Today is such a beautiful day. I am in a really good mood, even though I have to work tonight. That would have to be the only rainy cloud in my sky today. Also, today is the first day of spring, and that is another reason why I am happy. Currently, I am having a grand computer class. We took a final (that wasn't so grand at all), but now we are working on our websites. It's cool! I am very proud of my website, though some people would think that it is stupid and pointless and irrelevant. Who cares, though. I certainly don't. Well, I guess I will end this now because I am just rambling. If you didn't already think me completely and utterly weird... you probably do now.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Good morning!
Well, I am writing this before school while waiting for my oatmeal to cool. It's going to be a beautiful day, I just know it. Or at least, I hope that it will be beautiful. I went on a long run yesterday, and it felt amazing! They say that exercise releases pain-killing endorphins in your brain, and I definitely think that is true. My dog went with me, and while I was running, she found a deer leg (not just a bone... the entire leg) and felt that she just had to pick it up and run with it. Finally I got her to put it down, thankfully. I wouldn't have wanted to run with a ginormous deer leg in my mouth. Not to mention it isn't very sanitary. Well, I think my oatmeal is done now. Just wanted to say "good morning" to the two people that actually read this!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
SAT's
I just got back from taking the SAT's... my first time. All I can say is "wow." Nothing makes you feel more braindead than spending 3-4 hours sitting in a classroom, taking tests that are all basically the same thing (except there are two subjects). And now I get to go to work... what a fun, fun day.
By the way, my computer teacher, Mr. Colegrove, is radically awesome!
By the way, my computer teacher, Mr. Colegrove, is radically awesome!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Youth Leadership Session 6
Okay, so I haven't really said anything about my leadership program on here yet, but I'll give a little overview. Last year when I was a sophomore, my principle (and then driver's ed teacher) informed us of a leadership program for juniors that runs throughout the entire school year once a month. It takes students from the different school districts in Tioga County, and it allows them to do things and see things that other students wouldn't have the opportunity to do. For example, each month we would go to a different business in Tioga Co. And for each month we would have an assignment to do and we would have to give a one-minute speech in front of the others at the next session.
Today was the sixth session. After this one we only have one more before we "graduate", and yes we have a graduation. We went to the courthouse in Wellsboro where we toured different areas of the courthouse. My personal favorite was going down and see the 911 Dispatch Center. This is where your call goes when you call 911 in Tioga County. It was really interesting, and I think that it would be a pretty cool career.
Also, we got to sit in on a commissioner's meeting. It was interesting because this meeting is open to the public, and some of the "public" had some very... uhhh... interesting comments. For example, one of the men just sat there are criticized pretty much everything that the government was doing. Apparently he is a regular, though, so the commissioner's knew exactly how to handle his "rudeness".
We also got to talk with some people who work with Sen. Scarnati, Congressman Thomas and Rep. Baker. It was interesting to hear about their jobs and what they enjoy about them. The more that I hear about government, the more interested I become. I still really want to be a vet, but if for some reason that doesn't work out for me, I am thinking more and more about pursuing a career in the government somewhere. Call me crazy, and maybe I am, but for some reason it's standing out to me.
So basically that was my day in a nutshell. The reason why I am posting all of this is because I am really lazy, and I don't want to have to work on the stuff for the 4 tests that I have to take tomorrow. Well... I probably should get to that so I don't fail.
Today was the sixth session. After this one we only have one more before we "graduate", and yes we have a graduation. We went to the courthouse in Wellsboro where we toured different areas of the courthouse. My personal favorite was going down and see the 911 Dispatch Center. This is where your call goes when you call 911 in Tioga County. It was really interesting, and I think that it would be a pretty cool career.
Also, we got to sit in on a commissioner's meeting. It was interesting because this meeting is open to the public, and some of the "public" had some very... uhhh... interesting comments. For example, one of the men just sat there are criticized pretty much everything that the government was doing. Apparently he is a regular, though, so the commissioner's knew exactly how to handle his "rudeness".
We also got to talk with some people who work with Sen. Scarnati, Congressman Thomas and Rep. Baker. It was interesting to hear about their jobs and what they enjoy about them. The more that I hear about government, the more interested I become. I still really want to be a vet, but if for some reason that doesn't work out for me, I am thinking more and more about pursuing a career in the government somewhere. Call me crazy, and maybe I am, but for some reason it's standing out to me.
