Decorating Your Cell

    There are many times of the year where you enjoy decorating. During Christmas, during the Fourth of July, for spring, for fall, sometimes for Halloween, for almost any party, etc. People will decorate their homes, offices, cars, and much more to get the ambience just right for the celebration. It kind of puts you in a festive mood. It builds anticipation.

   Well, while all those decorations and the places you put them are fun, I’m willing to bet you probably have never thought of decorating one place: a jail cell. Woah! We just went from fun and fancy to dark and dreary. Why would I even bring up decorating a place like that? Isn’t that where criminals go?

   Now I don’t know if criminals do decorate their cells for real or not. But I’m talking about how some of us have a spiritual jail cell. Some of us choose to continue to live in sin. We all face temptations. Some of us choose to give in to those temptations. We choose to enter the cell of sin. I don’t know what temptations you have faced. I don’t know if you gave into them or not. What I do know is if we begin decorating our sin cell, we are in bad shape.

   See, usually, if someone is decorating a place, they are claiming ownership of it. They are planning on staying there for some time. Thus, they want it to be nice, homey, and a place they and others will feel comfortable in. Why in the world would we want to feel comfortable in sin? I realize that it may feel good for a bit but that source of dopamine, whatever it is, will wear off. And you will be back looking for your next fix sooner rather than later.

   People who are decorating their cells have admitted defeat. But you don’t have to. You can give up that sin. You can leave and decorate the home God has given you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Even if you have given into temptation. Even if you feel like there’s no hope, there is! God provided us with a way of escape. He sent his Son to die for us, to be the perfect sacrifice, so we could have a way of escape. It’s our choice whether we stay in the cell or not.

   So, are you in a cell decorating away right now? How can you escape the cell if you are in one? How can you refuse to enter the cell when it is presented to you?

https://youtu.be/TcP_GBnoeS4

Stop Running

 Breath coming in and out,

So fast you want to shout.

Heart beating in your chest,

You wish you could slow down and rest.

You can't pause or even slow,

If you do, they will catch you, you know.

Glance behind,

They are getting closer, back to the grind.

Sweat pouring down your face.

Fear you will never win this race.

A voice tells you to stop,

Then suddenly you drop.

The darkness of your sin surrounds,

There's no way to drown out the sound.

Liar, thief, prideful the whispers say.

Crumbling beneath them they ruin your day.

PEACE! BE STILL,

A different voice says, and you feel you can climb any hill.

Through the tears,

You see a mirror with all your fears.

They scare you and you can't get them out of your head,

THIS IS NOT YOU, HAVEN'T YOU HEARD WHAT I SAID?

A man wipes them clean,

This is amazing, is this a dream?

The man kneels to you,

YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU GO THROUGH.

YOU ARE MINE,

I'VE LOVED YOU SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.

How can he love someone so unclean and filled with sin?

It feels like someone blew up a balloon for you and you are just waiting for someone to pop it with a pin.

YOU ARE MY SIBLING, YOU ARE GOD'S CHILD, YOU ARE LOVED.

DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES, BELIEVE THE TRUTH THAT IS SENT FROM ABOVE.

LOOK IN THE MIRROR, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I SEE?

I SEE SOMEONE I DIED FOR, SOMEONE I CREATED, SOMEONE I LOVE, I SEE ME.

If you were to look in that mirror, what would you see?

https://youtu.be/0KUzZyEr3cA?si=TDRlx2PWvujINiOR

Better Than What You Are

   I am a soccer player. I've played every position on the field. When I was a junior in high school I decided to try to become a better goalkeeper. In order to do that, I sat on the couch all day watching TV.... just checking to make sure you are still with me.
   When I became a keeper I had to work hard to get my body in shape, learn how to dive, how to catch the ball, when to come out to get the ball, and so much more. If I didn't work at it I wouldn't have been starting goalie at LBC for 4 years, I wouldn't have broken LBC's shutout record, and I wouldn't have become a better person and coach.
   What would've happened if I didn't work hard at being a goalie? I wouldn't have made an impact on LBC's soccer team, I wouldn't have become a keeper, and I wouldn't have become a better person.
   In the movie Kung Fu Panda 3 Master Shifu has a conversation with his apprentice, Po. Shifu: "If you only do what you can do, you'll never be better than what you are." Po: "But I like who I am!" Shifu: "You don't even know who you are."
   "If you only do what you can do, you'll never be better than what you are." If we stay stagnant, if we don't try to improve, then we will never get better. If you don't try to learn how to cook, you'll burn your food. If you don't try to learn how to drive, the you'll crash your car. If you don't try to grow in God, then God will not be able to use you for his glory.
   1 Corinthians 10:31 says: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." God gives us many gifts. He wants to be able to use us in his story. He wants us to be able to grow in him. Why does he want that?
   Po said he likes who he is. Shifu replied "you don't even know who you are." Who are you? You are a child of God (John.1.12). If you have accepted Christ as your savior then you are a child of God. Jesus walks with you and wants to help you grow in him. Now that you know that/have been reminded of that will you try to grow in him? Will you work hard for his glory? How can you work hard for him today?

