*big smiles and good times*
Today is another gorgeous day in God's world. I'm excited. Daddy took all the younger kids to the park this morning so that my mom could have a small break. They're happy, and we're happy. I didn't have any coffee yesterday, and at this moment I'm drinking some, so this is a big moment for me.
Today is SONrise. It's not too late to sign up people. It's going to be a great party. I'm excited.
My garden is doing excellently. That may be the most exciting news of all.
I am leaving for my missions trip in two months from Sunday! How exciting is that?! I need to start getting myself together.
Psalm 134
"Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!
May the Lord bless you from Zion,
He who made heaven and earth!"
I love that Psalm because it's just three verses long and yet it's so rich.
Ok, I have some things to get working on. Have a great day for Jesus.
Beth's birthday
Hello everyone. It's Beth's 15th birthday. Go her. She's made this far in life. Fifteen is a big number I think. I enjoyed being 15. Please give your contrats to her whenever you see her. She's pretty much the best and I will love her forever.
Ok I need to go to Physics now.
something that made me laugh
My spell check just asked me if I wanted to say coffeemaker instead of Covfamikoi.
How cute is that?
it's Luke's 16th birthday
Just to clarify things we are not twins. Yes, at the moment we are the same age. I am 11 and a half months older than him. Please keep that straight. He's pretty much happy, and that's good. I love him just in case anyone was wondering.
Yeah so I am looking forward to my birthday this year. It's weird, but I really am like counting the days in my head. I don't exactly know why because birthdays aren't like the most exciting things in the world to me, but this year I am looking forward to it.
Well I have some school to get done and some work to do so please excuse me as I go and work on some business. For those of you who want to drop a note for Luke's birthday feel free to do so on my blog. It would make us both feel special at the same time.
because
Hello. It is a new week, and I have been thinking about some stuff. When is it ok to be discouraged in the Christian faith? Or is it ever? Now I am not saying that at this moment in time I am fighting some kind of depression. Actually, today has been a nice day thus far. I guess what I am wondering is, is there ever a time when a Christian should openly admit to having a bad day. Should we try to always appear to be ok even when we are not? Is it somehow wr0ng to talk yourself into being excited just because you feel guilty complaing. In a way there really never is a time where we are not ok. You know what I mean?
I asked a question about Christ's kingship over our emotions in Sunday school class yesterday. Some of you were there. I got an answer, but I still wonder... I think some of it has to do with personality. I would like to know your thoughts.
I guess I tend to try really hard to have a good attitude because when I admit to being discouraged I feel like I am admitting the Devil's victory and that makes me mad. I like to talk myself into looking at life from a postitive perspective rather than just accept that fact that I'm not having a good day. I suppose I wonder... is that wrong. It's the truth that God is good, so I don't think talking and focusing on that is wrong- ever. I just wonder if people need to sometimes admit that they are having a bad day just because it's the truth.
So what do you think?
By the way, I'm having a great day. It really does have everything to do with the fact that God is an awesome God and so very forgiving of my sin.
Interesting Information
-Alex and Sam just sang Buttercup Baby and it was prolly the studliest moment of the lives up to this point.
-My big dilemma of the morning was weather to eat a cinnamon or blueberry poptart.
-The days seem to last longer lately. I decided a logical reason for this is the less sleep I get the more time I am conscious of. Brilliant I know.
-Spending a week writing about abortion and World War One can be really depressing.
-Coffee tastes super good with cocoa powder in it.
-People appreciate poetry no matter how pitiful it is.
-John Magill is surprisingly good at mending ancient green hats.
-Gardens have great acoustics.
-Allergy medicine does not cure headaches.
-Asking a busy girl what day the 4th of July is on while she is busy is mean and Levi that was hysterical.
-A Farmer's tan can have appeal.
-Lammas look hysterical in a hail storm. (lol)
-What is brown and sticky?
Answer: A stick.
-Making a list like this is very stress relieving.
why I am still up
It is late
but it's my fate
Coffee's true
flowers grew
school is long
nothings wrong
love is real
spring I feel
hair needs trim
eyes may dim
I want to swim
or climb a limb.
thank you
another day has begun
What an opportunity we have this day. Today we can live to our greatest potential. Today we can love with the greatest of love. Today we can be who we were created to be because we struggle "with all His energy that He powerfully works within me."
