Jul. 11, 2008 - Complicated thoughts and simple answers
I really liked the replies to my last entry. I asked the question, how do we prevail in emotional temptation. And all of you who wrote back said something about how the media seems to tamper with their emotions. Wether it be christian romance novels, love music, or chick-flicks. I think that it is a very real struggle among girls. We tend to feed ourselves with unrealistic junk. And even though we know that the whole romantic happily-ever after has a lot of fairy tail drama behind it, it doesn't keep us from wanting it. I know that guys seem to struggle more with porn. But I struggle with romantic novels and fancy words that thrill me. So it's neat to see some girls who advise resisting temptation; by taking themselves completely away from romance books and things that damage their thoughts. And I agree with that advice. But it's funny how God seems to hit you with an answer. Something that I asked God about in my prayers was the why. Why would he let us go through those sort of temptations. And then He led my heart to the book of James, chapter 1 verses 2- 4: " Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." And I respond, you go God! It's like I say hey God I don't get it, and all along he's saying there is a ultimate purpose in everything wether you see it or not; and that is to bring Him glory. Anyway I'd like to leave you with this last thought. God made us with those thoughts, and desires. I like the way that Robert burns says it, in one of his prayers. "Thou knowest that thou hast formed me, With passions wild and strong; And listening to their witching voice has often led me wrong. Where with intention I have erred, No other plea I have, But, though art good, and Goodness still Delighteth to forgive."
4 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Jul. 3, 2008 - Pure thoughts
I'm going to sound vulnerable in this entry. But I'm writing my heart out. It's something that I struggle with. I think that the heart speaks a language that the head does not understand. It seems to me that I can think all the right thoughts about relationships. I can even give an advice column on how to save sex for marriage. But in reality, when put in compromising situations knowledge takes a backseat and lets the heart take over. I've given so much of myself to others, almost I want to say unknowingly. Don't get me wrong I've never kissed a guy before much less preformed intimate acts. But I think that emotionally I tend to get involved with people. And my head stops thinking and my heart begins to speak truth. My heart speaks what I feel when I believe no one else is around. I mean don't we all occasionally flirt or throw ourselves at guys, knowing we aren't going to date them based on our convictions; But still wanting a taste to satisfy our curiosity. Now I know that all of you can get on here, condemn me, and say that they never find themselves in compromising situations. But in reality we all are going to have to deal with these temptation in some form or another. I am a christian and I stay in God's word and communicate through prayer. I even spend time in prayer just over these specific temptations. But when I get into these battle grounds I feel myself just letting go. And honestly it's fun for the time being, but when it's all over regret washes over me and I feel ashamed. Ashamed that I disobeyed God. And very sorry. So here is a question to you bloggers. For those of you who have been through certain emotional temptations. And tell the truth, how do you prevail? I feel like I give it over to God completely, and I tell him that every area of myself is His. But I cannot seem to die to myself in that area. I can when I'm alone but not when I'm living it out. What do you think, honestly?
4 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Jun. 27, 2008 - Too tired too think!
Sorry it has taken me so long to blog. I haven't been here for the last 2 and a half weeks. So I blame it on that. I just got back from super summer 2 hours ago and I am so exhausted in every way. It is a Christian leadership training camp. It was absolutely incredible and I learned so much. I can't wait to share about it. But at the moment I am way to tired to unload it all. SO I will get back to you in a day or two. Again sorry. Oh, and thanks to bekka for awarding me the excellent award. And I will also award people when I get back on. cya.
0 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
May. 25, 2008 - Coming out of fear
I've been thinking about my life lately. I do it when get bored. And then I'm not bored. Laugh out loud. No seriously, there is a point to this. I remember the fifth through eighth grade really well. What I remember most about those years is that I was constantly afraid of Christ return. I remember lying in bed at night and the slightest noise would scare me. I'd think oh no Christ might come back right now. I knew that Christ had saved me. I knew that heaven was in store for me. But when I thought of judgement I was scared out of mind. Because I knew that even as a Christian I was going to give an account of my life before the almighty and he was going to judge me accordingly. I know myself pretty well, and the only person who knows me better is God. He knows the deepest, darkest secretes of my heart and how wicked I am. And I think that I thought he was going to take one look at me, one disappointed look and I would never see His face again. I knew and I know that I deserve nothing but Hell and eternal separation from His presence. And now looking back I can see that my actual fear was in losing Him, and His grace and love. I truly believe that Christ grew me through that.I'm not fearful anymore. Christ has taken that away. But I was talking to a friend the other day, she's a little younger than me. And she is going through the exact thing I went through. That total and torturous fear that she was going to lose God and that fear of judgement. I had thought that I was alone in that fear. But I am not. And here is something that I told her. It comes from Isaiah 41: 9-10 "you whom I took from the ends of the earth,and called from its farthest corners,saying to you, You are my servant,I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you;be not dismayed, for I am your God;I will strengthen you, I will help you,I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." God promises us that He will uphold us we will not lose Him once He has chosen us. He is and always has been there for me, leading me with His light and shielding me with His grace. And He will never let me go even though I am unworthy to kiss His feet. What a gift and what an assurance. It gives me an everlasting Hope.
