These past two nights, have made me think about my friends who don't know Jesus... It breaks my heart to know and see people who don't know Jesus. I don't know how they can just go through the motions of life, and believe that that's all that life is and there's simply nothing more. I don't see how anyone can be convinced of that, I think deep deep down they know there's more to this life than just going through the motions and just doing things without putting much, if any, thought into what or why they're doing what they do. I just don't get it. And there's something else I don't understand...
I've heard, and have been one of these people, Christians say they love Jesus, and that He's the coolest dude ever, and I agree... but what I don't get, is if we really do believe all this stuff about God, Heaven and Hell, then why the heck aren't we doing more?! I'm aware we can't do everything, so does that mean we resolve to doing nothing? No. I know that I'm a young person, and I can't do everything, but I absolustely refuse to do nothing.
I know to some I'm just a teenager, who, by their opinion can't do much, or just doesn't care about taking my responsibilities seriously. But it doesn't matter to God if I'm a teenager, a 60 year old man/woman, or a two month old kid, God will use whomever He pleases and whenever He chooses to do so. He is God, you are not... Stop trying to tell Him what to do.. He never listens anyway. Why should He? He's God. There's no need for Him to do some sort of "check-in" with us to see if whatever He's planning is "okay" with us. Look, God's not going to call you on your cell phone and see if His plans are okay with you. His knows His plans are good, better yet wonderful beyond all human understanding.
I know things are tough and life's not the easiest thing invented, even Jesus was aware of that. Whatever you believe about Jesus, He's no idiot. Look at what He says about life here on earth... He's aware things aren't easy, and that we'll need something, someone to hold us up when times are tough...
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
For me, life has been the toughest, yet greatest thing ever. It's gotten a lot tougher ever since October, 17th, 2008. Let's just say, I gave my life to Jesus.. even though I was raised in church, and called myself a "Christian". Yeah, right. I was no Christian, that's for sure. Sure I never have drank, or smoked, or done drugs in my life, but it's sin that's the problem. It's a heart issue, and I need Jesus. I'm not perfect by any means. Believe it or not, this teenager still screws up... but I don't want to use God's grace as a licence to do whatever I please, because after all, He does forgive. He is a God of forgiveness, but He is still a Just God.
We shouldn't water that down, He is who is.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
There's another thing on my mind, that goes with this a lot. It's about your friends and the powerful message of the Gospel. Have you shared Jesus with your friends lately? If you're having a tough time answering that, then let me give you a challenge, that I'm praying you'll accept... It's my challenge, and God's command.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19
Why should you do this?
1. God said so.
2. There's a literally place called Hell. (Yes, I know, it's apart of our belief system that people hate to talk about..)
3. It's not just about the Hell that your friends are going to, but the Hell they are going through. Save them from both by sharing the message the transformed your life... and remember that time when someone shared Jesus with you, and what happened to you when you accepted Him.
YOUR FRIENDS NEED HIM!! GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES!!
share Jesus with 3 people this week...however you choose to do so, is up to you. Just get the word out. and BE CLEAR!!!!!! and ask questions and ask them at the end if it makes sense, and if it doesn't, ask them what doesn't make sense and re-explain clearer.
ohh since I'm being rushed, I'll give you a link or two to help you out.
go to the Dare 2 Share website and watch THE Cause videos.
P.S I have expectations to hear stories... and while your on the d2s site, check out Soul Fuel.
I triple dare you! (I'm taking my own dare, btw)
- Katelyn
"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God" Micah 6:8
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Just A Rant... Nothing More.
I have some things that are going through my mind, and I'm trying to get them all in order so I can write them out and make them make sense... :) so maybe it won't make you feel like you're lost inside my mind. Or I'm lost in there? well whatever, I seem to get whatever is up there out clearly. I don't know, but I guess I just want to write about how incredible God has been in my life. I never seem to have seen the last of His awesomeness.
If anyone is aware, that is if you were paying any attention, I recently got some glasses. And not only am I glad I can see a lot better now, but the thing that I really like is being able to see the pretty things that God created better. :) Like for me, I love fall and the pretty colors of the leaves... but hate when they fall off.
Here's a picture (or two) that I took with my phone today of the sky and some tress and what not...