   Image from here. 

Keep Improving: Soccer Lessons

"Keep improving and moving forward."

   One of the worst things a player that I coach can do, in my book, is to not improve. As a coach, I cater many of the drills I do in practice based off of our last game and what we need to work on the most. I also talk with my players about what areas they need to improve in and how they can improve in them. The players I coach are given everything they need in order to improve.

   The beginning of each season is usually rough. The players are working on their own individual weaknesses and working on their weaknesses as a team. That makes it difficult to win games. Thus, we don't usually win many games at the beginning of the season (JV team). However, if the girls apply themselves normally by the end of the season we are winning games. Or, if we aren't winning we are improving against teams we replay. That's what I care about. If we are not improving year by year, what was the point of playing?

   In life we also have strengths and weaknesses. We choose if we want to improve in them or not. We are also to grow in God. 2 Peter 3:18 says: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." To grow in God you need to pray, get into his word, and spend time with him. If you do those things you will grow, improve, and keep moving forward.

   So, do you try to improve and keep moving forward? What can you do to work on improving your weaknesses? How can you grow in God today?

   Image from here.

How Good Do You Want to Be? Soccer Lessons

"Its not how good you are it's how good you want to be" (Paul Arden).

   The first quote I ever used as a season quote for my team was: "Its not how good you are it's how good you want to be" (Paul Arden). This quote is all about effort and growth. At first, my girls did not understand it but by the end of the season they heard it loud and clear.

   Sometimes it is hard to push yourself. You may have been doing the same thing for so long you don't feel like doing it anymore; or, doing it to the best of your ability. You may be feeling sick and not up to doing your best. Or, you could just be exhausted and not feel like doing anything.

   During our 2 month season the girls faced a lot of these things. It is taxing on the body to play soccer 5-6 days a week for 2 months. The girls got tired and sick. I told them that they just needed to do their best on that day to improve. If they gave anything less than their best they were not only hurting themselves but their team.

   The girls knew to work hard to become better every day. I have had some girls on my teams stay after practice to ask me what they can do to improve. Or, they would take it upon themselves to practice by themselves after practice. These girls were following the quote.

   In life, we have choices every day. We can choose to work hard to get better every day or we can stay stagnant. If your goal in life is to become CEO of a company but you don't put the work in to become smarter in the jobs in that company then you probably won't become a CEO. If your goal in life is to be the best parent you can be but you don't spend time with your own child you won't be the best parent you can be.

   We must take steps to become the best we can be. That means working hard no matter what. That means growing in knowledge of what we want to be the best in. That means caring about those around us because if we get better we can make others better.

   This quote also embodies what God calls us to do. In Colossians 3:23-24 it says: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." We are called to do our best, not just to improve ourselves and others, because God calls us to do our best for him. If you are folding laundry you aren't just doing it for yourself or you family, you are folding laundry for God. If you are working on a big project you aren't just doing that for yourself or you co-workers, you are doing that project for God. God wants our best. If we don't give it we won't grow in him.

   So, are you choosing to stay stagnant because you are not giving your best? How good do you want to be? Are you giving your best to God?

   Image from here.

