My First Bible Study

Hey! This blog is specifically for Alyssa!! :) So, this was basicly what my first bible study was, minus some talking! :) I will put what we discussed in this color font beneath the verses. (Obviously none of this is exact, and I'm probably going to add a lot...)
I ended with a poem that I wrote January 3, 2009; that Alyssa found, and I thought would be a nice conclusion.
First, I passed out handwritten Colossians 4:5-6. (I read it aloud.)

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the
most of every oppurtunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer
everyone."

I mentioned how I had been reading that, and memorized that. (I forgot to mention that they should put their copies in their bible, or somewhere where they'll see it, and maybe they'll memorize it too. Perhaps you will do that though...) I also said how I really liked it. I think Kristin mentioned the "know how to answer everyone," part and how that was kind of neat.

Then, we opened our bibles to Psalms 8:3-9, and read that.

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

I think I forgot to let people say anything after this one... I would like to mention now though that it is truly amazing that God could think of all the ideas for the creations he made, I mean, everything we "create" if modeled after something on Earth, or that we've seen. (At least that I can think of...) Circles, stars, squares, animals, plants, colors, planets, whatever else. Also, it is an incredible thought that the Creator of everything would LOVE us, pure, true, never forsaking love! He made us a little lower than ANGElS!! He entrusted us with his animals, and everything on earth! That would take trust, and faith in our abilities!

Skipping on over to chapter 34: 1-9 (of Psalms,) we obviously read that too... :)

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing."

I think one of us said something about how those who fear the Lord lack nothing. That is pretty sweet! Kristin, (I think,) said that "those who look to him are radiant," stood out to her, and that was neat. To me, "this poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles." stood out, whenever we call out, He always listens, whether we think he is or not. He definately saves people from their troubles, for starters, think of all the wonderful testimonies, and how we never have to fear earthly things anymore, and ultimately, aren't (perhaps shouldn't,) be affected (permanentaly,) by this world, but look to our real lives, the one in Christ.

Lamentations 5:19 was next.

"You, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation."

I said that He endures from generation to generation, and that was not only crucial, but pretty neat, because not a lot of things do! Hannah might have said that that made her think of how His love endures forever and ever.

Flipping back a little, to Ch. 3: 21-26, and 32-33.

21-26: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

32-33: "Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."

We focused on 32-33 mostly. We agreed that although, yes, there will be grief, the good times can't last forever. Also, that this verse helps show that God is like our fathers here, he loves us, but knows we need to be disciplined too; a father (or our Father,) does not want to make us sad, and burdened...

This is the last verse, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Sorry, you're going to have to look that one up yourself, it's pretty long...

I pointed out that there is definately a time for everything, and mentioned God's plan for us, and how that fits in with this. We can't always have only the good things in life. Sometimes we have to rise up to meet the challenges throw at us. (You might also want to read verses 15, 17, and 19.)

So, that was basicly it, I thought it went pretty well, and I know at least Kristin and Hannah liked it. (Eric VanDam, Violet, and Jeremy were also there.)

*But, let's not forget this poem!!!

The angels seated high above, looking down with deep love, longing for a chance to help those far below, knowing one day their time will come, meanwhile singing praises to their mighty Creator, and feasting to his greatness.

Listening with great care, straining to hear every word, their curiosity overflowing, to know what the children are doing in their humble homes so far away, knowing at one time they shall be seated at their small wooden table, sharing a meal and a few memories, to tell of their time when they return home. Oh to be with the children, (the princes, and princesses,) what a great honor, to be chosen from many, being brought down to Earth, just like their Master long ago had done. Getting a taste of the children's lives, then returning to Heaven, having problems and trouble no more. No longer bring condemned by the ways of the world, but returning to theirs.

The light in the darkness, leaving fright far behind, being hindered by nothing, for He has the power to cast aside all things, He brings help to the helpless, and sight to the blind, right to the wrong, for He is the Lord my God.

As the seed grows to seedling, and the gentle sprinkle to a mighty shower, so time goes on, and things grow old. Just as things are forgotten, things also are made new, and are being remembered. As something dies, something new will grow in it's place.

Surely you will be wounded, but you will also be healed. All of these things are done by the Creator, who has a plan, where everything happens for a reason.

Good song!

Don't worry, I'm not going to try and analyze this song; I think I'm done with that!! :) However,

I heard this song on the radio, and really liked it, so listen!!!

