Best Day of My Life

   A few years ago there was a song that came out called Best Day of My Life by American Authors. It wasn't until the movie Mom's Night Out that suddenly my Mom was obsessed with this song. We are talking when it would come on the radio she would turn up the volume, which she never does that usually, and sing and dance. I found it quite interesting that no matter how bad her day was so far she would sing. The song automatically brightened her day. I also found it interesting that the song plays at the end of the movie Mom's Night Out when a bunch of bad things just happened before that. But, that's part of the message I guess.
   Anyhow, this song got me thinking about the best day of my life. I couldn't think of one day. I could think of the best time of my life though: college. In college I had good friends, a safe place to learn, a place to grow in God, I got to play soccer, and so much more.
   Then, after thinking this, I suddenly felt convicted. I remembered that each day is a gift from God. It doesn't matter if I just relax that day, or if I am teaching that day. The day is a gift. I don't have to wake up in the morning. If my time was over on the earth I could've died in my sleep. But, each day, I wake up for a reason. I should want to make each day the best day of my life.
   How can I make each day the best day of my life? I can do what God calls me to do that day. I can spend time with him to try to grow in him. I can try to help others, who cross my path, grow in God. I can let my light shine for him in all I do. I can thank God for the good and the bad that happened that day because I know it happened for a reason.
   Maybe that's why the song Best Day of My Life plays at the end of Mom's Night Out: because it was a good day no matter what happened, since God gave it to them as a gift.
   So, are you busy living in the past thinking about other really good days? Will you choose to thank God for the gift of this day you received from him? What can you do to make this day the best day of your life?
   Proverbs 27:1, Ephesians 5:15-17

   Image from here. 

More than Conquerors

   I like challenges. Actually, let me rephrase that, I like challenges I can beat. When I come upon a challenge, I make sure I can beat it; or, if I can't, I work hard to beat it eventually. I am very athletic and competitive. I like to play sports and win. I also like to beat challenges at work (wherever I am working). But, like many of you I'm sure, I don't like failing challenges.

   I play video games, not gory video games. I like to win and beat the game, but it's not always easy. Just like all my other challenges, I have to work to beat it. But, the problem is I don't always have the skill to beat them.
   Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like you don't have the skill to beat challenges you are given? Maybe you have a long to do list that you feel like you will never get done. Maybe you know someone doesn't like you and you keep trying to get that person to like you but it's not working. Or, maybe you have a sin that you keep going back to that you cannot defeat.

   Have you ever given up on a challenge you couldn't defeat? I'm sure that we all have. Have you ever given up trying to stop sinning? I hope you have not. I know many of us have sins that we feel get the better of us. We may even feel like Satan is on our back making us go back to that sin. He's not, but the temptation may make it seem that way. How can we defeat someone who is so strong?
   We cannot defeat Satan. But, there is someone who already defeated him: Jesus. Jesus defeated Satan. In fact, it wasn't even a challenge for Jesus. He crushed Satan under his foot like Satan was an ant. Therefore, if we have Jesus in us, we are more than conquerors (Rom.8.31-39).
   It is like Jesus gives us a power up that makes us invincible. We may die on earth but we have eternal life because Jesus paid it all. He took away all of our sins. That doesn't mean he took away all of our challenges. We still face challenges; but, during those challenges, we can have peace because we know the war is already won.
   So, when you face hard challenges what will you do? Will you choose to trust in Jesus? Do you believe that you are more than a conqueror through Jesus?

   Roman's 8:31-39, James 2:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

   Image from here. 

Who Is My Valentine?

I have a secret Valentine,
Because of Him I can let my light shine.
He cares so much for me,
Which should make me want to squeal with glee.
But I have betrayed my love,
Because instead of holding on I decided to shove.
I chose not to follow him, in my young age,
But I did not realize I was making my own cage, that should have filled Him with rage.
Instead of turning His back,
He chose to carry my betrayal like a sack.
He showed me the greatest love,
By coming down like a dove.
He chose to die for me,
So I could be set free!
No longer am I a slave,
Because he saved me from the grave!
He did it because he loves me,
And when I discovered this I got down on my knees.
I realized that there is no greater form of love
Than what my secret valentine did when push come to shove.
He did not only for me but for all of you,
He died for you so you could be with him too.
The only question there is left for you,
Is: will you choose to follow my secret valentine too?

   Do you realize that Jesus showed the greatest form of love? Did you know you can choose to have him as your Valentine? But when you choose to have him as your Valentine you cannot keep it a secret. I just shared my secret with you on my blog, but I have shared it in public too. We cannot keep this news a secret. We must shout it from the rooftops that Jesus Christ is Lord! We must tell others that He died for them because he loves them! Will you spread the news of your secret Valentine?
   1 John 4:16-18, Matthew 28:16-20, John 4:9-12
   Image from here.

