Have you ever heard the term "Walking Zombies"? It is used to describe people who are just going through the motions of life. This looks different for everyone. Cooking, cleaning, working, markets, hanging with the boys, working out and such- the life I always promised myself I would never live in…yet I think that I was sucked into that life.
God created us all special, unique. He created us with a calling that is pleasing to Him, but feeds to who God made us as a person. For some people that is food in the form of restaurants, cooking show and books. Others sports, kids books, teaching… and the list goes on and on and on. Question I have for you is what keeps you from being a walking Zombie? What keeps you from just going through the motions of life, not even thinking about what God made us uniquely passionate about?
Since my second year of high school I have known that my passion is people. I love people; I do not completely understand it sometimes. Over the years however, I have become used to situations like talking my ex-boyfriends through break ups with the girl after me! ha That passion for people has feed my desire to help with ending Modern Day Slavery in its many forms. One way that happen is because I want so badly for girls to know how special they are and they are worth being wait on that to hear about girls, and boys, that are forced to have sex and are taught that they deserve what they are going through is just heart breaking. Or people being forced to kill people until murder is a part of their life-style.
Since I have been home and got involved with this organization called Operation Broken Silence I remembered just how sold out I was for this cause and I am awakening from this horrible state of Zombieness (which I’m sure is not a word, but gets the point across!)
I am so blessed to have found something that is worth fighting for that get me out of bed in the morning!(this is one out of many for me) That’s my prayer for everyone…the millions that read my blog haha
If you have a passion, please share!
In Christ
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Lies
There are only a few people I let speak into my life. There are things on TV that I just don't watch. There are friends who I hang around all the time and do not take there advice, I love them, but that is not their role in my life. I had one friend I would tell my problems to and I would literally do the opposite of whatever she told me to do... and guess what, it always worked out. Always. Something as simply as a friend can be much more than that, that relationship can control the decisions you make, the people you talk to, the places you go...the people you listen to can almost determine your life without you even knowing what happen.
There is something that is even more dangerous than a friend...is a boy/girl friend. Yes, I meant dangerous. Someone that you trust more than anyone else in your life. The one that you talk to most and spend the most time with. What they say has more of an influence on you than anyone else in your life; your best friend, your family,...pastor,TV(and we know that tube speaks volumes).
I was talking to one of my campers not to long ago during the "great" campfire encounter and we talked about the whispers. She was telling me that she was a bad Christian.She said she was not trying hard enough and that she could always be doing better. She went on, and on and on about all the things she could do better. And I started telling her about the whispers of Satan. How he wants to get into her head and focus on the "to do's" of following Jesus and that is not what a relationship with the Father is.
Then I got home. I feel like that Lord is calling me back here. The one thing He has been repeating to me is Lies...Lies...Lies. It is so easy to believe lies. Especially when they are all you are listening to. I come back to find my friends and family stuck eyeball deep in lies and they don't want to listen to anything else. Nothing else can get to them.
Why? What is so appealing about the lie?
There is something that is even more dangerous than a friend...is a boy/girl friend. Yes, I meant dangerous. Someone that you trust more than anyone else in your life. The one that you talk to most and spend the most time with. What they say has more of an influence on you than anyone else in your life; your best friend, your family,...pastor,TV(and we know that tube speaks volumes).
I was talking to one of my campers not to long ago during the "great" campfire encounter and we talked about the whispers. She was telling me that she was a bad Christian.She said she was not trying hard enough and that she could always be doing better. She went on, and on and on about all the things she could do better. And I started telling her about the whispers of Satan. How he wants to get into her head and focus on the "to do's" of following Jesus and that is not what a relationship with the Father is.
Then I got home. I feel like that Lord is calling me back here. The one thing He has been repeating to me is Lies...Lies...Lies. It is so easy to believe lies. Especially when they are all you are listening to. I come back to find my friends and family stuck eyeball deep in lies and they don't want to listen to anything else. Nothing else can get to them.
Why? What is so appealing about the lie?
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Hey I Found a Whistle that Hangs Like a Charm
Sean D Carasso: Thank you everyone for your contribution and thoughts! We live in a world of very real wars causing very real deaths. The men and women who create these wars have often used religion as their platform. I hope we'll continue to engage in a robust conversation as to why, and how we can stop this kind of manipulation and brutality.
It seems to me that the first step toward that conversation is a willingness to engage new ideas, new opinions and new perspectives. Openness is paramount. Without it, we remain stuck inside walls of our own creating.
I hope, if nothing else, this photo caused you to reconsider old assumptions and ask new questions. It certainly did that for me.
Lots of love my friends.
