Look Up

    


      Sometimes I sit and wonder if Peace is just a dream, a figment of my imagination. I think of perfect Peace as if it were a fairy tale, a far off place in which only the holy being can roam. Does anyone else feel the same way? It's like war and argument seeps from our very veins. Is it really so or do we just think that we are these creatures of sinfulness?

      I know that all veins flow with the blood of Deception, and with Deception runs other sins that dig our graves even deeper. I am a creature of Flesh and Blood, I sin and I create my own Trials, which I soon grumble about. I am Discontent and Rude. Jealousy is a seed in my heart and Pride is a full grown tree. The bitter berries of Argument and Judgement, I partake of every day. My lips are stained with the seemingly sweet juices of Revenge.

     Why is it that I cannot even think of a perfect picture of Peace? Look at what I have written above, my friend. Are you also a creature of Flesh and Blood? We are sinful, pitiful, beings that can only dream of Perfect Peace...that is, without Christ we cannot see this Peace.

     So many times I sit down to try and create my own Peace full knowing that it is not going to happen. You could drive yourself insane trying to make yourself happy with stuff, things of no worth. I have driven myself crazy before trying to make things happen that physically, of my own power, are not possible. Please, listen to me, don't waste your time trying to make a perfect, Peaceful, your-own-world. There is no, "Your World". And there is no Peace in The World without the one who came to wipe away our garbage.

     Christ did not come to make peace, but his blood was shed so that we might be able to have peace. He is called the Prince of Peace, yet he came and declared war on Satan. He spoke of trials and tribulations that would come because of his name and what he did on the Cross. But, deep down, he died and his death did bring peace.  Peace within.

     Even though you may be in a rut and you feel like you will never see another good day, there is hope my friend. Never think that there isn't a light at the end of the tunnel. God knows what you are going through and he knows what his plan is. Even though Peace seems a million miles away right now, it is right there, inside you, it is the peace of knowing where your Heavenly home is. It is the peace that surpasses all understanding that God will give you if you only ask.

    Open your eyes, look through the conflict and your sinful nature and look up. Look up.

May The Light Shine Through The Darkness

          I pray this all the time. I pray that God would shine his glory to those who cannot see. I sit and watch as this beautiful country starts to go down in flames. I can't help but think of the Titanic and how all the people were so confident that even God could not sink the ship, yet their ignorance cost them their lives. Just like the Titanic, America is sinking. Slowly at first, it will begin to go under. Before we can stop it, it will have gone under and we will all find ourselves swimming in icy water.
          I paint a bleak picture yes? Well, the bleak picture doesn't have to be so dark. If you trust in God that He will care for the ones who follow hard after him, you will have hope. Don't fret for the coming age. Look to your future in eternity :)

Many Thoughts,

~Rachel

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...)