HOW COOL IS THAT???!!!!! We are no longer bound to sin. We are free men. We can obey. We can love. We can live. Let us be satisfied with the path our God chosen for us. Let us rejoice in all things. For we know that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. How awesome is that? We are in Him, and no one and no thing can separate us from Him. "My Beloved is mine and I am His."
Ok think with me of these things...
For consider your calling, brothers; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the course of your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
I Corinthians 1:26-31
Let us boast in the Lord. May He be exalted high. Let each moment of this day be an act of adoration of Him.
Live an awe filled day.
pretty Kez
Keziah is pretty much the most beautiful little person I have ever seen. She walks around with her hair in a little ponytail waving and her little dresses tottering. She is a doll, and we love her.
Kez isn't perfect though. It's interesting to watch her struggle with her selfish will and obedience. It's also interesting to realize that the same little drama fits that she throws now are freakishly simular to those that she will throw 15 years from now. Keziah is a blessing. There are so many things we can learn from her, and there are so many things she must learn.
It is cold today. I am back in my typical winter outfit. It's ok though, it is April so it can't get too cold.
I am feeling really good today. It's fantastic to be so happy. I don't exactly know why I'm so happy, but I do know that has something to do with my wonderful family and my wonderful friends, and mostly my wonderful God. I had a really productive evening last night and there is nothing better than time well spent. The feeling is hard to match. I love getting things accomplished.
Well we are on the final lap of school folks. Don't give up. Press on towards the goal and direct your energy in finishing the course.
Smiles and love and all things good and lovely...
it's it lovely?
This world is a beautiful world. Today the thought crossed my mind that if it's so beautiful here now, what will the new world be? Then I longed for heaven and the new earth to come. He is there, and I cannot wait to be with Him. Don't fear though, we are hear for a reason, and when His purpose is fulfilled than Jesus will come again. It won't be too far away, but no one but the Father knows when, so don't even think about explaining that one.
On Saturday I am going to spend the entire day with my garden. I am going to mix in some dirt and then plant. I am really excited because I have my plans all laid out so this will be it! My garden will be ready for Easter.
Speaking of which, how exciting it is that we get to celebrate the risen Lord this Sunday?! We don't have to hide our joy either because it is a national holiday. It's in all the calendars. I have been thanking God a lot lately for how much freedom we have in our land. We can worship Him without any threat. It's a blessing. Let us pray for the suffering people around the world today who are dying for the name of Jesus.
Well, I am going to get on with life. Have a great day. Remember to thank Him, and be a blessing to your family.
the end of a day
I have some different things to be working on. I am drinking coffee and eating Craisins which actually go very well together.
I am really excited because God is good and it makes me content. I have had some sad things today, but not enough to make me sad. I am happy because there is no where else in the world I would rather be than right here. I love it. I love life. I love being. It's the most wonderful feeling. Just think with me for a moment about how we don't know what it is like to no be. We are, and that is what we know.
Have a good night.
hello
You know what? Today is a great day. It's warm and beautiful. I got to work a bit late but my boss is a fairly understanding person. I think it had to do with the fact that I was wearing my "too blessed to be stressed" shirt.
This is the first year that I have really been able to appreciate all the beautiful flowering trees. There are a ton of them and I really like that.
Well I am going to work on Physics now. Have a wonderful day for the sake of our King. Remember to thank and praise His holy name as you go about your life.
Love,
Rebekah
good
Well people,I thought that it would be a good thing to define good:
1. Satisfactory in quality or kind
2. Striking in appearance
3. Morally excellent; virtuous; worthy.
4. Kind; benevolent.
5. Well-behaved.
6. Proper; desirable
7. Pleasing; agreeable
8. Beneficial;
9. Favorable; approving
10. Skillful;
11. Pendable
12. Reliable
13. Considerable
14. Full
15. Valid
Now that you all know Websters idea of the word good. You should have a good evening.
I'm having a good day.
grace grows green
I have been pondering the turth Jesus shares with us in John 15. He begins by saying...
"I am the true vine,"
Now picture a garden. There is the Vine. It stands strong and true.
