  And most of all, have they been willing to take the nails, and die as Christ died?

     This struck me like a ton of bricks.  I don't know if it has or will affect you as it has me.  God is showing me that the work of ones hands (and ones heart) can change the world.

     Will you die to yourself?  Will your hands take the nails? 

     Matthew16:24-26

     Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will loose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?


     "WILL YOU TAKE THE NAILS?" :

     Draw your hand print on your wall, in your journal...somewhere that you will see it in the years to come and write what I wrote above in the green letters, next to it.  Write the date.  
Be remembered for having done something great in the name of the Lord.
God bless! 

~Rachel

Deception

          So I went to Life Church tonight and they are doing a sermon series called 'Deception'.  It is about how the Enemy (The Devil) tries to deceive us.  You are thinking well, duh!  Anyways, it was a great sermon.
          The devil is able to disguise his true motives and twist good into evil and evil into good, at least he makes it all look that way. 
          The beginning of deception started in the Garden of Eden.  Gen 3:1-7 is the story of the Fall.  The serpent says to Eve, "Did God really say that?"  And Eve questions it.  Then her convictions change because she is being deceived.  She thinks of how the fruit would be good for food and how beautiful it is and what wisdom that it might offer.... (As the snake had told her).  As Eve bit into the fruit, the Devil was triumphant.  his very first victory.  We don't want HIM to be the victor do we?
Our Enemy has been deceiving from the BEGINNING!  Don't let him fool you, he is still around.  He still wants to snag your heart.
          Lust is a deception.  We look at what we DO NOT HAVE in stead of WHAT WE DO HAVE.  And the devil and our own sinful nature tells us that we need that thing.
          The Devil will do anything, play upon your every weakness.  Don't let him prevail, take hold of God, do what He commands and know that the Devil is a deceiver and that he will not hesitate to make you stumble.

~Rachel

"Give My Life To You/Our King Has Come" - ELEVATION WORSHIP

"All Things New" - ELEVATION WORSHIP

Awesome Inteview!

Professor: You are a Christian, aren’t you, son?

Student: Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Professor: Is GOD good?

Student: Sure.

Professor: Is GOD all powerful?

Student: Yes.

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent.)

Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student: Yes.

Professor: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Professor: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From … GOD …

Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student: Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Professor: So who created evil?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student: No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student: No , sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes.

Professor: According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student: No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student: You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter. )

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir … Exactly! The link between man and GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

Ugly? Never!

When you look at yourself in the mirror and see someone you hate or don't want to be, you are telling God that you don't like His creation.  He made you EXACTLY how He planed and wanted you to be!  Just think, your nose (I'm not fond of mine, trust me...), your hair, your form, all of that is everything that God wanted.  He wanted you to look like you do.  He wanted you to have that red hair and freckles or that roman nose that you hate so much!  He loves you the way He made you and He wouldn't have you any other way.  Remember to smile when you look at yourself and think, I am a wonderful creation, I am beautiful (Or handsome) because I am a child of God and He made me in his image.  Don't despair anymore when you see your face!  Your are gorgeous!  You are a lovely creation!  And you are Loved by God Almighty.

Love,

~Rachel