It's not that with these glasses on, that I'm not more amazed at all the things God has made, it's that I am.. and that the same God that created all of this, loves me. and cares about my tinyest problems... let me tell you a little story that happened yesterday at my grandparents house.. here's my little idea that I thought would work.. but it didn't go too well. But I got something awesome out of it. (:
Yesterday, I decided that I wanted to go over to my grandparents house, and bring my kitty Cinderella with me so she could "play" with her brother and sister... poor cat ended up scared for her little life. I showed her where the litter box was, and she stayed in there for awhile, because I wasn't about to get her out... and so I went back up stairs, and a few hours later, we all wondered where she was at because we haven't seen her for awhile.. and so we where searching for her for about 30minutes.. only to find her behind the furnace thing downstairs and hissing at my grandpa when he was trying to get her... I've never seen her that scared before!
Believe it or not, I prayed that God would let us find her in the house... and we did. After I was thinking about it and the fact that God cares. He cares about our small problems just like He does about our little ones. If anyone knows me, or little facts about me, they should know that I've had some huge problems to face... and this little problem made me think that God really does care, and He's not just saying it... He truly does care a lot more than I'm able to understand. If He cares about my little problem, then how much does He care about my big ones?
I've been through some pretty tough things in my young life, that well, I don't like saying this, but it's true and I can't deny it... They've been extremely tough for me to the very point where I really didn't want to live anymore. At times it felt like God was distant and that He had forgot what to do with me... My feelings lied to me like always, God was and is always there with me. and He's proven that so many times. And when I healed from feeling like I stepped into Hell, God showed me that when I felt at my lowest and at my very breaking point, He was there to catch my fall. I guess I had to lose everything just to find out that He was always there and that it was Him who kept me going even when I didn't even feel like waking up to another crappy day of feeling abandoned. He was the One who taught me so much through that tough time in my life.
He's still teaching me things. I'm not done learning yet.
but for now, I must go to bed.. so I can somehow manage to wake up at 6:15 a.m. (:
If anyone is aware, that is if you were paying any attention, I recently got some glasses. And not only am I glad I can see a lot better now, but the thing that I really like is being able to see the pretty things that God created better. :) Like for me, I love fall and the pretty colors of the leaves... but hate when they fall off.
Here's a picture (or two) that I took with my phone today of the sky and some tress and what not...
It's not that with these glasses on, that I'm not more amazed at all the things God has made, it's that I am.. and that the same God that created all of this, loves me. and cares about my tinyest problems... let me tell you a little story that happened yesterday at my grandparents house.. here's my little idea that I thought would work.. but it didn't go too well. But I got something awesome out of it. (:
Yesterday, I decided that I wanted to go over to my grandparents house, and bring my kitty Cinderella with me so she could "play" with her brother and sister... poor cat ended up scared for her little life. I showed her where the litter box was, and she stayed in there for awhile, because I wasn't about to get her out... and so I went back up stairs, and a few hours later, we all wondered where she was at because we haven't seen her for awhile.. and so we where searching for her for about 30minutes.. only to find her behind the furnace thing downstairs and hissing at my grandpa when he was trying to get her... I've never seen her that scared before!
Believe it or not, I prayed that God would let us find her in the house... and we did. After I was thinking about it and the fact that God cares. He cares about our small problems just like He does about our little ones. If anyone knows me, or little facts about me, they should know that I've had some huge problems to face... and this little problem made me think that God really does care, and He's not just saying it... He truly does care a lot more than I'm able to understand. If He cares about my little problem, then how much does He care about my big ones?
I've been through some pretty tough things in my young life, that well, I don't like saying this, but it's true and I can't deny it... They've been extremely tough for me to the very point where I really didn't want to live anymore. At times it felt like God was distant and that He had forgot what to do with me... My feelings lied to me like always, God was and is always there with me. and He's proven that so many times. And when I healed from feeling like I stepped into Hell, God showed me that when I felt at my lowest and at my very breaking point, He was there to catch my fall. I guess I had to lose everything just to find out that He was always there and that it was Him who kept me going even when I didn't even feel like waking up to another crappy day of feeling abandoned. He was the One who taught me so much through that tough time in my life.