Here's a link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmu164R9GAw

Enjoy, I know I like it! :)

Jars of Clay- Flood

I've always like the song "Flood" by Jars of Clay, but never really stopped to think about the lyrics. (I rarely do.) But, like always, when I read 'Lyssa's blogs I really stop and think, and she really inspires me. Actually, the only reason I thought of this song was because, I was going to listen to the first Jars of Clay song that popped up on Youtube; it was the second, actually, but I didn't really like the first one, it's a whopping 6:14 minutes long!!! Anyways... Then I remembered something Kristin said about the song, she said that it was a good song, and it had good lyrics. I didn't really get what she meant, but enjoyed the song. So, I am on a quest to find out what she meant! :)
When I heard the part about 40 days, I thought, "Wait a minute, that couldn't be refering to the Biblical flood could it?" So, let's look at Genesis 7:17, (NIV,) "For fourty days the flood kept coming on the eath, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth." Hmm... In the song, fourty days is correct, high above the earth would probably work for "so high that I cannot fall," but I still have some doubt. Before I get too carried away, here's the lyrics:
Rain, rain on my face
It hasn't stopped raining for days
My world is a flood
Slowly I become one with the mud
But if I can't swim after forty days
And my mind is crushed by the thrashing waves
Lift me up,
So high that I cannot fall
Lift me oh, woah...
Lift me up!
When I am falling
Lift me up!
I'm weak and I'm dying
Lift me up!
I need you to hold me
Lift me up!
Keep me from drowning again...
Downpour on my soul
Splashing in the ocean, I'm losing control
Dark sky all around
I can't feel my feet touching the ground
But if I can't swim after forty days
And my mind is crushed by the thrashing waves
Lift me up,
So high that I cannot fall
Lift me oh, woah...
Lift me up!
When I am falling
Lift me up!
I'm weak and I'm dying
Lift me up!
I need you to hold me
Lift me up!
Keep me from drowning again...
Calm the storms that drench my eyes
Dry the streams still flowing
Cast down all the waves of sin
And guilt that overthrow me
If I can't swim after forty days
And my mind is crushed by the
thrashing waves
Lift me up,
So high that I cannot fall
Lift me oh, woah...
Lift me up!
When I am falling
Lift me up!
I'm weak and I'm dying
Lift me up!
I need you to hold me
Lift me up!
Keep from drowning again
Lift me up!
When I am falling
Lift me up!
I'm weak and I'm dying
Lift me up!
I need you to hold me
Lift me up!
Keep me from drowning again...
Since I am not sure about the meaning of the song, I consulted Google, :) and someone said that they thought, "This song is not about the flood. The forty days refers to Jesus' forty days on earth after his ressurection. The key is "cast down the waves of sin" Acts 1:3-8 speaks of the baptism of the holy spirit. He also spoke of how he would not always be with them and there would another comforter "The Holy Spirit" to be with us when he was gone. In this song not being able to swim after forty days means not being able to remain faithful with out Jesus here on earth guiding us. The person is asking the Holy Spirit to lift him up and keep him from drowning in waves of sin." I agree with that! I didn't think it meant the flood, but didn't know what else it could mean! Maybe I should have just let them analyze! :) But, the point is clear no matter what it is really refering to, we need God, and can't do this on our own! I think that the "lift me up, so high that I cannot fall," part must mean Heaven, because Heaven is high above earth, and you can't do any sin there! "I'm weak and I'm dying," in my opinion is humans before Christ's love and presence in our lives. "I need you to hold me," is saying that we need God to stay beside us, and comfort us; knowing He's always there for us. "Keep me from drowning again," I think is aphorism (new word,) to not falling back into sin, and abandoning God. "Lift me up," could refer to forgiving us, or rescuing us from sinning yet again!! " And guilt that overthrow me," the first thing I thought of was the word overthrown, and that makes me think of kings being stopped from ruling, (overthrown,) and guilt truly can overtake you, consuming you and making you miserable!
But, just wanted to give you something to think about. If you have any comments please post them! Or, if you think you know what this song REALLY means, please help me out! If you are able to research more, and do, please tell me what you find. (I don't have enough time right now...)Although I'm writing a blog about it, I'm still not positive about everything it means... :(
I expect comments!!!!!!!!

Random Question: The children are waiting! Please tell them the story about the bald frog with the wig.

That was my random question, so children here's the story!! The ending to be finished later...

