#5-4-15

[themadscientistkcsb]

The Dreaded GMO

http://www.motherjones.com/search/apachesolr_search/GMOs

^GMOs search on Mother Jones^

http://www.npr.org/templates/search/index.php?searchinput=GMOs

^GMOs search on NPR^

http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of-hunger/hunger-and-poverty/hunger-and-poverty-fact-sheet.html

^some American hunger and poverty information if you’re interested^

[sassyobjecttimetravel-blog]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrY0Botad0I)

[notchristie]

“Why do you take so many different pills you aren’t scared of anything huh” -my mom just said this to me lmao

[notchristie]

you’re in or you’re out my life. there’s no in between and the way that you’re acting you’re definitely out so don’t waste my time seriously lmao I didn’t do all that shit for you to not be in my life. say you wanna be a part of my life but you act like you don't wanna be. don’t front 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

[luckyleolion]

Okay...i miss interaction. But I miss it with people I love and care for ya know? I miss it so much. Having a friend to talk to constantly...I miss having that. But I mean....I guess I should have that soon. If my bff really does come to this school I plan to really stay in touch with him and everything. Because I honestly need a friend here. Not a bunch of acquaintances that make me uncomfortable. Ya know?

[wcmblog]

Trusting God with Decisions

Over the past few weeks, I have been put into several situations (one of which could end up being life-changing) that have required me to actually listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit to know what to do and how to do it.

While I am not going to mention specific situations, I would like to share with you one of the tools that I use regularly to rely and lean on the Holy Spirit to understand His guidance and direction.

In our lives, we come to crossroads. We are forced to make a decision. Do I go to that school, or that school? Should I date this person? Should I apply for this job? Should I attend this church? Should I accept this job? Should I move there, or should I stay here? The list goes on; especially for young people, who go from not having to make any decisions in high school, to having to almost plan out their entire lives right before college.

The first tool that I rely on to show me which way to go is the Peace of the Lord. This aspect is talked about multiple times throughout the Bible, especially through the wisdom of the Proverbs, as something that can be readily relied upon without hesitation.

The problem that arises, then, is confusion between God’s peace and our comfort. Any seasoned Christian will tell you that the Lord is not a fan of our self-made comfort, and some are even convinced that one of his biggest priorities is taking us out of our comfort zones. This is when we must apply wisdom to discern the difference between our comfort and His peace.

Comfort that comes from ourselves or the things of this world implies independence – God is not included in the situation. This is why we should never base our decisions on whether or not it makes us feel comfortable.

Peace, on the other hand, is something that comes from God. Worry is the emotional response we have towards change when we have not given God control. Peace implies relying on something – Someone – bigger than you. Even if that means that you are brought out of your comfort zone, your trust and peace is found in the knowledge of God’s everlasting control, all while understanding that God only has as much control as you give Him; He won’t steal it from you.

I have been pondering several major decisions that I have to make in the near future, and using this tool could turn out to play a vital role in my final decisions. This week, as you ponder the decisions that are in front of you, even the small ones, ask the Holy Spirit which one He wants, and then ponder each option, and feel what the Holy Spirit speaks back to you about them.

Ask yourself, “Does this option bring about self-created comfort, or peace?”

[wcmblog]

Psalm 23, Pt. 6

Blog 6 Psalms 23:3a Psalm 23:3a, “…He restores my soul.”

In the last blog, I stated I want to share about the results of green pasture and quiet water.  This is a harder post to type. Why? Because it is so revealing of how short we (the church, including me) have come in truly knowing Jesus as my Great shepherd. So here goes.

Green pastures and quiet waters lead me to becoming a spiritually healthy person, and as that happens, it is normal for my physical life to begin to be impacted and as a result, changes start to happen.  I walk in a greater level of internal peace, calmness, prosperity and health. John said in 3rd John 2, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”  Is my soul getting along? We live in a society plagued with fear of all types, psychological disorders are rampant, disease and sickness is everywhere. Not to mention all the other types of evil lurking on every street.  People walk about with souls that are shattered and wounded while trying desperately to be normal, whatever “normal” is. We put on a facade outside of being okay, having it all together. After all, that’s what society says we are to do; but inside, we are bleeding to death from something called internal needing.  We are too fearful to be truly transparent with others. So we slowly die inside.

Then there is the hard reality of the other extreme, wanting someone to take care of you, refusing to grow up and become a responsible individual, being too “sick”.  I do not want to be misunderstood here; there really are some individuals who are generally sick and need our help and compassion.  But unfortunately, there are many who can take care of themselves but refuse to do so. They are able to do fun stuff, they can go out and spend money. They enjoy sleeping in, smoking, drinking coffee, watch television, playing video games, being on internet etc. They live lives with nothing to really do because well they are “sick” in some manner.   I am not sure what one dose does when they have nothing to do, nothing to be accountable for, no place to contribute to.  This is what has happened in our society because there is no restored soul. There is no Great Shepherd in people’s lives.  Sickness and disorders are the common healthy, and restored lives are becoming less and less. The further we drift from the Great Shepherd, the greater the door is opened for the one whose main task is to steal kill and destroy to operate in our society, lurking around and destroying unsuspecting people.  People’s lives become damaged and some destroyed by drugs, alcohol, sickness and disease.  While the “church” sits neatly in its walls praising the Great shepherd who gave his life for those outside the walls.  But you know, those in the “church” are not immune to this sickness of the soul; for even in the four walls of the “church” the same destruction is taking place and I find I have to ask myself, why?

I wonder if those of us “in” the church have become so preoccupied with life that we are failing to be lead to the green pasture and cool waters to restore our tired souls.  Are we so busy that we are failing to hear the Great shepherd tell us it time to rest in Him?  Have we swallowed the lie that sickness, disease, lack and pain is “normal”? Have we forgotten what the Great shepherd accomplished on the cross 2000 years ago?  Have we become so comfortable with the thought we are “saved” that we fail to realize all that “being saved” entails? 

It is so easy to point at someone and say, “That person needs to get with the Lord and apply the Word to their life more!” But honestly, what about me?  I must remember there is always 1 finger pointing but 4 pointing back towards me. Have I drifted?  Am I really listening?  Have I entered into His rest?  Am I sharing the truth of restoration of the soul with others?  If one looks at my life, does it reflect I have entered into the green pastures and drank of the cool waters? Does my life reflect a restored soul?  I think it is time I answered some of those question. Until next time, remember what David has shared with us about the Great Shepherd:  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.

[notchristie]

Don't waste my time.