Thursday, February 27, 2014

Like a child

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:1-5

Amazing, don't you think?

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The Grace Card

The Grace Card is a really touching movie that makes us, the viewers, think - and cry.

Seventeen years have passed since the tragic accident that had left the McDonalds without their eldest son. But the hurt hasn't gone away, no. Instead if has deepened as each member of the family tries to cope individually. Anger. Frustration. Rebellion. Can the Christians around the McDonalds help them give grace a chance? Before it's too late...

Warning: I cried so much my stomach ached. Loved this movie!

Here is the website for the movie.

Fellowship with Christians

Fellowship with Christians is important - really important. Everyday we're surrounded by the world - maybe at home, probably at school, definitely in the media. And we need someone (or someones) to keep us in check, to see that we are still on the path we should be on. We need that reminder that life is about so much more than surviving another day. And we need the encouragement that we through faith can give one another.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42

How about you? Do you have close relationships with other Christians? Do you keep each other in check and support one another?

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Throwing Stones by Stephanie Morrill

 Typical Abbie -There it is. My breathing hitches for just a second. It doesn’t do me or Owen any favors if I’m snotty. “Actually, I am Owen’s mother."

 Throwing Stones is a novella that gives one a better understanding of what goes on in a young mother's heart. Being twenty and having a kindergartener isn't easy for Abbie Hoyt. She can feel the stares of disapproval and the tension between herself and the 'normal' mothers. She feels alone - totally and completely alone. And though there's Chris, she knows he deserves so much more...

  Abbie is a realistic character, with whom many can find a connection. I loved the way she talked with herself while talking with others, trying to control her words. Can I just say it didn't always work? And Owen, the kid, is absolutely cute!

 There are two things that I would really like if they had been there. More description, for one. Sometimes I felt like I had to use my imagination too much. And, much more importantly, more about God. There were a few mentions of Him and I suspect an analogy, but that's basically it. I would really enjoyed more about Him.

 This book is free in PDF format on Stephanie Morrill's blog. Go grab a copy! Here is Stephanie Morrill's facebook page.

Trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3

 Do we do that? Do we consider trials a joy? Do we say "Yes! Just what I wanted" when hard times come? Are we glad that we get a chance to develop our perseverance?

Uh, no. Not me, at least. I whine and complain about a billion things, and those can hardly be considered real trials. They are mostly just inconveniences, small everyday problems.

But there are countries out there where Christians are experiencing real trials. Real persecution for their faith. Real danger. And I can hardly take inconveniences. :( I need to ask God to help me work on that. Do you?

Let's pray that God gives us the strength -and the joy- with which to overcome trials when they do come. Because I'm guessing, they'll come to everyone. We just need to trust Him to help us though it. And He will.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Please pray for the Ukraine

Please pray for the Ukraine and that God's will be done there. Let His name be glorified in whatever happens. Please pray!

P. S. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just google it. Its really very serious.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

You're Not Alone

"You're not alone" is a beautiful song by Meredith Andrews. Go check it out.


P. S. I used to have the lyrics here, but I learned that that was illegal, so I took them off. Just google it and you'll find them.

The God of All Comfort

Comfort. We all need it, I think. And I'm not talking about the materialistic comfort that comes with your own room and a nice comfy bed. I'm talking about the comfort that you have when you know there's Someone who cares, who'll be with you through everything. And that means EVERYTHING. When you're mad, troubled, unforgiving, desperate, lonely, needy - He's always there. Always. All the time. Did I mention that that means 24/7? :) Really, there is no one more there for us than God. Amazing.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

How about you? Do you realize that you need Him to comfort you? How has He comforted you in the past? 

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Just life

Hey! I'm making this post a bit early, on Tuesday, to post Thursday.

Right now I am feeling sort of depressed and tired. Tired of how the same old things seem to repeat themselves. You know, the same actions of others, the same attitude toward those actions, the same gnawing feeling that nobody cares. And I know it'll probably get better, but sometimes that's even more confusing. What's the "real" life and what's just exceptions? Is life mostly good with bad occasions, or mostly bad with good occasions?

I'm guessing the right answer is that with God life is more meaningful, even if we experience bad times along the way. But it's hard to remember that sometimes. :/
God bless you all!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Monday, February 17, 2014

Who are we?

Who are we? Meaning all of us people, who are we? Just a creation, just tiny little dots compared to the gigantic universe. Did I say dots? Because we're even smaller. Why would the Almighty Creator,the everlasting God care about someone as tiny as us? Here's a Casting Crowns song about it that I like: Who am I? Go check it out.