Perfect Timing

   Have you ever had a time where you were feeling really down? It just seems like you cannot win and people don't care. I have had a few days like that. One time in particular stands out.
   I had just gone through coaching pre-season for soccer (which means 2-3 practices a day that are 1-2 hours long for 2 weeks every day except for weekends). I had also begun a new job. I was worn out from working a lot both in soccer and at my job. I was also overthinking things that happened at soccer and work.
   My family decided to go to Infinito’s to celebrate my sister and I surviving pre-season. While we were hungry, my sister and I didn't eat much. We both kind of wanted to sleep because we had been out in the heat for 2 hours. We finished our pizza and then walked to Dollar Tree, which is the best store in the world if you are a teacher. I got some items so I could survive the next week, can you say coffee?
   Then I walked across the street to go back to our car. My sister was behind me a bit further because she was holding the door for someone. As I was walking across the street like a zombie, a car passed behind me and I heard some people yell, "Shoe!" (That's what they called me, long story) I turned around and saw 5 of my old teammates from LBC.  I got so excited and yelled "hi." Then one of my friends saw my sister and said, "hey little Shoe."  My sister was happy to be recognized and I was happy to see my friends. We didn't talk at all really but my spirits were raised because I was reminded of good times with friends, and that I'm still not alone.
   Now, if I hadn't gone to Infinito’s, gone to Dollar Tree, or walked out at that exact time I wouldn't have seen my friends. God's timing was perfect; and he knew I needed a pick me up, even if it was a little one. God knows what we need and when we need it. He works through coincidences to help remind us that he is with us and in control. I could go into many more coincidences that happened that brightened my day but I will not because you get the idea.
   So, do you believe that God's timing is perfect? Do you know that God works through coincidences? Will you trust in his plan?

   Isaiah 40:31 and Proverbs 3:5-6

   Image from here.

Background

   If you were to ask my siblings and myself what we like to do in our free time you would probably only get a few answers that we all agree on. We like to play sports (mostly soccer), watching certain movies (If we can agree on the movie), and playing video games (If we can agree on the video game). One things we enjoy doing is playing the video game Just Dance. It's good exercise and helps us learn cooler dance moves.
   One day we were playing Just Dance and I was up. I was in the middle of my song when my sister said, "look at that background." I said, "what?" At the same time I almost lost my rhythm because I wanted to look at the background. It was a pretty cool background. Then it was my brother's turn. My sister once again said, "look at that background it's so cool." That's when my brother and I began to say, during every song, "Hey Kristen, look at that background it's so cool." For those of you who haven't seen Just Dance backgrounds they move and change, that's what makes them interesting.
   Anyhow, it became a joke to say that every time a song came on. I would have to say that many people enjoy backgrounds. We all like different styles of art, but we all like to have something that makes our stuff ours. That's God's creativity in us.
   We like artistic backgrounds, but what about people's backgrounds? Every person has a background and a story. We all have different likes and experiences that make us who we are. It seems like many times we tend to not want to know other people's background. We like surface level relationships. I think it's because we don't want to get hurt. We don't want to go deep with others because we are selfish. That's not what God calls us to do.
   When I look at my students, the girls I coach, friends, or family I try to see them how God sees them. It's not always easy especially when that student is hitting me or misbehaving, but I try. When I first met my friends, students, and players I only knew what they looked like. In the picture of their background I may have only seen one color. If I never tried to get to know what they like (favorite color, food, etc.) then I never would've seen more colors in their background. Then, if I try to go deeper and get to know their story, I will see more colors and maybe even pictures in their background.
   Obviously this is a bit of an allusion, but you get my point. God made each of us. We are a work of art to him. He gave us our experiences, likes, dislikes, and background. He doesn't just see us in black and white and leave us. He keeps adding to our background because he loves us. He wants our story to be part of his story, of his background.
   Each of our stories are connected if we are part of the body of Christ. Imagine all the colorful backgrounds of those in the body of Christ together. What a picture that would make!
That's why God made us unique. He knows we will all have our own journeys. He knows we won't all reach every person but we can reach some. I can get to know, love, and mentor those around me. That way their background will grow and my background will grow as well.
   So, do you only have surface relationships with others? Are you trying to get to know others to help them grow? Will you choose to grow in God so your background is strong in him?

   Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11

   Image from here. 

Are You a Dory or a Piglet?

