Rejection effects most people at least one point in their lives. But more than likely, we go through rejection a lot every single day. I have suffered rejection from peers, family members, strangers, and just every day people. We all have been looked at funny with that look that says, “You’re not worth my time.” Just look at people you meet on the street. Some of them are so shy and quiet they hardly talk. Yep, you guess it that's me. I have always been controlled by what people think of me. What should I wear, what should I eat, what should I drink, what should I say, what shouldn't I say, how will I sound, how do I look. I know I'm a guy. But I have been struck with criticism my whole life. I compare myself to other people. I know we all thought wow I wish I had that personality. I wish I could look like that.
In our world today, the models and celebrities look so perfect and flawless. It's called Photoshop; let's just paint over that flaw. But the flaws make us not look like everyone else. If you haven't noticed, no one looks like you; or me for that matter. I know, you're thinking that might be a good thing. But we had to deal with the issue of why we feel so different.
Jessica Simpson was one of the first people, I wrote about in my first blog. She was getting make fun of by a pair of jeans she wore. Which, she looks fine in might I add. Heck, I wear the wrong thing sometimes too. But maybe that's just me. Now, she has a show out called "The Price of Beauty". The show purpose is to show the True Beauty of different countries. Some of the ways are crazy and some are way different than America. The second episode showed a girl who was a model in Paris. She went through an eating disorder called anorexic. She had to weigh a certain amount to be a model. The concept of the show is a great idea.
We think we have to be tan and weigh a certain amount to look good. I am all for being healthy; however, you need to be you. You have got to love yourself. Yes, you make mistakes. But it's never too late to turn around.
Jessica Simpson also has a great theme song for The Price of Beauty. The words in the song include: "I have to take control So much is left untold Trying to find myself At times its hard to know Who we are, we are, we are Words can cut so deep Weighing down on me Time and time I see how vicious the world can be Who we are, we are, we are We're beautiful Our flaws and all They're beautiful to me It's who we are, who we are It's who we're meant to be You've got to be you for yourself Cuz you're like nobody else Who you are, you are, you are, you are" The song is called "Who We Are". It has a wonderful message, because we all just want to be accepted in life for who we are. We may not have done everything perfectly, but no one has except Jesus.
You might have come to guess the truth. I have been called fat before. You don't know what that comment did to destroy my image of myself. I remember in high school I got invited to some pool parties. I wouldn’t even take off my shirt and swim! I wasn’t even swimming in front of the person who called me fat. I just sat on the sidelines and watched everyone else swim. They must have all thought I was afraid of the water. The thing is I LOVED to swim until that comment. I am sure that person meant nothing by it. I couldn’t let it go and move forward.
Another example, some of my so called friends called me gay before as well. I admit I don’t date a lot of girls. I haven’t found the right one yet. None of them are married yet; so I am guessing, they haven’t found the right one either.
How do you get through the comments? Well, you have to forgive them. It took me a lot of years to do just that. I have always been in a little bit of a box. I didn't want to get hurt by anyone. People are going to think what they are going to think no matter what. You have to just be yourselves. If they don't accept you find someone who will. God always will love you no matter what. He can always forgive you. I have been hard to get along with and I have said things I regret too. That's why it's important to forgive one another.
"But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’" Luke 10:10-11 (New Living Translation)
Some people hide their true selves, because they think people will like them more. The mask will eventually come off or it will fall off. Don't pretend to be someone you’re not. It's not worth it!
"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. John 15:16 (The Message)
If God choose you, why are you rejecting yourselves? There are a lot of people comparing ourselves to other people. You are an original. We all do things a little bit differently.
"Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame. For you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more." Isaiah 54:4 (Amplified Bible)
You shouldn't be ashamed of yourself. Keep trying to do the right things in life. God loves you! Nothing can change that. Yes, you may need to change in some areas in your life. We all do. He will continue to work with us to bring the change we need. Keep on keeping on! He is your Healer. No problem is too big for OUR GOD!
“Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong. Everything you do should be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
With Love,
Andrew
Break Down Your Walls
Posted by
Andrew Smith
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The fears of life can be very overwhelming at times. We tend to fear the unknowns of life. I guess we realize we can’t control anything in life. If we could control everything we wouldn’t need a Savior.
The walls in life get build around our hearts to protect us from the outside. I have always seemed to put a wall around mine. I let in most of my family but some I think we tend to reject. Yes, we still see them but we don’t really love them for who they are. We’re busy in our own little world. We think they are different why let them in. Maybe they offended us; however, we don’t forgive the person. We think “oh who cares I will just stay away from them”. If I don’t talk to the person they can’t hurt me anymore; instead, we put up a wall to keep them out. We block them out forever, or at least until we see a reason to let them back in. Now, we might wake up in time to change, but what if they are stroked dead the next day. Tomorrow is way too late get to know the person.
I have been there most of my life and I know how the walls work. I have quite a few walls up myself. Why do we tend to block out our family members, antagonists, friends, and other church members? Are they really that different? I know people will hurt you by their comments. If have a choice to move on and forgive them.
Sometimes we are just so selfish including me. I have acted out a lot in life and burnt some bridges. I shut people who hurt me out of my life for good. I am not perfect and I have made a lot of mistakes. I guess the mistakes tell the stories. If it was a perfect day, every day with no problems, we would just find some other way to not be happy.
