Blessings vs. Luck

Blessings.  They are gifts from God to us.  St. Patrick's Day seems to highlight "luck", but what do you think about "blessings"?

A definition of luck is: "good fortune: success that seems to happen by chance."  On contrast, a definition of blessing is "God's help: help believed to come from God or another deity".  What would you rather have?  Chance, or the perfect timing of God?

God's help.  What does that mean?  Well, ok, obviously it means "help", but what kind?  Sometimes we think that only what we think to be good things are from God, and all the "bad" things aren't from Him.  God wouldn't allow the bad things to happen, right?  Wrong.  God allows all things to happen.  Of course He wants what is best, but sometimes we just don't see how the bad things are part of God's good plan.  Just think, God allowed His own Son to die for us.  To DIE.  When this happened, many people didn't know what to do.  They thought that was it.  But it wasn't.  God had a WONDERFUL plan.  Jesus raised from the dead on the third day.  He died, but rose again to set us free.    


Laura Story has just written a beautiful song called "Blessings".  Here is the chorus:


Cuz what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know you’re near
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?


We may not understand why things happen, but sometimes they bring us closer to God.  (Please understand that it's not that God is not able to stop bad things - HE MOST CERTAINLY IS - He has a plan and we sometimes just have to wait to see what it is).  God LOVES us so, so, so (etc.) much and is always near to help us through the hard times.  He totally understands whatever you go through.


So, can we maybe think of hardships as blessings?  This can be quite challenging.  Luck is defined as "good fortune."  Blessing are defined as "God's help."  God knows what's best for us.  He wants us to draw close to Him and love Him and live our lives for Him.  He will help us to be the people He made us to be - even if it means going through some hard times.  He is there every second of the way.

And we know that in all things God works

for the good of those who love him, 

who have been called according to his purspose. 

~Romans 8:28

God: Your Forever Valentine

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, 

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 

what is man, that you are mindful of him, 

the son of man that you care for him?" - Psalm 8:3

Can you believe how much God loves you? Just think about it for a moment.  God, the God who created the universe, cares so much about you that "he sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"! (John 3:16)  He gives us sinful and rebellious people a chance to be forgiven and live with Him.  

God's love for you is greater than you will ever know.  Even if sometimes it doesn't feel like He loves you, he does.  He made you.  He knows everything about you.  He knows everything you have gone through, and will go through.  He made you for a reason, and is always there for you.

In Mark 12:29, Jesus tells us what is the most important commandment.  He says, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."  The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."  Will you love Him with your all?  Will you love others as you love yourself? This can be quite difficult to do, but God will help us.

He gave his life, his perfect life, for YOU.  What will you give for Him?

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

I am sorry it has been so long since I posted anything!  I have a little catching up to do! 

We had a fun Thanksgiving with some friends that live.  We drove to their place in another city on Thanksgiving morning, and drove home that Saturday afternoon.  Our time was filled with sledding (being pulled behind the pick-up truck on sleds - very fun!), a trip to a National Monument, and of course, eating!

We had a good Christmas, too!  My dad and I got to lead worship for one of our Christmas Eve services.  That was great! :)  I also got to play guitar for the chapel my dad did at the hospital on Christmas.  On December 30, my dad and I went to a Christmas/New Year's Ball.  That was really fun!

We have gotten a lot of snow within the last two weeks.  I love the snow!  It is so pretty!  Just like how a snowflake flows freely from the sky, also, God's grace is given to us freely covering over us and making us as white as snow.
Isaiah 1:18 says, "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'"
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast."  Where does this grace come from?  From God - no one can gain their salvation.  It is only by the grace of God.
Romans 3:23-24 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Do we deserve this grace?  No, way!   "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  So, why, then would the God who created the universe, who is absolutely perfect in every way, who has never, ever sinned,  offer "justification freely by his grace"?
Jesus came as a baby, was born in a stable, and slept on hay.  From the very beginning of his life someone was out there who wanted to kill Him.  He knew that would happen, but came anyway, and died for their sins, too.  He knows everything, but didn't go around and boast about it.  He cared for those that others did not.

He died for every person who had lived or would live on earth.  He paid for every sin.  Why?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." ~John 3:16-17

He came because He loves you, and He wants to save you from eternal punishment.
Through Jesus, our hearts can be made as white as snow.
So, next time it snows, think about the grace of God, and His great love for you.  There is no one, no one, who loves your more than Him.

"Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." ~Psalms 51:7b

Concert!

Last night we went to an amazing concert with TobyMac, Third Day, Jason Gray, and Michael W. Smith. Our speaker was Max Lucado.

We picked up our tickets there at the place where the concert would be held, and then we went to grab some dinner.  After dinner, we walked around the parking lot of the arena where the concert was held for a half hour (I have a goal to walk for at least 30 minutes at least three times a week for the Congressional Award, so we did it while we had some extra time), then we went inside.

