Laughing at myself

I am a nerd. I'm also thrilled with this blog because it helps me to put it all out there....there are really bad days where I'm not living what I believe. Then there are shining moments and recently, thank God, there's alot more shining moments :) Please, help me to continue on this awesome path where despited all the pain and disappointment in our lives, there is hope, there is love, there is peace, and most of all it's all for you, God!

Hope

Hmmm....it's such an interesting word and so simple isn't it? Hope is defined in the dictionary the following ways:

v.intr.

1. To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.

2. Archaic To have confidence; trust.

v.tr.

1. To look forward to with confidence or expectation: We hope that our children will be successful.

2. To expect and desire. See Synonyms at expect.

n.

2. Something that is hoped for or desired: Success is our hope.

3. One that is a source of or reason for hope: the team's only hope for victory.

4. often Hope Christianity The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.

5. Archaic Trust; confidence.

So, I liked the version that said "Trust; confidence" Because it's a quality I don't often have. I am a pessimist and I rarely have "trust" or "confidence" that things are good or will be good in the future. I hate to be disappointed and I often am despite my pessimism.

The other one that obviously struck me was number 4. The Christian definition of hope. "The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help."

I think it's pretty awesome that that kind of hope is so known that the definition is in a dictionary! And that's a true definition to me....it's difficult but it's not impossible. That's hope because it's saying it IS possible! There's hope in the very definition! :)

The other definition, not hailed as Christian, but can certainly be perceived as such is number 3. "One that is a source of reason for hope" As in...he was the teams only hope for winning. As in God is our only hope at a complete life, a joyful life, and one with meaning. I believe that with all my heart, even though so often I fail to remember it.

Today I'm hoping...........

I'm hoping there is more good in this world than is portrayed in the news.

That good wins over evil even when it looks like it's impossible...which reminds me of an awesome quote..."In every good story, there's always a point where it looks like the bad guys going to win"

I'm hoping more people will choose to be kind towards others, even strangers and not be closed off.

I'm hoping that there really is sun just above those rain clouds.

I'm hoping that this country will be strong, but more than that, that we will see truth where it is and recognize the lies. That we will stand up for good and not be quieted. More than ever our world needs voices of truth to rise above it all.

I'm hoping to someday have my voice heard and to be a voice of truth.

I'm hoping to love God with all I have and look back on my life and not have wasted it.

I'm hoping.....I'm hoping....

I believe in you......

I believe in you by: Bethany Dillon

When there's nothing to believe in, I belive in you
Forget the past and let my hand in yours be the proof
Though the strong could be my company, you're the one I choose
So remember, I believe in you

I know it feels like every eye is watching you
Waiting for you to fall, expecting you to lose
But I see victory, so all you have to do
Is remember, I believe in you

I believe, even when I see you crying
I believe, let me dream for you
When nothing comes from trying
Remember, I believe in you

There will come a day when love will lift you out of here
There will come a day when love will bring the truth
There will come a day when love will free you from your fear
And you'll remember, I believe in you

I believe, even when I see you crying
I believe, let me dream for you
When nothing comes from trying
Remember, I believe in you

God

It's no secret...I'm a Christian! What an exciting thing to be able to say. This life is hard enough, but the one thing that makes it all ok and that gives me peace is that it is all for something....it's for God. When the "reason" for my life becomes a job, children, money, a house, or anything else, there is no peace. We still look everywhere to be whole and happy. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the only time I'm at peace and truly happy is when I am close to the Lord. When I concern myself with him instead of myself, there is a beautiful change.

I all too often think it's about me. I get so wrapped up in how hard things are, how much pain I'm in, who did what to me, how sad things are, and more that it takes me away from where I need to be! Joyful in my situation. I believe with Christ, we can be sad and have some of the hardest trials in life and be at peace or even joyful. Life still hurts, that doesn't change. But how we deal with it can make all the difference.

Thoughts on the government....Part 1

I remember as a teenager signing a petition to our government asking for them to help women in Afghanistan and other countries where horrific things were happening to them. Beatings, murder, rapes, Female circumcision(the reason being the males wanted them to feel no pleasure during sex)....etc. I remember my dad and mom being a little worried that my name and address would somehow get into the hands of the bad guys. I guess you worry because, well, their terrorists. I never thought there would be a day you'd have to worry about our own government and what it is capable of. The newest news is that

"The White House is collecting and storing comments and videos placed on its social-networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube without notifying or asking the consent of the site users, a failure that appears to run counter to President Obama's promise of a transparent government and his pledge to protect privacy on the Internet."

Certainly I'm not comparing our government to those who treat their people cruelly. But the connection there is fear that the government will collect your comments and information and somehow use them against you.

I used to think people were paranoid of the government were just people with some screws loose. This past year with him in office has seen undeniable violations of some of our most basic rights. I'm not talking about just collecting our information and comments online, obviously they've done so much more.

We really need to pray for our country.

There just has to be a real change, a good change in the years to come. I almost hate to use that word because of what Obama has done to it! Change. Huh. Oh well, there's my two cents. I'm going to go post this on my blog. It started out just telling you my feelings ! lol. Now it's a blog post.

Some Lyrics of Songs that I Love

Hymn: Be still my soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future, as in ages past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow for forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

READY FOR YOU:

Kutless

Lord, You take my heart away with Your love
and I am willing to put on my faith in Your plan.

Come and take my life.
Make my soul refreshed in truth now.

I am ready for You.
Take my heart and make me new now.
I am ready for You
to come and fill my soul.

Cleanse all of my mind that is not of You.
Break me, teaching me how to find rest in Your hands.

Come and take my life.
Make my soul refreshed in truth now.

I am ready for You.
Take my heart and make me new now.
I am ready for You
to come and fill my soul.
To come and fill my soul.

Whatever it takes,
I'm needing to make Your will be done
and I'm letting go of my control,
for I see what You've done in me.

I am ready for You.
Take my heart and make me new now.
I am ready for You
to come and fill my soul.

Life and Strife and Peace

So, my grandpa died yesterday. It just topped off the whole life drama that includes a variety of misfortunes and pain, physically and emotionally. God has strengthened me though. A few months ago, I wouldn't have been able to take the beating of the last month or two. I would have angrily and ignorantly blamed God for it all. God's changing my heart. I'm happier for one, joyful despite all the trials. Why? Because God helped me get over myself. It isn't about me and it never was. I just hadn't gotten that memo. I wanted this, this, and that and deserved it. Well, that was my attitude at least. Trials will always happen and I believe how you react says alot about who you are. How I reacted in the past showed me to be petty, selfish, angry, and entitled. I hope that today and in the future it will show me to be graceful, loving and kind, patient, and devoted to Christ. P.S I LOVE my husband and he is becoming an amazing cook! :)