December 22, 2010
Breathe Today
You can only move as fast as who's in front of you
And if you assume, just like them, what good will it do?
So find out for yourself, so your ignorance will stop bleeding through
You can breathe today
So many lies swirling all around you
You're suffocating
The empty shape in you steals your breath
You're suffocating
Logic forces me to believe in this and I have learned to see
And I can only say what I've seen and heard and only you can choose
And every choice you make will affect you, search your own self
You can breathe today
So many lies swirling all around you
You're suffocating
The empty shape in you steals your breath
You're suffocating
So many lies swirling all around you
You're suffocating
The empty shape in you steals your breath
You're suffocating
BREATHE
Big enough to fill the void that inside of you
It's just a breath away
So many lies swirling all around you
You're suffocating
The empty shape in you steals your breath
You're suffocating
So many lies swirling all around you
You're suffocating
The empty shape in you steals your breath
BREATHE
So many lies swirling all around you
You're suffocating
BREATHE
The empty shape in you
Breathe today!
This song is Breathe Today by Flyleaf. Something I've always loved about this band is the raw emotion in their songs. How they don't sugar coat anything. In their song Red Sam they say, "Here I stand, empty hands, wishing my wrists were bleeding, to stop the pain from the beatings, there you stood, holding me, waiting for me to notice you". They make themselves very vulnerable, but that's why people love this band. Because they can relate. The lead singer, Lacey Mosley, has gone through a stage in her life where she did cut herself and she was suicidal. The day she was going to kill herself, her grandma made her go to church. She said that before, she was an atheist, her life mission was to make people see how stupid it was to believe in God. At church, the preacher started talking about what seemed to be exactly Lacey's life. Then he said, "There's a suicidal spirit in the room, please come up here and let us pray with you." She knew he was talking about her, but she didn't go up there. After the service, the preacher came up to her and said, "The Lord wants you to know that even though you’ve never known an earthly father, he will be a better Father to you than any earthly father could ever be.” This man could have never known that she didn't know her father, she thought it was just a coincidence considering she had purple hair and wore a rock t-shirt. He asked to pray for her, and while they were praying, she felt God's presence in such a powerful way, she felt all the sin in her, she knew that it would have been completely the right choice for God to turn her away, but instead she just felt his love. Isn't that incredible? God wanted her on this earth for a reason. Someone who never believed in this God, who was going to kill themselves, and because one person who loved Him forced her to go to church, her life was saved. She sings about God and his amazing love, she prays with and for her audiences, God is using her, 100%.
I think this song has the coolest lyrics. I had never really thought about the meaning before, but I wanted to dissect this song for you, because I think it has such an incredible meaning!
"You can only move as fast as who's in front of you
And if you assume just like them what good will it do?
So find out for yourself, so your ignorance will stop bleeding through"
They're talking about your friends. Your friends have such a big influence on who you are, you can only grow so much without them getting involved. If you have really spiritual friends who are on fire for God, chances are, you'll be on fire for him too, but if your friends are drug addicts and swear a lot, you might fall into that trap. Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't be friends with them, come on, Jesus hung out with the prostitutes and the drunks, he loved everyone, of course we should do the same. I'm just saying, that you also need to surround yourself with people who allow you to and want you to grow. If you think about everything in the same way as them, basically, if you share a brain, how will that help you or anyone? You need to be yourself. You need to be who God wants you to be, not what people want you to be! You need to explore, you need to be YOU, because at the end of the day, it's not other people who matter, right? Ignorance is not bliss.
"You can breathe today...
So many lies swirling all around you
You're suffocating
The empty shape in you steals your breath
You're suffocating"
I feel like they're saying that Satan fills your head with lies about yourself. That you're not pretty enough, good enough, no one likes you, nobody cares, you have no friends, no one loves you. Yes, I struggle daily with many of these things. These thoughts soon fill your mind and you start obsessing. You can't think of anything else. You're suffocating in these lies. The empty shape is the person you want to be, or are trying to be. The person you think people will like better, who'll be prettier, who will have love and friends and will feel good enough. But you soon lose yourself in this person you're trying to become, who is not you. Soon, your own self will die. Suffocate.
