It's interesting to me, in the short 21 years I have been alive, what priorities people have in their lives. I find I'm disappointed in what I see.
Instead of young men seeking God's heart, shaping their values, morals and habits to be pleasing to God, they are still concerned with frivolous things... non-eternal things.
Young women are no better, seemingly always being led by their emotions, they can't think logically enough to learn what it really means to be a woman of God.
Our priorities are mixed up. Our senses are gone. We have been desensitized to worldly things. We laugh at the things that should offend us.
What.
Has.
Happened?
Jobs, money, relationships, they are not bad things, but we seem to twist them into something they are not. We prioritize them wrongly. They become idols in our lives.
We talk about these things as though they are of extreme importance. Instead of realizing that the only thing of extreme importance is the Creator and Sustain-er of the universe in which we live.
We don't fix our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith, and because we don't, we suffer. We suffer through our sin, we may not realize the suffering at first as we dethrone God in our lives, but we suffer through grieving the Holy Spirit and causing our relationship with Christ to dwindle.
It starts small and works its way into every area of our lives. When we don't have our priorities straight, things do go wrong.
Your boyfriend/girlfriend becomes higher on the priority list than they ought to, your job, friends, family, even church can become an idol.
All these things are not bad, but as we make them big in our lives, we also end up making God small.
The Bible calls us to love God and one another.
That is our first priority. When that gets out of whack, so does everything else.
When you love God, you want to obey him.
When you obey him, you don't want to sin.
When you don't want to sin, you want to live righteously.
When you want to live righteously, you want to continue to obey his commands.
Suddenly, you will find yourself not laughing at the things that should be offensive, because once again, they are offensive. Why are they offensive? Because they are not Phil 4:8. We alter our thinking so that we are no longer desensitized to worldly things. This is hard. It takes work. We have conditioned ourselves to think that so many things are okay, when in reality they are against God.
We live selfishly, we don't love others.
We don't think before we speak and we offend our brothers and sisters in Christ. We set a poor example to those around us, all because of our selfish tendencies.
Don't get me wrong, I write this as a sinner just like everyone else. My priorities are not always in the right order, but I become convicted every time I see this blatantly in others. Instead of judging them for their actions, I try to examine my own heart and life.
I encourage all of you to examine yourselves and to really see if your priorities are straight.
Signed,
gypsy girl
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Goin' to the chapel.
Whenever I say the word "marriage", I instantly think of the movie "The Princess Bride" and that weird priest who said the word "marriage" odd.
But, that's beside the point.
Everyone is getting engaged! And by everyone, I mean only a few people. From my left and right, I continually hear of people finding that someone special, getting engaged and then married.
Praise God!
Sadly, not everyone has that mindset. Instead, there are the bitter leftovers who wish it was them. Discontent with the way God has their life right now and wanting more than anything to play the role of "God".
Because clearly, life has shown us multiple times, that when we take life into our own hands, it ALWAYS turns out so much better (Please note the intense amount of sarcasm in that statement).
We, as humans, so easily look at everything negatively. Why is it so much easier to focus on what we don't have then on what we do?
Doesn't the Bible tell us to; "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."? (Romans 12:15)
So I wonder why we give ourselves the right to find sadness in a joyful time of life? Is not marriage a union created by God that is supposed to exemplify Christ and the church?
Though, it's not to go unsaid that when taken lightly, such a union can be a bad thing. But when the union is clearly backed by biblical principal and the two people are definitely right for each other, why do we decide to mourn over that?
Assuming we try to live our lives in a godly manner, we have no right to turn such a joyous event into a time of self-pity.
I challenge those out there who are struggling to any degree about dating/engaged/marriage relationship status' to take a step back and realize the motive behind your struggle, address it, and move on, especially since we should be supporting and uplifting those who are blessed to enter such a stage in life!
I won't sit here and pretend I have all the answers or that I never struggle with being single. But I have learned what it means to be content in singleness and I hope to encourage those out there who don't know what it means.
Discontent is just another way of thinking you're so self-important that you deserve something better than you already have. Even though, as selfish, horrible sinners, we deserve nothing but God's wrath. Yet, we have been given every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
So, in conclusion, remember that it's important to examine one's motives and to practice self-control as well as love and humility. Because pride has a way of coming out in many facets of our lives. I would be the first person to admit that. Mostly, because I would be stupid AND I would be lying if I didn't.
Signed,
gypsy girl
But, that's beside the point.