He's still teaching me things. I'm not done learning yet.
but for now, I must go to bed.. so I can somehow manage to wake up at 6:15 a.m. (:
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
just a rant...
Made me think of how incredible God is. He's reminded me so many times this year alone that He loves me, and that He's never left my side. He's with me in my times of joy and in my times of deep hurt. He means what He has said. It's just as true then, as it is now... He's not only a God of Love but He's a Just God... and because He is a Just God, He had to punish sin, so He sent His one and only son to die for me and for you so we wouldn't have to live seperated from Him, and die without Him and spend an eternity in Hell seperated from His love. Eternity was described once as, if you put an ant onto a steel ball, make it go around it til it has trampled it into dust, and that represents the first day of eternity. Check out this video I found on Youtube of Greg Stier talking to teenagers at a Dare2Share conference during the Blaze tour... (If Hell doesn't bother you, you clearly haven't done your homework... Hell should and needs to bother you.) ... NOTE: He doesn't come to the stage til it hits 3 minutes... but it's really good. Hell cannot and will not be ignored... it's the place that people who do not know and accept Jesus will go... watch this video, and I want you to be bothered by Hell.
Tell your friends about Jesus today. Not tomorrow. Today! Once they die, eternity cannot be changed... SHARE JESUS!
Remember the saddest verse when you look at those people you see who do not know Jesus, and imagine a "Bound For Hell" sign on their forehead...
"9They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power" 2 Thes. 9.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
I'll Follow You, No Matter What... 10.17.2008
Well, a few days ago, on the seventh, I realized that it's October. :) I'm not huge on Halloween, and this isn't what it's about at all... but two years ago (2008) on the 17th of this month, I went to a youth convention in Branson, Missouri, and well, I am who I am today because of what happened there. I had one incredible encounter with God. (Incredible falls short of what happened that night during worship.) Hillsong United was leading worship, and I wish I could've remembered what song it was, so I could play it again, and post it here. But I don't know what song it was, and while I may not remember that, I remember exactly what happened when everyone in that room was singing and worshipping God.
Two words will describe what I felt, 1. Freedom and 2. I felt alive for the very first time in my 14 years of life. That was two years ago, and I still feel the same way... Only then, that feeling was stronger. (It's better than anything this world can ever offer... although it tries, and fails, misserably.) But God never fails. I really do wish I had the words to describe what I felt, but I don't, so to the best of my small ability to describe them, I shall make an attempt to make it understandable to anyone who reads this... I'll keep it clear. :)
There's two incredible things that happened that night for me, one of them is, while my hands were raised, my world was rocked by the power of God, and I made a promise to Him. That promise is that no matter what life throws my way, I'll follow You no matter what. Two incredible things dramatically changed my young life til the very day I "die". Dying, and knowing that beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'm saved, isn't an ending, it's a continuation of what God started within me... simply put, life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever... and nothing, not even death has the power to seperate me from God.
Romans 8:38-39 says,
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The few things that hit me that night there in Branson, have forever changed me and continue to do so. If one thing is for sure, I'm not who I was, but I'm also not quite to being finished by God either. It's a work in progress... and I'm still learning and I love it.
Remember that promise that I made and told you about whenever you read it? That and God's faithfulness has helped me get throu so many things that I hated going throu... There's atleast three things that come to mind, and note, I do not talk about this often, and it's a little painful to talk about, but I've come along way since then. (If you've helped me throu them, then you'll know what I mean.)
1. My dad was never there at all. (He was physically, but nothing more.) I know he chose to be like that, only because that's the kind of dad he grew up with, and that's all he knew... but still, he had two choices... he chose the wrong one.
2. My parents are divorced.
3. I found out through a text message (from my grandpa to my mom) that my dad's getting remarried.
They all have caused me pain and made me question fathers... and number, caused the worst pain I've ever known. It lasted for 6 months. It was hell. I was in my room crying my eyes out and blaming myself... it took the seasons going by to realize its not my fault. It's still a very sensitive topic, and I really lose respect for people who are negative about it and say some bad things towards my dad... I do not appreciate it or them for it. It gets really personal when someone does that. Normally, I automatically get ticked off at the person who did it and want to leave the room. sometimes I get yelled for either going off on the person that said it, or leaving so i won't go off on them... and very rarely will I get an appology for it. (P.S don't bring it up in person, unless I start it... and watch what comes out of your mouth.)