You can only run from people for so long. Eventually, you will have to face everything in life. Granted you can run forever in life if you choose too. You have freewill to do anything you want to do.
There’s a lot of pain and scary events in life to hide away from.
· Death
· Failing
· Unknown
· Rejection
· Parents Divorcing
· Bugs
That is only a very short list of fears people go through. I don’t know every fear out there and what is easy for you someone else might be afraid of it.
We don’t see what is behind the scenes in people lives. We only see the person they show us too be. There’s a lot of hurting people out there just turn on the news. You don’t have to turn on the news to hear about bad things you still hear the stories. The question is… will you help them?
I know your thinking why should I have problems of my own. You want to know the truth we all do. I don’t have anything to give to the hurting people. I didn’t say anything about giving away money. If they need it help them. Most people just need one thing love and acceptation. They are so different from me. Granted people are different, but that’s the beauty of life. Sorry, they can’t all be like you. I kind of glad about that if they were as quiet as me well… I guess the birds could do more talking than people. I know we all use the excuses. We can sometimes be experts in why we can’t help each other out.
People are the way they are because of things that make up their pasts. Some kids go through numerous problems in life.
· A kid kills himself because he thinks no one loves him.
· Another blames himself for their parents divorcing when he was little.
· Yet, a girl try’s to find love through sex and thinking oh he loves me.
· A parent dies and they don’t know how to handle it
· Peer pressure
· A little guy gets picked on in class and he now has a hard time trusting people
· His peers always reject him and never talk to him- they think he’s different
· The lie that drugs help you feel better about life
· Drinking to forget your problems
· Her father hits her every night
· A little girl is exploited into human trafficking
These problems are extremely real. Sometimes we wish they weren’t but they are. We don’t have control of some things in life but some things we do. Sometimes you have to dig to find the root of the problem and then work to change it.
We find our voids in so many different kinds of things. Most of those, things only fill you up for a limited time. We try the next thing, and the next thing, and still the next thing, and wait the next thing. Wait, let’s go back and try them all again. It’s only a temporary rush then it disappears. The question is it worth it?
We all make mistakes in life that’s why it’s important to forgive each other every day. If you hold on to the hurt you will just take it out on other people. Joyce Meyer once said, “Hurting people hurt people.”
Only God can truly fill you up in life. It takes Faith to trust God in times when your life is spinning out of control. We have to learn to trust God, since he is the only one who knows what’s best for us.
“Take my side, God—I'm getting kicked around, stomped on every day. Not a day goes by but somebody beats me up; They make it their duty to beat me up. When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?” Psalm 56:1-4 (The Message)
“My help and glory are in God —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.” Psalm 62:8 (The Message)
“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” Proverbs 29:25 (The Message)
How do you break down your walls? The only way to break them down is to keep going through. Everyone has different stories from different areas of life. I haven’t shared most of my stories. I tend to draw back but I don’t have to hide. If people hurt you in life just keep forgiving them. Don’t shut people out of your life. Let them in! Yes, you might get hurt by people rejecting you. God is always there to help you heal your wounds and move on with your life.
God Bless,
Andrew
The walls in life get build around our hearts to protect us from the outside. I have always seemed to put a wall around mine. I let in most of my family but some I think we tend to reject. Yes, we still see them but we don’t really love them for who they are. We’re busy in our own little world. We think they are different why let them in. Maybe they offended us; however, we don’t forgive the person. We think “oh who cares I will just stay away from them”. If I don’t talk to the person they can’t hurt me anymore; instead, we put up a wall to keep them out. We block them out forever, or at least until we see a reason to let them back in. Now, we might wake up in time to change, but what if they are stroked dead the next day. Tomorrow is way too late get to know the person.
I have been there most of my life and I know how the walls work. I have quite a few walls up myself. Why do we tend to block out our family members, antagonists, friends, and other church members? Are they really that different? I know people will hurt you by their comments. If have a choice to move on and forgive them.
Sometimes we are just so selfish including me. I have acted out a lot in life and burnt some bridges. I shut people who hurt me out of my life for good. I am not perfect and I have made a lot of mistakes. I guess the mistakes tell the stories. If it was a perfect day, every day with no problems, we would just find some other way to not be happy.
You can only run from people for so long. Eventually, you will have to face everything in life. Granted you can run forever in life if you choose too. You have freewill to do anything you want to do.
There’s a lot of pain and scary events in life to hide away from.
· Death
· Failing
· Unknown
· Rejection
· Parents Divorcing
· Bugs
That is only a very short list of fears people go through. I don’t know every fear out there and what is easy for you someone else might be afraid of it.
We don’t see what is behind the scenes in people lives. We only see the person they show us too be. There’s a lot of hurting people out there just turn on the news. You don’t have to turn on the news to hear about bad things you still hear the stories. The question is… will you help them?
I know your thinking why should I have problems of my own. You want to know the truth we all do. I don’t have anything to give to the hurting people. I didn’t say anything about giving away money. If they need it help them. Most people just need one thing love and acceptation. They are so different from me. Granted people are different, but that’s the beauty of life. Sorry, they can’t all be like you. I kind of glad about that if they were as quiet as me well… I guess the birds could do more talking than people. I know we all use the excuses. We can sometimes be experts in why we can’t help each other out.