Everyone is getting engaged! And by everyone, I mean only a few people. From my left and right, I continually hear of people finding that someone special, getting engaged and then married.
Praise God!
Sadly, not everyone has that mindset. Instead, there are the bitter leftovers who wish it was them. Discontent with the way God has their life right now and wanting more than anything to play the role of "God".
Because clearly, life has shown us multiple times, that when we take life into our own hands, it ALWAYS turns out so much better (Please note the intense amount of sarcasm in that statement).
We, as humans, so easily look at everything negatively. Why is it so much easier to focus on what we don't have then on what we do?
Doesn't the Bible tell us to; "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."? (Romans 12:15)
So I wonder why we give ourselves the right to find sadness in a joyful time of life? Is not marriage a union created by God that is supposed to exemplify Christ and the church?
Though, it's not to go unsaid that when taken lightly, such a union can be a bad thing. But when the union is clearly backed by biblical principal and the two people are definitely right for each other, why do we decide to mourn over that?
Assuming we try to live our lives in a godly manner, we have no right to turn such a joyous event into a time of self-pity.
I challenge those out there who are struggling to any degree about dating/engaged/marriage relationship status' to take a step back and realize the motive behind your struggle, address it, and move on, especially since we should be supporting and uplifting those who are blessed to enter such a stage in life!
I won't sit here and pretend I have all the answers or that I never struggle with being single. But I have learned what it means to be content in singleness and I hope to encourage those out there who don't know what it means.
Discontent is just another way of thinking you're so self-important that you deserve something better than you already have. Even though, as selfish, horrible sinners, we deserve nothing but God's wrath. Yet, we have been given every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
So, in conclusion, remember that it's important to examine one's motives and to practice self-control as well as love and humility. Because pride has a way of coming out in many facets of our lives. I would be the first person to admit that. Mostly, because I would be stupid AND I would be lying if I didn't.
Signed,
gypsy girl
Monday, April 16, 2012
I can only imagine...
I remember sitting in the hospital room, MercyMe was playing in the back round, and the 3 of us were entertaining ourselves with the iPad.
Then I looked up and realized the time was near. So, with my brother on one side and I on the other, we watched as God ended my dad's battle with cancer forever.
And as he exited the world in which we live, the song "I can only imagine" came on. Dad's favorite song.
I sat there, wondering, what was dad doing right now? Was he dancing for joy? Or was he still in the presence of Christ, amazed at his glory? Was he standing, or had his knees gone weak at the sight of eternity?
I could only imagine.
He may have taken his last breath on this earth, but he took his first breath into eternity. Though eternity is at hand and our soul never dies, I can only imagine how amazing it must be to see it, rather than just believe it.
And then I realized what I had seen; the gospel.
We often think that we see the gospel only when someone comes to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. But, you see the gospel completed in a believer who fought the good fight, who ran the race with endurance and now stands in the victory of Christ. Had Christ not resurrected, neither would my dad. But he did. They both did.
Because of Christ, I have no fear in death, and I know my dad didn't have any fear in death either. We both have the promise of life.
Dad loved the gospel, it was his passion. He talked about it all the time and tried his best to live it out. And through his faithfulness, even to the point of death, he fulfilled God's purpose for him on earth and showed so many people how important the gospel of Christ is.
Because of this gospel, we have peace, knowing full well that dad was released from his earthly body and now resides with Christ.
Wow.
He resides with Christ.
No more sin, no more cancer, no more struggles...
To live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil 1:21)
In Christ, to die is gain.
Sometimes, when people die, others will say "may he rest in peace". That's a silly statement when I know he's at peace. I don't need to wish it upon him because I know it's true.
I can "rest in peace" because I don't doubt that I will see dad again, when my purpose is done. But, for now, I will try to live out my purpose, just like dad did. Glorifying God in everything I do.
Will I fail? Yes.
Did dad fail? Yes.
But then, there's the beauty of the gospel. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:1-4)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3)
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26)
"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." (John 3:16)
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ..." (Phil 1:27)
My dad didn't live a perfect life, but he left an amazing legacy. A legacy I hope to continue.
Signed,
gypsy girl
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Beautiful girl
My entire life I have been judged unfairly. And no matter what I have said or done, I've always been negatively attacked for one thing, my body type.
When I was little, no one thought anything of the fact that I was so skinny, especially those who knew my parents, it was easy enough to see where I got my high metabolism from. But, as I got older, things changed. I noticed that girls would look at me with harsh, judgmental eyes, even if I had never said a single word to them in my life.
