A few weeks back, I was in my room most likely trying to clean it, and i had the radio set on a Christian station, and I heard in the background that a Casting Crown's song was on... I've never heard this song before, but I can identify the singers voice pretty well. The song was 'To Know You' and I think they've been reading my journal or something, because this song is exactly how I feel. Hearing this song for the first time and still playing it, is still powerful and makes me think.
To know You is to hear Your voice when You are calling
To know You is to catch my brother when he is falling
To know You is to feel the pain of the brokenhearted
‘Cause they can’t live without You
More than my next breath
More than life or death
All I’m reaching for,
I live my life to know You more
I leave it all behind, You’re all that satisfies
To know You is to want to know You more
To know You is to want to know You more
This song made me think of my next school year and if I truly am willing to do this whole campus ministry thing. To be honest, I really do not care about the meetings that we'd do, just give me those students and let's just go and do and what Jesus has said that we need to do.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19
To know You is to never worry for my life
To know You is to never give into compromise and
To know You is to want to tell the world about You
‘Cause I can’t live without You
To know You is to hear Your voice when You are calling
To know You is to catch my brother when he is falling
To know You is to feel the pain of the brokenhearted
‘Cause they can’t live without You
I have no idea what God has planned for me or these last two years of high school that I have left... but whatever it may be, I'm still going to be trusting in God. I may not know what God has planned, but I do know one thing, that commitment that I made before my sophmore year, I'm going to keep it for the rest of my life. That commitment is to simply love those other teens at my high school with the love that Jesus has for us. All the things that have happened my sophmore year, I couldn't handle them without God right there with me even when I felt alone He still proved to me He never left.
I know I've been through a lot, and that this year has been really hard on me, but what about those teens who have to go through hell everyday because no one seems to be paying any attention to them. You know they try to get our attention, and have a cry for help, that we just seem to be missing it.
We should hear their desperate cry for hope, for meaning, for life... but we don't. It's just far too easy to ignore those who are hurting, those who are dressed poorly, those whose makeup has been smeered on their faces, those who stand on the street corners with the 'Homeless and Hungry' signs that we see everyday. I think we all know that they're there, we just don't have the guts enough to step up and do something about it. We don't want to be labeled UNcool, do we? No. But, as a Christian, I don't care what people think about me, because at the end of the day, God's word is all that matters to me... and we need to take it seriously.
I remember moving here in the summer of 2009, and freaking out about what my new high school would be like and if I'd be "left out". The thoughts I had scared me... I didn't know what was goig to happen... and then me and my mom went to go look at the school the first day when freshman start before everyone else, and the size of the building made me nervous...and going inside didn't help with that feeling. I had my hands on my stomach the entire time we were there that day. It freaked me out. Going inside made me feel small, and then later learning how many students there are, made me feel like an ant... there's 1,400 students... and I'm just one out of all the 1,400.
I tried to start a campus ministry that year, didn't really work... i'm kind of glad because my sophmore year sucked. It didn't suck as bad as I thought it would... I made friends faster than I thought I would... but I'm still shy. Sometimes, I'd like to think that because I'm shy, the job won't get done... and students won't get reached with the message and mission of Jesus. And then again, I really think I'm wrong. I think that God's odd and loves using the unlikely and the uncool to become unafraid and unashamed of the Gospel and then are unleashed and actually do get the job done.
After all, God doesn't call the qualified, but He qualifies the called.
If God can use Moses (a studering shepard) and all the others that He chose to use in the bible, then He'll use me... a shy teenage girl in kansas city.
I'm stoked for Junior year!
- Katelyn
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Don't Blink.
Living in a broken world, and seeing the things that we see every day, I often find myself wondering how people find hope in the midst of heartache, and how long that "hope" last them. I'm not sure what hurts me more, my life and the things that I've been through or am going through right now, or just seeing other people that I know or don't know, just going through life not really knowing what their doing, what their meaning of being here is, and me knowing that they can live for so much more. Yet, I find myself saying "There's tomorrow, I'll tell them then." There's never a tomorrow, there's today, we need to use it wisely and not waste so much time like we have forever to go share Jesus with someone. Don't let your friends die without hearing about Jesus and being prayed for.