So basically that was my day in a nutshell. The reason why I am posting all of this is because I am really lazy, and I don't want to have to work on the stuff for the 4 tests that I have to take tomorrow. Well... I probably should get to that so I don't fail.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lifehouse "Everything" Skit
So here's the video of the "Everything" skit that I mentioned in my last blog.
Monday the 9th
I know that it hasn't been that long since I last posted, but I'm just in a blogging mood, I guess. Today was a pretty good day once I got through 1st period (nothing against Bible class!). I had a rough weekend with work, and I didn't get much sleep. This morning I was dragging. I was very grumpy, and I just wanted to sleep. However, as usual, when I sat down for the 5-10 minutes of prayer that we have at the beginning of Bible class, I began to feel a lot better (talking with God has a tendency to do that to you!). God always makes me feel better. I try to talk to Him constantly throughout the day, but this morning, my mind was just filled with sleep deprivation. Thankfully He is forgiving of my attitude, and thankfully my friends are too.
Since our amazing chapel service on Thursday, things have been put a little more into perspective. We watched the "Everything" video, and it just made me want to cry. To think that when we believe God to be so far away, and when we think that He doesn't care, He is right there the whole entire time. He cares so much. He tries so hard to get us to listen to His voice. However, Satan comes between us. He fills us with worldly pleasures, and he distracts us from God. However, God never, ever gives up on us. He is always there pulling on us. And when we are at our lowest point, He jumps in and shoves Satan aside. Nothing can keep us from Him.
Lately, it's been really hard to keep optimistic. Our economy is going down the drain, and the government seems to only make things worse. To add to it, I just read an article on Foxnews.com that more Americans are saying that they don't have a "religion". We are starting to believe more in ourselves. The only thing I can think is... it's believing in ourselves that got us into this whole mess! When are we going to learn? To be honest, I don't think we will ever learn.
So tomorrow is the second to last session for my leadership program. I am kind of glad, yet kind of sad. I have met a lot of great people in this program, and it will be weird not seeing them all once a month. Yet it is getting harder and harder to miss a day of school. I know that most of you would be glad to miss a day, but missing one day piles on so much extra work for the next day. Not to mention that I have a Geometry and Health test tomorrow.. plus my English teacher is giving back our vocab worksheets that I need to study for the test on Wednesday. Oh well, I will work something out.
The weather has been getting nicer, which is great. I love winter, but near March it starts to get extremely annoying. There comes a time when I am ready to step out of the cold weather and start wearing shorts and t-shirts. Plus, I really, really need to start running. I've been eating a lot of junk this winter, and I need to burn it off... badly. Plus, warmer weather means summer... and summer means no school! What is even more cool is next year is my senior year. That thought is incredibly, incredibly scary. I am really excited to get on with my future, yet the future is daunting. I am not sure where I am going to go to college (since the one I really want to go to is really expensive), and I am not even sure if I will make it in a veterinary major. I am scared to death. However, when thinking about my future, I always remember Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God holds my future, and He won't let me fail. If I try my best in everything I do, God will prosper me. And even if I don't become a vet, God will take care of me. After all, He takes care of all the animals!
So there is a little update from me. It's a bit lighter than my previous few blogs. I don't know, I just get in these moods, and I just start typing. Half the time, I don't even know all that I am typing - it's completely from God. When I was reading the blog that I just posted, the stuff hit me so hard. It's crazy how God uses His own words through you to inspire you. Man, I love my God!
Have a great day/week everyone!
Since our amazing chapel service on Thursday, things have been put a little more into perspective. We watched the "Everything" video, and it just made me want to cry. To think that when we believe God to be so far away, and when we think that He doesn't care, He is right there the whole entire time. He cares so much. He tries so hard to get us to listen to His voice. However, Satan comes between us. He fills us with worldly pleasures, and he distracts us from God. However, God never, ever gives up on us. He is always there pulling on us. And when we are at our lowest point, He jumps in and shoves Satan aside. Nothing can keep us from Him.