Growing up, through those awkward, teenage, junior high years, I was accused of many things, including having an eating disorder, whether it be anorexia or bulimia. Even my own friends, though jokingly, would flippantly say mean things about how skinny I was, their words were full of envy and disdain towards me.
The thing I never understood was why they couldn't seem to accept my size for what it was (and is). It was as though they thought that it was my doing. I was the one who picked my body type, when in fact, I had nothing to do with it.
To this day, I still get dirty looks and people still make jokes and it reminds me of back when I was in jr. high and high school all over again.
And all I have ever wanted to say to each of those girls who have ever looked at me scornfully is this; you are beautiful.
God created you in his image, he made you with the specific body type that you are and it wasn't a mistake. Media and our culture have twisted our views on what looks "good" and what does not. But the world's standards are not God's standards. When God created Adam and Eve, he saw what he had made and said that it was "good". He didn't say it was "okay" or "fine", he said it was "good". Now, after the one, true, living God created Eve, somehow I doubt she looked down at her body and said "Um, you made me wrong. I think I look ugly."
I kind of don't think that she was concerned with self-image (at least not yet). Humans tend to elevate appearance much higher than it ought to be.
Sure, I think we can all agree that being in shape is a good thing. Eating healthy, staying fit... it's a way to take care of the body that God has given you. But, that's not my point. My point is that God made you beautiful.
Maybe it doesn't seem beautiful to the guy at school or down the street or whatever. But, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and God beholds you as stunning.
He doesn't make junk.
Don't waste your time envying someone else's body. You will never have their exact body because you are not them. You are you. And you are made in the image of God.
It doesn't matter what body type you have, you, as a human, will always find something you don't like about your body. So why envy someone else's?
My story continues as such, I have never had an eating disorder in my life. God gave me this body because he wanted to and it served me very well for the 7 years that I did ballet. But, this same body that so many girls have envied now has an incurable auto-immune disease that's basically arthritis in a nut-shell.
Sure, I understand that some girls would rather be skinnier, but, I would rather be able to open jars and doorknobs without being in massive pain. God creates us each uniquely and with a purpose. Don't undermine God.
And better yet, lets not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to, especially by prioritizing image, because that's prideful. Whether you think too much or too little of yourself, it's pride.
I do realize this rant was somewhat random, but I want to encourage you girls and even guys out there, know who you are and whose you are. And don't elevate body image, it's not worth it.
Signed,
gypsy girl
When I was little, no one thought anything of the fact that I was so skinny, especially those who knew my parents, it was easy enough to see where I got my high metabolism from. But, as I got older, things changed. I noticed that girls would look at me with harsh, judgmental eyes, even if I had never said a single word to them in my life.
Growing up, through those awkward, teenage, junior high years, I was accused of many things, including having an eating disorder, whether it be anorexia or bulimia. Even my own friends, though jokingly, would flippantly say mean things about how skinny I was, their words were full of envy and disdain towards me.
The thing I never understood was why they couldn't seem to accept my size for what it was (and is). It was as though they thought that it was my doing. I was the one who picked my body type, when in fact, I had nothing to do with it.
To this day, I still get dirty looks and people still make jokes and it reminds me of back when I was in jr. high and high school all over again.
And all I have ever wanted to say to each of those girls who have ever looked at me scornfully is this; you are beautiful.
God created you in his image, he made you with the specific body type that you are and it wasn't a mistake. Media and our culture have twisted our views on what looks "good" and what does not. But the world's standards are not God's standards. When God created Adam and Eve, he saw what he had made and said that it was "good". He didn't say it was "okay" or "fine", he said it was "good". Now, after the one, true, living God created Eve, somehow I doubt she looked down at her body and said "Um, you made me wrong. I think I look ugly."
I kind of don't think that she was concerned with self-image (at least not yet). Humans tend to elevate appearance much higher than it ought to be.
Sure, I think we can all agree that being in shape is a good thing. Eating healthy, staying fit... it's a way to take care of the body that God has given you. But, that's not my point. My point is that God made you beautiful.
Maybe it doesn't seem beautiful to the guy at school or down the street or whatever. But, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and God beholds you as stunning.
He doesn't make junk.
Don't waste your time envying someone else's body. You will never have their exact body because you are not them. You are you. And you are made in the image of God.
