This isn't just a place where we =tell you stuff.
We'd really appriciate your comments/emails (hands.plus.tears@gmail.com)/reviews on your own blogs?/whatever.
So if you have questions/comments/concerns, please let us know.
Even if you have a topic you want us to post about, or a question you want us to answer, we might start a Question and Answer day every week besides the Wednesday posts. If you have anything to say, go ahead and contact us or comment. We'd love to hear from you!
So that's my random ramble....speak up!
:)
May God bless you all,
Jo
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Living the Life
Everyone's probably heard of the verse 1 Corinthians 10:31
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
This verse was sort of a 'motto' or a key verse for my basketball team about two years ago. In general, I thought it was a pretty hardcore creed showin what us Christian peeps was all about.
But, I really had no clue what was buried under the simple meaning I understood. Honestly, I didn't really know what the scripture meant. Seriously...how do you eat a chicken wing to God's glory? How do you show other people you have Christ by gulping a grape soda?
I didn't know, but I interpreted it in my immature mind that it basically meant do you all you can to show others that Christ is your Lord.
There were a couple of things I, well frankly, got wrong.
The first thing I'm going to show you is that giving Glory to God doesn't have to be in front of other people.
Every time I thought about that verse, the first thing that came to mind was Atheists, maybe a hamburger, and Mormons. Because after all, they were the ones that needed to see how much God deserved, and how much he changed me. But y’know, there’s also that one verse that says:
Matthew 7:5
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
If you’ve ever read the ‘Gospel Primer’ by Milton Vincent, you know what it is to preach the gospel to yourself. The importance of preaching the gospel to yourself, and continually, at that, is so great, that it is an essential part of the Christian faith.
C.J. Mahaney taught a sermon at our church a couple weeks back about talking to yourself, specifically in troubling times. He showed that our soul is having a constant conversation with us. But our soul doesn’t often talk about the gospel. It tells us how poor we are and how uncomfortable something might be to do, it tells us what we want to hear. But no, this is not what we need to listen to. Mr. C.J. talked about how we need to bounce back and tell our soul the gospel, not how hard it is on us.
Paul Tripp says on this topic:
“No one is more influential in your life then you are, because no one talks to you more then you do”
If we ourselves are the most influential in our lives, should we be constantly feeding ourselves the truth about God? We need to challenge, rebuke and command our souls to trust in Him.
The second thing is essentially, the more we preach the gospel to ourselves, the more it shines out to other people.
Have you ever thought about how the more inviting and enjoyable you are, the more people will want to be around you? And have you ever thought that the more different you are (in a Christian way), the more people will notice you are not like them?
I always wondered why no one asked me if I was a Christian or not. It happened in the Christian movies, and in Adventures in Odyssey tapes, but it never happened to me. What was going on? Did people just not actually do that in real life? Was I just never around non-Christians?
The answers to both of those questions is no. It wasn’t something wrong with them, it was something wrong with me. Even to my Christian friends, I wasn’t as enjoyable because I didn’t live like one. I always wanted to talk about TV shows. I didn’t really care about God, what they had taught in Sunday School, or about the seniors who the youthgroup visited at the nursing home. I didn’t care about the gospel.
It’s funny, how this whole thing is circular, you know?
I won’t be able to worship, I won’t be able to evangelize, I won’t be able to live my life to the glory of God, in anyway. It’s not just about worship, you cannot do anything for God unless you live it for him everyday
Reccomended Reading: “The Spirit of Depression” – Martyn Lloyd Jones
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
This verse was sort of a 'motto' or a key verse for my basketball team about two years ago. In general, I thought it was a pretty hardcore creed showin what us Christian peeps was all about.
But, I really had no clue what was buried under the simple meaning I understood. Honestly, I didn't really know what the scripture meant. Seriously...how do you eat a chicken wing to God's glory? How do you show other people you have Christ by gulping a grape soda?
I didn't know, but I interpreted it in my immature mind that it basically meant do you all you can to show others that Christ is your Lord.
There were a couple of things I, well frankly, got wrong.
The first thing I'm going to show you is that giving Glory to God doesn't have to be in front of other people.