Into the Unknown: Frozen 2

   "Everyone I've ever loved is here within these walls, I'm sorry, secret siren, but I'm blocking out your calls, I've had my adventure, I don't need something new, I'm afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you, Into the unknown"
   As stated in "Some Things Never Change" almost everything changes in life. We are constantly moving forward and growing. We may try to stop because we like where we are at; but, like Jonah, if we are meant to do something God has a way of influencing us to get our jobs done.
   In Frozen 2 Elsa is hearing a voice. That voice is calling her to another adventure. Elsa is conflicted. She likes where she is at now. She has her family, she is queen, and her powers are under control. However, she still wants to know what the voice is. She wants to know why it is calling her and where it wants her to go.
   Like Elsa, we may feel conflicted with the future. We may like where we are at; but, we also wonder what things may be like if we choose a certain path. The unknown is scary. Things could go really bad, or they could go really well. That's why the unknown is so scary.
   The thing is, we will face the unknown in our lives. But, we have someone who walks with us. We have someone who knows us and the future. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "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." God asks us to trust him when we face the unknown. If we submit to his will we will be able to face the unknown. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it. God loves us and he wants what is good for us. That's why he asks us to trust him.
   So, how do you feel about the unknown? Will you trust God when you face the unknown?

Image from here.

Some Things Never Change: Frozen 2

   "That's why I rely on certain certainties, Yes, some things never change, Like the feel of your hand in mine, Some things stay the same" (Some Things Never Change, Frozen 2)
   There are very few things that don't change in life. People grow up, families grow bigger, people gain new perspectives, jobs change, homes change, places change, and you get the idea. Really, there's not much that doesn't change.
   In the Bible Solomon, the king who asked God for wisdom, writes in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

   These verses state many things that do change. It is difficult to deal with change. We tend to be creatures of habit. We like routine. We like it when things stay the same. However, that doesn't happen. Without change, there can be no growth. Without change there are no seasons, holidays, relationships, etc. Change is vital to life, even if it is difficult.

   Now, with all that being said, there is one thing, one person, that doesn't change. Hebrews 13:8 says: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." God's love for us doesn't change. God loved us enough to send his son to die for us so that we could have a relationship with him. He walks with us and helps us grow in seasons of change. That's why, when things do change, we can be confident that we have someone who walks with us.
   So, why can you be confident in seasons of change? Will you choose to walk with God no matter what?

Image from here.

Mary Did You Know?

   Imagine you were minding your own business, you know doing your chores during the day, and then suddenly you see a man in white. Then you realize it's not a man it's an angel. What would you do? That's the question I asked myself because I was visited by an angel one day. My name is Mary.
   Of course, you can imagine I was so frightened. It's not every day you have an angel come to you and say, "Greetings, to you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Luke.1.28). I had no idea what this angel wanted with me. But he said, "Do not be afraid...You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus" (Luke.1.30-31). Needless to say I was shocked because I wasn't married yet. The angel reassured me that the Holy Spirit would be upon me and the child would be the son of God. Well, who was I to get in the way of God's plan? I am his servant after all.
   Now, I knew that soon I would start to show that I was pregnant so I went to see my cousin, Elizabeth. She was also with child and when she saw me she exclaimed that I was blessed for believing that I would have God's son. I was reassured and filled with joy that I was carrying God's son. I sang a song of praise to my Lord because he was bringing about his perfect plan.
   A while later I went home and told Joseph, my betrothed, everything that happened. He was amazed and frightened. He knew that I was pregnant, it was hard to miss. Joseph said he wanted to call off the marriage quietly. I was heartbroken. I wondered how this could be part of God's plan. Would I need to raise this child on my own? Many questions ran through my mind but I knew God's plan would come about. This child would be born one way or another and he would save us all. Joseph came back to me one day and said he was visited by an angel too. He said he wanted to go through with the wedding (Mat.1.18-25). I was relieved; I wouldn't have to go through this alone. For a time, I thought that we had gotten over our biggest mountain so to say. Boy, was I wrong.