One day in the deep woods, there was a young frog who was exploring. His name was Croak. He was the toughest bullfrog around, he would complete any dare, and he was the strongest around. He was still a teen at age 15, but gave his poor parents more than they could handle! They often wondered where they'd gone wrong! (They didn't know that he had been born that way, and it had nothing to do with them.) Croak was also a handsome young dude, who was tall, with luscious flowing hair the color and richness of maple syrup. He was pround of that hair, and took good care of it. (At his house of course, where no one could see him do it.) Although Croak was such a bullfrog, he still had many friends. Currently, he and his friends Hop, and Ribbit were coming upon a large pond that they'd never seen before.
"Wow, it looks pretty wicked!" Croak exclaimed.
"Yeah dude!" agreed Hop.
Ribbit, the more quiet and sensible one, said: "I guess so, it's pretty neat." Little did they know that the pond was "wicked." This was the old pond that many grandfrogs spoke of. There were many legends behind its mystical waters. Some said that it's waters would burn you alive, others that it would make you a new creature, change your personality, make you bald, and yet other stories said it would make your skin turn a new color. All these were intriguing things to tell young, gullible children, but no one knew the real truth. Luckily though, the boys decided not to plunge into it's exotic water... yet.
"Let's bounce on back home and tell everyone our discovery!! We can come back tomorrow. It's past my suppertime!" suggested Ribbit, who was in truth sort of alarmed. Hop and Croak agreed and they headed back, excited about their discovery. Before bedtime the whole community knew of their finding. The next day, a large group of curious onlookers followed the trio to the mysterious pond. Even some of the grandfrogs came along. After a while they came to it.
"Isn't it sweet!?!" asked Croak. Some agreed, while others just stared at the pond. They had very few ponds as big and startling as this one was. The grandfrogs soon realized that this was the legendary pond and storytelling broke out, with some stories being interrupted with other versions. Everyone listened though, and soaked the stories up with awe. After everyone had told their own version, the teens spoke up.
Hop began the ruckus with, "Wow. That's crazy! But no one knows the truth?!? I bet sometime we will..." A plan was hatching in his pea-brain. He was never very loyal to Croak, but just hung out with him when no one better was around. Besides, lately Croak had been getting on his nerves...
"I doubt it!" someone replied, "No one is dumb enough to do that!!"
But, Hop's plan may just be able to prove the legends to be true...
"Hey Croak," he began, "we all know you're the toughest bullfrog around but, you haven't been put to the test yet..."
"What do you mean!?!" Croak retorted.
"So far you've never backed down on anything. Everyone admits you're the strongest, and most handsome around." Hop continued, trying to make him feel proud and invincible.
"That's right. So, what's this test you spoke of?" Croak may be strong and handsome but he wasn't the brightest frog.
"Stupid," Hop said, "I bet you wouldn't take a swim in that pond for anything in the world! After all, no one would do that!" He paused, waiting for Croak's reply.
Croak had heard the magic word "bet" and was already deeply considering it. He began looked more thouroughly at the pond, evaluating its depth and width.
"No one yet-I might just be the first. What are those stories anyway? Fake things old people made up when they got bored!" he countered back.
Now the frogs gathered started to get curious, not sure what that spunky teen would do. Before the bet was formalized though, Ribbit spoke up, "Croak, you know you're my best frog, I wouldn't let you do such an outrageous thing! Now just listen to reason! That pond is dangerous in all the stories we just heard. Do you REALLY want to be the one who finds out the truth?? I don't think so! Don't do it,Hop's just trying to egg you on!!" Ribbit rambled on some more, but Croak had made up his mind. "Thanks for yo concern, brother, but I ain't gonna get harm'd! I be just fine!" Then he turned and announced to the crowd, "I accept Hop's bet, so ya'll just better watch me! Mebbe get yo cameras out, and those video recorders! This is probably going to be nothin' though!! Can I get a countdown??" He prepared himself mentally and physically for whatever would happen.
"10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3--2---1!!" Everyone called out, knowing that Croak wouldn't back down, and they really did want to know what would happen to this young boy. Now, Hop was starting to feel guilty, he knew Croak would accept, but it hadn't bothered him until now. He hoped that he'd magically change his mind, or nothing would happen to him. Oh no!!! Hop was beginning to rot away with guilt.
Croak had heard "1," from the countdown, hesitated a second, then dived into the pond. Immediately a fog of sapphire water splashed upwards. Croak disappeared into the slimy water, his eyes wide open. He saw no fish, or animals anywhere. It was dim and hard to tell details. However, as soon as he hit the water, he knew at least some of the legends were true. He felt a tingling all over, and felt like he was being jerked a bunch of different ways at once. It was an awful sensation, and he was getting scared. Then, it felt like something like gumballs were falling on top of him, along with the jerking and tingling. He was just suspended in one spot for what seemed like years. Finally, he was pushed, (or that's what he thought,) to the surface of that strange pond. A great gasp went up, as he flew out of the pond, and landed on the woodland ground again. Frogs of all ages rushed backwards to avoid being smushed by him. When he landed in a heap all the onlookers could do was stare. He had turned into...