Every time I thought about that verse, the first thing that came to mind was Atheists, maybe a hamburger, and Mormons. Because after all, they were the ones that needed to see how much God deserved, and how much he changed me. But y’know, there’s also that one verse that says:
Matthew 7:5
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
If you’ve ever read the ‘Gospel Primer’ by Milton Vincent, you know what it is to preach the gospel to yourself. The importance of preaching the gospel to yourself, and continually, at that, is so great, that it is an essential part of the Christian faith.
C.J. Mahaney taught a sermon at our church a couple weeks back about talking to yourself, specifically in troubling times. He showed that our soul is having a constant conversation with us. But our soul doesn’t often talk about the gospel. It tells us how poor we are and how uncomfortable something might be to do, it tells us what we want to hear. But no, this is not what we need to listen to. Mr. C.J. talked about how we need to bounce back and tell our soul the gospel, not how hard it is on us.
Paul Tripp says on this topic:
“No one is more influential in your life then you are, because no one talks to you more then you do”
If we ourselves are the most influential in our lives, should we be constantly feeding ourselves the truth about God? We need to challenge, rebuke and command our souls to trust in Him.
The second thing is essentially, the more we preach the gospel to ourselves, the more it shines out to other people.
Have you ever thought about how the more inviting and enjoyable you are, the more people will want to be around you? And have you ever thought that the more different you are (in a Christian way), the more people will notice you are not like them?
I always wondered why no one asked me if I was a Christian or not. It happened in the Christian movies, and in Adventures in Odyssey tapes, but it never happened to me. What was going on? Did people just not actually do that in real life? Was I just never around non-Christians?
The answers to both of those questions is no. It wasn’t something wrong with them, it was something wrong with me. Even to my Christian friends, I wasn’t as enjoyable because I didn’t live like one. I always wanted to talk about TV shows. I didn’t really care about God, what they had taught in Sunday School, or about the seniors who the youthgroup visited at the nursing home. I didn’t care about the gospel.
It’s funny, how this whole thing is circular, you know?
I won’t be able to worship, I won’t be able to evangelize, I won’t be able to live my life to the glory of God, in anyway. It’s not just about worship, you cannot do anything for God unless you live it for him everyday
Reccomended Reading: “The Spirit of Depression” – Martyn Lloyd Jones
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Every Wednesday
Just so our three blog readers know ( :P )
We are trying to get a post out every week, and aiming for Wednesday. So that's when you can expect a new post. That is, a long post that actually is might be important for you to read, not like a post I am making now that is going on and on for no reason.
Of course, we'll post if we are going on vacation, or doing extra posts for special occasions, whatever's going on, we'll let yall know.
Thanks a trillion! ( oh gracious that was sappy)
:D You're reading and spreading the word about this blog is greatly appriciated.
Chloe
Monday, September 15, 2008
Who I am
My name is Daniel.
I am 17 until March 4th. I go to a Presbyterian church. My goal is to become a pastor. I like to glorify God by helping others though their struggles.
I am a Jesus Freak, a servant for God, a follower of The Way, a Christian, a rebelutionaire, a warrior for God, a brother in Christ and one of God's adopted sons.
My purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Help?!!!
Need some help comment on this post and I will try to answer any questions you have.
Please be patient as it may take awhile to answer your question due to how many questions are being posted throughtout the week.
P.S. Make sure your question/questions are without foul language. Also all questions will be answered in a Biblical perspective. Thank you
Please be patient as it may take awhile to answer your question due to how many questions are being posted throughtout the week.
P.S. Make sure your question/questions are without foul language. Also all questions will be answered in a Biblical perspective. Thank you
Hero
Before I talk about the topic Hero I want to say thanks to God for giving me the privelge to serve Him by writing for Hands+Tears, Jo who created this blog and inviteding me to be a writter for it, and you for reading the post/posts on this blog.
Topic: Hero
What do you think when you hear the word hero? Do think Superman or Batman? What makes a person a hero? Is it super powers, cool gadgets, or is it the costume? Well to explain what I think makes a person a hero let me tell you a little bit of my life.
Before I was born the doctor told my mom that she should have an abortion; in other words kill me. The doctors said I would be born abnormal and have all types of problems, but my mom told the doctor no and I was born completely normal. My mom is a hero because she basically saved my life.
