A life with meaning

"I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything."  (John Adams)
     
       Although I did not succeed in fulfilling my 2010 new years resolutions, I have decided to not dwell upon such shortcomings. Today is January 3rd! A new day to live my life, a chance to begin anew, another moment in time to take the challenging steps ahead. Just as Vice President John Adams did not despise his position in life, I shall look forward and prepare for the days ahead.  Although Adams stood second to George Washington, he valued his position and prepared for whatever came ahead. 
    
 I used to feel confused and helpless about God's true intentions and plans for my life. To this day, I feel as though I could be doing so much more...only if...I have the potential...only if...

       But, God is challenging me now to perform to the best of my ability within my circumstance. I may be nothing but a high school senior with dreams/plans...but, God desires for me to be everything in the nothing. He has a greater plan, I appear to be nothing in my ( minute) position, but I may be everything at a moment's notice. That time is now!

 "My Country"

[Miller: What happened to your leg?
Freddy: My leg is in Iran. Since 1987. Me too, I fight for my country.  
Miller: Freddy listen, you give me your information, 
I'm going to get you a reward for what you did today.
Freddy:  Award... You think I do this for money? You think I don't care about my country? I see what's happening. You don't think I see what's happening? And all the people now, they have no water, they have no electricity - you think I do this for reward? You don't think I do this for me? For my future. For my country. For all these things? Whatever you want here, I want more than you want. I want to help my country.] 
~Green Zone-2010

         After watching this moving picture the other day, Freddy's honest- yet so true- statement left me speechless. Here was a man that was willing to risk everything in the midst of absolute anarchy for the sake of his country. He was willing to travel to the point  of  total vulnerability within the realm of American soldiers to provide information that seemed meaningless at the time. The fact that he would...in a sense, stand up for what little of a country he had left just astonishes me. 

As you all know, Veterans Day will come this year...just like any other year...I feel that I haven't grasped the true realities that surround such 
a time and day...

Within America, we are so blessed, constantly fed- overfed, overprotected, overpaid compared to most wages within the world, we have several rights- that are written out to be followed, we have multiple vehicles, insurance, too much clothing...

We, as a country have so much of EVERYTHING!

And yet, I find that I am unable to be thankful for what I have on a daily basis,  

I forget just how blessed I truly am... I forget that I did not have to lose anything for America, but I gained everything from the backs of others...

many lost everything for me...

America, you are my country, [you deserve my allegiance, servitude, respect, honor, loyalty, willingness...] You are my country, you are my reward!

So, on this day...I find a zealous voice within me...fight for her, stand by her...

I see the everyday effects of the recession, the war, the culture changes, the world around me- the cry for Christ from Haiti, The churches that need to be revived, The misguided and brainwashed minds of young children that are desperate for true life...It is time, I want my thirst for America to never end...Let's restore our nation- Let the Great Awakening once again be released into our hearts! Let's pick up the remnants of our people's past honor, empathy, patriotism, loyalty, respect, morality for America and begin anew. 

Just as, young children are desperate to bomb their limbs off to bring honor to their name and country, So am I desperate to make a statement. 

Veteran's Day is about bringing honor to those who have fought for 

America...

how I long to retain such an honorable and serving heart for 

my country...

I am challenging America, stand for our nation, desire and pursue beyond what is permitted...want more than should be wanted...help 
Our country.

[Freddy: [to Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller] 

It is not for you to decide what happens here]~Green Zone-2010

America, you are my country, 

I am responsible for whatever occurs within these borderlines...

We as Americans, are responsible for what happens here...

This is our country!

Layers upon Layers

This afternoon I went through my clothing to weed out the unnecessary items to sell at a consignment shop. Like most people, I have both an extreme(definitely not needed) amount of clothing. First, I went through the shirts, then the jeans, then the skirts, then the tank tops, then the sweaters, then the sweatshirts, then the workout clothing, then the dresses, then the blouses, then the dress pants, then the work outfits, then the pajamas, and then the scarves...Do you get my point?

Clothing to me, comes as a way of expression, a means of protection, a provider of warmth and comfort, a sculptor, a blessing...but most importantly, at times it can be used as a cover, a cloak of invisibility-

if you will...

Today, I found my self reliving certain memories as I came across each article of clothing. I had planned to sell the items that brought upon memories I am less fond of -clothing I haven't used but insist on keeping. I've always clung to my clothing, I take the best care of it, launder each piece properly, and organize them neatly within my closet. My defense mechanism for past occurrences was to always hold onto and keep my belongings but, I've found that to surround myself with such baggage and deceit would only bring horrible repercussions. Day in and day out- my life would continuously be shrouded with reminders of the past...

I know, you may be thinking...she's so dramatic about clothing...

it's just something to cover your body...

get over it...

Well, on one hand you may be correct; clothing can be and act as it was meant to, but the troubles of this world can drastically change you...Although clothing may be what I grasp onto during hard times...

I really view it as a representation of the hurts and memories that I cannot let go of...my life seems to be masses of clothing...layers upon layers...each section- symbolic of events and issues that I've experienced...

I long to cast off the pieces to find the true figure hiding behind measly material...

God is quietly calling...

'Come to me, let go of everything you hold onto and live life to it's fullest...not behind the sleeves of sorrow...live beyond the layers and find me' 

 Moving in the right direction

“Crying is all right in its own way while it lasts.  But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.”
- Narrator, as it pertained to Jill, The Silver Chair

Well, it's been quite a while since my last post...