5 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
May. 20, 2008 - Tagged by Bekka
I haven't been tagged before so this should prove interesting. I was tagged by bekka hence the name of this entry. However due to technical difficulties my paragraphs won't separate, any ideas?lol. Anyway her goes: 1) What was I doing 10 years ago? : easy, talking 2) Five things on my to do list for today -practice the guitar -feed my dog -go to the library for research -mop -play basketball 3) Snacks I enjoy -milkshakes -yogurt -oranges -kiwi 4) five things I would do if I were a billionaire - give my parents money to adopt -pay off their house -give some to our church ministry -buy a car -and save the rest for investment 5) Three bad habits - playing with my hair -saying the words: "like" and "you know" -thinking aloud in the wrong atmosphere 6) Five places I have lived -Memphis, TN -Jackson TN -Alabama -South Carolina -Ohio 7) Jobs I have had -nursery working -babysitting -That's pretty much it.... I'm still working on that one. lol. Anyway that's all for today I should be on later this week to write my newest entry. I am now tagging Grace4God and littlesparrow.
3 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Apr. 29, 2008 - I've got joy
I've been reading Romans this week in my quiet time. And I think that reading Romans this week was a God thing. It says in romans 5: 3-5 "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." I have really been struggling with having joy in times of trial. With having to move, with leaving friends, among other things. I think it is so easy for me to tell others to have joy in times of trial. But the encouragement to others and the actuality of going through the trials is so different. So this week I've been learning to have joy, even now. Knowing that trials produce endurance and strength. Endurance produces godly character and character produces hope and a stronger relationship to the God of my Salvation. And that brings me great joy.
4 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Apr. 3, 2008 - Speaking in Tongues
Dear friends, sorry it has taken me a while to blog. Ever since spring break I have been really busy. But now that I am back I thought a good subject to approach, would be speaking in tongues. My best friend asked me a couple of weeks ago if I thought that speaking in tongues was still something active today. Also some of you bloggers have given opinions as well; and after quite a bit of research I'd like to give you mine. This friend of mine used to go to a church and they actively taught and practiced speaking in tongues. And she asked me if I thought that they were just fooling around and pretending or if they were being for real. I had to tell her I didn't know and that I would get back to her. Then I began by reading in the Bible and taking my parents council. I studied 1 Corinthians 12- 14 where it talks exclusively about speaking in tongues. Here is what I came up with. Speaking in tongues is still relevant today, but only a few are actually given that ability. I think that in some churches there're are people who desperately want that in they're spiritual walk. But I think that some of those people really aren't being used by the Holy spirit, they just want that ability so bad that they utter incoherent things. It's not speaking in tongues. I believe it's the product of longing to. I also believe that tongues is not just jibber-jabber. I think that these people who are REALLY enabled by the Spirit are speaking a variety of languages. Now some people may just be pretending, some may think that they are actually speaking in tongues but are only longing to and trying, and others really are. Now you want to know how you can tell who is and who isn't. The answer is I believe you can't. Speaking in tongues is a Spiritual gift and calling as Paul put it, and he also state in 1 Corinthians: that it is better to speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. I think that tongues is a blessing but it is better to focus on the spiritual gifts that God gave you and me that to try desperately to attain something that wasn't gifted to you, and neglect those you were given. If you are called to Speak in Tongues (the real deal) the Holy Spirit will seek you out and give you the ability Himself. That is what Christ has laid on my heart. I may not be right about everything ( I never will be), and I am not the All Knowing. So go do your own research, and tell me what you think. I'm always open to another's opinion.