"Logic forces me to believe in this and I have learned to see
And I can only say what I've seen and heard and only you can choose
And every choice you make will affect you, search your own self"
If I told you that there was a baby born to a virgin, impossible, who lived a sin free life, impossible, who died and was brought back to life three days later, impossible, and God took him up to heaven, alive, also impossible, would you believe me? Well, that's your choice. Quite honestly, I could never and would never even try to force someone to believe in God. He gave us the freedom to decide for ourselves whether we want to serve him or not. If he forced us, what good would that do? We wouldn't have a choice to love him or not. And if we didn't have a choice, he wouldn't feel our love and want us to follow him as much as he does now, because we would have to. I have seen God work, I've witnessed it, I have proof. I have heard many stories of what he's done in the lives of my friends and people I don't even know. It's incredible. So choose for yourself, do you believe in this man who did the impossible? Basically, God came down to earth in human form. Simple as that. God is known for doing the impossible. If you do decide to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and have not yet, PLEASE talk to me! I can pray with you, for you, or direct you to someone else if you're more comfortable with that. I just want to help YOU!
"Big enough to fill the void that inside of you
It's just a breath away"
You always hear people talking about how they have everything the world can offer them, everything they've ever wanted, a big house, nice cars, spending money, designer clothes, everything, but they still feel empty. If you don't have God, you don't have anything. "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." [Matthew 6:19-21, The Message] Things on this earth are only temporary, but God is forever. All you have to do to fill that emptiness, to ask Jesus into your heart, is say a few simple words.
This song, before I actually listened to the words and understood what they were saying, was just something I liked the tune of. Songs can be so much more than that. Look at your favorite song or songs, dissect it, really listen to what the lyrics are saying. Is that the kind of person you want to be? Is this how you want to define yourself? If not, I have plenty of music choices for you!
God bless,
Ariel
December 13, 2010
Love
For the past little while I've felt overwhelming love. Being given to me and my love for others. I've wanted to talk about love for a long time, but I could never find the words. Love is just that amazing. It leaves you speechless. It's indescribable. And we all want it. That's one of the number one things that Jesus asks you to do. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13
I've felt so much love from people. I had been asking God to just show me that he loves me. Somehow, I just want to feel his love for me. I didn't realize it at the time, but I think that this is his way of showing me how much he loves me. The topic of me being baptised came up during English one day. Two friends of mine, who are awesome friends but I'm not super close with, said that they would love to come and support me on that day. That was so special. That they cared enough to go out of their way and come to my baptism. I did not expect that, and it was the highlight of my day.
My sister, Jenny, has poured out so much love on me. And I love her so much!!! I've never had a big sister before. The first time that we ever really talked, I was having a rough week, and she just talked and prayed with me. She loved me. Even though we had never really talked before, she loved me. Now, we do think of each other as sisters. Sisters in Christ! God is so good! I go to her with so much. It's so comforting to know that she's praying for me, that she cares so much about me. And I can't even explain the love that I feel for her. I think that when two people bond through Jesus, it's such a strong bond. It can't be broken. I was having a really bad week, and I get a message from her in the morning saying that she loves me and is praying for me and hopes I have a sweet day. That was the best day I had that week. And in a long time. Knowing that she was thinking about me and feeling that love, so unexpected, was just the most awesome feeling.
In this year, I've been trying to get reconnected with my family. I didn't have a lot to do with my dad's side throughout my childhood, and now I'm really trying. I feel so much love from them and for them. It's completely God's timing, I fully believe that.
I cracked at school this last week. I had a really overwhelming afternoon, dealing with personal stuff, friend stuff and school stuff. By the end of the day I was walking up the stairs and the flood gates opened. I really didn't want them to, and I was trying to stop crying, but my best friend saw me, and she came over and hugged me. Love. Then a teacher came out of his classroom, asked if I was okay, asked if he could do anything. Love. Another teacher asked if I was okay, and later came back, talked to me a bit more, asked if I wanted to see the guidance counsellor, and said he wasn't trying to be a creep, he was just worried. Love.
