I recently started a book called Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. It's about my generation starting a Rebelution - a teenage rebellion against low expectations of an ungodly culture. This is exactly what I need in my life right now. David's message Sunday morning, this book, and lots of prayer are all screaming the same thing to me: I need to do something. And the time to do something is right now. Not tomorrow, not next week, not when I get older.
Twins Alex and Brett are trying to make the point that our teenage years are the best of our lives. It's not time to party, have a great love life, or even become popular in school. We need to take advantage of these years to influence other teenagers, and hopefully adults, to do something incredible for an awesome God. The only way we can do that is by doing hard things. This requires us to step out of our comfort zones and do things that require an enormous amount of time and energy for a cause greater than ourselves: to bring glory to God and share His love.
Our culture has become accustomed to lazy teenagers who barely scrape by in life. Alex and Brett challenge that - and I want to join them. The entire Rebelution started with a blog they had written challenging teens stand out. Obviously, I can relate to that. At sixteen years old, they interned at the Alabama Supreme Court, then went on to travel to nearly every state in the country, speaking about the Rebelution. They wrote this book when they were nineteen. I'm only a few chapters in, but I'm completely inspired to stand out. These guys were the same age I am when they interened at the Supreme Court. I mean, hello! Is that not awesome? It just proves that you are never too young to do something.
This is the first step in a long journey, but I am willing to follow through. God will lead me where He wants me to go; I just have to listen. It won't be easy, but I know it will be worth it. I'm going to help change the minds of society, do hard things, and join the Rebelution.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
New Year's Resolution
I finally figured out my New Year's resolution: talk less, listen more. Recently I realized that some people just need someone to listen to them. If I am talking all the time, I can't listen to them. I become more concerned with what I'm saying, and I don't pay attention to their problems. Some people are naturally just really good listeners and advice givers; it's something I struggle with. I want my friends to be able to come to me with their problems, knowing I'll listen to them and help them as much as I can. From experience, I feel so relieved if I can just tell someone my problems. I want to be the person they can trust to come to when they feel they need help. So guess I'm just trying to say that if you ever need anyone to listen, I'm here.
Monday, December 5, 2011
A Story
Many years ago, in a small town in a dirty barn, lay a manger. In this manger lay a baby. This baby wasn't ordinary. He was to be called King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace. He was going to grow up healing the sick, calming raging storms, making the lame walk, and providing hope for all nations. Yet after all this, people were going to hate him, beat him, whip him, place a crown of thorns on his head, and nail him on a cross. They would gamble for his clothes, then leave him hanging there to die. Beaten, brusied, and neglected, the Kings of Kings died on the cross. They placed him in a borrowed tomb. Three days later, he rose from the dead in the miracle of all miracles.
The innocent baby laying in a manger and the bloodied man hanging on a cross saved your life. Now give back it to Him.
The innocent baby laying in a manger and the bloodied man hanging on a cross saved your life. Now give back it to Him.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tempus Fugit
Another birthday come and gone, another year past. Another holiday season arriving, and with it, summer becomes nothing but a whispered memory. School is in full swing, the soccer season is over. Soon a new year will be celebrated. It's a new beginning, a goodbye to the way things were. It's a time for reflection, of learning, of growth.
This past year has probably been the best I've had in my sixteen years. As you would expect, there was some sadness and lots of tears. But this year, I learned a lot about myself. And a lot about others. I learned that I can do anything God calls me to do, even if it's hard or uncomfortable. I now know who I can trust, and who can break my heart. I learned a little bit of what makes the world go 'round. I learned to always forgive, laugh as often as possible, and smile at the smallest of blessings. But I know it's ok to cry over heartbreak and sorrow.
There were times that I thought I knew everything. It was those times that God would knock me down. Those falls would hurt - there were places I thought I could never get back up - but I learned from them. I learned more about myself, for the good and bad. I became a better person after it. And God knew to put people who are wiser than me in my life to help and guide me. Those people would pick me up, give me a shoulder to cry on, and pray for me.
No one said life would be easy. If it was, everyone would do it.
This past year has probably been the best I've had in my sixteen years. As you would expect, there was some sadness and lots of tears. But this year, I learned a lot about myself. And a lot about others. I learned that I can do anything God calls me to do, even if it's hard or uncomfortable. I now know who I can trust, and who can break my heart. I learned a little bit of what makes the world go 'round. I learned to always forgive, laugh as often as possible, and smile at the smallest of blessings. But I know it's ok to cry over heartbreak and sorrow.
There were times that I thought I knew everything. It was those times that God would knock me down. Those falls would hurt - there were places I thought I could never get back up - but I learned from them. I learned more about myself, for the good and bad. I became a better person after it. And God knew to put people who are wiser than me in my life to help and guide me. Those people would pick me up, give me a shoulder to cry on, and pray for me.
