Project:Taking Shape

Do you remember when you were 5 years old, maybe standing up to your dads waist? do you remember walking through the mall and seeing this shiny metal slinky, and you had to have one (in my days, slinkys were cool haha). But dad said no, and you just kept saying "But I want one!!!" (in a really annoying voice) then dad tries to reason with you adn tell you all the reasons why you wouldnt like it "its gonna get tangled up, and caught and it will break and you wont have fun with it"  Then you go on this mental break down and say "But i thought you loved me!!!!!" and by this time dad is feeling bad, so he walks over and pics you up and carries you to the car.

We always have that one thing in life that we always want. That one thing that we just say "God if you just me (fill in thing) i will be happy" But God doesn't always give us what we want, he's like our dad when were 5 saying "no, you won't be happy." So when we dont get what we want, we get upset and its easy to do. We get mad at god and blame him for the things going on. But the truth is there is a reason God isn't giving you what you want. God's time is not our time. We have to wait on him to provide for us. The "things" we want in life, may come later. You speak to a god who put all the stars in the sky and knows how many hairs are on your head. So as our god he has the power to limit what he gives us. When did we ever know what best for ourselves? We don't God knows what we need before we need it. If God doesnt answer you, then obviously he has better plans and a better time for it. So this wee i want tot challennge all who read this. If you pray and find that God isn't answering your prayers, respond with thanksgiving that there may be a really good reason as to why you aren't getting it.  

Charles Schulz Philosophy

Life is an attitude, if you don't like your life, change your attitude.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz,  the creator of the "Peanuts" comic  strip.

You don't have to actually  answer the questions.

Just read straight through, and you'll  get the point.

1 Name  the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy  winners.

3 Name the last  five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or  Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name  the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and  actress.

 6. Name the last decade's worth  of World Series winners.

How did you   do?

The point is , none of us remember the headliners of  yesterday.

These are no second-rate  achievers.

They are the  best in their fields.

But the  applause dies..

Awards  tarnish.

Achievements are  forgotten.

Accolades and  certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's  another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who  aided your journey through school.

 2. Name three friends who have helped you through a  difficult time.

3. Name  five people who have taught you something  worthwhile.

4. Think of a  few people who have made you feel appreciated and  special!!

5. Think of  five people you enjoy spending time with.

 6. Think of a great friend who makes EXCELLENT BURGERS!!

Easier?

The lesson: 

The people who make a difference  in your life are not the ones with the most  credentials..themost  money...or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most

Salt and Light of the World

Why use salt as an example?  I read somewhere that salt was used because it was one of the most abundant minerals available at the time.   While that might be true, I think it’s more about what salt does.  Salt it a preservative; it helps things last. Salt melts coldness. Salt heals wounds (Of course it stings like no other at first but that’s another story). Salt is a seasoning. Through our saltiness, folks get a taste of God. Are you salty? Salty is also defined as lively or amusing.  Alive and fun are two words that describe my walk.

Jesus is the light of the world and part of my purpose is to continue to spread the word.  I should be reflecting his light; shining into the darkest spots in life.  Where is that?  brilliant question! It is where the widows and orphans live, where the broken people are. It is where the homeless live.  It is anywhere that another human being is abused, forgotten or is in need.

In the time that Jesus spoke there were no refrigerators to store the meat and it was very hot. The meat could spoil in the heat so salt was rubbed on the meat to preserve it. The salt prevented the meat from spoiling. Society is bad, but if Christians were suddenly taken off the scene there would be decay. The church, i like to think, is the preservative. Christian is the salt preserving God’s moral standards. Even a small percentage of Christians can have a profound effect on keeping society from decaying just like a little salt can preserve meat.

Likewise, in the Scriptures sin and evil is represented by darkness. John 1:5, 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. In contrast God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. Our lives are to reflect the light of Christ within.There should be joy in our lives. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. It is in view where everyone can see it. You don’t put a candle under a basket or a lamp under a bowl would you?  You put a lamp in a prominent place and you will fill the whole room. Otherwise the lamp is just a waste. Don’t let a basket or a bowl hide your light. Let your light shine before men and they will see your good deeds.