I have no integrity when it comes to driving. I was speeding like nobody's business on the way to church tonight when I saw a cop in my rear view mirror. I slowed down immediately. It's funny how differently we act when we know someone is watching. We get roped into so many different sins because we think nobody can see what we're really looking at when we're surfing the Internet or what we choose to do in the privacy of our bedrooms. But God sees everything we do, and He knows every thought that scampers through our minds. God is watching me when I run stop signs and He knows that I rarely utilize my turn signals. Would you watch that show every week if Jesus was physically sitting on the couch next to you? We can't see him, but He is there. Would you sing along with that song on the radio or laugh at that kind of joke if you knew Jesus was riding shotgun? Because He is. Would you lead your mother to believe you're going one place when you're really going somewhere else if Jesus was standing next to you? Because He's right there. Matthew 1:23 reveals to us that His name actually means "God with us." How do you act when (you think) nobody is watching?
In other news:
I am going to invest in a good pair of ear plugs;
I have been blessed with an extraordinary support system;
And I really, really like the song "True Love" by Phil Wickham.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
I would like to give a brief shout out to sophomore me. Sophomore me seemed to realize a lot of important things about life that senior me forgot. Oops.
(I made a list of 50 "life lessons" I had learned throughout the course of 2006. It's too bad I forgot most of them or perhaps things might have ended differently.) (Shrugs shoulders.)
For example,
1. Nobody is who they say they are.
2. If you aren't going to buy Double Stuf Oreos, you shouldn't buy Oreos at all.
3. Some songs will never get old while some songs will never be cool.
4. Loyalty will always be the most important quality someone can have.
5. Be careful who you trust.
6. Don't ever hold onto something just because it's "comfortable."
7. Always trust your instincts. They're never wrong.
8. If you have feelings for someone, tell them!
9. If you don't have feelings for someone, and they're under the impression that you do, tell them.
10. Appreciate everyone, and never take your friends for granted.
11. Sometimes you have to take things into your own hands to see that they get done the right way.
12. Don't be naive. Always forgive, don't ever forget.
13. The only thing fortune cookies are good for is making people too hopeful. They're often too good to be true.
14. No matter how powerful you think you are, there is always somewhere out there who is more powerful than you and they won't waste an opportunity to remind you of that.
15. Believe in karma.
16. Sometimes the battles you know you'll lose are the only battles worth fighting.
17. Don't laugh until you're ready to.
18. The people you choose to surround yourself with have a huge impact on the decisions you make, whether you realize it or not.
19. Promises you don't make are promises you can't break!
20. Always look at the big picture.
21. Leave everything better than you found it.
22. You don't always get a second chance. Do things right the first time around.
23. Show cheerfulness, even when you don't feel it.
24. Some things are better left unsaid. Period.
25. Pain is inevitable. Misery is an option.
26. Don't look back. Don't waste your time on memories because, chances are, things will never go back to the way they used to be.
27. Even when you try to deceive her, your mother will always know where you are and what you're doing.. especially if you're doing something wrong.
28. Sleeping your problems away won't fix anything. The situation will still be there when you wake up.
29. You can only use the element of surprise once. After that, you have to use brains and skill.
30. Don't compare yourself to the best others can do. Compare yourself to the best you can do.
31. It's not what happens to people that's important. It's how they handle it that matters.
32. There are always two sides to every story.
33. Control your attitude or it will control you.
34. Sometimes when you're angry, you have every right to be. But that doesn't give you the right to be cruel.
35. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you.
36. Maturity is something that has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
37. No matter how good a friend someone is to you, he is going to hurt you every once in a while and you just have to forgive him for that.
38. The world doesn't stop for anybody's grief.
39. It's good to be different. :)
40. Just because two people argue doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because two people don't argue doesn't mean they do.
41. Don't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
42. Self-control is often the glue that holds everything together.
43. Think before you speak.
44. Nobody's perfect.
45. The word "love" will lose it's value when overused.
46. Money doesn't buy class. And it sure won't buy you happiness.
47. You'll never really appreciate what you had until it's gone.
48. Ignoring the facts won't change the facts.
49. Revenge isn't ever as satisfying as you want it to be (especially if you've got a conscious like mine!)
50. "Always love, hate will get you every time."
And just for kicks and giggles, I would like to add a couple of things I have recently learned:
51. Actions speak louder than words. (Duh, Jessica!)
52. Forever and ever does not, in fact, mean forever and ever.
53. God doesn't make mistakes.
54. And He's always with me (Hebrews 13:5.)
(I made a list of 50 "life lessons" I had learned throughout the course of 2006. It's too bad I forgot most of them or perhaps things might have ended differently.) (Shrugs shoulders.)