Sean
http://www.fallingwhistles.com/splash/index.php
This was posted on this guys facebook to make people stop and just have conversation... Yes, it is a little dramatic. So much happens that could be avoided and understood if we took time to stop...CARE and listen.
What do you think?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Figured it So
I always tell myself that my blog is way to serious... I am not that serious of a person, I like to think but by the looks of my blog i never have fun. I told myself after camp was over and I stopped having such a serious life in general I would have stuff to talk about.
Well that is true. i walked into Panera bread today and I needed to use the restroom and I was on my way and walked in the restroom and there was a boy in there. Obviously old enough to use the restroom on his own and to know that I am a girl and he is a boy and I was so sure that I walked in the wrong room! So I, with the little pride that I had left slowly backed out of the room to take a peek at the sign... IT SAID WOMEN. lol I am just glad it was not an old man, because what exactly are you suppose to do when something like that happens? Do you walk out and wait for them to finished... go in the mens to balance things out or what?!! haha
I am off of camp on my last day off ever from camp! I will be headed home in just a few short work days!! I am so happy! I have been driving around..getting lost! I finally stopped and asked for directions and I was going in the totally wrong way! The lady looked at me and said.."Awe your not from around here are you?"...In my head I was wondering what gave it away..the fact i was asking for directions, my lincense plate says Ohio or because I don't talk like I grow up on the back side of a farm!! haha! But she was really nice and pregnant which is always cute!! People like her make me want to move to a small town..but the size of the mall changes my mind!!! haha
Just a good day!Hope you enjooyed my pointless laid back blog!=)
Chaarity
Well that is true. i walked into Panera bread today and I needed to use the restroom and I was on my way and walked in the restroom and there was a boy in there. Obviously old enough to use the restroom on his own and to know that I am a girl and he is a boy and I was so sure that I walked in the wrong room! So I, with the little pride that I had left slowly backed out of the room to take a peek at the sign... IT SAID WOMEN. lol I am just glad it was not an old man, because what exactly are you suppose to do when something like that happens? Do you walk out and wait for them to finished... go in the mens to balance things out or what?!! haha
I am off of camp on my last day off ever from camp! I will be headed home in just a few short work days!! I am so happy! I have been driving around..getting lost! I finally stopped and asked for directions and I was going in the totally wrong way! The lady looked at me and said.."Awe your not from around here are you?"...In my head I was wondering what gave it away..the fact i was asking for directions, my lincense plate says Ohio or because I don't talk like I grow up on the back side of a farm!! haha! But she was really nice and pregnant which is always cute!! People like her make me want to move to a small town..but the size of the mall changes my mind!!! haha
Just a good day!Hope you enjooyed my pointless laid back blog!=)
Chaarity
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Conviction
The other day I was reading this book called Scared Echo and I was convicted on something that is really dear to my heart.
So I am really into Missions. Like I love mission based organizations. I love people do are in missions everything to do with the poor, abused,enslaved and on and on and on. I am all for it. People know it, its really all that I talk about.Love fighting for people, it's a great way to live!
Well I support a lot of organizations....in many different ways. I tell people about them, I hold events and I show up to events. usually however I do not buy the merchandise... Why do you ask? Because I can never afford to. But I told myself that when I got a job I would spend in a way that I would give to a non-profit every month. I believe that if i have money to go thrift-ing, I should have money to give to the needy.
That we my plan and here I am at a job in the second month and I haven't bought anything for the needy. I have not donated any money...NOTHING. I didn't forget just my budget became more important than taking care of people who do not even have the chance to have a budget!
Well honestly I did not think much about it. I have not idea what is coming next for me and I know I need to save for the unknown... that is what is smart and responsible and I am out of school at the moment and about to the step into the real...real world with no dorms and no food plan. (now i might be living with my parents..which is not the "real world", but that is not my hope or desire, but if God wills I will deal!!! lol). Then one day I was reading the book I mention earlier and this line really got my attention. "The poor were given the right to glean -to take produce from the unharvested edges of the fields, a portion of the tithes and daily wages." This was paraphrased in the book but I know that comes from scripture...
9(A) "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God." Lev 19:9-10
The money that we make is not our own! By giving to the poor you show who is really in control of your money... the "real world" (school, apartment, the food you want (not need but want) ect, ect) No I am not saying you cannot have what you want, when you depend on the Lord and really follow His commands He will give you the desires of your heart.
I WAS NOT DOING THIS. When I read this I simply wrote right next the words ,that I also underlined, and said..." I am not doing my job".. not just my job but my passion the one thing that God has put in my heart to take care of my people in need and the idea of having what I wanted was getting in the way of doing what I am called to do.