People are the way they are because of things that make up their pasts. Some kids go through numerous problems in life.
· A kid kills himself because he thinks no one loves him.
· Another blames himself for their parents divorcing when he was little.
· Yet, a girl try’s to find love through sex and thinking oh he loves me.
· A parent dies and they don’t know how to handle it
· Peer pressure
· A little guy gets picked on in class and he now has a hard time trusting people
· His peers always reject him and never talk to him- they think he’s different
· The lie that drugs help you feel better about life
· Drinking to forget your problems
· Her father hits her every night
· A little girl is exploited into human trafficking
These problems are extremely real. Sometimes we wish they weren’t but they are. We don’t have control of some things in life but some things we do. Sometimes you have to dig to find the root of the problem and then work to change it.
We find our voids in so many different kinds of things. Most of those, things only fill you up for a limited time. We try the next thing, and the next thing, and still the next thing, and wait the next thing. Wait, let’s go back and try them all again. It’s only a temporary rush then it disappears. The question is it worth it?
We all make mistakes in life that’s why it’s important to forgive each other every day. If you hold on to the hurt you will just take it out on other people. Joyce Meyer once said, “Hurting people hurt people.”
Only God can truly fill you up in life. It takes Faith to trust God in times when your life is spinning out of control. We have to learn to trust God, since he is the only one who knows what’s best for us.
“Take my side, God—I'm getting kicked around, stomped on every day. Not a day goes by but somebody beats me up; They make it their duty to beat me up. When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?” Psalm 56:1-4 (The Message)
“My help and glory are in God —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.” Psalm 62:8 (The Message)
“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” Proverbs 29:25 (The Message)
How do you break down your walls? The only way to break them down is to keep going through. Everyone has different stories from different areas of life. I haven’t shared most of my stories. I tend to draw back but I don’t have to hide. If people hurt you in life just keep forgiving them. Don’t shut people out of your life. Let them in! Yes, you might get hurt by people rejecting you. God is always there to help you heal your wounds and move on with your life.
God Bless,
Andrew
Haiti Earthquake Helping One Another
Posted by
Andrew Smith
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Haiti had an extremely bad earthquake it is said to be a 7.0 quake. The massive earthquake hit on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 4:53:10 PM. The official number is not even totaled yet. 50,000 people are feared to be dead from the quake. They are still looking for any remaining bodies.
If you can give any money or supplies to help the relief of the quake please do. Even if it's not a lot every little bit helps. Make sure you spread the word around and get your friends to help donate for the relief program. If you can only give one dollar that dollar could help make a difference. If you can send supplies then sent supplies. If you can give money give money. If you can't give anything offer up a prayer.
Some of the Top Organizations you can donate to are listed below.
http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
You can even donate using text messaging from your cell phone. Your donation is added to your cell phone bill. All you have to do is send a TEXT with the word 'HAITI' to 90999 to donate $10 dollars to the Red Cross relief program. Another good one is to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund TEXT the world 'Yele' to 501501 to donate $5 dollars. The Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund is run by Hip-Hop artist Wyclef Jean. One of his most popular songs was with Shakira called "Hips Don't Lie".
The Red Cross link:
http://www.redcross.org/
The link to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund:
http://www.yele.org/
You can also donate to Joel Osteen's Ministries or Joyce Meyer's Ministries. They are helping in the relief program as well.
http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/HandofHope/News/haitisupplies.htm
http://www.joelosteen.com/LandingPages/Pages/HaitiRelief.aspx
This is the time we need to start helping one another. We need to bring back the love. Thank you for helping make a difference in the world today! Get out there and make a difference!
God Bless,
Andrew
If you can give any money or supplies to help the relief of the quake please do. Even if it's not a lot every little bit helps. Make sure you spread the word around and get your friends to help donate for the relief program. If you can only give one dollar that dollar could help make a difference. If you can send supplies then sent supplies. If you can give money give money. If you can't give anything offer up a prayer.
Some of the Top Organizations you can donate to are listed below.
http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
You can even donate using text messaging from your cell phone. Your donation is added to your cell phone bill. All you have to do is send a TEXT with the word 'HAITI' to 90999 to donate $10 dollars to the Red Cross relief program. Another good one is to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund TEXT the world 'Yele' to 501501 to donate $5 dollars. The Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund is run by Hip-Hop artist Wyclef Jean. One of his most popular songs was with Shakira called "Hips Don't Lie".
The Red Cross link:
http://www.redcross.org/
The link to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund:
http://www.yele.org/
You can also donate to Joel Osteen's Ministries or Joyce Meyer's Ministries. They are helping in the relief program as well.
http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/HandofHope/News/haitisupplies.htm
http://www.joelosteen.com/LandingPages/Pages/HaitiRelief.aspx
This is the time we need to start helping one another. We need to bring back the love. Thank you for helping make a difference in the world today! Get out there and make a difference!
