Thursday, October 21, 2010

New Beginnings

Well, this is sometimes what happens when I zone out in class...call me a nerd, but yes, I write poetry instead of taking notes :) It's truly what I love to do..

The sun creeps up over the horizon;
A new day is dawning.
Another chance for a beginning--
to make things right.

I embrace the day--
Who will I be?
What choices will I make?
Hopeful for a bright future.

The face I pass,
Strategically placed to make me
who I am to this day--
Blessings in disguise.

The sky darkens over the world.
Stars glisten in the moonlight;
Preparing for another dawn,
Another beginning.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Growing in God


The sermon this morning really spoke to me, so I just wanted to express that this afternoon. Continuing on the topic of "growth," we talked about stretching ourselves too thin this morning. This is something I can truly relate too, especially now that I'm back in school.

I have, and have always had the problem of saying no to people. Whether it be with helping someone with their schoolwork, or something as simple as not wanting to turn someone down to do something fun like shopping. I hate disappointing people, no matter the circumstances. It's gotten better over the last few years, but when I'm in school I tend to put my homework and studying on the backburner when someone asks me to do something fun. There are many other things that take the backseat when it comes to my friends lately as well. It's just that I finally feel that I belong somewhere so I've done everything in my power to hold onto that feeling. I've learned though that it's not going anywhere. I've truly been blessed and I don't see God taking that blessing away from me unless it pulls me away from him.

Our pastor also asked us again today how are relationships with God are. Although I know that I have a long way to go, I've been really pleased with where my relationship with God has been heading these past few months. Of course the growth has been slow, and it just something I take day by day, but I'm looking forward to the future results :)

One of the last things that the pastor left us with this morning was something he was told by a member of our church. The candle may burn brightly when lit on both ends, but once the two flames meet in the middle, theres nothing left to give. This can be true of so many situations. When you take on too much, eventually you'll become burnt out and can no longer offer anything to anyone.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Growth


Usually I only blog about our church's sermon series, but I was really touched by the one from yesterday's service, so I wanted to share it with you. It was about growth-whether that be spiritual growth, personal growth, etc. We started off with a verse from 2 Peter 3:14-18, which reads:

"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowlege of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever! Amen."

Our pastor had brought with him two plants--one full of life and healthy, the other dry and lifeless. "Which plant do you want to be and what are you willing to do about it?" he asked.

To have a spirit like the plant that's constantly growing and full of life, it takes discipline, commitment and help from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We can create the conditions, but only God can create the growth we desire. It can be a very slow process. I've noticed this lately within myself. I desire to constantly grow and yearn for God's presence in my every day life. It's been a very slow process, but every now and then I can see myself getting closer to where I desire to be. With the help from BCM on Monday nights, and my weekly girls bible study, I find myself being held accountable for growing closer to God and spending more time reading my bible or daily devotionals.

Growing in faith takes the help of prayer, scripture study, community, worship, service, sacraments, fasting, and giving. Through these things, God will create in us that spiritual growth we need.

We ended the sermon with a quote from John Wesley which said that he called communion a "means of grace." This can be compared to a form of "miracle grow" from God to help us grow :)

Until next time, keep growing!