How often do we do that? How often do we hold on to something we think we need and want and miss what the Lord has for us? For me it was boyfriends, friends, habits, money and ideas even that I hold on to so long that I miss out on the bigger dream that God has for me.
So to break this very bad cycle I did something I have been saying I was going to do for years.....I bought a pair of TOMSshoes!!!! TOMS is an organization that when you buy a pair you give a pair to another person in the world that doesn't have a pair of shoes. They maybe have never had a pair of shoes in their life. I love TOMS and the starter..but all these years I have never owned a pair because of expense and I did it!
Yes.. a small step for mankind but a milestone in the surrender of my finances to the Lord!
Be blessed to be a blessing!!
In christ
So I am really into Missions. Like I love mission based organizations. I love people do are in missions everything to do with the poor, abused,enslaved and on and on and on. I am all for it. People know it, its really all that I talk about.Love fighting for people, it's a great way to live!
Well I support a lot of organizations....in many different ways. I tell people about them, I hold events and I show up to events. usually however I do not buy the merchandise... Why do you ask? Because I can never afford to. But I told myself that when I got a job I would spend in a way that I would give to a non-profit every month. I believe that if i have money to go thrift-ing, I should have money to give to the needy.
That we my plan and here I am at a job in the second month and I haven't bought anything for the needy. I have not donated any money...NOTHING. I didn't forget just my budget became more important than taking care of people who do not even have the chance to have a budget!
Well honestly I did not think much about it. I have not idea what is coming next for me and I know I need to save for the unknown... that is what is smart and responsible and I am out of school at the moment and about to the step into the real...real world with no dorms and no food plan. (now i might be living with my parents..which is not the "real world", but that is not my hope or desire, but if God wills I will deal!!! lol). Then one day I was reading the book I mention earlier and this line really got my attention. "The poor were given the right to glean -to take produce from the unharvested edges of the fields, a portion of the tithes and daily wages." This was paraphrased in the book but I know that comes from scripture...
9(A) "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God." Lev 19:9-10
The money that we make is not our own! By giving to the poor you show who is really in control of your money... the "real world" (school, apartment, the food you want (not need but want) ect, ect) No I am not saying you cannot have what you want, when you depend on the Lord and really follow His commands He will give you the desires of your heart.
I WAS NOT DOING THIS. When I read this I simply wrote right next the words ,that I also underlined, and said..." I am not doing my job".. not just my job but my passion the one thing that God has put in my heart to take care of my people in need and the idea of having what I wanted was getting in the way of doing what I am called to do.
How often do we do that? How often do we hold on to something we think we need and want and miss what the Lord has for us? For me it was boyfriends, friends, habits, money and ideas even that I hold on to so long that I miss out on the bigger dream that God has for me.
So to break this very bad cycle I did something I have been saying I was going to do for years.....I bought a pair of TOMSshoes!!!! TOMS is an organization that when you buy a pair you give a pair to another person in the world that doesn't have a pair of shoes. They maybe have never had a pair of shoes in their life. I love TOMS and the starter..but all these years I have never owned a pair because of expense and I did it!
Yes.. a small step for mankind but a milestone in the surrender of my finances to the Lord!
Be blessed to be a blessing!!
In christ
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Time to Spare
I am not shy to admit that there is so much in life that I need to learn....SO MUCH. Truth is for everyone there is so much that we need to learn. We will never know it all...although there have been campers of mine who have thought so and there will always be something thing we just do not know...
Okay I am sure you get the point. Even though I know I do not know everything and even though I ask for advice, there are so many times that I do not here the things that I want to here. Things that I want to be able to react a certain, but when I hear another view that is not wrong...but not what I want to hear.
Well if you have never been in that situation then I will gladly tell you a story of mine. I am working at a camp this summer that is a great camp for many different reasons. There are somethings that I wish would change and one of those things is how they incorporate God into the different stuff that go on here at camp. The first couple of weeks I just wasn't seeing it... I was missing the reason that we say we are at camp. After people started to get into the swing things I noticed some things were changing and I was able to incorporate the Message of Jesus into more things and it was just great!! Then we have a more serious night were we get to talk to our campers about Salvation and their relationship with God. Literally this is a day that I wait for!! I just cannot wait for this moment when I get to have a serious conversation with my girls about out Father.
Sometimes the conversation can last a little long, which is a good thing. A very good thing, except some of the girls do not get a chance to have this conversation on this night. Usually it is the next day, but not that night. Well that night our leader came to us and told us from now on we were going to have 15 minutes with each girl so that every girl would have a chance to talk.