As you can see in the picture above, we brought our friend Jonny along with us.  D.J. and Jonny met at last year at the weekly school we went to.  It was nice to have him along.

My aunt works for Max Lucado, and was able to get us free tickets, and backstage passes to meet Max Lucado!  The seats were great!  The place where the concert was held was an arena where you would go see a professional basketball team play, or an ice skating show or something.  We were on the floor of the arena, and the main stage was on one side of the room.  We were in the middle section, only eleven rows back from the stage!  :)

The concert started a little before seven, with Jason Gray.  Later in the concert, when Michael W. Smith was playing, my mom and I went out to the souvenir stand, and Jason Gray was standing near it, so we took my picture with him.

Jason Gray

TobyMac

After Jason Gray finished, it was TobyMac's turn!  My brother especially is a big fan of TobyMac, so it was great that he could see him LIVE!  The music was very loud, but we enjoyed it!

TobyMac

Once Toby was done, our attention was turned to a smaller stage in the middle of the arena. There, Michael W. Smith and lead singer Mac Powell from Third Day were singing.  This was a very worshipful time.  A little later, TobyMac came up on to the stage, too, and they all sang together.  They introduced Max Lucado who said a few words (he was to speak later), and before we knew it, our attention was turned again to the main stage, where Third Day played.

Michael W. Smith and Mac Powell from Third Day

Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, and Mac Powell from Third Day

Micheal W. Smith

Lead singer Mac Powell of Third Day Telling
Someone to Clap Their Hands

When Third Day played, Mac Powell forgot some words to one of his own songs.  I know he probably would have preferred not to forget, but it is encouraging to me because when I mess up or forget something I'm playing, I can remember that even the professionals do it.
 After Third Day, Max Lucado got up and spoke.  The purpose of this concert was to raise awareness of the many children in the world who suffer from hunger, and to encourage people to sponsor a child through World Vision.  Max Lucado spoke from Matthew 25 where Jesus says, " 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' "

Max Lucado

After he was done speaking, it was intermission.  In other words, it was our time to go meet Max Lucado.  We walked to "Stage Right" and were ushered backstage.  We met Max Lucado, who seemed to be a very kind, and caring man.  He asked me and D.J. what our interests were, and said he was glad he got to meet us.  We were glad to meet him, too!

Backstage

We left backstage, and went back to our seats, and Michael W. Smith played.  Along with his own songs, he sang some songs like "Above All", and "How Great is Our God".  That was enjoyable.  I think it is pretty great that he can play the accompaniment to songs without any music, and sometimes without even looking at what he is playing.  That inspires me to just keep working hard on my piano, and hopefully be able to do that with any song someday myself.  I am thankful for my two great piano teachers! :)

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. Smith, TobyMac,
 Mac Powell (From Third Day), and Jason Gray

At the very end, all four artists came out, and sang "God of this City."  It was a really great concert, and I'd like to thank Aunt Liz and Max Lucado for the great tickets!

As TobyMac said last night, "If you leave this place with just one name on your lips, let it be the name of Jesus."  All the praise goes to Jesus!

A Season for Everything

Hi!  Well, we made it home safely from our West Coast trip on August 18.  We had a fun time! :)

I got my Driver's Permit on Thursday!  I am happy about that!  I drove about a half mile on Thursday from the park to our house.  Today, I drove in the church parking lot. 

DJ absolutely loves soccer!  He plays on Sting - the competitive league for his age.  Soccer season has started up again.  Although, does it ever really end?  :)  Last weekend my brother played in a four-day tournament (just one game per day, except the last day they had two for the championship) in another city. I went to three of the five games.  We got second place in the tournament.  He had another game today, but this time it was here in our home town.

My "sport" is music.  I don't play soccer or basketball, I play music. :) So, since I need some physical activity to be involved in, I am starting Irish Dance on September 7th.  I am really excited about it, and I hope it goes really well.  I got my leotard, pants and ghillies (shoes) on Wednesday.  I'll write more about it after I actually start.

I am still working on the Congressional Award.  That takes a lot of time.  I will be volunteering weekly now again on Monday nights from 6-8.  I am also looking forward to helping a lady who goes to our church with a music class she will be teaching.  I'm not sure what all I'll be doing, but I love music and enjoy kids, so hopefully it will be great!  Irish Dancing is also going to count for the Congressional Award, and I'll also be counting piano and driving, too!

I read "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris this summer.  I thought it was a great book, and it was inspirational.  I would recommend it.  Right now, I am reading "Start Here", the follow-up book by Alex and Brett.  Have you read either of those books?  If so, what did you think of them?  If you haven't read "Do Hard Things" or "Start Here", what book have you read recently and why did you like it?  Or, why didn't you like it?  Let me know in a comment if you want to share.  Thanks!