No one said life would be easy. If it was, everyone would do it.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Author of Salvation
Salvation is His word
Crafted with the most
Sovereign pen,
Perfect ink and
Beautiful script
Our hearts are His canvas
Chronicled in time,
Forever lasting,
Revealing a hope
That only One could compose
Written in His blood,
His sacrifice,
Flowing letters of grace
Create the glorious story
Of redemption
Crafted with the most
Sovereign pen,
Perfect ink and
Beautiful script
Our hearts are His canvas
Chronicled in time,
Forever lasting,
Revealing a hope
That only One could compose
Written in His blood,
His sacrifice,
Flowing letters of grace
Create the glorious story
Of redemption
Thursday, October 20, 2011
16 Candles
In 24 days, I will be able to get my license. It would be wonderful to get a car for my 16th birthday; however, God is telling me differently. I don't need one. He placed on my heart that I should do something to give back, to help others who need it more than I do. Sure, it would be nice to get a car. I'm not going to pretend that I don't struggle with worldly possesions. But why should I get a car when some children don't even have a bed? It's not fair to them. Luke 12: 48 says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
God has given me so many gifts, so I will follow His Word and help those who aren't as fortunate as me. This year, I'm asking everyone to give me a few dollars for my birthday, which I will give to Sweet Sleep, an organization that provides mosquito netting and matresses to families in Africa. I promise you I will not spend a dollar of it on myself; it will all be donated for the glory of God. I'm giving back, trying to change the world one birthday at a time.
God has given me so many gifts, so I will follow His Word and help those who aren't as fortunate as me. This year, I'm asking everyone to give me a few dollars for my birthday, which I will give to Sweet Sleep, an organization that provides mosquito netting and matresses to families in Africa. I promise you I will not spend a dollar of it on myself; it will all be donated for the glory of God. I'm giving back, trying to change the world one birthday at a time.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Carpe Diem
Life is crazy. Everyone can agree with me on that. Sometimes, it feels like I don't even have time to breathe. Especially now that school started, I am more stressed, very busy, and less apt to care about others. I am so focused on getting homework done or making it to practice on time, I have lost sight of the things that are truly important. On my door, I have written Phillipians 4:13 on a piece of construction paper. I walk through that door hundreds of times a day and don't even take a second glance at the verse. There is so much encouragement in "I can do all things through Christ who stengethens me", yet I ignore it. High school is hard, and it's not always easy to live a Christ-centered life. But if I were just to take a few seconds out of my day to look at that verse, it would make it a little easier. Facing the day wouldn't be such a burden.
It seems the majority of us are losing something that should be essential in every day life: compassion. No longer are we so concerned with others, unless it's juicy gossip or the latest "story". When you ask someone how they are, do you care what the answer is? Or is it a question you ask on the way to your next destination? Do you hear the reply, or is it just a fleeting moment in your busy day? It should not be burdensome to listen to someone who needs help, or say a little prayer for someone is going through tough times. Yet it sure seems like it's a lot of trouble to do this! Why are we so keen to fill our day with meaningless activities? Do they make us happy? Not usually! Do they honor God? Absoutely not! Do they express our love to others? Probably not! We are caught up an ongoing cycle of just going through the motions. We are just exisiting, not really living. The question I have for you today is will you be the one to break the cycle?
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things."
I'm not sure who said that, but it is so true. We get so caught up in this and that, we don't realize how precious and beautiful life is. When I am old, I want to have wonderful memories of people I love and care about, not how much homework I had or how busy I was. I want to be able to look back and say "Man, that was fun." I want to be the one to dance in the rain, siezing every moment like it will be my last. You only have a short time on this earth, so do what you can do honor God and have fun!
It seems the majority of us are losing something that should be essential in every day life: compassion. No longer are we so concerned with others, unless it's juicy gossip or the latest "story". When you ask someone how they are, do you care what the answer is? Or is it a question you ask on the way to your next destination? Do you hear the reply, or is it just a fleeting moment in your busy day? It should not be burdensome to listen to someone who needs help, or say a little prayer for someone is going through tough times. Yet it sure seems like it's a lot of trouble to do this! Why are we so keen to fill our day with meaningless activities? Do they make us happy? Not usually! Do they honor God? Absoutely not! Do they express our love to others? Probably not! We are caught up an ongoing cycle of just going through the motions. We are just exisiting, not really living. The question I have for you today is will you be the one to break the cycle?
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things."
I'm not sure who said that, but it is so true. We get so caught up in this and that, we don't realize how precious and beautiful life is. When I am old, I want to have wonderful memories of people I love and care about, not how much homework I had or how busy I was. I want to be able to look back and say "Man, that was fun." I want to be the one to dance in the rain, siezing every moment like it will be my last. You only have a short time on this earth, so do what you can do honor God and have fun!
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