The Difference Between Pretty and Beautiful: The Makeup Experiment

   So, some of you may or may not know that I did an experiment on the 13^th and 15^th of December 2015. I did an experiment dealing with makeup. For those of you who don't know, I am a tomboy. I do not wear makeup. I wear athletic clothes and would rather play sports than go shopping. For this experiment I dressed up, put makeup on, and did my hair just to see what would happen. This experiment led to me asking some questions that I will pose to you here; and the results were somewhat surprising.

   Why do we wear makeup? Some may say because it makes us look professional, it makes us feel confident, makes us look healthier, and so on.

   Well, during this experiment I got many reactions. Some people (who I have known for 21 years) did not recognize me, some people just stared at me, some people said I was a movie star, people who I knew but did not talk to much made a point to talk to me, and one person even asked me for my autograph. I’m not going to lie; it did feel pretty good to be noticed by people. But it also made me question do these people not like the way I look normally? Which led to me to wonder: do some people just wear makeup to please others? Honestly when I wore that stuff I did feel more confident and accepted. But, I also felt like I was conforming to the world; and that I was wearing a mask.

   I want to be clear that I am not saying makeup is a bad thing; but I want to know why we wear it. And I do think it boils down to masks, insecurities, and imperfections. We hide who we really are and who God made us behind masks. Now, I know some people who wear makeup for work or because it makes them feel confident. But, why does it make them feel confident? Is it because people notice them more? Is it because it makes them feel more beautiful? I don’t know.

   What I do know is that God made us who we are. We need to be thankful for the attributes that he gave us because those attributes are what make us unique. There is no one in the world with the same experiences, looks, thoughts, and emotions that you have. It is amazing to think about.

   Another thing this experiment taught me was the difference between pretty and beautiful. You can look pretty and not be beautiful. Dictionary.com defines pretty as: “pleasing or attractive to the eye.” The Bible says this about beauty, according to 1 Peter 3:3-4, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.” Beauty, true beauty, is not what is on the outside but is what is on the inside. God looks at the heart not outward appearance. He loves us no matter how we look, what we do, or what we own. It is true he does not like when we sin, or disobey him. But, his love for us is never ending.

   Finally, to wrap up this experiment, I want to reiterate that I am not bashing makeup or people who wear it. I’m just trying to make a point and questioning why we wear makeup. In fact, because of this experiment, I may wear makeup more. Not because I’m insecure, I’m trying to hide my imperfections, or because I do not want to be unique; but, because of this experiment, I was reminded about a quote a wise friend of mine said: “Food can be the most delicious thing in the world. But, if it doesn’t look appetizing on the plate do you think people are going to want to eat it?” Or, something like that :D

   The point is that this experiment has shown me that when I look “nice” I’m more confident. But, it’s not only an outward confidence; I’m God-confident because I know he made me and loves me no matter how I look (in other words I will not be dressing up all the time). And, because I’m more confident, I’m able to make an impact on the world by glorifying God with how I look; while at the same time being modest, and staying true to who I am. Because, I’m not trying to be pretty I want to be beautiful on the inside and out.

   So are you being true to who God made you to be, or are you hiding behind a mask? Are you trying to be pretty or beautiful? Do you have self-confidence or God confidence?

   Psalm 149:14, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Romans 12:2

The Days of Being a Princess and a Knight

   Think back to when you were little. You always wanted to play outside. You imagined that you were a princess or fighting off a dragon. You wanted to know more about the world around you so you asked so many questions. You believed that you could accomplish almost anything. And, you had faith in your family and friends.

   Now look at yourself today. You go through the daily schedule of going to school or work. Then come home to do more work, play with your children, watch television, or just relax. And finally you go to bed then start the same routine the next day. There is not much creativity or excitement in your life.

   So, which would you rather have? Would you rather be a child who has an exciting life and believes in people and dreams; or, would you rather go through the motions every day?

   See, the problem nowadays is that people think that it is wrong to be like a child. I disagree with this idea. Now, I’m not saying that we need to keep the parts where we cannot take care of ourselves, where we whine about everything, act immature, or where we throw so many temper tantrums. What I am saying is that there are certain aspects we need to keep in order to live a joyful life. I mean, think about it.