5 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Mar. 9, 2008 - Do not forget to blush
I was watching TV the other day. Some TV shows that have become very popular in today's society. And I was abhorred. The mocking of God's name. The value they put on sex, innuendo, cussing, alcohol ,violence. Stories of naked protesting, Celebrity mishaps, commercials with pornography worse than on the shows themselves. And it caused me to break down. I realized that more often than not I subject myself to sin without a thought. What a loss of integrity. Have we forgotten to blush? Do we no longer care what God thinks? God is a jealous God. Zealous for His name, A Name no mortal man can fathom.Do we no longer hate what God hates. Sin. Do we make light of it? Laugh at the humor, how we can put His name in a bad word and laugh at it? God will not be mocked. Do not forget to blush. Do not forget God's justice. I cry out for the lost people, caught up in those scandals. The end is near, and God's wrath will very soon be upon them. Oh, what wrath, my God who is so full of love, is also armed with wrath. He holds an arrow of it above their heads and He will take His avenge on the wicked. But have we God's sons and daughters, do we not turn our back on this wickedness? Do we not blush at the sight of the wicked? Do we laugh at it; as those who have yet to be redeemed? I pray to God we don't forget to blush. I pray to God to have mercy on our wretched souls. For who are we to even look God in the face, much less scoff at Him. And so God's servants rise up in righteousness. And I bid you do not forget God's hate for sin, and do not forget to blush. - Kelly (Jeremiah 6 : 12-15) "Their houses will fall to strangers, their fields and their wives as well; For I will stretch forth my hand against those who dwell in this land, says the LORD. Small and great alike, all are greedy for gain; prophet and priest, all practice fraud.They would repair, as though it were nought, the injury to my people: "Peace, peace!" they say, though there is no peace.They are odious; they have done abominable things, yet they are not at all ashamed, they know not how to blush. Hence they shall be among those who fall; in their time of punishment they shall go down, says the LORD.")
5 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Mar. 1, 2008 - My hearts desire
I did it again! I sinned; I listened to that bad song. I watched that revealing movie, I hung out with the wrong crowd. I took God's name in vain, I lied, I had bad thoughts. And then I hid and shunned God. Doesn't this ever sound like your prayer life. It does for me, more often then I care to admit. Constant forgiveness is never far away with God though. It continues to astound me. His amazing grace is priceless, and yet it was freely given, at the price of His son's life. It's the whole reason I live and breathe. I'm a constant failure. And yet God goes on being perfect, just, and yet forgiving. What an amazing love He has for me, and what mercy He showers upon me. I am unworthy, so worthless and selfish. But it makes me feel so special, the fact that out of all the thousands He chooses not to save; He picked me to save. He makes me special; He pursues me and makes me worth something. Because I have Him as my Father and as my King, I who was nothing is made worth while, in the eyes of God. I am ever so small, and yet I am a daughter of the Most High!! How Glorious, to be in the midst of my Savior for all of time. And I will praise Him and Glorify Him forever and ever. As long as this weary body I inhabit draws breathe. Blessed be the God of my Salvation. For it is my purpose, and the desire of my heart to Glorify God in all that I do. -Kelly (Psalms 73: 25- 28: Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.)
4 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Feb. 23, 2008 - Thankful in every way
In one of my previous entries I wrote about the fact that I just moved. And how I don't have a social life. Yeah well, I don't really. My family moved so that my dad could pastor a new church. Which is awesome. But the group of friends I left behind were awesome to, you know. Since moving here, the church has been my only resource of friends. ( We haven't had time to get involved in a home-school group yet.) And at my church they're aren't any girls my age. So that's tough. But at camp a couple of weeks ago I found this verse up under my bunk. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." And it blew me away. And then I realized that my prayer life with God wasn't that great. Because the only conversation I was having with Him, was in the form of complaining. Anyway I had to ask for forgiveness. And it's all good now. God is teaching me how to give thanks in all circumstances. Even when I'm pretty much friendless. It doesn't mean I haven't complained anymore. Sometimes I get so sick of talking to myself (lol). But God sure has used this experience, to make me more thankful.