God Bless,
Andrew
New Year Resolutions
Posted by
Andrew Smith
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1.Live life to the fullest
2.LOVE people more
3.Hang with family and friends
4.Work out more
5.Stand on my head
6.Play the guitar
7.Just be myself
8.Tell more jokes
9.Laugh way more
10.Make good grades in college
11.Thank God more
12.Enjoy life
13.Write
What are some of your New Year Resolutions?
How many are you going to keep?
I hope this year is exciting and fun for you. Live life. Have fun! Love. Laugh. Hang. Chill. Do new things. Continue to do some old things. Now get out there and enjoy life. Hope you have a safe New Year! :)
Peace,
Andrew
2.LOVE people more
3.Hang with family and friends
4.Work out more
5.Stand on my head
6.Play the guitar
7.Just be myself
8.Tell more jokes
9.Laugh way more
10.Make good grades in college
11.Thank God more
12.Enjoy life
13.Write
What are some of your New Year Resolutions?
How many are you going to keep?
I hope this year is exciting and fun for you. Live life. Have fun! Love. Laugh. Hang. Chill. Do new things. Continue to do some old things. Now get out there and enjoy life. Hope you have a safe New Year! :)
Peace,
Andrew
Christmas Time Thankful
Posted by
Andrew Smith
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Christmas time is when the cold air starts breezing around your neck. You just wish you had that new scarf to wrap around your neck. You hang the stocking for Santa near the cozy fireplace. Kids getting up at 5 a.m. to open their presents. Parents filming it for everyone to see. Then after the presents we just stop it all.
Christmas is over for that year. Then we got back to busy lives. One thing I know about Christmas is it brings families together. Most of us like our families some don’t. But something I have always heard was you can’t pick your families. (They pick you) Okay so maybe that’s not entirely true. Sure some of your parents might have returned you. If they could have. Maybe sometimes you wish they would have. But that’s not what matters. What truly matters is your alive aren’t you. (Or you couldn’t be reading this) So why not live and love a little.
But I want Christmas to never change- being with family, singing Christmas carols, opening presents, giving gifts, loving people, and sharing the cheer with everyone. There’s nothing like that. It only comes once a year. But then we tend to get caught up with our busy lives.
Christmas for some would mean the following:
1.More traffic (GET OUT OF THE WAY)
2.Rude people (People who think that’s what Christmas is) (I heard this one to many times-I’m the Customer hurry up the checkout line)
3.What am I getting for Christmas (Selfish)- It’s cute but when your 4 years old but some people need to grow up – Me Included
4.Scarier times- (Some people are just crazy-some would love to take things from you)
I understand we are all busy. But our kids are watching us. Most of them would just be happy to spend time with you. Some people work way too much to climb the ladder of success. We all were affected by how fast the economy fell. Climbing the ladder didn’t help us not fall.
Sure kids want some toys too. But they don’t have to have that $600 new toy. I will give you a hint. Here it is…. Technology and trends change every minute. So if you miss one toy there is just going to be a better one that always comes out. Did I mention the old one will be cheaper by that time? Overpriced much?
Kids only need love. Wrong. Didn’t know I was quizzing you did you? Everyone needs love. That is the real season of the holiday after all. Isn’t it?
Most things in life are only a season that’s why Spring must come where Christmas can fade away.
We freely give during Christmas but afterwards most of us tend to stop. Some of us go back to our old ways. We get caught up in life. We don’t think about visiting our family. We just think oh I will see them at Christmas again next year. Well what if their gone. Is it too late then? I am guilty of it too. Not loving others and letting them know it. Sometimes it takes a bad thing to turn us around and see ourselves for who we really are. But God graciously forgives us when we fail. Not once but every time. All you have to do is ask.
But you can’t love people if you don’t know how too. But that’s just an excuse. You know what love is look into your heart. When you see a homeless man getting food. When you see kids light up when you hug them. Some of us have gone through a lot. We all have made mistakes. We can’t begin to comprehend how someone could love. Maybe someone hasn’t loved you as would have like them too. But there is someone whose love never changes. GOD! He always forgives us.
38 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,” 39 “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (King James Version)
29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” 30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” 31 “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 (King James Version)
14 “For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died;” 15 “And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
16-18 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.” John 3:16 (The Message)
19 “We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (Amplified Bible)
One of my favorite shows did something on helping others. It’s called What Would You Do? Linda Hamilton is a homeless lady and she was one of the only ones trying to help this man on the street. She didn’t have anything to give herself. But she tried everything to get people to help this guy on the street.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49YQhTLoGuA
If you would like to read the update on how Linda is doing. Here’s the link:
http://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo/story?id=7125839&page=1
“Oh, the smallest thing can make all the difference Love is alive, don't listen to 'em when they say
You're just a fool Just a fool to believe you can change the world The world's so big it can break your heart And you just want to help not sure where to start So you close your eyes, and send up a prayer into the dark.” Carrie Underwood-Change
If you would like to listen to a song about helping people here’s one below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JASx1gVnqkc
You may be wondering what is love. Love has no distance. If you truly love someone you would do anything for them. Even if it’s something you know would help them in the future. (That’s called tough love)
1 “I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service, 2 “Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.Ephesians 4:1-2 (Amplified Bible)
We have soooooo much to be thankful for.