It doesn't matter what body type you have, you, as a human, will always find something you don't like about your body. So why envy someone else's?
My story continues as such, I have never had an eating disorder in my life. God gave me this body because he wanted to and it served me very well for the 7 years that I did ballet. But, this same body that so many girls have envied now has an incurable auto-immune disease that's basically arthritis in a nut-shell.
Sure, I understand that some girls would rather be skinnier, but, I would rather be able to open jars and doorknobs without being in massive pain. God creates us each uniquely and with a purpose. Don't undermine God.
And better yet, lets not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to, especially by prioritizing image, because that's prideful. Whether you think too much or too little of yourself, it's pride.
I do realize this rant was somewhat random, but I want to encourage you girls and even guys out there, know who you are and whose you are. And don't elevate body image, it's not worth it.
Signed,
gypsy girl
Friday, March 9, 2012
Never stop learning.
God has been teaching me a lot lately. He's been teaching me how pride really does come before a fall, that sin really is disgusting, and how a life of independence from God is really no life at all.
I believe God places people in our lives to convict us, push us and live life with. And he has placed some pretty amazing people in my life.
I think too easily, we as Christians, take the simple, basic principles of the Bible, for granted. Instead of realizing that those principles are the foundation on which we stand in the truth of God.
All this to say, it really does all connect, I promise. Though, today I have been rather A.D.D., I swear all of this has a point.
And the point is this, God purposes everything for a reason. He places us in situations in life to help build our faith, he places people in our lives to keep us accountable and he gives us the foundations and principles in which to firmly stand upon.
We serve an awesome God.
I continue to grow and learn and make mistakes, get back up again and then try for the thousandth time to figure things out.
We serve a patient God.
Through struggles and trials and doubts, there's triumphs, reiterations and joy.
We serve a big God.
Every time I find myself starting to wander like a stupid sheep, he takes his staff and gently pushes me back in the direction I need to go.
We serve a personal God.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 (emphasis added)
Signed,
gypsy girl
I believe God places people in our lives to convict us, push us and live life with. And he has placed some pretty amazing people in my life.
I think too easily, we as Christians, take the simple, basic principles of the Bible, for granted. Instead of realizing that those principles are the foundation on which we stand in the truth of God.
All this to say, it really does all connect, I promise. Though, today I have been rather A.D.D., I swear all of this has a point.
And the point is this, God purposes everything for a reason. He places us in situations in life to help build our faith, he places people in our lives to keep us accountable and he gives us the foundations and principles in which to firmly stand upon.
We serve an awesome God.
I continue to grow and learn and make mistakes, get back up again and then try for the thousandth time to figure things out.
We serve a patient God.
Through struggles and trials and doubts, there's triumphs, reiterations and joy.
We serve a big God.
Every time I find myself starting to wander like a stupid sheep, he takes his staff and gently pushes me back in the direction I need to go.
We serve a personal God.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 (emphasis added)
Signed,
gypsy girl
Friday, February 24, 2012
Conviction carries...
Writing is something I have always been passionate about, even from my earliest days. I used to write stories and share them with my mom, who praised my work, though to look back now it was probably shameful. I'm sure back then the stories consisted of princesses and dragons, or ninja's and sonic the hedge hog, thanks to my brother's influence.
Books, writing, poetry, simple notes, they've all impacted my life over the past 21 years because for some reason they speak to me in a way other things can't.
So, of course, tonight as I sit in Starbucks talking with one of my best friends, she would use my love of writing against me, only to convict me of how insignificant I am compared to the great God we serve.
Life is like a book, God of course is the author, and we are the characters. We each have our own different roles and paths of life and God, just like a writer, knows the outcome. As my dearest Kelsey said, "The characters don't get to look at the writer and say, 'you're writing this wrong' or 'I think I'd rather have that character's plot line instead.'"
The interesting thing is, whenever I'm writing a story, I always try to take great care in my characters. I want them to be dynamic characters who have meaning and purpose and I connect them with other characters for different reasons because it serves the overall purpose of the story line.
In comparison to my mediocre writing skills, at best, I can only conclude that God, being the author and perfecter of our faith, would be able to write out the best story of all. Life.
He seems to have it under control, starting off with a beginning; creation, and of course working out the details in between and even having the ending all figured out. It's almost like he thought everything through or something (please note the sarcasm).
Why is it, that as humans, we aren't satisfied with the Author or the story? Are we so selfish to think that we could write a better story for our lives?
