It's funny that we celebrate Thansgiving for one day and we rush toward Christmas on the next day. Christmas decorations appeared in stores even before Thanksgiving. We are thankful for one day. The next day we push to get to the front of the line, get impatient if we have to wait in a line, etc. Everything there after is about Christmas. Everything is commercialized. It would be good if we truly remember why we celebrate, but it's only about presents and gifts. We forget to be kind. We forget that money is not everything. We forget to celebrate Jesus' birth. We forget. I forget.
I am so grateful for my life. The friends I have. The family who loves me. I am grateful for the opportunities I've had in my life. I'm so excited to be done with school. Oh, the places I'll go. The people I will meet. Thanksgiving. This should be a part of my daily living.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Purpose for living
Why am I here in this life? Why are you here on earth? What is our purpose for living? Everyone has to address this question sometime in their life. The answer to this question drives how you and I live out our lives. When you die, what happens? Is the purpose of our life to be born, get a job, get married and have babies, retire, then die? Is that it? Is it to make a difference in this world? If so, why? Are we beings without souls that when we die, we just die and that's it? There has to be more to life than just that. Do you ever wonder why, even with good friends, family, and money, there is a void inside of you. A discontentment. Unsettledness. A deep longing for something. If our purpose is to just live life here on earth and die, why is there a void in our lives?
It's difficult for me to think that we are soul-less beings, probably due to the fact that I put my faith in Jesus many years ago. I have seen and experienced many things in my lifetime that points to God.
Life after death? If you don't believe there is life after death, what I will say should not offend you because of your disbelief. I believe in life after death. I believe that there is a heaven and hell. I believe in Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for my sin so that I may enter heaven. I don't have to do anything to gain favor to get to heaven. It's only through Grace.
What is your purpose for living? Are you satisfied and secure with your answer?
It's difficult for me to think that we are soul-less beings, probably due to the fact that I put my faith in Jesus many years ago. I have seen and experienced many things in my lifetime that points to God.
Life after death? If you don't believe there is life after death, what I will say should not offend you because of your disbelief. I believe in life after death. I believe that there is a heaven and hell. I believe in Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for my sin so that I may enter heaven. I don't have to do anything to gain favor to get to heaven. It's only through Grace.
What is your purpose for living? Are you satisfied and secure with your answer?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Back to Rochester
It's been awhile since I've written. The transition from Florida back to Minnesota was a little rough, but I survived :-) Tonight I was driving in a snowstorm returning home. Ick. Not looking forward to the MN winter.
It's been different living with Miriam and Charlie. From living in my own home to living with a young married couple, 2 cats, and a dog is definitely an adjustment. I can't be loud when I wake up (I'm usually the first up in the morning). It's just different having roommates. I am so thankful for Miriam and Charlie for taking me in and storing all my stuff at their house. Plus they are wonderful cooks and they feed me:-)
I was thinking about conflict again this week. How ugly it can be-especially in a relationship. I'm such a communicator that it drives me nuts when people avoid conflict-because it makes people uncomfortable. People in general never want to be in uncomfortable situations. Everyone want their life to be nice and easy. Life, however, brings all sorts of uncomfortable situations.
Men in general are very good in avoiding conflict-more than women. I realize that this is a very stereotypical statement and not all men are like that. I was just observing this week that the rationale for avoiding some conflict or uncomfortable situations stem from PRIDE. They (men and women) assume many things that may or may not be true about the situation and rely on their emotions to guide their decisions and not rationalized thinking.
For example: Let's say someone hurt me emotionally. Instead of coping and dealing with forgiveness, I harbor anger. I would try to avoid any opportunity of seeing the other person-even if the situation happened a long time ago. My pride would prevent me from finding any resolution to the situation.
Easier said than done. It is true. But life is so short. Why not live it full of joy, not in anger or bitterness? The times you chose to live in bitterness, fear, anger, and sorrow only takes the time away from living a life of Joy. For those who believe in Jesus--Life is meant to be lived in Joy, despite the troubles around us--despite what life throws at us. It's easy to blame God for our struggles, but I challenge you to cling to the Truth.
For those who don't believe and are reading this, I'm praying for you. Have you ever felt an emptiness inside? You try to fill it with relationships, material things, a successful career, and partying, but you never feel whole. I know that the emptiness is an emptiness for the awesome God of the Universe-who sent His Son to die on the cross for all the sins of man (since we were separated from God because of sin) because He loves us that much. When we confess our sins to Jesus, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Are you secure in your thoughts about where you will go after you die on this earth? Think about it.
My thoughts are everywhere tonight.
It's been different living with Miriam and Charlie. From living in my own home to living with a young married couple, 2 cats, and a dog is definitely an adjustment. I can't be loud when I wake up (I'm usually the first up in the morning). It's just different having roommates. I am so thankful for Miriam and Charlie for taking me in and storing all my stuff at their house. Plus they are wonderful cooks and they feed me:-)
I was thinking about conflict again this week. How ugly it can be-especially in a relationship. I'm such a communicator that it drives me nuts when people avoid conflict-because it makes people uncomfortable. People in general never want to be in uncomfortable situations. Everyone want their life to be nice and easy. Life, however, brings all sorts of uncomfortable situations.
Men in general are very good in avoiding conflict-more than women. I realize that this is a very stereotypical statement and not all men are like that. I was just observing this week that the rationale for avoiding some conflict or uncomfortable situations stem from PRIDE. They (men and women) assume many things that may or may not be true about the situation and rely on their emotions to guide their decisions and not rationalized thinking.
For example: Let's say someone hurt me emotionally. Instead of coping and dealing with forgiveness, I harbor anger. I would try to avoid any opportunity of seeing the other person-even if the situation happened a long time ago. My pride would prevent me from finding any resolution to the situation.
Easier said than done. It is true. But life is so short. Why not live it full of joy, not in anger or bitterness? The times you chose to live in bitterness, fear, anger, and sorrow only takes the time away from living a life of Joy. For those who believe in Jesus--Life is meant to be lived in Joy, despite the troubles around us--despite what life throws at us. It's easy to blame God for our struggles, but I challenge you to cling to the Truth.
For those who don't believe and are reading this, I'm praying for you. Have you ever felt an emptiness inside? You try to fill it with relationships, material things, a successful career, and partying, but you never feel whole. I know that the emptiness is an emptiness for the awesome God of the Universe-who sent His Son to die on the cross for all the sins of man (since we were separated from God because of sin) because He loves us that much. When we confess our sins to Jesus, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Are you secure in your thoughts about where you will go after you die on this earth? Think about it.
My thoughts are everywhere tonight.
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