I have had a great summer, but I am ready for fall.  Isn't it good that God gives us different seasons?  School starts for me on Monday.  I'll be a sophomore in High School.  I hope it is a wonderful year!

There is a time for everything, and a season

for every activity under heaven.

- Ecclesiates 3:1

To the West

5:20 a.m. came early Friday morning August 6th.  I wanted to get up early to go on a walk before we left on our trip to Idaho, Oregon and Washington.  I got up, and at 5:45 I was on my walk with my brother.  It was cold!  On our walk, we saw the sun rising over the hills.  It was a beautiful sunrise!

It took until about 7:10 until we left on our trip.  We headed towards Idaho.  My dad was a pastor there for 9 years.  I lived there until I was three.  My family has kept in touch with a few people in Idaho.  One of those is a family we stayed with.  On Saturday, our friends that we stayed with put together a very nice Open House for us where people came to say "Hi" and visit with us (well, mostly my parents).  That night, we had dinner with another family.

We pulled out of our friends' driveway Sunday morning, and headed towards Oregon.  We arrived my aunt and uncle's house in Oregon that afternoon.  My almost-95-year old Grandma was there when we arrived, and had dinner with us.  

On Monday, I got to see my fabulous friend Karissa.  We had a fun time!  That evening, my family went with my aunt and uncle to a concert.

Our Concert Performer

Cute...

On Tuesday, we went camping!  When we lived in Oregon, our church put together a family camp each year and we would go.  So, in some ways, it was like going to Family Camp again, but there were a lot less people.  We went camping with four other families.  Altogether, there were sixteen kids.  My family has known these families for about 10 years.

We stayed Tuesday and Wednesday night.  We camped near Ft. Stevens and the Ocean.  On Tuesday night, the older kids went to one of the batteries, and from there five of us went to the beach to see the sunset.  It was a beautiful sunset!  That night, we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores.

Wednesday was gray all day, and in the morning, it was misty.  We went to Ft. Stevens, and the Ocean that day.  Even though it was gray, it was still great to see the Ocean.  By the way, for those of you who have never been to the Oregon Coast, it is truly that - the Coast.  It's often cold and gray, and the water is FREEZING!  It's still pretty though, in it's own way.  That night, the older boys went to one of the batteries near the campsite, and after they got back we sang songs around the campfire.

We left the camp ground Thursday as the sun finally came out!  Our family drove to Seaside, and stopped for some shopping, then we came back to my aunt and uncle's house.  That night, my mom and aunt went to a jewelry party, and the rest of us went to dinner with my grandma, and after my dad brought her home, we went to a movie in the park.  I was SO tired that night!

On Friday, my dad, D.J. and uncle went on the hike that one of my aunts died on a year ago.  While they were gone, my mom and I did a few things.

Yesterday was Saturday.  My mom and I met some friends for dessert yesterday afternoon.  It was good to have time to visit with them. :)

My family went to our old church this morning, and this afternoon, my aunt drove D.J., Mom and me up here to Washington.  We are staying with my aunt and uncle who came last July with my Grandpa.  My mom's cousin here in Washington is having open heart surgery on Tuesday, so if you think of it, please say a prayer for him on Tuesday.  My dad and uncle from Oregon are now in Idaho on their way to our home.

Here is one more picture from our trip to the Coast:

Sunset through the Peter Iredale Wreck

We have had a fun week!  Thanks for reading!  I know it was a lot in one post!

"And I wish all the people I love the most, could gather in one place

And know each other and love each other well." ~ Sara Groves, From the song "Every Minute"

Summer Time!

It's summer time! It's already July! Wow!

So, what has our family been doing this summer? What are we going to be doing later on? Well, let me tell you...

From June 21-25, my mom, brother and I helped at our church's Vacation Bible School.  It was different this year because it was in the evenings instead of mornings.
From June 28 through July 2 we hosted a 5-day club in our backyard. Some youth came to our house and put it on. They told Bible stories, missionary stories, and taught the children games, songs and a Bible verse each day. We would also have a snack, too! There were a few children who wanted reassurance of their salvation, and at least one child prayed to receive Christ.  Praise the Lord!

We have been re-doing our bathroom downstairs, so we have had some people working on that this week. Also, on Tuesday, we painted D.J.'s (my brother) and my rooms. Three of D.J.'s walls are brown and the other is green, and mine are all green. D.J. plans to put a green stripe on at least one of his brown walls. They look nice! :)

So, that's a lot of what we have been doing this summer so far, but what's next?

Well, near the end of this month, we are having two sets of company come. My aunt and uncle are coming from Oregon, and another aunt and uncle from Washington with my grandpa from Montana are coming.

In August, my family and I are taking a trip to Oregon to go camping with a few families. We are driving this time (we always fly), so it will be a little different. On our way to Oregon, we will be stopping Idaho for two nights and seeing some old friends. It will be great to see many friends and some family in August! :)

I hope you are having an awesome summer! Thanks for reading!