1.If you have a house your going pretty good
2.If you have a car at least you don’t have to walk everywhere
3.If you have a Family at least you have people who love you
4.If you have water to drink you have clean water
5.If you have pet that’s one less pet without a home
6.If you have food at least you have some food to eat
7.If you have a bed at least you’re not sleeping on the ground
8.If you have friends at least you have some people to hang out with
9.If you’re able to get out of bed
10.If you get to go to school
Okay I will stop with ten but you get the point. We take a lot for granted. Someone would love to have any of those things. Some have nothing. Some of them would give anything to trade their lives for yours. We all need to realize how lucky we have it. I know a lot of us don’t have that much money to give. But time is sometimes more valuable. All some people need is love and someone to care about them.
“Lookin at the hand of the time we’ve been given here This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’ Gotta live like we’re dying We only got 86 400 seconds in a day to Turn it all around or throw it all away We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em While we got the chance to say Gotta live like we’re dying.” Kris Allen-Live Like We're Dying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3N5CsXYlCk
There’s always something to be positive about just take a look around. Take time to enjoy the Holiday season but most of all enjoy life to the fullest. You only got one shot at life. It’s your choice on how you are going to live it.
God Bless,
Andrew
Christmas is over for that year. Then we got back to busy lives. One thing I know about Christmas is it brings families together. Most of us like our families some don’t. But something I have always heard was you can’t pick your families. (They pick you) Okay so maybe that’s not entirely true. Sure some of your parents might have returned you. If they could have. Maybe sometimes you wish they would have. But that’s not what matters. What truly matters is your alive aren’t you. (Or you couldn’t be reading this) So why not live and love a little.
But I want Christmas to never change- being with family, singing Christmas carols, opening presents, giving gifts, loving people, and sharing the cheer with everyone. There’s nothing like that. It only comes once a year. But then we tend to get caught up with our busy lives.
Christmas for some would mean the following:
1.More traffic (GET OUT OF THE WAY)
2.Rude people (People who think that’s what Christmas is) (I heard this one to many times-I’m the Customer hurry up the checkout line)
3.What am I getting for Christmas (Selfish)- It’s cute but when your 4 years old but some people need to grow up – Me Included
4.Scarier times- (Some people are just crazy-some would love to take things from you)
I understand we are all busy. But our kids are watching us. Most of them would just be happy to spend time with you. Some people work way too much to climb the ladder of success. We all were affected by how fast the economy fell. Climbing the ladder didn’t help us not fall.
Sure kids want some toys too. But they don’t have to have that $600 new toy. I will give you a hint. Here it is…. Technology and trends change every minute. So if you miss one toy there is just going to be a better one that always comes out. Did I mention the old one will be cheaper by that time? Overpriced much?
Kids only need love. Wrong. Didn’t know I was quizzing you did you? Everyone needs love. That is the real season of the holiday after all. Isn’t it?
Most things in life are only a season that’s why Spring must come where Christmas can fade away.
We freely give during Christmas but afterwards most of us tend to stop. Some of us go back to our old ways. We get caught up in life. We don’t think about visiting our family. We just think oh I will see them at Christmas again next year. Well what if their gone. Is it too late then? I am guilty of it too. Not loving others and letting them know it. Sometimes it takes a bad thing to turn us around and see ourselves for who we really are. But God graciously forgives us when we fail. Not once but every time. All you have to do is ask.
But you can’t love people if you don’t know how too. But that’s just an excuse. You know what love is look into your heart. When you see a homeless man getting food. When you see kids light up when you hug them. Some of us have gone through a lot. We all have made mistakes. We can’t begin to comprehend how someone could love. Maybe someone hasn’t loved you as would have like them too. But there is someone whose love never changes. GOD! He always forgives us.
38 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,” 39 “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (King James Version)
29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” 30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” 31 “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 (King James Version)
14 “For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died;” 15 “And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
16-18 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.” John 3:16 (The Message)
19 “We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (Amplified Bible)
One of my favorite shows did something on helping others. It’s called What Would You Do? Linda Hamilton is a homeless lady and she was one of the only ones trying to help this man on the street. She didn’t have anything to give herself. But she tried everything to get people to help this guy on the street.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49YQhTLoGuA
If you would like to read the update on how Linda is doing. Here’s the link:
http://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo/story?id=7125839&page=1
“Oh, the smallest thing can make all the difference Love is alive, don't listen to 'em when they say
You're just a fool Just a fool to believe you can change the world The world's so big it can break your heart And you just want to help not sure where to start So you close your eyes, and send up a prayer into the dark.” Carrie Underwood-Change
If you would like to listen to a song about helping people here’s one below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JASx1gVnqkc
You may be wondering what is love. Love has no distance. If you truly love someone you would do anything for them. Even if it’s something you know would help them in the future. (That’s called tough love)
1 “I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service, 2 “Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.Ephesians 4:1-2 (Amplified Bible)
We have soooooo much to be thankful for.