There's a song that I've been listening to all day just to figure out the deeper meaning to it, and slowly learning how to explain it to you without getting you confused about what I'm saying. I've heard this song being played on the Christian radio stations that I listen to, and for about a week, I couldn't find a way to add it to my mp3 player, well, I finally got it there, and it's been on repeat most of the day. The name of the song is "Blink" by the Christian band Revive.
While I was listening I was thinking of my own meaning to add to it, but I don't normally do that, I'm the type of person who has to find out the meaning behind it and what inspired them to write it.
Teach me to number my days
And count every moment before it slips away
Taking all the colors before they fade to gray
I don't want to miss even just a second more of this
It happens in a blink
It happens in a flash
It happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink
This song makes me think about my life, and the countless number of times that I have wasted my time, and saddly, all the times that I've backed down and didn't share Christ with someone. Yes, I regret it, but I've been given chances to do something about it and to not let it happen again. After all, if our days really are numbered, and everything happens in a blink, then, don't you think that we should spend our time doing things that are far more important than what we have been doing?
As I was typing that last paragraph, my curiosity kicked in, and so I went to facebook and posted something on the Dare 2 Share fan page and I'm curious as to what is the most common excuse given for not sharing Jesus, and this is what they said back:
I've only gotten back a few responses, and I'll just use what I got back. One person said their excuse is "Someone else can do it, I'm not good enough" , a few others said that when we try to share Jesus with someone, we freak out and don't want our friends to judge them, and the last one said was "It's too awkward for me" .
I'm sure there are more and that I could've waited for more to say something back, but I didn't. I wanted to continue writing this while it's all still in my mind and I can place my focus on writing it and won't have any distractions. I wrote this because we're not promised a tomorrow, and neither are our friends or family or the people we see everyday. They could get in the car, get into accident and die today. You never know, and therefore you shouldn't use excuses not to share Jesus.
As I begin to think about this and still have that song, "Blink" , playing, I remember when I lived in De Soto, KS, I had this muslim friend in elementary school and somewhat through middle school. I knew she was a muslim, and I think her family knew I was a Christian. I liked her family, they were nice people (including the men). I wish she wouldn't have moved, and I wish I knew her now. I don't know if I regret not sharing Jesus with her... I was raised in church and all, and I've heard people (especially my grandma) talk about how we need to share Jesus, and how she wishes everyone knew about Him and would go to heaven when they die, and that she didn't want them to go to hell. But, here's the thing, no one ever got to the why part of sharing Christ with others... and now that I know about how terrible Hell is, I've got to go and do something... like share Jesus with everyone that I meet. It's important that we do what Jesus said for us to do.
"19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "
I'm not the type of person who is afraid to talk about hell. At first, I had a problem with it, and really didn't want to share that part with people. I didn't want to offend anyone, but I'd end up offending someone anyway with what Jesus claimed... take when He claimed to be the only way to God in John 14:6 for one example.
Slow down, slow down
Before today becomes our yesterday
Slow down, slow down
Before you turn around and it's too late
It happens in a blink
it happens in a flash
it happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink
Slow down and take the time you've been given, and use it the way it should be used. Stop wasting time, and go share Jesus with the world.
Remember that challenge I gave? Take it again, and again and again. Til the whole world hears.
The challenge is to share Jesus with three people this week:
One Friend.
One Family Member.
One Stranger.
"19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "
Don't blink. Don't let your friends die while you know that every opportunity you're given, is the right one to share Jesus with them. Whose going to be the one to tell them they could've lived for so much more? Will you do it? Today?
- Katelyn
There's a song that I've been listening to all day just to figure out the deeper meaning to it, and slowly learning how to explain it to you without getting you confused about what I'm saying. I've heard this song being played on the Christian radio stations that I listen to, and for about a week, I couldn't find a way to add it to my mp3 player, well, I finally got it there, and it's been on repeat most of the day. The name of the song is "Blink" by the Christian band Revive.
While I was listening I was thinking of my own meaning to add to it, but I don't normally do that, I'm the type of person who has to find out the meaning behind it and what inspired them to write it.
Teach me to number my days
And count every moment before it slips away
Taking all the colors before they fade to gray
I don't want to miss even just a second more of this
It happens in a blink
It happens in a flash
It happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink
This song makes me think about my life, and the countless number of times that I have wasted my time, and saddly, all the times that I've backed down and didn't share Christ with someone. Yes, I regret it, but I've been given chances to do something about it and to not let it happen again. After all, if our days really are numbered, and everything happens in a blink, then, don't you think that we should spend our time doing things that are far more important than what we have been doing?