God has very recently blessed me with an overwhelming feeling of love for others. I think that this is only a fraction of what he feels for each individual person that he's created, I can't even imagine his love for us! Imagine this: The person on this earth that you love most. Picture their face, now, picture them hanging on a cross, being crucified. Hard, isn't it? Painful. That's what God did for us. He gave us his beloved son for our sins. I can't even imagine the pain he felt when Jesus was hung on that cross.
I have some friends who I feel incredible love for. I can't even begin to explain it. I cry so hard for them, I want them to do good, I want them to have the best life possible, I want to just protect them from everything, but I know I can't. When they hurt, I see it, and I hurt too. I think that God's revealed this love to me for a reason. I don't know that reason yet, but I can't wait to find out!
Personally, all I've ever wanted is love. I love love! I love giving love, I love receiving love! It's the most amazing feeling in the world! You don't have to be cheap with it guys, give out all the love you can. I'm begging you.
Blessings,
Ariel
I've felt so much love from people. I had been asking God to just show me that he loves me. Somehow, I just want to feel his love for me. I didn't realize it at the time, but I think that this is his way of showing me how much he loves me. The topic of me being baptised came up during English one day. Two friends of mine, who are awesome friends but I'm not super close with, said that they would love to come and support me on that day. That was so special. That they cared enough to go out of their way and come to my baptism. I did not expect that, and it was the highlight of my day.
My sister, Jenny, has poured out so much love on me. And I love her so much!!! I've never had a big sister before. The first time that we ever really talked, I was having a rough week, and she just talked and prayed with me. She loved me. Even though we had never really talked before, she loved me. Now, we do think of each other as sisters. Sisters in Christ! God is so good! I go to her with so much. It's so comforting to know that she's praying for me, that she cares so much about me. And I can't even explain the love that I feel for her. I think that when two people bond through Jesus, it's such a strong bond. It can't be broken. I was having a really bad week, and I get a message from her in the morning saying that she loves me and is praying for me and hopes I have a sweet day. That was the best day I had that week. And in a long time. Knowing that she was thinking about me and feeling that love, so unexpected, was just the most awesome feeling.
In this year, I've been trying to get reconnected with my family. I didn't have a lot to do with my dad's side throughout my childhood, and now I'm really trying. I feel so much love from them and for them. It's completely God's timing, I fully believe that.
I cracked at school this last week. I had a really overwhelming afternoon, dealing with personal stuff, friend stuff and school stuff. By the end of the day I was walking up the stairs and the flood gates opened. I really didn't want them to, and I was trying to stop crying, but my best friend saw me, and she came over and hugged me. Love. Then a teacher came out of his classroom, asked if I was okay, asked if he could do anything. Love. Another teacher asked if I was okay, and later came back, talked to me a bit more, asked if I wanted to see the guidance counsellor, and said he wasn't trying to be a creep, he was just worried. Love.
God has very recently blessed me with an overwhelming feeling of love for others. I think that this is only a fraction of what he feels for each individual person that he's created, I can't even imagine his love for us! Imagine this: The person on this earth that you love most. Picture their face, now, picture them hanging on a cross, being crucified. Hard, isn't it? Painful. That's what God did for us. He gave us his beloved son for our sins. I can't even imagine the pain he felt when Jesus was hung on that cross.
I have some friends who I feel incredible love for. I can't even begin to explain it. I cry so hard for them, I want them to do good, I want them to have the best life possible, I want to just protect them from everything, but I know I can't. When they hurt, I see it, and I hurt too. I think that God's revealed this love to me for a reason. I don't know that reason yet, but I can't wait to find out!
Personally, all I've ever wanted is love. I love love! I love giving love, I love receiving love! It's the most amazing feeling in the world! You don't have to be cheap with it guys, give out all the love you can. I'm begging you.