Lately, it's been really hard to keep optimistic. Our economy is going down the drain, and the government seems to only make things worse. To add to it, I just read an article on Foxnews.com that more Americans are saying that they don't have a "religion". We are starting to believe more in ourselves. The only thing I can think is... it's believing in ourselves that got us into this whole mess! When are we going to learn? To be honest, I don't think we will ever learn.
So tomorrow is the second to last session for my leadership program. I am kind of glad, yet kind of sad. I have met a lot of great people in this program, and it will be weird not seeing them all once a month. Yet it is getting harder and harder to miss a day of school. I know that most of you would be glad to miss a day, but missing one day piles on so much extra work for the next day. Not to mention that I have a Geometry and Health test tomorrow.. plus my English teacher is giving back our vocab worksheets that I need to study for the test on Wednesday. Oh well, I will work something out.
The weather has been getting nicer, which is great. I love winter, but near March it starts to get extremely annoying. There comes a time when I am ready to step out of the cold weather and start wearing shorts and t-shirts. Plus, I really, really need to start running. I've been eating a lot of junk this winter, and I need to burn it off... badly. Plus, warmer weather means summer... and summer means no school! What is even more cool is next year is my senior year. That thought is incredibly, incredibly scary. I am really excited to get on with my future, yet the future is daunting. I am not sure where I am going to go to college (since the one I really want to go to is really expensive), and I am not even sure if I will make it in a veterinary major. I am scared to death. However, when thinking about my future, I always remember Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God holds my future, and He won't let me fail. If I try my best in everything I do, God will prosper me. And even if I don't become a vet, God will take care of me. After all, He takes care of all the animals!
So there is a little update from me. It's a bit lighter than my previous few blogs. I don't know, I just get in these moods, and I just start typing. Half the time, I don't even know all that I am typing - it's completely from God. When I was reading the blog that I just posted, the stuff hit me so hard. It's crazy how God uses His own words through you to inspire you. Man, I love my God!
Have a great day/week everyone!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Consume me from the inside out
"Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades/Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame." These are the words to the chorus of one of my favorite songs by Hillsong United. Ever since my amazing chapel experience on Thursday, things have been hitting me like rocks to my chest. I wish with all of my heart that I could express God to you. I wish that there was one word that would sum Him all up. But frankly, it is impossible. I can name a dozen adjectives - mighty, awesome, indescribable, loving, majestic, kind, amazing - but not one of those seems to do Him justice. If only unbelievers could see Him. If only they would open their eyes and their hearts. It would blow them away. My heart absolutely breaks for them! I spent most of the 45 minutes of chapel on Thursday just crying my eyes out. Why can't they see? Why are we so incompetent to show them? We have the secret to the best life ever, and yet when it comes to giving them the Light of Jesus... we stumble, we stutter, we forget.
How can we forget Him? I am especially guilty of this. I cannot express to you how many times I have tried to share my faith. And every single time, Satan takes a hold of my words and shoves them right back into my mouth. In that regard, I feel like a failure. I see the hurt and pain of unbelievers every single day, yet for some reason, that must not strike me hard enough.
Now I understand that some people have hardened themselves so much to the idea of a God. I work with some people like that. Maybe it's because they have been personally hurt by a "follower" of Jesus. Maybe it's because they feel that God hasn't been there for them, so they are just going to convince themselves that He isn't true. To be honest, I don't know why some people don't believe. I mean, how more crystal clear can you get? When you think of the human body and all of its mechanics... it is astounding! We are the most technological advanced organisms that this planet... that this universe will ever know! Our heart and our brains have been studied continuously by the greatest minds in science, yet we will never know all that they both are capable of. God has created us each so unique and so precious. I just wish so badly that the world could see this!
What will it take? I don't know about you, but I am willing to do just about anything to see my friends saved. I would give my life to see them in Heaven someday. And I am extremely thankful that I have Christian friends. They are an abounding encouragement to me every day. On Thursday, I just cried out to God, "What will it take? God, I will do anything!" And you know what He has said to me? He has said, "Sarah... just tell them about Me!" When you think about it, it is so easy. He isn't asking us to amputate our left arm. He isn't asking us to gouge out our eyeballs. He isn't asking us to jump off the side of the Grand Canyon. For some of us, witnessing might as well be doing those things, but we need to remember that we serve an incredible, enormous and understanding God. He lived on this earth with us for 30+ years, and He knows our struggles. Paul puts it very simple in his letter to Timothy, he says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." God has given us every resource that we need to accomplish the task He set before us. It's like sitting down to take a test and having the teacher give you all of the notes that you need to know and the knowledge already in your head to pass the test. God has given us His notes - the Bible - and He has given us this amazing brain to comprehend and remember an incredible amount of information. Plus, He has told us that He will never, ever, ever, ever leave us. So next time you go to witness to someone, just remember that God is standing right next to you, and He has His hands on you. He is whispering in your ear the words to say. In all honesty, how could it get easier?