It's really not because we did something amazing or are great, but because of Him. It's all because if Him. Let's praise our God!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

I'll lean on You


1. When everything around me is dark,
When making decisions is so hard,
When everything I thought was true
Turns out to be a lie,
When every friend I thought I had
Doesn't care if I just cry
What am I gonna do?
What am I gonna do?
I’ll lean on You

Chorus. I’ll lean on You,
I’ll lean on You,
And I’ll feel your presence.
I’ll lean on You,
I’ll lean on You,
And You’ll hug me tight
I’ll lean on You,
I’ll lean on You,
Everything’s gonna be alright
‘Cause You’re here…
And I’ll lean on You

2. When I look around and there’s no hope,
When it’s impossible to cope,
When everything I thought was stable
Comes crashing down,
When everything I thought was right
Turns out to be wrong
What am I gonna do?
What am I gonna do?
I’ll lean on You

Chorus. I’ll lean on You,
I’ll lean on You,
And I’ll feel your presence.
I’ll lean on You,
I’ll lean on You,
And You’ll hug me tight
I’ll lean on You,
I’ll lean on You,
Everything’s gonna be alright
‘Cause You’re here…
And I’ll lean on You

Bridge. You are the place where I go…
You’ll never reject me, I know,
You’ll always be there for me, Lord,
I’ll lean on You…
Forever more...

Chorus. 

Inspired by those songs I listened to this morning while cross-stitching and later on the Internet. :) What do you think of it? 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Love as a sign that you are Christ's

I hope you don't mind if I don't make this post very long. I'm kind of tired. :/
So, I looked at Biblegateway's verse of the day. And here it is:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV

Love one another. That's hard. But it is something that shows we're different, that we are Christ's. Let's try to love others more. :)

How about you? What are some ways you can show love to others?

Love never fails

Love never fails. God never fails. You and I and every other person in this world will, at least time to time. But God won't ever fail. Ever. He was, is and always will be there for you and me.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Lamentations 3:22

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:13

And that finishes the "Love is..." blog post series. I hope you liked it! Which of the characteristics of love do you like the most?

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Love always perseveres

Is it sometimes hard for you to keep going? For me it is. Pretty often I feel like it's no use and what's the point of life anyway? You know what I mean?

God is the One we should live for and He will give us the strength.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Love always hopes

God is our hope. Only He is always there for us. He is the one that gives meaning to our lives. The psalms have a lot about hoping in the Lord. Here are some verses:

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame.
Psalm 25:3a

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.
Psalm 25:21

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:5

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. Psalm 33:18

I need to remember to turn to Him when things are bad, not to myself and what I can do. Thank you, Lord for the psalms.

How about you? How hard is it for you to hope only in Him?

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

New background

Hi everyone! I just made a different background here. How do you like it? If you have been on this blog before what background did you like more? Please comment. Thanks!

Love always trusts

Trusting God is hard, isn't it? We want to be in control of our own lives, to rule our little world by ourselves. So often we don't seem to comprehend that God's plans for us are way more magnificent than anything we can ever imagine.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

So let's trust Him!
P. S. I have requested a book for review (on Netgalley), which I think also has to do with trusting God. Yay! So there'll be a book review sometime soon. :)

How about you? How hard is it for you to trust God? Has there been a time when His plans for you were better than your biggest dreams?

Monday, February 10, 2014

Love always protects

God protects His children. He really does. :)

You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked. Psalm 12:7

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
Psalm 91:14

For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Proverbs 2:8

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3

How about you? Do you find it hard to remember that God is there to protect you? How does He remind you?

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Love rejoices with the truth.

Yesterday, I posted that love does not delight in evil. What love DOES delight in and rejoice in is the truth. It is more than good when you don't lie, when you're truthful. Lord, help us to always be in and delight in the truth. Amen.


"These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts".
Zechariah 8:16

How about you? How important do you think truth is? 

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Love does not delight in evil

 I'm sorry to admit, it's kind of funny when my math teacher gets mad (at someone else,of course). He gets all red in the face and can hardly control himself. And I sit there, trying to not laugh right then and there.

So why am I even saying this? 1 Corinthians 13 says "love does not delight in evil". So we shouldn't. It's easier said than done, I'm sure, but next time my teacher gets mad, I'll try to not think it's funny. :)

Do you think something wrong is fun or funny? Are you planning to do something about it?

The Grapes of Wrath

 Yesterday we watched an old, but great movie called "The Grapes of Wrath". Dad said that it is based on a book. It depicts one family's life during the Great Depression. It really touches a person, I tell you.