   When you were a child you were excited whenever you learned something new. Now if you have to learn are you excited about it or do you scoff? I remember when I first went into college. It sounds bad but there were certain classes I was not looking forward to, mostly because I was not remotely interested in what we were learning about. Then, after some soul searching, I realized something. I am privileged to learn about anything; because, God created everything. I should want to get to know more about my creator and His creation.

   Another aspect of childhood we should keep is childlike faith. Children have faith in people because they have to. Now I’m not saying you trust everyone in the world with all of your money, secrets, or life. What I am saying is that we need to love others and give them the benefit of the doubt. As Christians, we are called to love and forgive everyone. That means believing in people and giving them second chances.

   Now I want you to do something that children do a lot: imagine. Imagine if we all looked at our world like children. Would the world be a better place or not? Would we learn more about the world and God? Would people be kinder?  

   So are you going to look at the world like a child, or are you going to keep going through the motions?

   Matthew 18:2-6

"All For One. And One For All"

   "All for one. And one for all!" For those of you that know that is said by the three musketeers, congratulations. When we think of the three musketeers we either think of a candy bar :D or a group of tightly knit friends who save people. They are trying to make their world a better place. It is kind of like what the church is supposed to do, right? 

   However, instead of being the three musketeers, we end up being like the people in The Hunger Games. Fighting each other to survive and only thinking of ourselves. "I am right." "Things need to go my way or I'll leave church." Is this how the church should be?

   At Lancaster Bible College, we need to learn about the history of the church. One major thing we talk about are denominations. What are denominations though, are they important?

Denominations are basically groups of people who have different beliefs; but most, if not all, consider themselves to be Christian. So if we are all Christian shouldn’t we all believe the same things? Shouldn't we all be "all for one and one for all?" I mean, we all get our information from the Bible, right?

   The Bible is where we get our information, but the Bible is not always clear. Yes, it is divinely appointed, but what we need to remember is that we cannot understand everything about God. Our minds are finite and, if we could understand God, then we wouldn’t need to worship Him.

   Anyhow, my point is that Christians focus on fighting with one another over trivial issues. I’m not talking about things that are directly against the Bible, like murder. I’m also not saying that we cannot state our opinions to someone. What I am talking about how we do communion, feet washing, opinions on politics, and so much more. Is this really what we want people to see us doing? Do we want people to see us argue over trivial issues? I’m sure that these arguments will lead so many people to Christ, right?

   Um, NO! We wonder why so many people are lost in this world; and the answer is simple. We have a goal to prove to others that we are right. We argue about when to do communion because this is when we know we should do it. We argue like we are in court trying to win a case. Yes, some cases can be important to the faith; but others are just petty differences. What’s worse is when some Christians try to evangelize to the lost they start arguing with those people. Do you think that arguing will lead the lost to Christ?

   What we should be focusing on, rather than our differences in the church or arguing with the lost, is the great commission. God calls us to reach the lost. True, some people understand facts more than emotional things, so they may be led to God through arguments. But, it will not be arguments where people yell at them. That will just push them away. See God made us all differently. Sometimes we focus too much on the differences and not on the similarities. As far as I know, all Christians believe in Christ and that it is important to reach the lost. So we need to focus on that common goal. We need to use our differences to reach the lost. Because, not all people are going to be reached at the same time, place, or by the same person; and that’s okay.

   So my challenge for you this week is to stop arguing over trivial things with other Christians, if you do that. It will not help change that person’s mind if it is not out of love. I also want you to think about the lost people you know. If you haven’t been able to reach them, don’t press, but try a different tactic. Who knows? You might just make a difference. And, this way, we will be the church community filled with people who are saying "all for one. And one for all." 

   Titus 3:9, John 17:20-26

The Monster Inside

   One of my favorite bands is Skillet. They are a Christian rock group. They sing hard core songs that some people I know aren’t used to; but, normally, when I show those people the lyrics they say they enjoy them.

   One day my family and I were riding to my sister’s soccer game and the song “Monster” came on by Skillet. My sister started rocking out to that song; and, from then on, my dad started to play that song every time we went to one of my sister’s soccer games in order to get her pumped up. It has become one of my favorite songs.