As I was typing that last paragraph, my curiosity kicked in, and so I went to facebook and posted something on the Dare 2 Share fan page and I'm curious as to what is the most common excuse given for not sharing Jesus, and this is what they said back:
I've only gotten back a few responses, and I'll just use what I got back. One person said their excuse is "Someone else can do it, I'm not good enough" , a few others said that when we try to share Jesus with someone, we freak out and don't want our friends to judge them, and the last one said was "It's too awkward for me" .
I'm sure there are more and that I could've waited for more to say something back, but I didn't. I wanted to continue writing this while it's all still in my mind and I can place my focus on writing it and won't have any distractions. I wrote this because we're not promised a tomorrow, and neither are our friends or family or the people we see everyday. They could get in the car, get into accident and die today. You never know, and therefore you shouldn't use excuses not to share Jesus.
As I begin to think about this and still have that song, "Blink" , playing, I remember when I lived in De Soto, KS, I had this muslim friend in elementary school and somewhat through middle school. I knew she was a muslim, and I think her family knew I was a Christian. I liked her family, they were nice people (including the men). I wish she wouldn't have moved, and I wish I knew her now. I don't know if I regret not sharing Jesus with her... I was raised in church and all, and I've heard people (especially my grandma) talk about how we need to share Jesus, and how she wishes everyone knew about Him and would go to heaven when they die, and that she didn't want them to go to hell. But, here's the thing, no one ever got to the why part of sharing Christ with others... and now that I know about how terrible Hell is, I've got to go and do something... like share Jesus with everyone that I meet. It's important that we do what Jesus said for us to do.
"19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "
I'm not the type of person who is afraid to talk about hell. At first, I had a problem with it, and really didn't want to share that part with people. I didn't want to offend anyone, but I'd end up offending someone anyway with what Jesus claimed... take when He claimed to be the only way to God in John 14:6 for one example.
Slow down, slow down
Before today becomes our yesterday
Slow down, slow down
Before you turn around and it's too late
It happens in a blink
it happens in a flash
it happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink
Slow down and take the time you've been given, and use it the way it should be used. Stop wasting time, and go share Jesus with the world.
Remember that challenge I gave? Take it again, and again and again. Til the whole world hears.
The challenge is to share Jesus with three people this week:
One Friend.
One Family Member.
One Stranger.
"19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "
Don't blink. Don't let your friends die while you know that every opportunity you're given, is the right one to share Jesus with them. Whose going to be the one to tell them they could've lived for so much more? Will you do it? Today?
- Katelyn
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thank You!!
I was thinking and for the first time in 16 years, on Father's Day, I'm in a really good mood! I feel like I need to say a huge "THANK YOU!!" to a crap load of people. Alot of those people were at Dare 2 Share in Lincoln. and the first person i'm tagging in this is Greg. (Greg, you better read this!! please?! and let me know?) (:
:: God :: Is there anything I can do or say that would suffice with the small list of words that I know that would ever say "thank you" ? I don't think so, and maybe the best way to answer that question, is with my life and choosing to surrender everything to You. To know You is to love You. I ♥ You! I love you for loving the sinner that I am and for using me, a shy teenage girl in kansas city for Your glory. I don't know what to say, I love it!! ♥ :] and I sure don't deserve anything You've done for me, and I don't deserve Your love, but You sent Your son to die for me, and You've rocked my world and You're still doing it. ♥
:: Greg :: I know I don't remember hardely anything from that weekend, but I do remember Saturday night... still don't know what you said... but it was an emotional weekend for me, and it sucked big time... i just hate drama. I love those people who added me, although I haven't talked to all of them, I still love them. Going up to the stage, wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but those people, who added me are unbelievably amazing and they all played a huge part in being there for me when my world crashed before my own eyes.... I just wish we'd all live closer!! They don't know how many times I've needed a hug, but they will still there talking to me♥
:: Britney :: thanks for having the guts while Greg was on stage talking to actually come back there and pray for me, that was sweet. I wasn't expecting that at all, but you made a impact on me. ♥thank you!!