When I heard this I was furious. Like beyond words...the only night that I look for you telling me I am limited on the amount of time that I can spend with them... GET OVER IT. So I ended up talking to my pastor and I told him how angry that made me and how when I was finally finding purpose in my job it was being limited, like they were really showing what was important to them. He told me that it may seem that way, but I needed to do what the camp said. That I was trying so hard to make this job work and when I finally found something to be excited about it it was stripped away. He then told me to remember the one who died for our Salvation, the one that I want to talk to the girls about so badly created time. That time is really in His hands. If I really hand that time over to Him and trust Him with it He can do far more than I could imagine.
When I heard this information I can guarantee you that I was not happy. That was not that thing that I wanted to hear at that moment. He could have told me to quite my job and I would have been okay with that. To talk to my leader and tell her that I did not agree with her or to bluntly just not listen to her and just do what I think is best. But no, he told me exactly what I didn't want to hear. After that conversation I had a lot to think about, even though that was not what I wanted to hear...it was true. God is that Author of time...like i sing about that All the time and now I could go in believing I only had 15 minutes or I could go in believing God had a whole 15 minutes....
So the Day has come and it is up to me what to do with it. I had been praying for this day since I had that conversation with my pastor...
There was one girl in my room who really didn't want to talk to me,like she really really didn't want to. And after we got back from the Message that I didn't even hear I was praying so hard she wanted to go first! Like she didn't even think twice about it. She came in talked...left..second girl...third girl...fourth...then fifth. This was the most powerful session that I ever had.. The girls spilled out their hearts and the Lord gave me all the right things to say and none of them went over 15 minutes. NONE...and I didn't look at my watch not one time during any of there conversations, when it was over.. All I could do was enter into a time of praise for how awesome my Father is...
When you give Him the time, the problem, the whatever its amazing to watch Him work
Okay I am sure you get the point. Even though I know I do not know everything and even though I ask for advice, there are so many times that I do not here the things that I want to here. Things that I want to be able to react a certain, but when I hear another view that is not wrong...but not what I want to hear.
Well if you have never been in that situation then I will gladly tell you a story of mine. I am working at a camp this summer that is a great camp for many different reasons. There are somethings that I wish would change and one of those things is how they incorporate God into the different stuff that go on here at camp. The first couple of weeks I just wasn't seeing it... I was missing the reason that we say we are at camp. After people started to get into the swing things I noticed some things were changing and I was able to incorporate the Message of Jesus into more things and it was just great!! Then we have a more serious night were we get to talk to our campers about Salvation and their relationship with God. Literally this is a day that I wait for!! I just cannot wait for this moment when I get to have a serious conversation with my girls about out Father.
Sometimes the conversation can last a little long, which is a good thing. A very good thing, except some of the girls do not get a chance to have this conversation on this night. Usually it is the next day, but not that night. Well that night our leader came to us and told us from now on we were going to have 15 minutes with each girl so that every girl would have a chance to talk.
When I heard this I was furious. Like beyond words...the only night that I look for you telling me I am limited on the amount of time that I can spend with them... GET OVER IT. So I ended up talking to my pastor and I told him how angry that made me and how when I was finally finding purpose in my job it was being limited, like they were really showing what was important to them. He told me that it may seem that way, but I needed to do what the camp said. That I was trying so hard to make this job work and when I finally found something to be excited about it it was stripped away. He then told me to remember the one who died for our Salvation, the one that I want to talk to the girls about so badly created time. That time is really in His hands. If I really hand that time over to Him and trust Him with it He can do far more than I could imagine.
When I heard this information I can guarantee you that I was not happy. That was not that thing that I wanted to hear at that moment. He could have told me to quite my job and I would have been okay with that. To talk to my leader and tell her that I did not agree with her or to bluntly just not listen to her and just do what I think is best. But no, he told me exactly what I didn't want to hear. After that conversation I had a lot to think about, even though that was not what I wanted to hear...it was true. God is that Author of time...like i sing about that All the time and now I could go in believing I only had 15 minutes or I could go in believing God had a whole 15 minutes....
So the Day has come and it is up to me what to do with it. I had been praying for this day since I had that conversation with my pastor...
There was one girl in my room who really didn't want to talk to me,like she really really didn't want to. And after we got back from the Message that I didn't even hear I was praying so hard she wanted to go first! Like she didn't even think twice about it. She came in talked...left..second girl...third girl...fourth...then fifth. This was the most powerful session that I ever had.. The girls spilled out their hearts and the Lord gave me all the right things to say and none of them went over 15 minutes. NONE...and I didn't look at my watch not one time during any of there conversations, when it was over.. All I could do was enter into a time of praise for how awesome my Father is...
When you give Him the time, the problem, the whatever its amazing to watch Him work
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