   The song talks about feeling like a monster. How there is a part of you that you keep hidden because you don’t want anyone to know about it. But, eventually, that part of you comes out because you can no longer hide it. The monster is that part of us we don’t like. It is that one sin that we want to get rid of or hide but we cannot. We all have it; but not everyone knows what it is.

   This song really speaks to me personally. Not many people know this about me, because I’m not proud of it, but one of my nicknames is the Hulk. The reason was because when I got angry I used to yell and take my anger out on my family by yelling at them. I knew in my heart that it was wrong to yell at them; but I just couldn’t keep the monster inside. I know that I hurt my family because of the words I said in anger and I am truly sorry for that. But, I don’t regret saying those things because it happened for a reason. If I wouldn’t have realized that what I said in anger was wrong then I may still have that issue today.

   It is true that every once in a while that green monster inside me starts to rear its head. But, now I find more constructive ways to get the anger out; like writing about how I feel or spending time alone. Today I still use the nickname Hulk because it reminds me of what I used to be; and that I don’t want to go back to that.

   We are all sinners; and we all have at least one sin that keeps following us, or is difficult to get rid of. That is the monster inside us. We can try to keep it inside; but eventually it will come out. No matter how hard we try to keep it in. That is why we need to get the antidote for our monster. And, there is only one cure for our sin: faith in Jesus Christ. It is only through his help that we are washed clean of our sins. It is only through him that we can get rid of that one persistent sin. It is in him that we can be free from the monster.

   What is the monster in your life? Have you asked God to help you get rid of it?

   Romans 3:23, James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17

   P.S. Here is the link to the music video of Monster by Skillet: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mjlM_RnsVE

   Here is the link to the lyrics of Monster by Skillet: 

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/skillet/monster.html

Blessings on this Thanksgiving Day

   So it’s thanksgiving! It’s a day where we get to travel to see family who ask us “how is school going?” And, they give us hugs and kisses. It’s a time where we sit down and watch football. And, a time where we think about our blessings. Well thinking about my blessings this year led me to a song called Blessings by Laura Story (lyrics at the bottom).

   The song talks about the things we pray for. Some lyrics are: “We pray for blessings, we pray for peace, Comfort for family, protection while we sleep, We pray for healing, for prosperity, We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.” And, it’s true that a lot of Christians I know pray for those things. Being comfortable is important in our society. We can’t afford to not have a financial plan, can’t afford not to have a house, can’t afford not to have a nice car, and we can’t afford not to have the things we think we need. So, we pray for God to bless us.

   I’m not saying that being comfortable is a bad thing but think about the disciples. When Jesus called them did they ask him to bless them right away? Did they ask him for a house? Did they even think to ask him where they were going to get their next meal? No, these men were willing to trust God to provide for them. True, at times, they forgot to trust God; but they were still willing to follow Jesus even though there were so many uncertainties. And they were able to impact more people because they trusted God.

   So back to the song. Some other lyrics are: “'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops, What if Your healing comes through tears?, What if a thousand sleepless nights, Are what it takes to know You're near?, What if trials of this life, Are Your mercies in disguise?” We don’t know God’s plan for our lives. I’m certain that the disciples were not expecting to do what they did in their lifetime. I mean they were fishermen, tax collectors, and so on. But, because of the work of God, they became so much more. God had a plan for them and he has a plan for us. We just need to trust him.

   Finally, we may be praying for the wrong things. If we focus on praying for things that are to make us comfortable we may miss out on great opportunities to see God at work. It’s true that God doesn’t have to say yes to everything we pray about. But, I’m sure he would love for us to say that we trust him to provide for out needs. So, rather than praying for that promotion at work or a good grade on a test, why can’t we say “let your will be done?” Because either way God’s will will be done, but in saying this one little thing we are saying to God “I trust you.”

   So will you trust God to provide for you? Will you be thankful for whatever God has given you? Will you be willing to forgo comfort in order to make an impact on others?

    http://www.songlyrics.com/laura-story/blessings-lyrics/ 

Whatever Happened to Thanksgiving?!

   So, can I just say that I am a little ticked off? I don’t tend to get ticked off that often, I may get annoyed but I feel like that is a different thing. Why am I ticked off? It’s because of Christmas.