:: Brooke :: andd a super special thank you to Brooke! (: For texting me that one night when well, I felt like crap.. (you know what i'm talking about, and if you forgot, text me, and i'll remind you! lol.) P.S You better come to World's Of Fun July 17th (: I owe you a hug chicka. !! ♥ love ya!
:: Jon :: andd another super special thank you to Jon. ! For being awesome, and for making me smile no matter how crappy I felt... You were the one offering the encouragement that I needed. and you kept reminding me over and over again that I'm loved and amazing and a talented person. And at times, I may get annoyed, which hasn't happened yet, and you seem like you'd put up with me and my crap... but I really do appreciate those nights that you'd stay up late to talk to me and make sure i don't go to bed sad. (: I owe you a hug too, dude!! (:
:: Brianna :: You are an incredible young lady, and I know you've talked to me too, maybe not through the entire time that I faced with so much crap to handle, but you played a small part, but had a huge impact that made all the difference!! ♥ love ya chicka!
:: Christina :: You live like how far away from me?! We need to hang out soon!! Got that?! haha. I know you've talked to me too during that time I felt like crap, and you're always a joy to talk to. and you're loved dearly. ♥ love ya!
:: Erica :: You are random, to say the least. I love talking with you, andd if i'm right, you were there for me too. Played a small part, but had a huge impact. ♥ love ya!
and there's another "THANK YOU!!" for the other people who weren't (or where, but I knew you already) at Dare 2 Share, but played a part in making a huge impact in my life.
:: Katie S. :: For once, I don't know what to say about this girl!! haha. She's amazing, she's loved dearly, she's my 'sister' that got lost in another state!! She was there for me too, and that makes me appreciate her even more!
------- well, I stayed up late just to write this, I'll add to it later. ♥------- is anyone going to write a thank you note in their notes section? (: ♥
:: God :: Is there anything I can do or say that would suffice with the small list of words that I know that would ever say "thank you" ? I don't think so, and maybe the best way to answer that question, is with my life and choosing to surrender everything to You. To know You is to love You. I ♥ You! I love you for loving the sinner that I am and for using me, a shy teenage girl in kansas city for Your glory. I don't know what to say, I love it!! ♥ :] and I sure don't deserve anything You've done for me, and I don't deserve Your love, but You sent Your son to die for me, and You've rocked my world and You're still doing it. ♥
:: Greg :: I know I don't remember hardely anything from that weekend, but I do remember Saturday night... still don't know what you said... but it was an emotional weekend for me, and it sucked big time... i just hate drama. I love those people who added me, although I haven't talked to all of them, I still love them. Going up to the stage, wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but those people, who added me are unbelievably amazing and they all played a huge part in being there for me when my world crashed before my own eyes.... I just wish we'd all live closer!! They don't know how many times I've needed a hug, but they will still there talking to me♥
:: Britney :: thanks for having the guts while Greg was on stage talking to actually come back there and pray for me, that was sweet. I wasn't expecting that at all, but you made a impact on me. ♥thank you!!
:: Brooke :: andd a super special thank you to Brooke! (: For texting me that one night when well, I felt like crap.. (you know what i'm talking about, and if you forgot, text me, and i'll remind you! lol.) P.S You better come to World's Of Fun July 17th (: I owe you a hug chicka. !! ♥ love ya!
:: Jon :: andd another super special thank you to Jon. ! For being awesome, and for making me smile no matter how crappy I felt... You were the one offering the encouragement that I needed. and you kept reminding me over and over again that I'm loved and amazing and a talented person. And at times, I may get annoyed, which hasn't happened yet, and you seem like you'd put up with me and my crap... but I really do appreciate those nights that you'd stay up late to talk to me and make sure i don't go to bed sad. (: I owe you a hug too, dude!! (:
:: Brianna :: You are an incredible young lady, and I know you've talked to me too, maybe not through the entire time that I faced with so much crap to handle, but you played a small part, but had a huge impact that made all the difference!! ♥ love ya chicka!
:: Christina :: You live like how far away from me?! We need to hang out soon!! Got that?! haha. I know you've talked to me too during that time I felt like crap, and you're always a joy to talk to. and you're loved dearly. ♥ love ya!
:: Erica :: You are random, to say the least. I love talking with you, andd if i'm right, you were there for me too. Played a small part, but had a huge impact. ♥ love ya!
and there's another "THANK YOU!!" for the other people who weren't (or where, but I knew you already) at Dare 2 Share, but played a part in making a huge impact in my life.