1.If you have a house your going pretty good
2.If you have a car at least you don’t have to walk everywhere
3.If you have a Family at least you have people who love you
4.If you have water to drink you have clean water
5.If you have pet that’s one less pet without a home
6.If you have food at least you have some food to eat
7.If you have a bed at least you’re not sleeping on the ground
8.If you have friends at least you have some people to hang out with
9.If you’re able to get out of bed
10.If you get to go to school
Okay I will stop with ten but you get the point. We take a lot for granted. Someone would love to have any of those things. Some have nothing. Some of them would give anything to trade their lives for yours. We all need to realize how lucky we have it. I know a lot of us don’t have that much money to give. But time is sometimes more valuable. All some people need is love and someone to care about them.
“Lookin at the hand of the time we’ve been given here This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’ Gotta live like we’re dying We only got 86 400 seconds in a day to Turn it all around or throw it all away We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em While we got the chance to say Gotta live like we’re dying.” Kris Allen-Live Like We're Dying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3N5CsXYlCk
There’s always something to be positive about just take a look around. Take time to enjoy the Holiday season but most of all enjoy life to the fullest. You only got one shot at life. It’s your choice on how you are going to live it.
God Bless,
Andrew
Dreams
Posted by
Andrew Smith
comments (0)
We need to get out of our comfort zones. I of all people live in a “safe” zone. I am not an adventurous person. Some days if I could hid away in a cave I would. But I was not meant to be a bear. If I was meant to be a bear I would have been a bear…. Last time I checked I wasn’t a bear.
In high school, middle school, or even elementary school we choose to live in a box. Most of us hardly associated with other people within other groups. Given all of us are different but we didn’t give some people a fair chance. We think just because that person doesn’t have the coolest clothes that they are any less than us. You don’t have to have an American Eagle, Hot Topic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, or Hollister (or any other store) outfit to “fit” in.
One of my favorite artist’s Sugarland once said “Nobody wants to be rejected”. That is very true who wants to be rejected .… no one. We have outsiders who feel like they are all so alone. What if we had decided to love everyone and treated everyone like Jesus. The world would be a much different place if we didn’t have cliques. It is good to have friends we share a common interest with. But we are also supposed to love other people. Most people have problems we are all human. But just because someone is addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, people pleaser, beauty (thinking you must change to fit cultures way), spending all your time on the computer, social networking sites, and much more. We can be addicted to just about anything. I haven’t listed everything. I don’t know what most of you are addicted too. But what I do know in the end is that thing ever going to make you whole. I don’t think so. We all go through so many different struggles. But we have to turn to the one who can change it all for us.
Now I know you’re saying the world isn’t perfect and I understand that. But why should that stop you. Everyone else is doing it you say. Well what if you caused someone to come to know Jesus by your actions. Let me reface that another way. It works both ways. What if you caused someone to not come to Jesus by your actions? Do you want to live the legacy of being caught up only in yourself? You need step out of your comfort zone to try something new. You don’t want to wake up at 100 years old and go where did my life go. What if I would have loved that person who was a non-Christian and invited them to church? Maybe their life would now be changed forever.
What if I would have been a painter, drawer, made an invention, builder, singer, actor or an actress, writer, engineer. I am sure you can fill in the blank with something. What if I would have been a _________. You can’t sit on the sidelines waiting for it to jump out in front of us. It won’t be saying “You’re supposed to be a _________”. God can speak to you and lead you in the right direction. But we have to learn to wait. It will happen when it is in his timing not ours. But you also have to take a step you can’t stay in your comfort and be afraid to get out there and do what you are meant to do. If you stay in fear and let fear control you. You will never move forward. You have to as the old saying goes “think outside the box”. It also goes the same you have to get out of your safe place. You can’t hide forever. You have to get out there and go after your dreams. We just have to trust God and he will bring us to where we are supposed to be. You can’t expect it to show up on your doorstep one day and be handed to you. God could do that because he can do anything. But we all have to learn how to believe and follow God to lead us to where we need to be. We have to have faith in him.
“Jesus looked hard at them and said, No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." Matthew 19:26 (The Message Bible)
“ Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 (New International Version Bible)
Today, I heard this song called “Shine”. The writers who wrote that song hit that song on the nail. The song isn’t released yet. Jo Dee Messina decided to record that song for her next album. It’s on her official website. It’s only for the chorus of the song. But the chorus hits home to me. These are the lyrics to the song. It hits radio in March I believe.
“I don't wanna spend the rest of my life And wonder why the world passed me by While I wasn't lookin' or laughing Gonna cut loose from all these chains Turn 'em into a fist full of reigns And ride out cause now there's no doubt Everyday I'm alive you can bet that i'm gonna shine Na na na na na na na na na na na....”
I have done more research and found one full version of the song. You will have to click “Shine” to listen to the song. The song is really inspiring.
http://www.reverbnation.com/jodeemessina
What if you took a chance and actually made your dream come true. But if you’re afraid to take a risk then you could miss out. Now I know we aren’t all suppose to be famous. Some of you may like to be. But look at most of the stars the paparazzi follows most of them around like a hawk. Everything right or wrong they do is seen in the public. We all need to be original and not try to be another celebrity or another person. We need to be ourselves. I am sure you can think of someone you look up to you wish you could be. But that person has challenges too. You don’t even need to go to the extreme and have plastic surgery to look like someone else. If you’re trying to look like Brad Pitt or any other celebrity the world only needs one of them. You need to be unique. Mary Mary once said “Don’t try to duplicate anybody be original cause God has given you something and he wants you to give it to the world.”