Blessings,
Ariel
December 4, 2010
My Generation
Swearing, smoking, sex, drugs, money, partying. This is what teenagers have become. This is what we think is "cool". I'm honestly becoming ashamed to be called a teenager. Because when you think "teenager", you think "swearing, smoking, sex, drugs, money, partying". There are people, adults, who are afraid of teenagers because of the name we've made for ourselves. And I'm sick of it.
Swearing. Oh, swearing, how I hate that you've become a part of my every day life. Would someone please tell me what the point of swearing is?! Yes, I realize it feels good to swear when you hurt yourself, or when you're ticked off, but really, what is the point?? As I have said before, there is a whole dictionary of words that can express the way you feel! You can even say them in french, spanish, german for all I care! "I'm pissed off" could easily be turned into "I'm ticked off" or "I'm cheesed off" (my personal favorite.) Yes, I am guilty of saying that something is pissing me off almost daily. And that's not something I'm proud of. But it's one of those "little" swears that no one cares about. Lately, it's been really annoying me. I catch myself saying it very often and it's really not needed. That's why I'm taking responsibility for my actions. I am making it my personal goal to not say "piss". Please correct me if you catch me. I'm not going to go through the whole dictionary of swears we have. That is just an example. But seriously, the next person who says "the f word" is gonna get a smack. It's really not necessary. At all. It's a stupid word. I have friends who put that word into the middle of sentences for NO REASON AT ALL!!!! And it makes me mad. Because it wasn't necessary. At all. You can say, "Look at that effing motorcycle" oooor, "Look at that motorcycle." Big difference, eh? So hard to take that one word out of the sentence! Or so say my friends.
Smoking. I will actually just show you a video to express my thoughts on smoking.
I love Brad Stine. He doesn't sugar coat stuff. Christian comedian. It just proves that you don't have to have dirty jokes or swear to be funny. Watch some of his stuff, so good!
Sex. Seriously, I have never understood the big deal with "getting it over with". This is something for you and your husband or wife to share. Not you, your husband or wife, that guy from 10th grade, the one night stand, the 3 guys from 11th grade and the other one you thought you would marry but he got away. When you have sex with one person, you're also being exposed to all the previous people they have slept with. This is the one thing I have to say to all the teenage people: GET YOUR HEADS OUTTA YOUR BUTTS AND SAVE YOURSELF!!!! It's really not that hard. Remember that word that we've been saying to our parents since we could talk? What was it again...oh yeah. No. Really not that hard. Just saying.
Drugs. Same thing as smoking. Well, kind of. But just like smoking, I have never seen the point in snorting a powder up through your nose. Or injecting it into your blood stream. What attracts people to that? I don't understand.
Money. Have you noticed how young people start to apply for jobs now? Grade 6 or 7, I'm pretty sure. Because we're so obsessed with money. We want money because we want material things. We want material things because that's how we were raised. But in the bible it says that material things do not last. They don't last. I had a pair of boots that I loved. They are now broken. Material things do not last. You cannot care about money and about God. It's one or the other. I choose God. And that's a hard thing to do as a human, because naturally, I want that new perfume. I want that designer purse. I want it all. But I have to get my priorities straight.
Parties. I have never been invited to a party. Apparently, people hear things about Morden. It's where all the Winkler people go to party. That also makes me ashamed. To live in a "party town". You could either have fun with a bunch of your friends at Tim Hortons and get completely healthy (or healthier than beer) coffee, or you could invite a bunch of random people to a party, get drunk, and not remember a thing the next day. Seems like a no-brainer when ya put it that way, right?
I'm tired of seeing my generation sinking. Because that's what we're doing. We've stopped caring. We're doing whatever we want. And it has to stop. I am sick of it. I don't want to be known for swearing, smoking, sex, drugs, money or partying. I want to be known for being on fire for my Daddy, the King, my God. Being a teenager, that's not easy. But I'm trying. I'm also in the process of taking a 22 Day Challenge. Go check out the website http://www.iamsecond.com/ . Very encouraging.