:: Katie S. :: For once, I don't know what to say about this girl!! haha. She's amazing, she's loved dearly, she's my 'sister' that got lost in another state!! She was there for me too, and that makes me appreciate her even more!
------- well, I stayed up late just to write this, I'll add to it later. ♥------- is anyone going to write a thank you note in their notes section? (: ♥
Thursday, June 17, 2010
June 17th, 2009
This day, a year ago, I never thought I'd be a writer... and if you told me i would end up writing, I would have looked at like you were on some type of drug or something. But all in all, June 17th, was just another day... until that night after the youth service (the only reason why i write, and the only good thing i've ever gotten out of the youth service... :/ ) and someone had put the song "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns on, and I guess I really need that reminder that I'm God's... and that my identity comes from Him alone.
So, not even after the fist verse was over, I was already crying... and I don't know why, but I just knew I had to write about it... I thought, at the time, that that would be the only thing I'd write about and that I'd move on and find something I'm good at... and I've found it, and it's writing. Likewise. I don't know what it is, but music and life experiances inspire what I write about... ohh and can't forget that someone who played a very very important part in all of this, and that's God.
I didn't start writing because I wanted to, if anything, writing was something I didn't like to much.... and would have much rather done something else other than be a writer... but God disagreed with that, and look what He did!!
I thought writers were those weird people who have no life and nothing else better to do... well, if that's the label I'm given, then so be it. I have a life, and there's nothing else that I'd rather do... so simply put, God is completely undeniably absolutely incredible!! and He gets the credit, not me. Don't thank me, thank Him... He's the reason that I'm a writer, and He's at the center of all that I write about. So, don't thank me, I don't want the credit... give the credit where credit belongs... and right now, it belongs 100% to God.
Ohh, did I mention that God is completely undeniably absolutely incredible?!
and my friends and family say I should write a book... why do I have a feeling their right and that i'll end up putting one together? and they all say they want an autographed copy!! I shall charge them for it (:
and the last thing I have to say is; God is absolutely incredible and I love Him.
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." - Psalm 115:1
So, not even after the fist verse was over, I was already crying... and I don't know why, but I just knew I had to write about it... I thought, at the time, that that would be the only thing I'd write about and that I'd move on and find something I'm good at... and I've found it, and it's writing. Likewise. I don't know what it is, but music and life experiances inspire what I write about... ohh and can't forget that someone who played a very very important part in all of this, and that's God.
I didn't start writing because I wanted to, if anything, writing was something I didn't like to much.... and would have much rather done something else other than be a writer... but God disagreed with that, and look what He did!!
I thought writers were those weird people who have no life and nothing else better to do... well, if that's the label I'm given, then so be it. I have a life, and there's nothing else that I'd rather do... so simply put, God is completely undeniably absolutely incredible!! and He gets the credit, not me. Don't thank me, thank Him... He's the reason that I'm a writer, and He's at the center of all that I write about. So, don't thank me, I don't want the credit... give the credit where credit belongs... and right now, it belongs 100% to God.
Ohh, did I mention that God is completely undeniably absolutely incredible?!
and my friends and family say I should write a book... why do I have a feeling their right and that i'll end up putting one together? and they all say they want an autographed copy!! I shall charge them for it (:
and the last thing I have to say is; God is absolutely incredible and I love Him.
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." - Psalm 115:1
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
God Gave Me You
I love this song sooo much! I'm only a teenager, but I'm all about doing hard things for the glory of God. I've never had a boyfriend because I want him, whoever he may be, to be completly passionate about God like I am. I don't wanna get played, I want a real and honest love relationship with the guy that I marry someday. So, if it's not to much to ask for, can you other Christians out there, who believe in the power of prayer, will you please pray for me and whoever my future husband will be? thankyou so much. !!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Alyssa Lies
If I hold this thing in any longer, I'll burst. What's on my mind has been there for a few weeks now, I didn't feel like I should write about it. Well, I've tried, but it never came out right. There's something that Sterling (on K-LOVE) said before the song "Come As You Are" by Pocket Full Of Rocks came on... she was talking about the '30 Day No Mumblin, No Grumblin, Quick to Forgiven Challenge' and what stuck with me, was right when she said something about treating people with love, because, to be honest, how do we know if that girl whose sitting infront you, or that teenager at the coffee shop that you see there all the time, how do you know they're not questioning God? How do you know they're not planning on commiting suicide that night because things aren't going right and no one's seeing it?