   Caesar Augustus was the ruler of our land. He called for a census. Joseph told me we would have to travel to Bethlehem for it. I could see the worry in his eyes. I was very pregnant at the time. I was also scared but I knew this was part of God's plan. We packed up and left. The road was hard, and painful, but I just kept saying to myself that God's plan would come about.
   We reached Bethlehem and the place was packed! I could hardly step anywhere without accidentally bumping into someone. Then I realized that the baby was coming. You should have seen Joseph's face. He went running about from inn to inn looking for a place for me and the baby. But, there was not any space left. Finally, we found a small space meant for animals. Joseph said this is not the place for the son of God to be born. But, I said, "this baby is coming now!" I can't remember ever being in so much pain.
   Then, in one moment the pain stopped. I saw the child, the son of God, look up at me. He was so precious. His eyes were so loving and I thought I could see power in this child. I carefully wrapped him in cloth and I laid the son of God in a manger, no less.
   I watch the child with wonder. Then I looked up and saw some shepherds come to us. They told me that angels had told them to find a baby in a manger. That baby is Christ, the Lord. They bowed down and worshiped Jesus. I could hardly speak, much less comprehend why these things happened this way. The shepherds left and I could hear them praising God all the way. It was an amazing journey, that was just beginning.
   Did I know what would happen next? No, but I knew this child would do great things. I was just honored to be a small part of his story.
   Do you trust in God's plan when the road is hard? Do you believe that Christ did great things and God is still doing great things?
   Mary Did You Know-Pentatonix song.

   Image from here. 

Kids These Days

   "Kids these days are so lazy." "Kids don't know how to do anything they will need for life." "Back in my day we went outside at sunrise and were not back till sunset. We fell down and were fine." "Millennials need to have their phones. It's like their phone is another appendage." These are just a few quotes I have heard people say about kids and Millennials today.

   I have heard it all I tell you. I've heard that Millennials are lazy, don't care about issues, don't know how to have human interactions, are addicted to tech, and the list goes on and on. You know why I have heard this? First off I am a teacher... it's kind of my job to listen and talk about kids. Second I am a Millennial. I get lumped into this group of "lazy, uncaring, tech teens." And, believe it or not, I do see some of what people are saying about Millennials. But, what bugs me is when people think this is true of all Millennials, or they don't look at the good Millennials do.
   Millennials have the power to be amazing. We can impact the world more than any generation before us (that's not a knock on past generations; we will get to why we have that impact).
   Here is a list of good I have found in Millennials:

   1. We work behind the scenes. Believe it or not, some Millennials have character. Some of us don't like to be in the spotlight. We know how to work hard for something we believe in. You just don't see it... or maybe you were not looking...
   2. We use tech to better the world. What are you reading right now? A blog. This blog is probably on a computer, tablet, or phone. This blog has been alive for 3 years now. This blog has had over 7,000 views. This blog has reached people in Russia, Africa, England, the Caribbean, India, and so many more places! If just this one blog can do that imagine all the other blogs, websites, Facebook pages, Instagrams, twitters, etc. That have the power to reach the lost! It's true that this can be used for bad reasons but good can be done by using technology!
   3. We stand up for what we believe in. This can seem bad if you know we are talking about things that are against God. But, there are Christian Millennials out there. We stand up in an oppressed world and use our voice for God. Meanwhile we have older generations saying we are lazy and don't do anything for others? How do you think this makes us feel? Please stop lumping all Millennials together!
   So what's the point of all this? First off it is to make you realize you cannot lump one generation into a little box. Not everyone is like the kids you think about when you heard about Millennials. Second it is to make you see the good that Millennials can do. Finally it is to make you realize that you can have an impact on this generation.

   This generation is so used to being ragged on. That is why we get so defensive to attacks. Well, what if instead of attacking us you came alongside us? What if you chose to listen to us? I will tell you that Millennials can be some of the smartest people you may ever talk to. We have ideas and we are willing to share our ideas as long as we don't feel attacked. If we feel attacked you will still hear our ideas but in a probably not nice way.
   Also, we are looking for something to stand up for. We look for causes and are very loyal to the causes we choose. But, when we don't have people to guide us and help us with those causes we turn to bad causes. Millennials need guides. We don't need drill Sergeants  who demand that we do things, there is a difference. Guides give suggestions and then help us in the path we choose. Sergeants tell us to do things... which, to Millennials, sounds a lot like an attack.
   Bottom line: you help us and we will help you. If you are loyal to us we will be loyal to you. Rather than attacking us why don't we band together and make a real impact on the world for Jesus like we are called to do?
   So, do you lump all Millennials together? How can you help Millennials now that you know how to? Will you choose to change how you deal with the younger generation? If you are a Millennial, will you choose a cause that will make a difference? Will you be the change you want to see in the world?

   Philippians 2:4, 1 John 3:17, John 16:33

   Image found here.

Holding Grudges

   Have you ever made a promise you didn't keep? Did anyone ever break a promise to you? It doesn't matter if it is a small promise or a big one, when a promise is broken so is trust. Many times people remember when someone does not keep a promise. But as Christians what are we called to do?