4 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Feb. 22, 2008 - My two-sense on Purity
What is purity? Think about it.... Was your answer abstaining from sexual encounters? I would have said that to you a couple years ago. Although I have never dated or kissed. I have often thought about the boundaries I should place around myself. Honestly the world's standard for purity is a sad one. Now in public high-schools they teach that having sex is normal. And that protection is a way to avoid consequences. And I have more to give you than my two-sense on that awful standard. Purity is sacred and there is more that one way to spoil your purity. First there is purity of the eyes. (This is more for guys.) And the way to stay protected from visual endangerment, is not to look. Also a little advice for us girls would be: "Put some clothes on." Second there is purity of the mind. Your thoughts often reflect on your actions but keeping your thoughts pure is totally relying on God. Constantly praying for ways out of temptations and doing your personal best to keep your mind pure. Thirdly there is of course purity of the body which is abstaining from sex. And that can be a hard thing to do considering how much passion God created between men and women. But sex can be beautiful if done God's way. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6: 18-20, "18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." I think paul says it nicely. Impure thoughts and actions and sex itself is the only sin by which you can physically harm yourself. God makes it pretty clear that we are to refrain ourselves from sexual temptations. One of the best ways that I think is easiest to keep pure; would be to remove yourself from the dating atmosphere completely. I personally recommend not dating it will save you from a lot of heartache. Think about it, love it, live it, learn it. Easier said than done right? I sure think so. But it's still going to be my personal goal to be pure for God and for the man he may for me one day. What about you will you stay pure? Well that's all for today. This is Kelly signing out. Some Good books on purity: "And the Bride wore white" by: Dannah Gresh "I kissed dating goodbye" and its sequal "Boy meets Girl" By Joshua Harris and "Passion and Purity" by Elizabeth Elliot Check them out they are awesome!!
2 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Feb. 21, 2008 - Beauty
Beauty By: Kelly / Beauty is in the eye of the beholder/ and everyone beholds a different point of view. / Uniqueness is the key to individuality/ But what's on the inside is what makes up you. / Others opinions seem to influence ours/ and others words tell us the truth in what they see. / But why try to impress others with appearance/ when can outwardly express our own creativity. / Truly no one can know you at just a first glance / they have to get up close to see personality./ The truth is we all judge each other for what we wear on our sleeve/ Instead of seeing who we are and who we want to be. / It must be in our nature, for no-one can deny/ that we are judging creatures with fashion in our eye. / But God he isn't like that,/ He sees what's in our heart. /He knows that we're all different,/ and can tell us all apart.
1 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Feb. 20, 2008 - A little about me
My name is Kelly. I'm fifteen years old. (Going on sixteen.) And I home-schooled which is obvious or I wouldn't be on a home-school website. I have a big family or at least in today's society it is. I have two sisters or as we call them the "girls", aka the monsters. One of them, Kristen, is the "loud one". Well actually it's a competition between the two of us. lol. She can talk literally at about one hundred miles an hour for an hour, non- stop, and she doesn't even care if you're listening. But like I said I offer some competition on that one. Then there is Lauren, the nice one. But don't let her fool you she may seem nice but can be manipulative at times (jk). Oh yeah, she is also the "creative one". She is really good at art and has nice handwriting. (I don't and I can't draw, but that's ok. I just wasn't gifted in that area.) I also have a younger brother. He's pretty close in age to me, and he is the "sensible one". Yes sir, you will never find him licking a pole when it's below zero outside. ( And what is it with guys and that dumb trick anyway? You might loose your sense of taste!) And he never snorts salt up his nose, or sees how high he can jump off a building without breaking his legs, or stands on top of tables and sings, among numerous other things.About the only guy thing he is capable of is not taking showers. His record is like a week and half! Gross! My brother is also pretty funny, at least when he isn't trying to be. Then there is my mom. She is the one to confide in. I like to talk to Mom when I have a problem. You should try it. Moms are really good listeners and secret-keepers. And last, but certainly not least in my family, there is my dad. My daddy is a pastor, and a pretty good preacher at that. He is good natured, funny, and he likes to play pranks and aggravate us silly. My daddy is a very Godly guy. (At least I think so.) And I'm definitely a daddy's girl. But this blog is my blog so I'll have to tell you some about me. I'm quiet and almost non- existent. NOT!!! I'm the oldest of four kids. I have a BIG mouth and I love to give advice. I love to sing and write music (and I use my family as ginny-pig listeners and drive them crazy, but what can a girl do who loves singing so much?) and I like to write poetry. I'm also a book lover ( aka nerd jk), and I like to be busy and out- going all the time. I love hanging out with friends, but we just moved to new state, the glamorous state of Ohio. So I don't have much of a social life right now. But I plan to change that. If you're within seeing range you better move because the social butterfly is about to smack you in the face. I am also a Christian and a God-lover, and I have a lot to say about purity. A warning to all who speak to me would be this: "Don't ask for my opinion if you don't actually want it, because I will give it to you." And that's really all I have in me for today. But I sure do have a lot of stories for this blog. You just wait.