God bless,
Ariel
Swearing. Oh, swearing, how I hate that you've become a part of my every day life. Would someone please tell me what the point of swearing is?! Yes, I realize it feels good to swear when you hurt yourself, or when you're ticked off, but really, what is the point?? As I have said before, there is a whole dictionary of words that can express the way you feel! You can even say them in french, spanish, german for all I care! "I'm pissed off" could easily be turned into "I'm ticked off" or "I'm cheesed off" (my personal favorite.) Yes, I am guilty of saying that something is pissing me off almost daily. And that's not something I'm proud of. But it's one of those "little" swears that no one cares about. Lately, it's been really annoying me. I catch myself saying it very often and it's really not needed. That's why I'm taking responsibility for my actions. I am making it my personal goal to not say "piss". Please correct me if you catch me. I'm not going to go through the whole dictionary of swears we have. That is just an example. But seriously, the next person who says "the f word" is gonna get a smack. It's really not necessary. At all. It's a stupid word. I have friends who put that word into the middle of sentences for NO REASON AT ALL!!!! And it makes me mad. Because it wasn't necessary. At all. You can say, "Look at that effing motorcycle" oooor, "Look at that motorcycle." Big difference, eh? So hard to take that one word out of the sentence! Or so say my friends.
Smoking. I will actually just show you a video to express my thoughts on smoking.
I love Brad Stine. He doesn't sugar coat stuff. Christian comedian. It just proves that you don't have to have dirty jokes or swear to be funny. Watch some of his stuff, so good!
Sex. Seriously, I have never understood the big deal with "getting it over with". This is something for you and your husband or wife to share. Not you, your husband or wife, that guy from 10th grade, the one night stand, the 3 guys from 11th grade and the other one you thought you would marry but he got away. When you have sex with one person, you're also being exposed to all the previous people they have slept with. This is the one thing I have to say to all the teenage people: GET YOUR HEADS OUTTA YOUR BUTTS AND SAVE YOURSELF!!!! It's really not that hard. Remember that word that we've been saying to our parents since we could talk? What was it again...oh yeah. No. Really not that hard. Just saying.
Drugs. Same thing as smoking. Well, kind of. But just like smoking, I have never seen the point in snorting a powder up through your nose. Or injecting it into your blood stream. What attracts people to that? I don't understand.
Money. Have you noticed how young people start to apply for jobs now? Grade 6 or 7, I'm pretty sure. Because we're so obsessed with money. We want money because we want material things. We want material things because that's how we were raised. But in the bible it says that material things do not last. They don't last. I had a pair of boots that I loved. They are now broken. Material things do not last. You cannot care about money and about God. It's one or the other. I choose God. And that's a hard thing to do as a human, because naturally, I want that new perfume. I want that designer purse. I want it all. But I have to get my priorities straight.
Parties. I have never been invited to a party. Apparently, people hear things about Morden. It's where all the Winkler people go to party. That also makes me ashamed. To live in a "party town". You could either have fun with a bunch of your friends at Tim Hortons and get completely healthy (or healthier than beer) coffee, or you could invite a bunch of random people to a party, get drunk, and not remember a thing the next day. Seems like a no-brainer when ya put it that way, right?
I'm tired of seeing my generation sinking. Because that's what we're doing. We've stopped caring. We're doing whatever we want. And it has to stop. I am sick of it. I don't want to be known for swearing, smoking, sex, drugs, money or partying. I want to be known for being on fire for my Daddy, the King, my God. Being a teenager, that's not easy. But I'm trying. I'm also in the process of taking a 22 Day Challenge. Go check out the website http://www.iamsecond.com/ . Very encouraging.
God bless,
Ariel
December 1, 2010
[CHRIST]mas
I was sitting at the stair case during lunch, checking my facebook, as per usual. I was so done with the day by about 10am. Obviously, my day was not about to get any better. I'm scrolling through the statuses, and see: "23 more days until presents!" PRESENTS?! And so my status became: "Can we please put CHRIST back into CHRISTmas?" What happened, guys? The worst part was, I had went to camp with this person years ago. She knows about God. I hate seeing people fall, knowing I can't do anything about it. That's been the heaviest burden on my heart, lately. I see what all my friends are doing, knowing what the consequence is going to be, knowing full well that they're not going to listen to me. It makes me want to cry.