   We are called to forgive those who wrong us. But many times we have a grudge against the person who broke the promise. Sometimes we try to forget those broken promises but we keep it in the back of our mind what that person did.
   When we hold grudges like that it is like a filing cabinet. Way back, at my church, a little skit was put on. An old lady came walking down the aisle with a huge filing cabinet. She interacted with the pastor and we found out that this lady had kept a record of everyone who ever wronged her. She kept holding grudges against those people because she didn't want to get burned.
   Imagine if you were to keep a record of all the wrongs anyone has committed against you. How big would your filing cabinet be? I don't know about you but I wouldn't want to carry that cabinet around. In fact, carrying that around doesn't do any good. It doesn't keep those who wronged us in chains, it just keeps us in chains. We are the one who carries around the anger, resentment, and hate. Meanwhile that person who wronged us may not even know what he did.
   Instead of having a huge filing cabinet what we need to have just one page in a file folder that says: Jesus' love paid it all. And has the words of Ephesians 4:31-31.
   So do you carry around a filing cabinet? What can you do to get rid of those grudges? Will you choose to remember that all is forgiven in Jesus?

   Mark 11:25, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:21-22
   Image from here. 

What God can Do with Your Flower Pot?

Picture a pot,
What is missing in it, is a lot.
There isn't a sign,
Of dirt worth a dime.
In the pot is a flower,
That doesn't look like it has much power.
What can God do with that?

Picture a pot,
That does have a lot.
The dirt is overflowing,
So much so, it could do with some mowing.
In this pot there are many plants
They look like they could just dance.
What can God do with this flower pot?

God is so awesome,
He can make everything blossom.
If a pot is filled with void,
Should it be destroyed?
If a pot has a lot,
It can still turn to rot.
What should God do with these flower pots?

   We were made by an awesome God. We were created with certain abilities, thoughts, and desires. Every person has a void in them when they are born. We try to fill that void in many ways whether that be food, TV, drugs, or sex. We look for happiness on this earth but we cannot find it. We are born like the empty pot that isn't flourishing at all.
   Sometimes people are alright with filling their flower pot with the nothingness of this world. They make choices to fill their flower pot with food, tv, drugs, etc. They think they know what is best for them. It is their way or the highway. It is look out for number one. It is I am holier than you.
God can't do much with either of these flower pots until the flower pot realizes that it needs someone to take care of it. For the empty pot, God can fill it up with his love, mercy, and grace. He can help the flower in that pot grow and flourish until it seems like the pot will burst.
   For the full flower pot, God can tame the wild flower in that pot. He can take out all of the bad weeds that have grown there like food, money, drugs, etc. He can take away some of the dirt that says I know better than others. He can make that person realize that, that person's ideas that are incorrect and clean up that person's sins. Once that happens, the flower in the pot can also grow and flourish until it seems like the pot will burst.
   Now, you may be saying what will happen to the pot if the flower gets too big because the person grows with God a lot. Well, God is a great gardener. He knows what is best for each plant in his garden. If a plant gets to the point where it needs to be moved in order to grow more, God can move that plant to a new pot or a garden. He has an amazing plan for each of us, we just need to be humble and willing enough to say "God, let your will be done."
   So, will you be a person who has a void in your heart, always searching for a way to fill the void? Will you be the person who thinks you know it all and make the choice to follow your own selfish desires? Or, will you be the person who says "I will follow you God, no matter where you take me?"

   Luke 10:27, 2 Peter 3:18, Ecclesiastes 3:1
   Image from here.

A Birthday Reminder

I'm turning ten,
Will fifth grade ever end?
I'm ready to go to middle school,
And look super cool.

Now I'm 14,
And middle school ain't so keen.
People don't like me and I don't fit in,
Because I choose not to sin.
Maybe high school will be different?

Here comes age 18,
I am excited for college I just hope people aren't mean.
Graduation here I come,
Then I'll be free to go anywhere I want to run!

I don't know about you but I'm feelin’ 22,
I cannot believe how much I grew.
From college is where I'm graduating,
Now I'll be thrown into the world's center ring.

Finally I've turned 24,
But I don't really feel like I can score.
I miss life when I was young,
But I have to remember God keeps calling me to run.