How can you be so certain that that smile they just gave you, isn't fake, and it's just coming from a broken heart just screaming to be heard because every night they go home, their parents fight? Or when they go home, they get beaten by dad for something that had nothing to do with them, yet they pay the price... and what about before they go to bed? is it another beating or is it a prayer, a kiss on the forehead and an "I Love You" or is it a cruel slap to the face or their entire body? All because mom's day didn't go right? And what about when they go to school? What do they say? Or do they just not say anything at all? and no one bothers to ask because they're too scared and don't want to hurt them anymore, I don't think you'd hurt them, you might help them out and actually make them feel like, for the first time in their life, that finally someone sees that they're not okay.
I honestly don't know anyone who has to go through any of that. I know I went into detail with that, but I did it on purpose. I know people go through this, and other things that are much much more cruel... I've heard about them and they've all broken my heart. I knew that after I heard about them, I just had to do something about it.
I decided not to post the music video for a reason, the song is sad and it's someone's story. So I decided to post something with pictures that dealt with child abuse or any type of abuse. Are you getting what I'm trying to say? It's important that you get it, and then do something about it. Who knows, these people are probably your friends, or maybe it was you at some point. This song, breaks my heart even more than the song "Concrete Angel" by Martina Mcbride... it's "Alyssa Lies" by John Michael Carrol.
I'm not even sure what to say, this song destroys me... I know what it's saying is true. The first thought that comes to my mind, is the other teenagers that go to my high school. How many of them are covering up scares? How many of them, when they go home, get a beating? all because they walked in and guess who didn't have a good day at work and guess who has to pay the price for something they had no control over? They get the beating all because the parent doesn't know how to handle their anger and so therefore, they go after their own child and make them suffer. How many of them will get so sick of the pain and the beatings and the constant verbal abuse, that the only thing they know to do is hurt themselves? Or maybe their parents are fighting every night, and that child blames themselves, and then their parents get a divorce? and whatever hope they did have, is now crushed, and they have easy access to a gun, walk onto a school campus with pain in their heart, a gun in their pocket, and make a very tragic move and either kill themselves right then and there or kill the other students that are standing around?
and what if that's the student in your youth group? And the pastor keeps making up excuses not to share the gospel in every service, and will only do it when it's convient. . . why not expose them to the truth about Jesus at the end of every service? There's no acceptable excuse for not doing what you've been called to do.
My little girl laid her head down that night to go to sleep.
As I stepped out the room, I heard her say a prayer so soft and sweet
"God bless my mom and my Dad
and my new friend, Alyssa
*oh*I know she needs you bad
Because Alyssa lies to the classroom,
Alyssa lies everyday at school,
Alyssa lies to the teachers
as she tries to cover every bruise"
Those lyrics really hit me hard. I don't want to think that there are students at my high school who go through this, but I bet there are. It's a heart breaking thought. How many of them are hiding their bruises because they don't want to explain what happens at home? Makes me wonder where are the Christians at... shouldn't we be reaching out to people like what Jesus did? What about that uncool kid who is always sitting alone? Or what about that kid who goes to the bathroom during the lunch period and doesn't come out til the bell rings?
I know I've said alot of questions, but here's the one that I need you to answer; are you truly willing to risk your friendships over the truth? I am. This breaks my heart, I hate seeing people who don't know Jesus... and I hate seeing that "bound for hell" sign on their foreheads... Your friends need hope. They need to be loved. You know the truth, what are you going to do about it? Do you truly love your friends enough to risk your friendship with them over what is true?
Share the truth about Jesus with 3 people this week.
One Friend.
One Family Member.
One Stranger.
Here's another challenge: go to the mall, by yourself, and find a place to sit for 30 minutes, and imagine that "bound for hell" sign on the people that pass by...
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36
--- I was being rushed to write this and had a thousand interruptions. but I hope you got what I was trying to say.