For example,
1. Nobody is who they say they are.
2. If you aren't going to buy Double Stuf Oreos, you shouldn't buy Oreos at all.
3. Some songs will never get old while some songs will never be cool.
4. Loyalty will always be the most important quality someone can have.
5. Be careful who you trust.
6. Don't ever hold onto something just because it's "comfortable."
7. Always trust your instincts. They're never wrong.
8. If you have feelings for someone, tell them!
9. If you don't have feelings for someone, and they're under the impression that you do, tell them.
10. Appreciate everyone, and never take your friends for granted.
11. Sometimes you have to take things into your own hands to see that they get done the right way.
12. Don't be naive. Always forgive, don't ever forget.
13. The only thing fortune cookies are good for is making people too hopeful. They're often too good to be true.
14. No matter how powerful you think you are, there is always somewhere out there who is more powerful than you and they won't waste an opportunity to remind you of that.
15. Believe in karma.
16. Sometimes the battles you know you'll lose are the only battles worth fighting.
17. Don't laugh until you're ready to.
18. The people you choose to surround yourself with have a huge impact on the decisions you make, whether you realize it or not.
19. Promises you don't make are promises you can't break!
20. Always look at the big picture.
21. Leave everything better than you found it.
22. You don't always get a second chance. Do things right the first time around.
23. Show cheerfulness, even when you don't feel it.
24. Some things are better left unsaid. Period.
25. Pain is inevitable. Misery is an option.
26. Don't look back. Don't waste your time on memories because, chances are, things will never go back to the way they used to be.
27. Even when you try to deceive her, your mother will always know where you are and what you're doing.. especially if you're doing something wrong.
28. Sleeping your problems away won't fix anything. The situation will still be there when you wake up.
29. You can only use the element of surprise once. After that, you have to use brains and skill.
30. Don't compare yourself to the best others can do. Compare yourself to the best you can do.
31. It's not what happens to people that's important. It's how they handle it that matters.
32. There are always two sides to every story.
33. Control your attitude or it will control you.
34. Sometimes when you're angry, you have every right to be. But that doesn't give you the right to be cruel.
35. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you.
36. Maturity is something that has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
37. No matter how good a friend someone is to you, he is going to hurt you every once in a while and you just have to forgive him for that.
38. The world doesn't stop for anybody's grief.
39. It's good to be different. :)
40. Just because two people argue doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because two people don't argue doesn't mean they do.
41. Don't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
42. Self-control is often the glue that holds everything together.
43. Think before you speak.
44. Nobody's perfect.
45. The word "love" will lose it's value when overused.
46. Money doesn't buy class. And it sure won't buy you happiness.
47. You'll never really appreciate what you had until it's gone.
48. Ignoring the facts won't change the facts.
49. Revenge isn't ever as satisfying as you want it to be (especially if you've got a conscious like mine!)
50. "Always love, hate will get you every time."
And just for kicks and giggles, I would like to add a couple of things I have recently learned:
51. Actions speak louder than words. (Duh, Jessica!)
52. Forever and ever does not, in fact, mean forever and ever.
53. God doesn't make mistakes.
54. And He's always with me (Hebrews 13:5.)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Okay.
A lot of things have changed in my life recently (some good and some not-so-good.) I know "change" is an important part of life. But that doesn't mean I enjoy it. When people are as uncomfortable with change as I am, we tend to look for something familiar that we can hold onto while everything is shifting. Something that will bring us comfort. For me, that "something" is God. Despite all the chaos and confusion and fear and my flat-out misery, God won't change. God is always the same! That's a huge encouragement to me, and I'm thankful for that "attribute" of God. I think it might be my favorite.
Then we will press onward, for Christ is still the same
What He was in ages past is what He will remain
And forevermore that is what He will be
For time and for eternity
He's an unchanging Savior with an undying love
He's an unchanging Savior
Our hope, our surety
A lot of things have changed in my life recently (some good and some not-so-good.) I know "change" is an important part of life. But that doesn't mean I enjoy it. When people are as uncomfortable with change as I am, we tend to look for something familiar that we can hold onto while everything is shifting. Something that will bring us comfort. For me, that "something" is God. Despite all the chaos and confusion and fear and my flat-out misery, God won't change. God is always the same! That's a huge encouragement to me, and I'm thankful for that "attribute" of God. I think it might be my favorite.