No matter where I go,
You are always with me, this I know.
So I will push on,
Even if everything seems to be going wrong.

Keep running the race,

Because you are covered in his grace!

   Will you choose to be thankful for the time you have on earth and what God has given you? Will you try to grow and learn as much as you can? Will you run the race no matter what challenges are ahead?
   1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1, 1 Peter 2:1-25
   Image from here.

A Tale of Change: Lessons from Beauty and the Beast

   “One winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away, but she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within” (Beauty and the Beast).

   The opening lines in Beauty and the Beast are probably some of the most powerful lines in the whole movie. It sets up the rest of the movie and reveals what the moral of the story will be. The whole movie is about not judging a book by its cover, and if you know Belle you know she loves books. What a coincidence right?

   Anyhow, there are other lessons we can learn from each of the characters in the movie; but let’s just stick to the main characters, shall we?

   From the very beginning of the movie we find out that Belle is considered odd. People do not like her new ways of reading and thinking. During the rest of the musical Belle learns to stand up for what she believes in. She chooses to be happy for how unique she is. God made us all unique and special. We should be thankful for how we are made and stand up for what we believe in (Psalm 139:14).

   Another lesson we learn from Belle is forgiveness. Imagine being Belle when she offers herself in exchange for her father, talk about self-sacrifice! She could have chosen to hold on to her anger toward the Beast. He took her away from her home and family. Doesn’t she have a right to be angry? Not according to God. He has forgiven us for our sins before we committed them. Thus, why we are called to forgive others (Ephesians 4:32).

   Next we have the Beast. He is a grumpy, selfish, angry man from the beginning of the movie. He is stubborn and set in his ways. If Belle is considered the kind, retriever like, push over then Beast is the opposite of that. You can only guess how the rest of the musical goes, opposites attract ;) Beast did not care for anyone but himself. He threw a pity party every day and refused to let go of his anger. He directed his anger at others but he was truly angry at himself. The lesson here is to let go of the anger we have from the past. It is the only way we can look forward to the future (Philippians 3:13-14).

   Beast did not stay that way. He chose to turn from his old ways of being selfish and angry. Beast in essence repented. He turned away from his old life and found a new life. The only way he did that was by loving others. We can also turn away from the old and show love to others (Acts 3:19).

   Finally, a lesson we can learn from the whole movie is change. Change is not easy. It means we need to let go of what we are used to. That means we need to let go of our old lives, old places, or people. But, without change there can be no growth. God gives us opportunities to change and grow in him, we just have to be willing to change for the better (Philippians 4:6-7).

   So, will you choose to be uniquely you and not care what others think? Will you forgive those who wrong you? Will you turn away from sins? Will you change and grow in God?

   P.S. Donegal High School is putting on the musical Beauty and the Beast this weekend. If you have time, I encourage you to check it out. It is a really amazing show!

Mountains of Change

   Eric Matthews: “There’s going to be a lot of changes in your life, Cory. It’s not the changes that matter, it’s how you react to the changes. I mean, that’s what makes you who you are” (Boy Meets World). (Link to Youtube video here check out 14:44-17:22 in the video)

   There is a season of change coming up for many people. School is about to start for kids and for college students, parents have to get used to their children going back to school or leaving for college, and everyone needs to get out of the summer vacation mindset.

   I do not know what your season of change holds. Maybe you season is not changing as much as some other peoples’. However, at some point in your life things will change. I know for myself, I have a big season of change coming up. I will be teaching, substituting, and coaching this fall. It is a scary/exciting thought. I want to do my best but I am not sure I can handle it. Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel like you have a huge mountain in front of you that looks like it is impossible to climb?

   In life we go through a series of mountains and valleys. It feels great when we are going down the mountain and start walking across the valley because we are comfortable. We have been in a specific season for a while and we are used to our schedule. However, then we see the next mountain we need to climb and we get scared. Sometimes, we may even try to go around the mountain. However, if you have ever seen a mountain range, you know that typically mountain ranges are huge. We can try to delay the inevitable but if God is calling us to climb the mountain we will one way or another.

   Change is scary, which is why many people avoid it. However, if we do not change, we do not grow. If we do not change, we are never going to be the best we can be. If we do not change, we are not helping others. If we do not change, we will not learn more about God.