 If you love history, you can appreciate the time period. If you love good acting, you can appreciate the cast. If you love suspence-ish movies, you can appreciate the constant tension. If you love old films, you can appreciate the nice black-and-white screen.* And if you love a beautiful tale, you can appreciate the whole thing. :)


 *For those of you who don't think they'd like that part of it, it's easily forgotten when you're in a scene. And it gives you the freedom to use your imagination more. :)

I really liked the movie. Thought-provoking and insightful, it's something I'm glad I've watched.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

If you ask God to forgive you, He does. He doesn't say "OK" and then goes on to remind you what a sinner you are. He FORGIVES. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18) THAT is what the Lord says.      
And if God forgives us, who have sinned again and again and again, is there a reason you can find why WE shouldn't forgive others? I can't find one.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

We have the perfect example of forgiveness. With God's help we can try to follow it. :)

How about you? Is it hard for you to remember that God forgives you? Do you find it hard to forgive? 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Love is not easily angered

Oops... How many times have you gotten angry easily? Like, when Mom asks to do a chore right when you're in the middle of reading, or playing, or watching a movie? Or when your younger sister asks you (for the millionth time it seems like) how to do her math assignment? Or when everyone is making a lot of noise when your head hurts? Or when your friends try to make you "join the fun" when all you want is a few minutes in peace? And there's lots, lots more stuff that can make you angry. Anger comes naturally, I think. So the problem is what we do with it. Do we start muttering something bad about the offender, yell, stomp our feet, or even hit anyone? Those are wrong (I have a HUGE problem with muttering, by the way). Only God can give us the strength to not be controlled by our anger.

An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
Proverbs 29:22

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Ephesians 4:26

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

How about you? What are some stuff that gets you angry? 

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Runaway by Dandi Daley Mackall

 Typical Dakota -"Wherever we are going, I won't be staying. That much I can promise. I've run away seven times -never once to anything, just away from. "

 Dakota Brown has mastered one thing:running away. Wherever Chicago's social services place her this time, she is determined to find a way out. But this new foster family isn't like the others. Something's different. People are nice, caring even. And there's an animal shelter nearby where Dakota can be with the horses whenever she wants. But she doesn't belong here, does she? She's just a foster, right? Her escape time is coming up, and Dakota doesn't know what to think.


 Runaway has a very interesting perspective, which I, for one, should probably read more on. Dakota has never had a good family. That's why it's hard for her to understand the concept of being a part of God's. The family, at least most of it, is Christian. They love Dakota, something she had never experienced with foster parents and siblings. Faith isn't described as much as it could be, though. :(

 On the technical side, Runaway relied very heavily on dialogue, which slowed down the story somewhat. And sometimes it was hard to tell what emotion the speaker was talking with.

 Overall, Runaway has a good idea and good suspense, I think (I kept wondering how and if she was going to run away) but I'd really like if there was more about God.

 For more of Dandi Daley Mackall here are her website and facebook page.

Love is not self-seeking

Self-seeking is easy to do, it's natural for us. Seeking what others want, what God wants is way harder. :)

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
1 Corinthians 10:24

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Galatians 5:17

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4

How about you? Do you need God's help in this area? 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Love is not rude

Who is it easy to be rude to? Your parents, teachers, friends, classmates? If we are rude often enough, it becomes a habit, an awful, bad, irritating habit.  Remember: Love is not rude. It's time to start breaking that habit with God's help. :)


Let every person be subject to the governing authorities*. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Romans 13:1 (ESV)
* I'm guessing that means parents and teachers too. :)

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 (ESV)


Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV)

How about you? Do you find it easy to be rude? 

Monday, February 3, 2014

Love is not proud

I looked up "proud" in Biblegateway (a good online source by the way). I thought there would be something like "do not be proud, that isn't right", stuff like that. But what I got was way more serious. God doesn't want us to be proud. * Check out these verses.

“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
1 Samuel 2:3

Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.
Psalm 31:23

[The Lord] mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Proverbs 3:34

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
Proverbs 15:25

The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:5

Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
Proverbs 16:19

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
Luke 1:51

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:16

* Opposite of proud? Humble. Thank you, God, for giving us grace and molding us into who you want us to be!!!

How about you? Are you proud of anything you shouldn't be proud of? 

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Love does not boast

Do you do something well? Do you dance, sing, play soccer, play volleyball, write, draw? Are you smart, athletic, pretty? There's lots of other things you may be good at too. It's way too easy to boast. To say "ha! I can do it and you can't!" The Bible has lots to say about boasting. Here are some verses:

May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.
Psalm 12:3

In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Psalm 44:8

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Proverbs 27:1

This is what the Lord says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:31

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:30

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14

P. S. I want to remind everyone that when I say "we shouldn't boast" or "we should be kind" it doesn't mean we can change ourselves. It means we should turn the One who can and ask for help. :)

How about you? Do you have problems with boasting too much? 

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Love does not envy

It does not envy.
Now THAT is a huge one. Everything in the modern world seems to be telling us we need more, we have to have more. We need that new coat, that new football signed by a famous player, that new video game, that new outfit, that new phone... And it's even more awful when someone you know has it, but you don't. Sometimes it's this obvious desire, but I think sometimes it's subconscious. Like, I would like to have it, but I don't necessarily say to myself: "you have to have that phone, Sofia. You HAVE to". And sometimes we don't even recognize envy as something wrong, as a sin. Let's ask God to help us not envy or provoke others to envy. He'll help us.

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
Job 5:2

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:26

How about you? Do you find it hard not to envy?