Yes, people are going to turn you away, and yes, you can't save everyone. But God only instructs that you plant the seed. It is His job to make it grow. You may never see that person again on the face of this earth, but someday in Heaven, they will walk up to you and thank you with everything that they have because of what you said to them. It may not have sounded good to you, but it was enough.
I guess that's just my encouragement of the day. I actually need to read this over again because everything that I have written applies to me. I struggle so much with my witnessing, but I need to remember that God is in control. And nothing happens without His allowance.
How can we forget Him? I am especially guilty of this. I cannot express to you how many times I have tried to share my faith. And every single time, Satan takes a hold of my words and shoves them right back into my mouth. In that regard, I feel like a failure. I see the hurt and pain of unbelievers every single day, yet for some reason, that must not strike me hard enough.
Now I understand that some people have hardened themselves so much to the idea of a God. I work with some people like that. Maybe it's because they have been personally hurt by a "follower" of Jesus. Maybe it's because they feel that God hasn't been there for them, so they are just going to convince themselves that He isn't true. To be honest, I don't know why some people don't believe. I mean, how more crystal clear can you get? When you think of the human body and all of its mechanics... it is astounding! We are the most technological advanced organisms that this planet... that this universe will ever know! Our heart and our brains have been studied continuously by the greatest minds in science, yet we will never know all that they both are capable of. God has created us each so unique and so precious. I just wish so badly that the world could see this!
What will it take? I don't know about you, but I am willing to do just about anything to see my friends saved. I would give my life to see them in Heaven someday. And I am extremely thankful that I have Christian friends. They are an abounding encouragement to me every day. On Thursday, I just cried out to God, "What will it take? God, I will do anything!" And you know what He has said to me? He has said, "Sarah... just tell them about Me!" When you think about it, it is so easy. He isn't asking us to amputate our left arm. He isn't asking us to gouge out our eyeballs. He isn't asking us to jump off the side of the Grand Canyon. For some of us, witnessing might as well be doing those things, but we need to remember that we serve an incredible, enormous and understanding God. He lived on this earth with us for 30+ years, and He knows our struggles. Paul puts it very simple in his letter to Timothy, he says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." God has given us every resource that we need to accomplish the task He set before us. It's like sitting down to take a test and having the teacher give you all of the notes that you need to know and the knowledge already in your head to pass the test. God has given us His notes - the Bible - and He has given us this amazing brain to comprehend and remember an incredible amount of information. Plus, He has told us that He will never, ever, ever, ever leave us. So next time you go to witness to someone, just remember that God is standing right next to you, and He has His hands on you. He is whispering in your ear the words to say. In all honesty, how could it get easier?
Yes, people are going to turn you away, and yes, you can't save everyone. But God only instructs that you plant the seed. It is His job to make it grow. You may never see that person again on the face of this earth, but someday in Heaven, they will walk up to you and thank you with everything that they have because of what you said to them. It may not have sounded good to you, but it was enough.
I guess that's just my encouragement of the day. I actually need to read this over again because everything that I have written applies to me. I struggle so much with my witnessing, but I need to remember that God is in control. And nothing happens without His allowance.
One man's opinion
I was surfing on MSN just now when I came across this article entitled, "Beautiful Arguments with God." To me, this sounded interesting. It's not often that one comes across a "religious" article on a secular website. For those who are curious, the article is found here.
The writer of this article claims that he is an agnostic. In short, an agnostic is someone who believes that the supernatural is unable to be proven. So unlike a Christian who believes in a God or an atheist who firmly does not believe in a God - an agnostic believes that it is impossible to prove or disprove. He says in the article that he decided to read through the entire Bible. Here is where I get to the part I don't understand. In the middle to the end, he says that it is impossible for him to believe in a God who is responsible for the mass killings of thousands of people in the Old Testament. For instance, he can't fathom how a God would kill innocent Egyptian children in order to compel Pharaoh enough to let the Israelites go. He claims that God is heartless and cruel, and he doesn't want to believe in someone like that.