God wants us to be our best. That is why we need to change and grow. We may think the mountain is so high that we will never reach the top. Eric in Boy Meets World makes a great point. He says it is how you react to the changes that make you who you are.

   We can choose to climb the mountain with a negative attitude. We can complain, kick, scream, crawl, etc. As Christians, is that the way we should approach life? Should we kick and scream like a child? No! We should walk with God and trust him. We need to look at the mountain with confidence and say I can do this. I’m not saying that as we are climbing it will be easy. In the hard times, we need to remember that Jesus walks with us. He may have to carry us, or even drag us, sometimes; but, we still need to walk with him and have a good outlook while we are walking. That way other people will look at us and see how different we are. That is how we will spread the Gospel to the lost world.

   So, will you choose to trust God in your season of change? Will you have a good outlook as you are climbing your mountain? Will you walk with Jesus no matter what?

   Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 12:1-2

Growing into Who You Are Meant to Be

   If you have not noticed by now I have certain themes I enjoy writing about. A few of them are children, change, identity, and growth. The reason why I enjoy writing about these is because they have made a major impact in my life. As well as the fact that I feel like it is important for people to continue to grow in these areas.

   While at Lancaster Bible College, I took a philosophy class. In that class we discussed identity. The professor refuted ideas that identity is found in the body, mind, and brain because those things are always changing. Thus, if those represent your identity then your identity is always changing. He then said your core identity is found in your soul. I agree that our identity is found in our soul. It is the belief at our core that says we are children of God.

   Our identity is consistent throughout our lives. But, we change and grow as we are called to do (Colossians 1:9-10). There is an Alice in Wonderland quote that says: “I knew who I was this morning but I’ve changed a few times since then.” Most of the time when we hear the word “change” it makes us nervous.  Because it means that our consistency is gone and that we need to get out of our comfort zone. And yet, we are called to change and grow.

   The Alice quote embodies this idea perfectly. I know I have gone through many ups and downs in my life. But, those challenges and experiences have shaped me into who I am today. You may have known me when I was in high school but I have grown and changed since then. You may have even seen me yesterday but I have even changed since then. Every day we gain new experiences that teach us things, if we allow them to. We should always try to grow and change for the better.

   So, are you trying to grow/change for the better? Do you realize that people you knew years ago may have changed for the better?

   John 1:12, Philippians 4:6-7, Proverbs 3:5-6

A Birthday Reflection

   There are many times I reflect on what has happened in my life. Some specific times are when the New Year rolls around and when my birthday comes. Since today is my birthday I decided to look back on my life and see how much has changed.

   Through the past year I have had many ups and downs. However, this year, I decided to lean on God rather than worry. Because I did that, I learned different lessons about different times in life.

   Last year, during the summer I decided to go on a friendship fast. This helped me learn how to have God as my best friend. I also learned how to trust in him and have peace in him. If you are at a point in your life where you are moving on to a different chapter in life and you may lose some friends. My suggestion to you would be to learn how to have God as your bff. This means spending time with him daily and talking with him anytime you want to because he is there for you.

   In fall I made the decision to play soccer one more time. During that time I also had student teaching toward the end of my soccer season. While in soccer, I had some times that I was free. In that free time I decided to meet with all of my teammates to get to know them more. That made a huge difference on and off the field. If you are at a time in your life where you are at a certain work place, college, or you are just used to doing something more than someone else is you can come alongside that person or people and mentor them. I wanted the new players on the team to have a good time and to grow. That is what we all can do to help others.

   In winter I graduated and had student teaching. This was a scary time for me because I was leaving a place that I had been at for so long. If you are about to leave a place you have been at for a while my advice to you is to enjoy the time you have there for as long as you can. Once that time is gone, you cannot get it back.

   In Spring I began to substitute at various schools. This was also a scary time for me because I did not know the schools, children, discipline codes, or teachers. I am thankful for this job but it is not an easy one. This lesson comes in the form of past lessons I have learned. 1. Look for the positive in everything. And 2. Get out of your comfort zone. If you are entering a new place or job look for the positive in everything because if you do not you may be wondering why you chose this job. Also, you need to learn that there are times you need to get out of your comfort zone and trust in God.

   So, as you can see it is not easy to always trust in God but that is what you need to do when you reach these points in life. Are you willing to trust God in everything? Will you look for the positive no matter what?

   Proverbs 3:5-6, Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 27:17