Are we so stupid to think that our story isn't good enough? We take what we've been given for granted and instead of being thankful for what we have, we waste our time wishing for things we don't.
The beauty of it is, we don't need to waste our time trying to figure out why our story was written the way it was, or is, all we have to do is keep going. Put one foot in front of the other and continue on our journey.
I think, if more people viewed life as an adventure or journey rather than a mundane existence, life as we know it, would be much different.
I can far more understand why Christ said we should have a child-like faith, in retrospect, everything was easier to grasp because I wasn't searching for endless answers, I was more content because I decided to be. Children don't have it easy, life isn't always simple for kids, but often times they choose for it to be, just because they want to. Sometimes, I wonder, if that couldn't be such a bad idea for adults too.
Random thoughts at 11:30pm.
Always learning and growing. Thank God for tomorrows.
Signed,
gypsy girl
Books, writing, poetry, simple notes, they've all impacted my life over the past 21 years because for some reason they speak to me in a way other things can't.
So, of course, tonight as I sit in Starbucks talking with one of my best friends, she would use my love of writing against me, only to convict me of how insignificant I am compared to the great God we serve.
Life is like a book, God of course is the author, and we are the characters. We each have our own different roles and paths of life and God, just like a writer, knows the outcome. As my dearest Kelsey said, "The characters don't get to look at the writer and say, 'you're writing this wrong' or 'I think I'd rather have that character's plot line instead.'"
The interesting thing is, whenever I'm writing a story, I always try to take great care in my characters. I want them to be dynamic characters who have meaning and purpose and I connect them with other characters for different reasons because it serves the overall purpose of the story line.
In comparison to my mediocre writing skills, at best, I can only conclude that God, being the author and perfecter of our faith, would be able to write out the best story of all. Life.
He seems to have it under control, starting off with a beginning; creation, and of course working out the details in between and even having the ending all figured out. It's almost like he thought everything through or something (please note the sarcasm).
Why is it, that as humans, we aren't satisfied with the Author or the story? Are we so selfish to think that we could write a better story for our lives?
Are we so stupid to think that our story isn't good enough? We take what we've been given for granted and instead of being thankful for what we have, we waste our time wishing for things we don't.
The beauty of it is, we don't need to waste our time trying to figure out why our story was written the way it was, or is, all we have to do is keep going. Put one foot in front of the other and continue on our journey.
I think, if more people viewed life as an adventure or journey rather than a mundane existence, life as we know it, would be much different.
I can far more understand why Christ said we should have a child-like faith, in retrospect, everything was easier to grasp because I wasn't searching for endless answers, I was more content because I decided to be. Children don't have it easy, life isn't always simple for kids, but often times they choose for it to be, just because they want to. Sometimes, I wonder, if that couldn't be such a bad idea for adults too.
Random thoughts at 11:30pm.
Always learning and growing. Thank God for tomorrows.
Signed,
gypsy girl
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Colors
I've been walkin' down this road for quite a while now
Sifting through the good and the bad
I've been waiting for the world to make a change for the better
But then I realized the world was just so sad
And when the rain hit my window pane
And the stars started falling from the sky
I realized the sun will keep on shining
Because the dark is never dark inside the light
Oh, the colors burst open wide
When your heart and mine collide
Then one day while I was walking down my path
My legs gave way and I stumbled upon the ground
But when you picked me up I looked a little down
You said sorry but I'm stronger than you now
My world had changed from the sorry state I was in
Now I know I can't change the world I live
But when I feel like the end is chasing me down
I'll give you all I have and that's all I can give
Oh, the colors burst open wide
When your heart and mine collide
Oh, the ray of reality will shine
When I put into your hands what was not mine
Signed,
gypsy girl
Sifting through the good and the bad
I've been waiting for the world to make a change for the better
But then I realized the world was just so sad
And when the rain hit my window pane
And the stars started falling from the sky
I realized the sun will keep on shining
Because the dark is never dark inside the light
Oh, the colors burst open wide
When your heart and mine collide
Then one day while I was walking down my path
My legs gave way and I stumbled upon the ground
But when you picked me up I looked a little down
You said sorry but I'm stronger than you now
My world had changed from the sorry state I was in
Now I know I can't change the world I live
But when I feel like the end is chasing me down
I'll give you all I have and that's all I can give
Oh, the colors burst open wide
When your heart and mine collide
Oh, the ray of reality will shine
When I put into your hands what was not mine
Signed,
gypsy girl
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