However, the only thing I can think is, "Did this guy actually read the entire Bible?" If so, then how can he truly believe that God is heartless? He says that he is a Jew. He goes on to say, "I don't, and can't, believe that Christ died for my sins. And even if he did, I still don't think that would wash away God's crimes in the Old Testament."
The New Testament is saturated with countless instances of God's divine love for us. For example, John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world..." Yes, God. The God of the Israelites. It mentions God sending His Son to die for us, also. I understand that Jews don't believe that Jesus is God's Son, but I can't comprehend why. There are prophecies in the Old Testament about Christ. It speaks of Him in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Yet Jews still don't believe this?
This man claims God to be cruel. How is God cruel? Yes, He was the instigator of the deaths of those Egyptian children, but they had a way out. God gave Pharaoh countless times to change his mind and let the Israelites go. Yet Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. God is a loving God, yet He is also just. He gives us opportunities, but we must be prepared to face the consequences. For every action, there is a reaction.
So basically, this is my little rant. I'm sorry if I have gotten my facts mixed up or whatever, but I'm just trying to say that this man needs to pay a little more attention. If he did indeed read the same Bible that I have read, then I guess he must not have been reading with the same insight as Christians. Is it possible that he misunderstood it? Absolutely. I am not trying to blame him, I am just trying to point this out so that others don't make his mistakes. You must read the Bible very, very carefully. If you have questions, ask a pastor or a knowledgeable Christian friend. God will open your eyes to His word if your heart is in the right place. In the words of Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
The writer of this article claims that he is an agnostic. In short, an agnostic is someone who believes that the supernatural is unable to be proven. So unlike a Christian who believes in a God or an atheist who firmly does not believe in a God - an agnostic believes that it is impossible to prove or disprove. He says in the article that he decided to read through the entire Bible. Here is where I get to the part I don't understand. In the middle to the end, he says that it is impossible for him to believe in a God who is responsible for the mass killings of thousands of people in the Old Testament. For instance, he can't fathom how a God would kill innocent Egyptian children in order to compel Pharaoh enough to let the Israelites go. He claims that God is heartless and cruel, and he doesn't want to believe in someone like that.
However, the only thing I can think is, "Did this guy actually read the entire Bible?" If so, then how can he truly believe that God is heartless? He says that he is a Jew. He goes on to say, "I don't, and can't, believe that Christ died for my sins. And even if he did, I still don't think that would wash away God's crimes in the Old Testament."
The New Testament is saturated with countless instances of God's divine love for us. For example, John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world..." Yes, God. The God of the Israelites. It mentions God sending His Son to die for us, also. I understand that Jews don't believe that Jesus is God's Son, but I can't comprehend why. There are prophecies in the Old Testament about Christ. It speaks of Him in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Yet Jews still don't believe this?
This man claims God to be cruel. How is God cruel? Yes, He was the instigator of the deaths of those Egyptian children, but they had a way out. God gave Pharaoh countless times to change his mind and let the Israelites go. Yet Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. God is a loving God, yet He is also just. He gives us opportunities, but we must be prepared to face the consequences. For every action, there is a reaction.
So basically, this is my little rant. I'm sorry if I have gotten my facts mixed up or whatever, but I'm just trying to say that this man needs to pay a little more attention. If he did indeed read the same Bible that I have read, then I guess he must not have been reading with the same insight as Christians. Is it possible that he misunderstood it? Absolutely. I am not trying to blame him, I am just trying to point this out so that others don't make his mistakes. You must read the Bible very, very carefully. If you have questions, ask a pastor or a knowledgeable Christian friend. God will open your eyes to His word if your heart is in the right place. In the words of Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wow
Well, we just got done with the most amazing worship experience that I have had in a long, long time. It was pretty much awesome. We sang, prayed, said verses, cried (yes, I cried a lot)... and it was just so powerful.
Yeah, I can't even express it.
Wow, wow, wow.
Yeah, I can't even express it.
Wow, wow, wow.
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