How can you be so certain that that smile they just gave you, isn't fake, and it's just coming from a broken heart just screaming to be heard because every night they go home, their parents fight? Or when they go home, they get beaten by dad for something that had nothing to do with them, yet they pay the price... and what about before they go to bed? is it another beating or is it a prayer, a kiss on the forehead and an "I Love You" or is it a cruel slap to the face or their entire body? All because mom's day didn't go right? And what about when they go to school? What do they say? Or do they just not say anything at all? and no one bothers to ask because they're too scared and don't want to hurt them anymore, I don't think you'd hurt them, you might help them out and actually make them feel like, for the first time in their life, that finally someone sees that they're not okay.
I honestly don't know anyone who has to go through any of that. I know I went into detail with that, but I did it on purpose. I know people go through this, and other things that are much much more cruel... I've heard about them and they've all broken my heart. I knew that after I heard about them, I just had to do something about it.
I decided not to post the music video for a reason, the song is sad and it's someone's story. So I decided to post something with pictures that dealt with child abuse or any type of abuse. Are you getting what I'm trying to say? It's important that you get it, and then do something about it. Who knows, these people are probably your friends, or maybe it was you at some point. This song, breaks my heart even more than the song "Concrete Angel" by Martina Mcbride... it's "Alyssa Lies" by John Michael Carrol.
I'm not even sure what to say, this song destroys me... I know what it's saying is true. The first thought that comes to my mind, is the other teenagers that go to my high school. How many of them are covering up scares? How many of them, when they go home, get a beating? all because they walked in and guess who didn't have a good day at work and guess who has to pay the price for something they had no control over? They get the beating all because the parent doesn't know how to handle their anger and so therefore, they go after their own child and make them suffer. How many of them will get so sick of the pain and the beatings and the constant verbal abuse, that the only thing they know to do is hurt themselves? Or maybe their parents are fighting every night, and that child blames themselves, and then their parents get a divorce? and whatever hope they did have, is now crushed, and they have easy access to a gun, walk onto a school campus with pain in their heart, a gun in their pocket, and make a very tragic move and either kill themselves right then and there or kill the other students that are standing around?
and what if that's the student in your youth group? And the pastor keeps making up excuses not to share the gospel in every service, and will only do it when it's convient. . . why not expose them to the truth about Jesus at the end of every service? There's no acceptable excuse for not doing what you've been called to do.
My little girl laid her head down that night to go to sleep.
As I stepped out the room, I heard her say a prayer so soft and sweet
"God bless my mom and my Dad
and my new friend, Alyssa
*oh*I know she needs you bad
Because Alyssa lies to the classroom,
Alyssa lies everyday at school,
Alyssa lies to the teachers
as she tries to cover every bruise"
Those lyrics really hit me hard. I don't want to think that there are students at my high school who go through this, but I bet there are. It's a heart breaking thought. How many of them are hiding their bruises because they don't want to explain what happens at home? Makes me wonder where are the Christians at... shouldn't we be reaching out to people like what Jesus did? What about that uncool kid who is always sitting alone? Or what about that kid who goes to the bathroom during the lunch period and doesn't come out til the bell rings?
I know I've said alot of questions, but here's the one that I need you to answer; are you truly willing to risk your friendships over the truth? I am. This breaks my heart, I hate seeing people who don't know Jesus... and I hate seeing that "bound for hell" sign on their foreheads... Your friends need hope. They need to be loved. You know the truth, what are you going to do about it? Do you truly love your friends enough to risk your friendship with them over what is true?
Share the truth about Jesus with 3 people this week.
One Friend.
One Family Member.
One Stranger.
Here's another challenge: go to the mall, by yourself, and find a place to sit for 30 minutes, and imagine that "bound for hell" sign on the people that pass by...
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36
--- I was being rushed to write this and had a thousand interruptions. but I hope you got what I was trying to say.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Risking Friends For Jesus
Check out the article I wrote on about Risking Friends For Jesus <--- click on that to go to it. I thought I'd share that with you guys. Read it. Comment. and take my challenge at the end of it.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
One Day Too Late
You know you've heard the saying, 'Live like you're dying' , I wonder how many people actually are living like they're dying? Or for a matter of fact, living life like those around them are dying? Do they watch how they treat others? Are they negative? Are they positive? or are they living life like they are dying and all they care about is getting all the happiness and money and fame that they can get before they're buried six feet under? Why when we hear the saying 'live like you're dying' , we automatically think of ourselves first? What happens after we die, what are people going to remember you as?