Later on in life, around the time I was about five or six years old, I asked Christ to come into my life and He did. God is actually more then a hero because He created me and He saved me from my sins. As I got older I started being a better Christian and started serving others. But as time went on I started feeling depressed because I felt like I was a slave; it seemed as if I was always stuck doing everything for everyone else. Then one-day between the ages ten and thirteen I tried to kill myself. I took a knife out and was going to plunge it into my heart but my dad walked into the kitchen and told me suicide was not the answer. We talked for a while and after the talk I realized my dad was right -my life is not my own. I am bought with a price and that price is the cost of Christ dying on the cross. I am made in God’s image and I am also one of his adopted sons. My dad is a hero because he saved my life and helped me through my depression.
After a little while I met people who cut themselves, do drugs and tons other things that are just so horrible to hear about and I realized I wanted to help these people; I wanted to be a hero. I didn’t realize it at the time but I was already a hero having fought with depression and having defeated it day after day. So I helped these people and some changed and others didn’t but I know that God is taking care of them. One day a friend of mine asked me for a clean slate. How many of you want a clean slate? I do and guess what! I got it and so can you! Just ask God to forgive you and He will. Ask Him for strength and He will give it to you so that you can forgive yourself. My challenge for you is to stop doing what you’re doing that is wrong; stop cutting yourself, stop doing drugs, and stop doing whatever else I forgot to mention. Ask for forgiveness and then forgive yourself. I know it’s hard. I have struggled with it many times but it’s the greatest thing to be free from sin and to really know that in your heart that you are forgiven. If you’re still struggling write down your sins on a piece of paper and burn it.
If you ever need some one to talk to you can always talk to me. I’m here to help you not to hurt you but remember God has always been there for you and He is there for you now and always will be there for you so turn to Him first because He never fails. While others sadly can fail you God won't ever fail you for He is God almighty the One True God. Last thing I have to say is I believe each of you are a hero in one way or another and if you don’t think that you are then go out there be a hero and help your friends or other people you know who are hurting inside.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Topic: Hero
What do you think when you hear the word hero? Do think Superman or Batman? What makes a person a hero? Is it super powers, cool gadgets, or is it the costume? Well to explain what I think makes a person a hero let me tell you a little bit of my life.
Before I was born the doctor told my mom that she should have an abortion; in other words kill me. The doctors said I would be born abnormal and have all types of problems, but my mom told the doctor no and I was born completely normal. My mom is a hero because she basically saved my life.
Later on in life, around the time I was about five or six years old, I asked Christ to come into my life and He did. God is actually more then a hero because He created me and He saved me from my sins. As I got older I started being a better Christian and started serving others. But as time went on I started feeling depressed because I felt like I was a slave; it seemed as if I was always stuck doing everything for everyone else. Then one-day between the ages ten and thirteen I tried to kill myself. I took a knife out and was going to plunge it into my heart but my dad walked into the kitchen and told me suicide was not the answer. We talked for a while and after the talk I realized my dad was right -my life is not my own. I am bought with a price and that price is the cost of Christ dying on the cross. I am made in God’s image and I am also one of his adopted sons. My dad is a hero because he saved my life and helped me through my depression.
After a little while I met people who cut themselves, do drugs and tons other things that are just so horrible to hear about and I realized I wanted to help these people; I wanted to be a hero. I didn’t realize it at the time but I was already a hero having fought with depression and having defeated it day after day. So I helped these people and some changed and others didn’t but I know that God is taking care of them. One day a friend of mine asked me for a clean slate. How many of you want a clean slate? I do and guess what! I got it and so can you! Just ask God to forgive you and He will. Ask Him for strength and He will give it to you so that you can forgive yourself. My challenge for you is to stop doing what you’re doing that is wrong; stop cutting yourself, stop doing drugs, and stop doing whatever else I forgot to mention. Ask for forgiveness and then forgive yourself. I know it’s hard. I have struggled with it many times but it’s the greatest thing to be free from sin and to really know that in your heart that you are forgiven. If you’re still struggling write down your sins on a piece of paper and burn it.
If you ever need some one to talk to you can always talk to me. I’m here to help you not to hurt you but remember God has always been there for you and He is there for you now and always will be there for you so turn to Him first because He never fails. While others sadly can fail you God won't ever fail you for He is God almighty the One True God. Last thing I have to say is I believe each of you are a hero in one way or another and if you don’t think that you are then go out there be a hero and help your friends or other people you know who are hurting inside.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
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