In Natalie Grant’s book entitled “The Real Me” she takes about how she needs to be the girl God sees. Natalie Grant said, “These days more and more people are tempted to follow celebrities’ lead and seek out plastic surgery to fix whatever they don’t like about their physical appearance.” She also tells of a story about a girl who had surgery twenty-six times to fix things she didn’t like. If you struggle with your beauty I would recommend this book for you. Even if you don’t it is still a great book.
So don’t be afraid to step it up a notch and go after your dreams. You need to be the person God created you to be. If you get the chance to share his love to someone do it. You don’t need to worry that person might stop being your friend. If they died today where would they go? It’s very simple Heaven or Hell. Both are very real. You don’t know their heart only God does but we still need to try to point them in the right direction.
Some of you may not like your job a 100% of the time. I know I haven’t always liked it especially when a customer yells at you. Most of the time stuff I can’t control. But you have to do it like your working for the lord. I work at a customer service job. One of the rudest things I have seen is people who talk on the phone and never say a work to you. You can’t even ask them a question because you think you’re interrupting. Would it hurt to call that person back? Cashiers are just as important as anyone else. The cashiers are human and would like to be treated like one. They are NOT robots. In the future that might be the case but I hope not. Then people would lose their jobs. God didn’t create robots and we weren’t meant to be couch potatoes and watch TV twenty-four hours a day. Well then I guess the actors or actresses would then be robots as well…. What kind of life would that be worth living? We were meant to get out there and live. Another thing is when customers don’t answer you when you ask how they are. Maybe they didn’t hear you or maybe they chose not to listen. But you need to answer and ask them how they are back. It takes two people to have a conversation. It is all about communication. Now I am not saying you have to stay at the store for three hours taking to that person unless you feel like you need too. But just a simple gesture goes a long way. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go around.
“Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.” Colossians 3:23 (The Message Bible)
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 (King James Version Bible)
I don’t know if any of you have heard Toby Mac’s new song “Lose My Soul” with Mandisa and Kirk Franklin. The video is really good. So I would encourage you to watch it. The video makes you think of all the other things that could make you lose your soul. One of the guys in the video steals a computer. Another guy buys a gun and then he tries to rob the clerk. The song tells about how Toby doesn’t want to lose his soul over fame. But the video gives it a completely different meaning.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m3NVJXCV31QUVR
Here are some of the lyrics:
“I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul, Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say. I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul, Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.”
When you think about fame it’s only an earthly word. You can’t take fame or money with you. Yes, you have to have money to survive but don’t be too consumed by it.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (King James Version Bible)
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36 (King James Version Bible)
See you have to choose to be happy always and love your life. You can’t love others if you have a hard time loving yourself. Now that doesn’t give you a right to be selfish. When you love yourself you love the things that God has given you. You don’t stand in the mirror and say “I look bad today”. You can’t go aw that person has this new toy and I don’t. You can’t stay in self pity. You have to get up and keep moving forward. I know it’s easier said than done. But if you have dreams go after them. If it doesn’t work out there is always another dream to dream.
Start dreaming dreams. Don’t live in fear. You are free! He believes in you!
God Bless,
Andrew
In high school, middle school, or even elementary school we choose to live in a box. Most of us hardly associated with other people within other groups. Given all of us are different but we didn’t give some people a fair chance. We think just because that person doesn’t have the coolest clothes that they are any less than us. You don’t have to have an American Eagle, Hot Topic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, or Hollister (or any other store) outfit to “fit” in.
One of my favorite artist’s Sugarland once said “Nobody wants to be rejected”. That is very true who wants to be rejected .… no one. We have outsiders who feel like they are all so alone. What if we had decided to love everyone and treated everyone like Jesus. The world would be a much different place if we didn’t have cliques. It is good to have friends we share a common interest with. But we are also supposed to love other people. Most people have problems we are all human. But just because someone is addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, people pleaser, beauty (thinking you must change to fit cultures way), spending all your time on the computer, social networking sites, and much more. We can be addicted to just about anything. I haven’t listed everything. I don’t know what most of you are addicted too. But what I do know in the end is that thing ever going to make you whole. I don’t think so. We all go through so many different struggles. But we have to turn to the one who can change it all for us.
Now I know you’re saying the world isn’t perfect and I understand that. But why should that stop you. Everyone else is doing it you say. Well what if you caused someone to come to know Jesus by your actions. Let me reface that another way. It works both ways. What if you caused someone to not come to Jesus by your actions? Do you want to live the legacy of being caught up only in yourself? You need step out of your comfort zone to try something new. You don’t want to wake up at 100 years old and go where did my life go. What if I would have loved that person who was a non-Christian and invited them to church? Maybe their life would now be changed forever.
