I have been struggling a lot with some thoughts and things I've run into recently. I am trying to understand and know God more, and of course you all know when we ask for this, we get more questions than answers usually at first. I don't want to shy away from these questions or try to avoid them, because I really do long to know God more. I have just been really hit hard with the fact that I am so unknowledgable about so many things. God is soooo much bigger than I can understand or comprehend. Anyway, I just want to know him more. I have a lot of questions and the more I have been digging into them, the less sure I am of the answers. Can you guys all just pray with me for discernment and for wisdom in the things I am searching for and that God will honor my desire to know Him more? If any of you want to talk to me more about this or know more about what I'm searching for please don't hesitate to call. I am very busy, but there is always time for you guys. If you do call and I can't take the call right away I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
I'm having a big dilemma. And it would take very long to explain but I need your help. And I trust you each of you more than I trust anyone else. I'm going to copy Chelsea on this an ask, if you're willing and have the time, to pray and ask God what he wants to tell me. Because I can't seem to tell His voice from another these days.
Thank you and God bless you all, I hope you're well and I thank God everytime I think of you.
I'm having a big dilemma. And it would take very long to explain but I need your help. And I trust you each of you more than I trust anyone else. I'm going to copy Chelsea on this an ask, if you're willing and have the time, to pray and ask God what he wants to tell me. Because I can't seem to tell His voice from another these days.
Thank you and God bless you all, I hope you're well and I thank God everytime I think of you.
I'm writing because I'm all sorts of feelings and...ugh. I have no idea how to get to this so I'll just say it.
My best friend is pregnant.
I just found out today...we had a huge fight about a week ago that ended with us pretty much telling each other; "I can't handle you anymore, good riddance." I felt horrible afterword and prayed about it. God told me to go see her, and it took me a few days to work up the nerve, but I did. And we talked about the fight and she told me.
What kills me is that she's known since April. I noticed that she was getting more distant and more emotional...I suspected something was going on but she didn't seem to want to talk about it. She stopped talking about God, which should have been a red flag for me because she's as much in love with God as I am. But we pretty much tell each other everything so I didn't think much of it for a long time...I thought that she'd be open when she was ready. But about a month ago it became a real problem...she stopped returning most of my phone calls and became increasingly antagonistic. I told her that I felt she was ignoring me but she brushed me off. I began to fear that, for some reason, she didn't want to be my friend anymore. And basically the fear led to confusion and confusion turned to frustration and frustration turned to anger and anger exploded into something ugly and hurtful.
She's known for four months. Four months, and she never told me. And I couldn't be there for her. She was in tears when she told me she was so sorry, that she pushed me away and that she hurt me, that she was afraid I'd be hurt and that I'd have to deal with it on top of going to college and leaving all the people I love. I told her that I forgave her and that I loved her and wanted to be there for her.
I guess I should give some facts...the father is her boyfriend of two years, and he's very supportive. He wanted to keep the baby, he even said he would marry her. But she, after a lot of thinking and a lot of tears, she decided to have the baby and put it up for adoption. She has really bad morning sickness. She doesn't know if it's a boy or girl yet; she finds out on the 14th.
God, the entire time she was telling me all this I felt slightly outside my body, like all my actions weren't really mine. She showed me the ultrasound photos...it's real. She's having a baby. A baby that will live and crawl and look like her and her boyfriend.
Please pray for her...she's not in denial anymore, but she's very scared and fragile. Pray that God would comfort her and give her strength; she has a long way to go. Please pray for me too, that God would guide me and give me words because I have no idea what I'm doing.... I'm still sad/confused/angry/every feeling that she's kept this from me for so long, for some of the things she said to me when we were fighting...God I'm tearing up just writing it....
I love you all and miss you terribly. I wish you were here.
I'm sorry it has been so long since I last posted, but my summer has been crazy so far. I left about two days after school was over and I moved to Camp Caswell to work as a lifeguard for the rest of the summer. I have been staying really busy here, but I love it so much. The other staffers here are absolutely amazing and they are totally in love with Christ! The times of worship we have are some of the best ones I have ever been a part of because they are so sincere. This summer has been pretty eventful overall, but this week was just insane. At the beginning of the week, one of our lifeguards was let go because of some bad decisions she was making, but I know God had a purpose in her being here as long as she was. Please pray for this girl because she is going to be faced with so many more temptations at home then she was here at Caswell. She just needs to come face to face with our Maker. Then last night, another of the guards announced that she had to return home because she struggles with anorexia. I was really close to her, and it is going to be really hard without her here. Please just be in prayer for our whole lifeguard team and for her. Pray for me to not be frustrated with the whole situation because I know that this girl needs to be in an enviroment where she can better overcome this disease that is taking over her life. Girls I just want to encourage you never to be so self-conscious that you resort to an eating disorder because it is not going to make you happier. This girl is constantly telling me this same thing because she knows firsthand how hard it is, and now she has to put everything else aside to deal with it. Not only is it hurting her, but it's hurting the ones she loves. Every single one of you is beautiful and your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, so treat your temple with respect. I love all of you and miss each and every one! Call me sometime, and find me on facebook!
hey guys, do you remember Eliu? He was one of the pastor's sons at the church where we went a couple times and once the power went out for a little while? I think we ate dinner there before a service, too. anyway, he just called me and said he's super excited for me and chelsea to come back and he wanted me to tell you all that he remembers you all and misses you guys a ton. he also gave me his house phone number (weird? haha) and wants me to give it to you all. he says call whenever and ask for Eliu. (elly-oo) 809 374 1174. dial one first. but I'll warn you it costs a lot of money to call the DR, so get a phone card, or be prepared to explain you really expensive phone bill to your dad.
oh, and I'll be 18 on the 22nd of this month :) chelsea and I leave for camp in 9 weeks from tomorrow. and our team rocks
I have some friends struggling to define who they are. And I was praying for them so that God would give them an answer! But then I asked myself the question. And I searched the Bible for a answer. And of course I found one! so I just wanted to share some of the stuff that God told me!
Who am I?
"For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
Same verse, diff. Bible: "God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing." NCV
*Who are you? define yourself.
-Then read this verse again.
1. You are God's creation!
You were made in His image.
You were made perfect.
You were reborn in Christ
God has made you what you are!
2. You were made to do good works!
You weren't made for anything less than to serve Him.
" What I do is the result of who I am."
3. He planned things in advance.
He didn't mess up!
He didn't choose the wrong person!
He knows what you can stand, and He has things planned for you because He knows you can accomplish them!
Got a better definition of who you are? If yes, then start forming that identity in Christ! And mature it! Grow in Him! And build your understanding of who you are!!!
Here is an interesting column about tongues, including mention of a recent study that mapped people's brain waves while they were praying "normally" versus while praying in tongues. The study shows a marked difference in brain activity when people are praying in tongues, and the author attempts to explain that. I thought some of you would enjoy this and maybe want to comment. (I like this writer -- he calls it like it is.)
I hope all of you are well. We miss you here in Georgia, and we know that every one of you is going through major changes/exciting times right now. Lord, I pray for the girls and guys in this family of believers. Place your hand upon them, guide them, give them a sense of your palpable presence and your undying and undefeatable love for them. Bless them, keep them, watch them, guide them and call them, I pray in Jesus' holy and majestic name. AMEN!!!!