   I know what you’re thinking, why is a Christian ticked off because of Christmas? It’s because of the fact that Christmas has begun to overshadow Thanksgiving. There are Christmas advertisements up already, Christmas songs playing on the radio, and Christmas decorations being hung up. Worst of all some stores are opening up on Thanksgiving at 6 pm. Hello people! There’s a red flag there already! Because stores are opening up on Thursday (Thanksgiving), the American culture is basically saying that what we have is not good enough. I realize that it is good for the economy and that the stores make a lot of money on Black Friday; but it’s call Black Friday for a reason, it’s not called Black Thursday.

   Now back to the Christmas songs and decorations. I realize that Christmas should be every day because we need to have good will toward everyone; and because we should be thanking God for his gift every day. However, as I stated in last year’s Christmas post  Christmas has become the season of getting. People are much too busy thinking about what they don’t have rather than what they do have.

   So, now you know why I’m ticked off. It’s like Thanksgiving doesn’t even exist anymore. We are told, in the American culture, that we don’t have enough. We need to have our own house, a few good cars, a dog, two children, and so on. And yet, we also celebrate Thanksgiving which is a national holiday. So, what do we have to be thankful for when we are told nothing we have, nothing we do, and nothing that we are is good enough?

   What can we do in our culture? We cannot fall into the trap of the American dream. We can remember what Christmas is really about. And, we can be thankful for what we do have. When people look at us they need to see that we are thankful for what we have. They need to see that we trust God to provide for our needs. They need to see that we are different, that we are set apart. That way they will wonder “what does she have that I don’t have?” Or, “why is he so content with what he has?”

   Once again, to clarify, I do love Christmas. I love Christmas time; and how people try to be kind and bring peace on earth. I love the decorations, the songs, and spending time with family. But, I think it’s important to remember the real reason for the season. I think we also need to remember that Thanksgiving still exists. We need to be Thankful for what we have, for what God has given us.

   I encourage you to think about how you have been viewing Thanksgiving this year. Have you been already getting into the Christmas season, thinking about plans and what you want/need to get for others? Or, have you been thinking about how thankful you are to have a home, family, food to eat, clothes to wear, and so on?

"DON'T DO IT"

   Did you ever hear one of your parents say “don’t do…” I know that I have. Funny thing though, every time I heard them say to not do something it just made me want to do it more. But, did you ever think about why you wanted to do what they told you not to do? Personally I blame two things: curiosity and temptation.

   When you tell a 2-3 year old to do something their typical answer is: why? Kids are generally curious. They want to know why they need to do certain things and why they are not to do other things. That is probably why someone came up with the phrase “curiosity killed the cat.” Curiosity can be a great thing because it helps us learn about our world. However, sometimes curiosity can lead to bad things.

   Temptation is the other problem in this “don’t do” situation. We usually want to do what we are told not to do. Why is this? Well it goes the whole way back to creation. Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge. She knew she should not eat the fruit, but the temptation was just so great. At times I am tempted to think that I would not fall into that temptation; but, I cannot actually know that. I mean we cannot actually know in that exact situation. However, I do know that I have been tempted in other instances.

   The one situation that I remember the most is when my mom was baking cookies. They smelled so good and I went to touch one. Mom said I should not do that. So I did not touch the cookies but I went over to the pan. There was still a bit of cookie in the one area, so I decided I would pick that piece up (side note: technically I was still listening to my mom because I didn’t touch the cookie. I touched part of a cookie. You’ve gotta love loopholes). As I was grabbing the piece I didn’t understand why mom said: “don’t touch the cookie.” Well I learned. I left my finger on the pan too long and let’s just say there was a lot of screaming afterwards.
   One of the best parts about this situation was that, even though mom sort of told me not to touch the cookie/pan, after she heard me scream she came running over to help me. It didn't matter that I kind of disobeyed her. At that point, she just wanted to help me. Of course, later on I did get the lecture on did you learn your lesson? But, God also does that for us. When we are tempted, and we fail, we may feel like we need help. God gives us the help we need. If we ask, He is willing to forgive us.

   So basically, all that to say, curiosity can be a great thing if we use it as a learning experience. And, temptation is something that we are going to have to deal with in life. The question is: the next time you are tempted will you walk away or will you get burned? The choice is yours. 

   1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 5:8, James 1:12, Genesis 3