So Long Self

Last night I was listening to the radio on my way, (with my Grandma,) to Lean On Me, and I heard the song, "So Long Self," by MercyMe. I thought, Wow, this has some good lyrics, this could be a new blog!! Cool! Also, I thought the song was interesting, and thought provoking. So, I hope you think the same!
First, here are the lyrics:
Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say
So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry
So long, self
Stop right there because I know what you're thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can't you see
Don't feel so bad (don't feel so bad)
They'll be better days (they'll be better days)
Don't go away mad (but by all means)
Just go away, go away
Or, listen to it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpyKXcMYMS8
This song made me think of Matthew 6:24; "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." There is definitely no room for two!! Everything about this verse, even the money part can be true in the case of this song. (If money is part of your self, then all of it is true, for this situation.) I find that it is a constant struggle not to get caught up in the life we live now, and not focus on eternity with God. This world seems to want to purposely try to bring you down, and get you thinking, acting, and saying the things other people do, when you know you shouldn't. Sometimes the changes are so small you might not even notice them; a negative though, a bad word, but slowly creeping up on you and getting in your head.
You must make the decision: which will be your master? The world, money, yourself, and whatever else tries to bring you down, or God and his mercy, grace, forgiveness, and goodness?
"Things just seem to feel a little bit different." This is defiantly true for people who have just received Christ, you have a new perspective, and you may find that you have a constant battle not to go back to your old ways. But, you have to say "so long, self," no matter what! There will always be people to support you, even if you feel all alone in your fight; whether it be a pastor, family member, fellow Christian, or maybe even a teacher. If all else fails, God will always be with you, there at your side to support you forever, He has a solution for everything! "Believe it or not but life is not apparently about me anyways," it is important to realize that, and focus, not on yourself, but on others, and God. Now, I know that some of the things I've wrote, (and will write,) I may not be a master at, but there is time to work on it, and I will try, to practice what I preach! :) Speaking of myself, I think that "well if I come across a little bit distant it's just because I am," true for me, I may not try to be distant, but some people might think I am just because I don't like to talk very much... But, hey somebody has to listen, besides God of course! ;) "They'll be better days," is very true, there will always be times that are harder than others, but you have to keep going. Besides, if everyday was good, you wouldn't know what a bad day was, and therefor couldn't relate to people who have had a bad day or two. If we had no struggles, then we would never have a time to grow stronger, and mature. So, even in the bad times, the future will have something good coming out of it! "Though the sorrow may last through the night, (the) joy comes in the morning," helps my prove my point.
Although you might think that "worldy ways" are fun, and more exciting, you have to look ahead, (just like when you're playing music, haha,) think of the future, and any possible consequences that might be a result of your actions. All criminals make that fatal mistake, they fail to think ahead, about the consequences, and just think about the "now!!"
"And even though I know your heart is breaking," this makes me think that it takes losing something valuable to truly, 100% appreciate something. Otherwise, not knowing what it is like without that, you can never value it for all it's worth. (Just like if, even though you love cookies, and admit how much you enjoy and appreciate them; you don't know how to make them without instruction of some type.) "Don't feel so bad," sometimes things aren't your fault, and you can't change things, that is when it is best to be positive about the situation, and trust God.

Well, I guess I better conclude. I hope that I have inspired, renewed hope, or had some sort of positive affect on you...

My first blog!

Hi!!
I finally got this to work, after like 2 attempts to set up a Gmail account! So, I am excited about being able to put my thoughts, stories, and whatever else I have to offer on something that looks quite a lot like an email! I have been wanting to put down some things, but have been too lazy, busy, or didn't have paper around to write down what I had in my head. Hopefully now I can write more, and let other people see it too! I am very excited to do this! Thanks 'Lyssa for inspiring me, hope you enjoy whatever I come up with in the future!