" and my Father is the Vinedresser."
As we admire the vine we recognize and gain great respect for the gardner. The vine cannot exist without the vinedresser to tend it. At the same time the vinedresser could not be a vinedresser without the vine. The Father and Son are in a perfect relationship of love.
"Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. "
Now we see that this vine has branches. There are branches that are unnecessary because they do not do their duty. They do not drink from the Vine, so the Vinedresser takes them away. The branches that do bear fruit must endure hardship and loss in order to bear more fruit.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
Now we realize that we are part of the story. We are the branches. We must endure hardship and loss in order to bring the most pleasure to the Vinedresser. Isn't it interesting that the vine must endure pain and hardship too, because when you prune the branches the Vine feels pain.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
When we abide in Him we will be like Him. Then He continues to explains...
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. "
We prove that we are part of the Vine when we bear the fruit of the Vine.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."
At this point Jesus makes it clear that love is life here. Jesus' love for us, and our love for Him is like the vine providing life for the branches, and the branches providing life for the Vine. See the branches wouldn't be there without the vine. We won't be here without Jesus. We couldn't love Him if He didn't first love us. Now that we are loved by Him we must love Him. We must bear His fruit. How can we love Him? What is the fruit? Well...
"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."
Now we see that when we obey we love. He also points to the perfect relationship between the Vine and the Vinedresser as the way we should love Him.
"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."
This is the closing of the passage but how exciting. Jesus knows that we find out true joy when we abide in Him.
See you guys we are all branches. Whether we know Jesus or not. All people were made with the basic purpose of abiding in the Vine. That is what we are good for. That is what we were "wired" to do. When we see people who are not bearing fruit their joy is not full. It can't be. We need Jesus in the same way that the branches need the Vine!!! We are nothing without Him. We find no joy. We have no love. We can bear no fruit. In fact we are cut off and burned.
These are just some ideas that I have been thinking about.
life as we now know it
This week has been rather odd. I have had school and work come at me randomly. The good thing is that I am not on my own in this world. It is a very good thing, for without the grace of my Heavenly Father I would not be here but rather in hell where I doomed myself from the beginnning.
I am really excited about life right now. I really love where I am. I really love being one month away from being 17. I really love being able to drive all my fantastic brothers and sisters around. I really love having a garden. I really love sharing my room. I really love the fact that I am getting an education. I really love the thought that I will be done in four years. I really love that it is spring. I really love that I can attend church without being harassed. I really love my job. I really love being home. I really love looking forward to college. I really love living for Christ. I really love that I can serve Him wholly now in a way I won't be able to when I am devoted to a man on earth. I really love being a big sister. I really love all my wonderful friends. I really love that I can searchthe Scriptures and come to know God. I really love that I can pray. I really love being able to breath. I really love to smile. I really love to sing. I really love being here, in the center of the will of God. I really love being under my parents authority. I really love talking with them. I really love being able to nap when I really really need to. I love looking forward to what God has in store in the future. I love that I can enjoy today and be content and satisfied where He has me this day.
I love today.
something short
God is very gracious.
a large amount of school...
I suppose that most of the people reading my blog have lots of school to work on. I do. *Sad face* you guys, I really need prayer about this because I am not focusing on school the way I should be and it's quite the problem. I have a little more than four more years of school and then I will be done forever. I can do it. It's just that I don't feel motivated. *Shakes head* why is it that the good I will to do that I do not do. I can totatlly understand Pauls frusteration in Romans 7. Yet, I will hope in the strength of Christ, and I will not fail. In all things He is faithful. In all things He is King.
Tonight I have to write a paper on Marx and his system. I really don't feel like writing it. Oh, listen to me I sound like such a baby. Well, there are no "buts" I have to turn this in tomorrow. Please pray that I will have a productive evening. Please pray that this week I will focus. I am not going to be a Christina's at all because she is on spring break, which is so nice. I love her so much, and I miss her, but it's nice to have my evenings free. Anyways, I should buckle down and write. Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words.
I may post again tonight, because I will be here for a while. I won't make any promises though. If I do post, I intend for it to be more encouraging and uplifting. This complaining stuff is nasty.
*Smiling (because truly I have nothing to complain about)*