My life has definitely changed for the better. As I was sitting here, thinking of a positive way to re-launch my blog...I couldn't stop thinking about 'commitment'. I'd failed to continue my blog- procrastinated excessively throughout my life. These past couple of years have brought hurts and additional trust issues into the mix of my own person. I feel that I am constantly sinking and swirling into confusion and regret. This quote uniquely describes my current thoughts on life in general. 

Although my ship has symbolically capsized and felt the rush of troubling waters, I am not going to dwell within such misery.The sadness and anger that was once present has left me and been replaced by his healing love. My ship has potential, reason, passions, talent, and a new direction to pursue. No one can last in such sorrow over the past, our ships must move on. God's love has prodded me to examine my own steering methods. His arms have shown me the joy and glory of taking control of the helm once more. Wherever God leads me, I will follow...the waves and currents of life will be fleeting compared to his all-sustaining love and guidance. So, what about 'Commitment'? Just as a sailor must navigate toward his set destination, so I will be. This voyage will be very arduous, but such a departure from my old thought pattern is vital.  To forgo the waters I have covered and find a safe haven upon God's rock is my motivation. No longer will I be complacent in the sea of tears, for there's too much at stake...God is grafted into the framework of my ship and will remain, nothing- not even terrorizing storms will ruin my excursion... 

He'll move me in the right direction...

 

I've Kissed Dating Goodbye also...

I think I'm finally making some headway here...

I know what your thinking... "What did she mean by kissing dating goodbye...she's only 15?"- Well, do I have and answer for you! I've recently finished reading the famous controversial book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," (by Joshua Harris)...yes, once I read the "Do Hard Things," book...I had to read a book from Alex and Brett's older Brother, Joshua Harris. This book was actually not entirely about dating...the main theme throughout the book is; the idea of breaking away from our worldly traditional dating and examining our motives in our current relationships...if they're like most...they're probably for self benefits-without the other person in mind...in the long run.

~I tend to become very passionate about certain books...that is if they have meaning pertaining to my walk in Christianity...and this one was a very good one! Although this book was written when I was born...it still is very relevant... and is probably even more needed in today's society. Well, we should probably get back to the main point here...I tend to venture on rabbit trails...even through writing... if I'm not careful.~

At the beginning of this book; Joshua touches lightly upon his past relationships, he then goes into further detail upon how our world has mutilated the idea of courting/dating...into the self-seeking actions called"Hook-ups." Joshua also wrote of how the world's philosophy of dating has been incorporated into the church-this may be insignificant in alarm- but no matter how small...we need to make a change. According to Joshua Harris...there are seven Defective ways in the dating process today. The writer emphasized the need for commitment in our relationships, the preciousness of marriage and, the strength we can find in embracing our years of singleness for the Lord. So, I'm 15...why should I be kissing dating goodbye...when I have not even experienced such a thing...well, I'll tell you why; If I'm not ready for the commitment in my life (for marriage that is) then I shouldn't be leaving myself open for the engagement of such. Teens today- we want all the pleasures of dating the opposite sex without the responsibility for the other person's needs...or anything else regarding commitment for that matter. God made marriage...so, if we are dating or courting- then we should hopefully be interested in finding that possible mate...if a couple is just interested in having fun...the relationship is due to head down the cliff...(Break up). Speaking of cliffs...Joshua Harris gives a very thought provoking analogy of thrill-seeking hook-ups; Imagine, you and your dating partner are going to climb down a cliff...but when you are strapped and ready to make your way down...your partner refuses to hold the rope (without it there is no assurance of your safety)...Like Mr. Harris puts it...couples today- want all the benefits without being accountable to the other person. I have kissed dating goodbye...until I'm ready and God leads me where he wants me! Although this may be a radical idea...I feel the need to keep both my heart and body pure...this is one of my ways of serving God to my utmost being- besides look at how many Christian brothers and sisters we can encourage in our daily walks- Most of my ideas stem from the philosophy of Joshua Harris' book and my background knowledge of this subject.




So, I have Kissed Dating Goodbye...what about you?

Let's Do Something with our lives!

Well, today was our first day with the Vacation Bible School; and it turned out great! I did not know what to expect but, everyone worked together and pulled it off. Now, I haven't even mentioned that for the whole day we've received nothing but rain...but hey...through whatever....we praised God... even through the storm! I constantly feel turmoil in my heart...a longing if you will...to do something more with my life for Christ...I feel that helping minister to kids of all ages is the first step, although it may be small!

Not too long ago I read a book called "Do Hard Things- The Rebelution," (By Alex and Brett Harris)-This book inspired me to get up and do something with my life. The teen years (as the world refers to them) are not to be spent as a vacation from childhood until adulthood. While reading I was astonished to discover that the word "Teen," was not even coined until 1945 when it was featured in the Reader's Digest. More and more we find Teenagers wasting their lives...they have given into the myth of adolescence (according to the Harris Brothers). What is this myth of adolescence you may ask...well, it's the myth that teens can't and won't accomplish anything...they are just measly little consumers in a world of manufacturers...all teens are involved in is; sex, drugs and, technology. This myth began during the time of the child labor laws; once the children were saved from such strenuous work- they did not have any job to go to...they became the consumers...this is all but true...look at the world today-Who makes the covers of our tabloid magazines? What group is conquering both the movie and music business? Who is targeted the most when clothing comes into mind? Of course, the adolescence of this world...we've not only succumbed to the world's opinions but, we have fallen under them... even lower. We as Christian teens need to rise up and submit our lives to God for the Glory of his kingdom...don't just waste these precious years...answer the call for something more within your souls...and you'll definitely be glad!