Psalm 119:33-40

33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.
~Ephesians 6:10

praying for strength, for change, patience, love and humility...

The Drunk and The Hypocrite

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/features/23449-the-drunk-and-the-hypocrite

I just read this article and I really like it. It relates to what i've been thinking about lately.

I guess I've been going through some things and I've turned to friends who I thought would be supportive and loving and nonjudgmental but I haven't been received that way. Though it may not have been their intention I realize that Christians can be very judgmental. I think it's harder, the more you learn and the more you grow in God's word...you learn to see ways of how you should live your life or what God has called for you to do. I think it's harder because sometimes when you see things a certain way and people around you may not, you try to implement what you think on them and become judging and very unloving...though that's not what you may have intended nor is it what Christians should do...

I don't want to sound hateful or anything because I'm not...but as a Christian, when my Christian friends do that to me I am turned away very muchh...how can you expect a non Christian to come running into your arms?

Christians...meaning Christ-like should have that same love that Jesus had. Jesus never judged the prostitutes or the poor...he just showed his love. When I seek friends, I want advice, encouragement, support and love. I don't want judgment. I appreciate criticism out of love but that is very different from judgment.

This was from the article: "When we begin to slander other believers in the name of God, we know we’ve gotten off course. Did our Master’s words fall on deaf ears? “Love each other as I have loved you.” “Let them be one, Father, even as we are one.”" I really believe that. When you try to implement the 'rules' on others and judge others when they are out of line from how youuu may perceive the world...that just gives Christianity a bad name. Why are a lot of people turned away from Christianity? I believe that judgment can come from no one from God...no one has the right to judge anyone. We all make mistakes, we're all imperfect, what makes you believe you are greater than another person to judge them.

When Christians judge other Christians or non-Christians it just seems that they are placing themselves on a higher step...like they're more holy...no one has a right to do that. How is that showing love? How is that showing Jesus? How is that being Christ-like???

I truly believe that as Christians we just need to love...have to love...LOVE... I can't even fully understand it but God's love is SO great! I really believe that LOVE can change things and that LOVE is so powerful! ...if we can just LOVE...who knows what that will bring!

learning to love and trust You more

maybe its being couped up at home all by myself the last few days but suddenly i just really miss my friends...

i miss talking about food and tv shows and boys and life and shopping and absolutely everything and nothing. i miss just laughing and playing games and eating and sitting and enjoying company...

i dunno know why but suddenly i just miss everything... i'm going through old pictures and videos and i just miss when being together with friends was easy. i dont want to grow up. i dont want to have to make decisions and figure out my life. i just wish i was a kid again when my only thought was when the next bsb cd would come out...

i feel like friends are drifting away and its so hard to stay together...how do you keep in touch? am i the only one that wants to? when we're all together it's like time hasn't passed...we have fun, we enjoy each others company, things are great...but as soon as we're separated it seems like we don't exist in each others lives anymore. we dont even know what goes on in our lives...

i miss being able to just talk...talk about everything, talk about my day, how i feel, what's bothering me, what's exciting, what's going on...i miss that comfort of having those friends around me who know everything about me and still love me...

WHY do i feel like this? -_______-

This semester has honestly gone by so fast!!!! I can't believe there's only a month left...right now I feel like I have time (and I do if I use it wisely and don't waste it haha) but really...finals are gonna come so quick! I can't wait for Christmas though!! :D My favourite holiday of the year!

I was actually reflecting and talking with a friend and I realize it's so easy to forget the significance of things. We were looking at John 2 and Jews easily forgot the significance of Passover. We also tend to forget why Remembrance Day is important. What's the significance of Christmas?

When I first think of Christmas I'm so happy! Its a break from school!! I get to see and spend time with all my close friends again. It's a time for friends and family to gather together, to spend time with each other, to have chocolate fondue, to play in the snow, to decorate your house and Christmas tree...only after awhile I remember...right Jesus was born on Christmas day. It should be the first thing that comes when I think of Christmas though and it should be something that i'm excited to celebrate. It just becomes so easy to hide things and disguise the meaning of things that I easily forget God in my everyday life let alone a day to celebrate His birth :/

So my goal for this week is to challenge myself to remember Christ in every decision I have to make...big decisions or small decisions, I will pray about it first :]

today is a good day :]

I am so happy for this whole week. It's been absolutely gorgeous out!! If we could only have this weather all year round :] I love the crisp cool air you breathe in and the crunch of leaves when you're walking outside. It feels so gooood! :P hehe

I feel that today is a good day! :] Even tho I sprained my ankle last night, am in pain and can barely move, and even tho I have an exam in 3 hours that i'm not quite ready for...the sun shining in through the window, the reminder of having good friends and family around me and a certain peace i'm feeling right now... :] tells me that everything's gonna work out fine!