Which type of person do you want others to remember you as: the one who thought of others first before yourself, always cared for someone - no matter what they looked like - , always used kind words, never put anyone down in words or actions, or even if you did put someone down, you'd be the very first person to say you're sorry or are you are going to be remembered as the person who is greedy, selfish, heartless and only wants all the happiness and money that this world has to offer?
You're going to be remembered as one or the other, or somewhere in between the two.
I was writing something else about an hour ago, and after I was through with it, I began to flip through the music I have on my mp3 player, and found this song, 'One Day Too Late' by Skillet, and it made me think "How am I treating people?" not just the ones I know and love, but those that I see every day who are out side of my circle of family and friends. What about them? Are they unworthy of love? Are they dressed to poorly for you, of whom you are no better than they, for you to step out side of your comfort zone and strike up a real conversation with them about spiritual things? Is their hair not combed the "correct" way? Does it matter, that without Jesus, they'll go to hell? Why are you so caught up in the way someone looks, that you don't even realise that life without Jesus now and later, will still result in the same thing? Only later, that 'hell', will be eternal seperation from God. If that doesn't destroy your heart, then nothing will.
Today I’m gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
’Cause we don’t have long, gonna make the most of it
Today I’m gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
’Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
By the time you're done with reading this, I hope those lyrics by Skillet, become your motto of how you live life and see/treat those who are around you. There are dying people everywhere you go, treat them like they're dying, and live like they're dying and step out and make a change in that person's life. Make every minute last, and take advantage of every opportunity you're given to share the gospel with someone you may know or may not know.
Tick tock hear the clock countdown
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late
Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness I guess I just forget
To do all the things I said
Time passes by
Never thought I’d wind up
One step behind
Now I’ve made my mind up
I hope you've made your mind up, and are through with thinking solely about yourself, and are ready and willing to go and do all that God has called you to.
I'm going to give you a challenge, and that challenge is to share Jesus with three people this week. One friend. One family member. One stranger. Are you ready? DO IT!
- Katelyn
"1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." Romans 15:1-2
"31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32
"29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
"12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Col. 3:12-14
" 8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."[a]" 1 peter 3:8-12
Which type of person do you want others to remember you as: the one who thought of others first before yourself, always cared for someone - no matter what they looked like - , always used kind words, never put anyone down in words or actions, or even if you did put someone down, you'd be the very first person to say you're sorry or are you are going to be remembered as the person who is greedy, selfish, heartless and only wants all the happiness and money that this world has to offer?
You're going to be remembered as one or the other, or somewhere in between the two.
I was writing something else about an hour ago, and after I was through with it, I began to flip through the music I have on my mp3 player, and found this song, 'One Day Too Late' by Skillet, and it made me think "How am I treating people?" not just the ones I know and love, but those that I see every day who are out side of my circle of family and friends. What about them? Are they unworthy of love? Are they dressed to poorly for you, of whom you are no better than they, for you to step out side of your comfort zone and strike up a real conversation with them about spiritual things? Is their hair not combed the "correct" way? Does it matter, that without Jesus, they'll go to hell? Why are you so caught up in the way someone looks, that you don't even realise that life without Jesus now and later, will still result in the same thing? Only later, that 'hell', will be eternal seperation from God. If that doesn't destroy your heart, then nothing will.
Today I’m gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
’Cause we don’t have long, gonna make the most of it
Today I’m gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
’Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
By the time you're done with reading this, I hope those lyrics by Skillet, become your motto of how you live life and see/treat those who are around you. There are dying people everywhere you go, treat them like they're dying, and live like they're dying and step out and make a change in that person's life. Make every minute last, and take advantage of every opportunity you're given to share the gospel with someone you may know or may not know.
Tick tock hear the clock countdown
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late
Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness I guess I just forget
To do all the things I said
Time passes by
Never thought I’d wind up
One step behind
Now I’ve made my mind up
I hope you've made your mind up, and are through with thinking solely about yourself, and are ready and willing to go and do all that God has called you to.
I'm going to give you a challenge, and that challenge is to share Jesus with three people this week. One friend. One family member. One stranger. Are you ready? DO IT!
- Katelyn
"1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." Romans 15:1-2
"31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32
"29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
"12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Col. 3:12-14
" 8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."[a]" 1 peter 3:8-12
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