What if I would have been a painter, drawer, made an invention, builder, singer, actor or an actress, writer, engineer. I am sure you can fill in the blank with something. What if I would have been a _________. You can’t sit on the sidelines waiting for it to jump out in front of us. It won’t be saying “You’re supposed to be a _________”. God can speak to you and lead you in the right direction. But we have to learn to wait. It will happen when it is in his timing not ours. But you also have to take a step you can’t stay in your comfort and be afraid to get out there and do what you are meant to do. If you stay in fear and let fear control you. You will never move forward. You have to as the old saying goes “think outside the box”. It also goes the same you have to get out of your safe place. You can’t hide forever. You have to get out there and go after your dreams. We just have to trust God and he will bring us to where we are supposed to be. You can’t expect it to show up on your doorstep one day and be handed to you. God could do that because he can do anything. But we all have to learn how to believe and follow God to lead us to where we need to be. We have to have faith in him.
“Jesus looked hard at them and said, No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." Matthew 19:26 (The Message Bible)
“ Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 (New International Version Bible)
Today, I heard this song called “Shine”. The writers who wrote that song hit that song on the nail. The song isn’t released yet. Jo Dee Messina decided to record that song for her next album. It’s on her official website. It’s only for the chorus of the song. But the chorus hits home to me. These are the lyrics to the song. It hits radio in March I believe.
“I don't wanna spend the rest of my life And wonder why the world passed me by While I wasn't lookin' or laughing Gonna cut loose from all these chains Turn 'em into a fist full of reigns And ride out cause now there's no doubt Everyday I'm alive you can bet that i'm gonna shine Na na na na na na na na na na na....”
I have done more research and found one full version of the song. You will have to click “Shine” to listen to the song. The song is really inspiring.
http://www.reverbnation.com/jodeemessina
What if you took a chance and actually made your dream come true. But if you’re afraid to take a risk then you could miss out. Now I know we aren’t all suppose to be famous. Some of you may like to be. But look at most of the stars the paparazzi follows most of them around like a hawk. Everything right or wrong they do is seen in the public. We all need to be original and not try to be another celebrity or another person. We need to be ourselves. I am sure you can think of someone you look up to you wish you could be. But that person has challenges too. You don’t even need to go to the extreme and have plastic surgery to look like someone else. If you’re trying to look like Brad Pitt or any other celebrity the world only needs one of them. You need to be unique. Mary Mary once said “Don’t try to duplicate anybody be original cause God has given you something and he wants you to give it to the world.”
In Natalie Grant’s book entitled “The Real Me” she takes about how she needs to be the girl God sees. Natalie Grant said, “These days more and more people are tempted to follow celebrities’ lead and seek out plastic surgery to fix whatever they don’t like about their physical appearance.” She also tells of a story about a girl who had surgery twenty-six times to fix things she didn’t like. If you struggle with your beauty I would recommend this book for you. Even if you don’t it is still a great book.
So don’t be afraid to step it up a notch and go after your dreams. You need to be the person God created you to be. If you get the chance to share his love to someone do it. You don’t need to worry that person might stop being your friend. If they died today where would they go? It’s very simple Heaven or Hell. Both are very real. You don’t know their heart only God does but we still need to try to point them in the right direction.
Some of you may not like your job a 100% of the time. I know I haven’t always liked it especially when a customer yells at you. Most of the time stuff I can’t control. But you have to do it like your working for the lord. I work at a customer service job. One of the rudest things I have seen is people who talk on the phone and never say a work to you. You can’t even ask them a question because you think you’re interrupting. Would it hurt to call that person back? Cashiers are just as important as anyone else. The cashiers are human and would like to be treated like one. They are NOT robots. In the future that might be the case but I hope not. Then people would lose their jobs. God didn’t create robots and we weren’t meant to be couch potatoes and watch TV twenty-four hours a day. Well then I guess the actors or actresses would then be robots as well…. What kind of life would that be worth living? We were meant to get out there and live. Another thing is when customers don’t answer you when you ask how they are. Maybe they didn’t hear you or maybe they chose not to listen. But you need to answer and ask them how they are back. It takes two people to have a conversation. It is all about communication. Now I am not saying you have to stay at the store for three hours taking to that person unless you feel like you need too. But just a simple gesture goes a long way. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go around.
“Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.” Colossians 3:23 (The Message Bible)
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 (King James Version Bible)
I don’t know if any of you have heard Toby Mac’s new song “Lose My Soul” with Mandisa and Kirk Franklin. The video is really good. So I would encourage you to watch it. The video makes you think of all the other things that could make you lose your soul. One of the guys in the video steals a computer. Another guy buys a gun and then he tries to rob the clerk. The song tells about how Toby doesn’t want to lose his soul over fame. But the video gives it a completely different meaning.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m3NVJXCV31QUVR
Here are some of the lyrics:
“I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul, Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say. I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul, Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.”
When you think about fame it’s only an earthly word. You can’t take fame or money with you. Yes, you have to have money to survive but don’t be too consumed by it.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (King James Version Bible)
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36 (King James Version Bible)
See you have to choose to be happy always and love your life. You can’t love others if you have a hard time loving yourself. Now that doesn’t give you a right to be selfish. When you love yourself you love the things that God has given you. You don’t stand in the mirror and say “I look bad today”. You can’t go aw that person has this new toy and I don’t. You can’t stay in self pity. You have to get up and keep moving forward. I know it’s easier said than done. But if you have dreams go after them. If it doesn’t work out there is always another dream to dream.
Start dreaming dreams. Don’t live in fear. You are free! He believes in you!
God Bless,
Andrew
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