Ephesians 4:29
"Do 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."
Their negative words hurt more than they know. But even through the negativity, and the crying, and the anger and floods of emotions, God was still there right next to me... Whether I felt Him there or not. I've never appreciated fathers day... I basically refused to go to church on fathers day.
I know I've been throu alot, but it's only because of God that I made it through those trying times in my young life. I didn't make it through them on my own, I asked for help from a counselor. Does that make me weak? No, it just means that I'm strong enough to realize I'm too weak to make it through on my own.
Why did I tell you what I went through? To hopefully use it to make my point whatever that may be. I heard somewhere that you'll never know what someone has been through or is going through by looking at them and judging them for how they look. Looks don't make someone's personality. They can paint on a smile, but it doesn't mean they're happy... They can wear a long sleeved shirt, but that doesn't mean they've never slit their wrists before, or that they don't have scars on their wrists from it... or that when they get home, they'll try, for tenth time to kill themselves because no one gives a crap anymore to show them that they're loved regardless of the cut marks that they may cover up... They could have just lost someone very close to them.
Who are 'They' exactly? They are the people who see everyday. They are the people you know personally. They are every human being on this messed up planet... It's the person who is found sitting alone at lunch, it's the person you talk to every day, it's the person you pass by in the school hallways, it's the preppy cheerleader chasing boys because her own father failed her, it's the other girl who looks at herself in the mirror and is convinced she's not worth anything, it's the guy who wears those weird clothes and has those weird headphones and carriers weird things... See, my point here is simple yet hard to do, stop assuming for once. Reach out in love. Reach out to them with hope. Reach out to them with the message and mission of Jesus. It's hard, I know. but it's worth it.
Pray for the few people (3) that come to your mind for them to come to know Jesus for who He truly is.
Pursue the opportunities that God gives us everyday to share His love with those we meet.
Pursuade them with the truth in a real tangible loving way.
And do it this week. and then share with me how it goes. and I'll pray for who you're sharing with.
Share with one friend, one family member and one stranger.
I double dare you. I'm taking my own challenge as well.
Whose in with me?
Two words will describe what I felt, 1. Freedom and 2. I felt alive for the very first time in my 14 years of life. That was two years ago, and I still feel the same way... Only then, that feeling was stronger. (It's better than anything this world can ever offer... although it tries, and fails, misserably.) But God never fails. I really do wish I had the words to describe what I felt, but I don't, so to the best of my small ability to describe them, I shall make an attempt to make it understandable to anyone who reads this... I'll keep it clear. :)
There's two incredible things that happened that night for me, one of them is, while my hands were raised, my world was rocked by the power of God, and I made a promise to Him. That promise is that no matter what life throws my way, I'll follow You no matter what. Two incredible things dramatically changed my young life til the very day I "die". Dying, and knowing that beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'm saved, isn't an ending, it's a continuation of what God started within me... simply put, life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever... and nothing, not even death has the power to seperate me from God.
Romans 8:38-39 says,
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The few things that hit me that night there in Branson, have forever changed me and continue to do so. If one thing is for sure, I'm not who I was, but I'm also not quite to being finished by God either. It's a work in progress... and I'm still learning and I love it.
Remember that promise that I made and told you about whenever you read it? That and God's faithfulness has helped me get throu so many things that I hated going throu... There's atleast three things that come to mind, and note, I do not talk about this often, and it's a little painful to talk about, but I've come along way since then. (If you've helped me throu them, then you'll know what I mean.)
1. My dad was never there at all. (He was physically, but nothing more.) I know he chose to be like that, only because that's the kind of dad he grew up with, and that's all he knew... but still, he had two choices... he chose the wrong one.
2. My parents are divorced.
3. I found out through a text message (from my grandpa to my mom) that my dad's getting remarried.
They all have caused me pain and made me question fathers... and number, caused the worst pain I've ever known. It lasted for 6 months. It was hell. I was in my room crying my eyes out and blaming myself... it took the seasons going by to realize its not my fault. It's still a very sensitive topic, and I really lose respect for people who are negative about it and say some bad things towards my dad... I do not appreciate it or them for it. It gets really personal when someone does that. Normally, I automatically get ticked off at the person who did it and want to leave the room. sometimes I get yelled for either going off on the person that said it, or leaving so i won't go off on them... and very rarely will I get an appology for it. (P.S don't bring it up in person, unless I start it... and watch what comes out of your mouth.)