Then we will press onward, for Christ is still the same
What He was in ages past is what He will remain
And forevermore that is what He will be
For time and for eternity
He's an unchanging Savior with an undying love
He's an unchanging Savior
Our hope, our surety
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
brb
I've noticed a lot of things about people and about life lately (it's kind of an annoying habit.) Sadly, however, I don't have enough time to write (about everything I've been learning) right now. All I'm trying to do is keep my head above the water, you know?
I'll update as soon as I get the chance.
(This verse from Philippians has been on my mind all week: "For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.")
I'll update as soon as I get the chance.
(This verse from Philippians has been on my mind all week: "For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.")
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
This needs to become my theme song.
I’m casting my cares aside
I’m leaving my past behind
I’m setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus
I’m reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there’s so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won’t worry about tomorrow
I’m trusting in what You say
Today is the day
I putting my fears aside
I’m leaving my doubts behind
I’m giving my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus
I’m reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there’s so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won’t worry about tomorrow
I’m trusting in what You say
Today is the day
I will stand upon Your truth
And all my days I’ll live for You
I like my job.
I’m casting my cares aside
I’m leaving my past behind
I’m setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus
I’m reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there’s so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won’t worry about tomorrow
I’m trusting in what You say
Today is the day
I putting my fears aside
I’m leaving my doubts behind
I’m giving my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus
I’m reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there’s so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won’t worry about tomorrow
I’m trusting in what You say
Today is the day
I will stand upon Your truth
And all my days I’ll live for You
I like my job.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Unfortunately, I have no insight or inspiration to offer today. Only honesty.
I(, like my mother,) am a creature of habit. I don't adjust well to change, and I've really been reminded of that this past week. I have good days and I have bad days. This transition is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I feel so guilty for being discouraged. When I start acting like this, Fanny tells me, "Jessica, listen to me. You aren't having any faith right now." And then she paraphrases Matthew 17:20 to me: "And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief, for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you." What's wrong with me? Why am I having such a difficult time grasping this concept?
I feel like crying all the time. And again, I have to ask, "Self, what's the matter with you?" There's nothing really to be sad about. The only loss I could possibly be grieving is the loss of how things used to be. I've never struggled so much with something so... normal. " " No matter what has been going on in my life, I've always been the person to stand up and walk away, keeping in mind the philosophy "life goes on." But that's the problem. Life is going on, but I'm not. I'm just standing here. Waiting. Waiting for what? It's like the whole world is flying by me, 200 mph. And I'm just standing here. Frozen. Unable to react.
The idea of all the different countless possibilities makes me want to vomit. I'm worried and I'm scared and I'm anxious. And I know how wrong all of that is because it's not my job to worry about my future. God is in control (this is a perfect example of how I have to remind myself of little truths like that numerous times a day) and I know that because God's will is perfect, what is meant to be will be. "Commit thy way unto the Lord. Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass (Psalms 37:5.)" Why am I worrying? Why am I so scared? What is there to be afraid of when God's right here next to me? I always tell people not to worry about things they're unable to control... so why am I worrying?
(P.S. Pray for me. Please?)
I(, like my mother,) am a creature of habit. I don't adjust well to change, and I've really been reminded of that this past week. I have good days and I have bad days. This transition is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I feel so guilty for being discouraged. When I start acting like this, Fanny tells me, "Jessica, listen to me. You aren't having any faith right now." And then she paraphrases Matthew 17:20 to me: "And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief, for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you." What's wrong with me? Why am I having such a difficult time grasping this concept?
I feel like crying all the time. And again, I have to ask, "Self, what's the matter with you?" There's nothing really to be sad about. The only loss I could possibly be grieving is the loss of how things used to be. I've never struggled so much with something so... normal. " " No matter what has been going on in my life, I've always been the person to stand up and walk away, keeping in mind the philosophy "life goes on." But that's the problem. Life is going on, but I'm not. I'm just standing here. Waiting. Waiting for what? It's like the whole world is flying by me, 200 mph. And I'm just standing here. Frozen. Unable to react.
The idea of all the different countless possibilities makes me want to vomit. I'm worried and I'm scared and I'm anxious. And I know how wrong all of that is because it's not my job to worry about my future. God is in control (this is a perfect example of how I have to remind myself of little truths like that numerous times a day) and I know that because God's will is perfect, what is meant to be will be. "Commit thy way unto the Lord. Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass (Psalms 37:5.)" Why am I worrying? Why am I so scared? What is there to be afraid of when God's right here next to me? I always tell people not to worry about things they're unable to control... so why am I worrying?
(P.S. Pray for me. Please?)
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