   Have you ever met a person who is really loud and enjoys talking? I have some friends who are like that. They enjoy letting people know what they are thinking. Have you ever met a person who is really quiet and doesn't talk much? I have friends like this as well. They are content to listen and don't need to talk if the other people want to talk.

   In my years I have had many different friends. What I have noticed is that typically, the friends who enjoy talking are hiding something and the friends who don't talk much have some very profound things to say.
   Let me give you an example of each of these kinds of people: in the movie Finding Nemo there is a fish named Dory. Dory enjoys talking, is typically loud, and likes to be with people. Not long after we meet Dory we find out what she's hiding: she has short term memory loss. Dory freely admits this but what she doesn't admit until later is that she lost her family. Dory wants to find her family but she cannot remember them. She hides this secret and puts aside her needs to help her friend. On the inside Dory is broken and hurting but she still helps others. Dory is a good friend.

   In Winnie-the-Pooh there is a character who doesn't talk too much named Piglet. Piglet isn't that sure of himself but when he talks with Pooh he says many profound things. For example: "The things that make me different are the things that make me ME."  "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart I'll stay there forever." Piglet does not have much confidence. I mean, he's a tiny animal. But, when he has confidence to open his mouth he is teaching us important lessons. Piglet enjoys helping his friends and he may not even need to talk in order to help. Piglet is a good friend.
   What is the point of this blog? The point is that we need both of these kinds of people. We need people who will step up and be leaders. We need people who will work hard behind the scenes. But, what we need most of all is to help these people grow and make their weaknesses strengths.
   The Piglets of the world can help the Dorys of the world by listening to them. A Piglet can get a Dory to open up because a Piglet enjoys helping others and is usually very wise because they listen a lot. The Piglet can help the Dory heal and move on from past hurts.
   The Dorys of the world can help the Piglets of the world by improving their confidence. Dory could be leading a project and think that maybe she doesn't have the answer, or wouldn't be the best person for a certain job, and she could let Piglet do the job if Piglet is better suited. The Dory could encourage the Piglet to speak up if the Piglet has a thought. Dory can also tell Piglet how great a job he is doing.
   The key for both of these kinds of people is that they care for others. If Piglet doesn't care enough to listen to Dory's problems then Dory could crack under pressure. If Dory doesn't care enough to listen to Piglet when he talks, or encourage Piglet to have confidence, then Piglet may never get out of his comfort zone and make a difference in the world. We need each other. That's why God created more than one human: we are relational beings.
   So, are you a Dory or a Piglet? What can you do to help a friend today? 

   Psalm 139:14 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

   Images from here and here. 

You Can Have a Superhero's Body!

   How do you feel physically right now? Some of you may be sick, tired, or injured in some way. Others may feel totally fine, like they could run a marathon (okay, maybe not a marathon but you get the picture). No matter how you are feeling right now I am going to tell you something about your body in the future. As long as you know Christ as your personal savior you will have a superhero body someday.

   You may be thinking I'm nuts but, again; I'm going to ask you to stay with me. When we go to heaven our bodies are going to be totally different. 1 Corinthians 15:40 says: "There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another."
  Right now, we don't have heavenly bodies. We have corrupted bodies. We can be defeated by illnesses and sin. But, someday, we will have a body like Hulk. He cannot be defeated (except in the comics in certain ways, but his skin is impenetrable).

   Our heavenly bodies will be identifiable. We will be like Christ after he was resurrected. People knew who he was. Our bodies will just be transformed. That's because, to God, we are worth more than gold. We are shiny to him because he washed us clean.
   Next our bodies will be incredible. We will not have weaknesses, like Mr. Incredible has. Instead we will be like Superman without the Kryptonite. We will not be able to be defeated by anything. Illness will be gone. All weakness will be gone. Injuries, emotional pain, and death will be gone. Can you imagine that?
   Finally, our bodies will be infinite. That means our bodies will not be governed by physical needs. We will not need sleep, to eat, or to exercise. Our bodies will be like Vision. He doesn't need to eat, exercise, or sleep. That doesn't mean that we won't be eating, we just won't need to eat to sustain ourselves.
   What exactly does this mean for us now? It means that we have something to look forward to. One day all of the cares of this world will disappear. We will be with our creator and be able to worship him fully every day. How exciting will that be?
   While on this earth, we will have troubles. However, each day we can rest in the hope of Jesus. We can grow to be more like him every day. We can show others his love and love him by spending time with him. Then, when we do enter heaven, we can be free from troubles and we can hear "well done thou good and faithful servant."
   So, do you know that one day the troubles of this world will melt away? What are you doing to grow in God now? Are you trying to spread the Gospel so others can be saved and one day have superhero bodies too?

   Image from here.
   Information about heavenly bodies is credited to David Jeremiah.