Ephesians 4:29
"Do 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."
Their negative words hurt more than they know. But even through the negativity, and the crying, and the anger and floods of emotions, God was still there right next to me... Whether I felt Him there or not. I've never appreciated fathers day... I basically refused to go to church on fathers day.
I know I've been throu alot, but it's only because of God that I made it through those trying times in my young life. I didn't make it through them on my own, I asked for help from a counselor. Does that make me weak? No, it just means that I'm strong enough to realize I'm too weak to make it through on my own.
Why did I tell you what I went through? To hopefully use it to make my point whatever that may be. I heard somewhere that you'll never know what someone has been through or is going through by looking at them and judging them for how they look. Looks don't make someone's personality. They can paint on a smile, but it doesn't mean they're happy... They can wear a long sleeved shirt, but that doesn't mean they've never slit their wrists before, or that they don't have scars on their wrists from it... or that when they get home, they'll try, for tenth time to kill themselves because no one gives a crap anymore to show them that they're loved regardless of the cut marks that they may cover up... They could have just lost someone very close to them.
Who are 'They' exactly? They are the people who see everyday. They are the people you know personally. They are every human being on this messed up planet... It's the person who is found sitting alone at lunch, it's the person you talk to every day, it's the person you pass by in the school hallways, it's the preppy cheerleader chasing boys because her own father failed her, it's the other girl who looks at herself in the mirror and is convinced she's not worth anything, it's the guy who wears those weird clothes and has those weird headphones and carriers weird things... See, my point here is simple yet hard to do, stop assuming for once. Reach out in love. Reach out to them with hope. Reach out to them with the message and mission of Jesus. It's hard, I know. but it's worth it.
Pray for the few people (3) that come to your mind for them to come to know Jesus for who He truly is.
Pursue the opportunities that God gives us everyday to share His love with those we meet.
Pursuade them with the truth in a real tangible loving way.
And do it this week. and then share with me how it goes. and I'll pray for who you're sharing with.
Share with one friend, one family member and one stranger.
I double dare you. I'm taking my own challenge as well.
Whose in with me?
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Faith Muscles Need Exercise :)
I probably have had one of the best days ever. Did I do anything special? Nope. I just started my day off right. No I'm not going to say something along the lines of having a hearty breakfast, but I did spend four hours of 'God and me time' with reading my bible. It was perfectly peaceful... two words that describe my day are the ones I just used... (perfectly peaceful) I'm not going to brag about it, but I was pretty happy to read my bible this morning.. :)
I was listening to klove and the pastors on there talking about faith and it being a muscle, and without exercise, it will not get any stronger. Starving yourself spiritually, is like being physically tiny. Being physically "tiny" isn't always a bad thing, but being spiritually tiny, isn't good. We gotta work those faith muscles. We gotta read God's word. (The best time is in the morning.)
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
But, I've been thinking lately, (that's nothing new :) ) and it seems that I love Jesus more and more with each passing day. He's incredible. I'm attempting to start a habit of reading my bible and praying in the mornings... So far, it seems to working great.
I don't think I'll post this one on facebook, but I needed to "vent" on my blog. (: It seems like over the half the time, I don't want to write in my journal, but I "write" on my blog. ahh, I love it.
I was listening to klove and the pastors on there talking about faith and it being a muscle, and without exercise, it will not get any stronger. Starving yourself spiritually, is like being physically tiny. Being physically "tiny" isn't always a bad thing, but being spiritually tiny, isn't good. We gotta work those faith muscles. We gotta read God's word. (The best time is in the morning.)
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
But, I've been thinking lately, (that's nothing new :) ) and it seems that I love Jesus more and more with each passing day. He's incredible. I'm attempting to start a habit of reading my bible and praying in the mornings... So far, it seems to working great.
I don't think I'll post this one on facebook, but I needed to "vent" on my blog. (: It seems like over the half the time, I don't want to write in my journal, but I "write" on my blog. ahh, I love it.
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