But honestly, guys. Have we not heard enough about the "true meaning of Christmas" yet? Do we have to keep coming back to this? I understand little kids being excited about presents. They're small, they get new toys, what kid doesn't want that?! I always wanted new toys! But as of last year, it just hasn't felt the same anymore. I bought a bunch of presents last year for my friends and family, and I was so excited to watch them open it. To be giving them something that they may have for a long time. I loved it. That was my favorite part about Christmas last year. Giving, not getting. Sure, I always like getting new things, but I didn't look forward to it as much as I used to.
I remember someone saying that everyone loves Jesus around Christmas time. Well duh. Jesus birthday and everything, everyone's cheerful, it looks gorgeous outside (but does not feel gorgeous, i might add), there's twinkly lights everywhere, snowmen. Everyone just seems happier for some reason. Joyful. And I'm not saying that we shouldn't like Christmas, or that those are shallow reasons to like Christmas. I'm just saying, remember what we're celebrating. After Christmas is over, many people couldn't care less about Jesus. That makes me sad. I hate that right after Christmas, is New Years. Perfect reason to get drunk, right? No. Parties do not equal drinking. Want to have real fun? Be yourself and just chill out with your friends. Drinking ruins you. Really.
Another thing I'm sick of: this Santa dude stealing credit for Christmas. He's fake. Not real. Never has been. Never will be. Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you're reading this blog and you still think santa is real, well I really have nothing to say to that...
You always see those blow-up santas on people's lawns. Some fat dude in a red suit whose reindeers can fly, and he delivers presents to every single person in one night. How does he do it?! Hmm, I don't know, maybe it's the fact that it's your parents stashing the presents under the tree, not some fat dude, and it's your parents eating the milk and cookies, not some fat dude. He's not real. It's fun for little kids. But honestly, we need to grow up. If we're still having santa decorations everywhere, and giving him credit for Christmas and talking about him all December, then we've missed the mark. Santa is not real. Jesus is. He was a real person. He's still alive. Guys, if we celebrate a fake person who gives us material things during Christmas rather than Jesus, who gave his life for us, who loves us so much, then we've missed the mark. Have you ever once heard your parents say, "Santa loves you." ? No. Exactly. He doesn't. Because he's not real.
I find this next thing kind of interesting. I made a typo while spelling 'santa'. Can ya guess what I said instead? Satan. That was my typo. Now I'm thinking, did satan create santa so that Jesus wouldn't get celebrated during Christmas? Satan knows that Jesus should be on everyone's minds right now, but instead we're filled with shallow things like presents and santa and decorations.
My request to you right now, is to look past those shallow things and really spend time with Jesus. Not just now, not just during the Christmas season, but for the following week, month, year, decade, life!! You will never stop learning. I can guarantee you that.
Blessings,
Ariel
But honestly, guys. Have we not heard enough about the "true meaning of Christmas" yet? Do we have to keep coming back to this? I understand little kids being excited about presents. They're small, they get new toys, what kid doesn't want that?! I always wanted new toys! But as of last year, it just hasn't felt the same anymore. I bought a bunch of presents last year for my friends and family, and I was so excited to watch them open it. To be giving them something that they may have for a long time. I loved it. That was my favorite part about Christmas last year. Giving, not getting. Sure, I always like getting new things, but I didn't look forward to it as much as I used to.
I remember someone saying that everyone loves Jesus around Christmas time. Well duh. Jesus birthday and everything, everyone's cheerful, it looks gorgeous outside (but does not feel gorgeous, i might add), there's twinkly lights everywhere, snowmen. Everyone just seems happier for some reason. Joyful. And I'm not saying that we shouldn't like Christmas, or that those are shallow reasons to like Christmas. I'm just saying, remember what we're celebrating. After Christmas is over, many people couldn't care less about Jesus. That makes me sad. I hate that right after Christmas, is New Years. Perfect reason to get drunk, right? No. Parties do not equal drinking. Want to have real fun? Be yourself and just chill out with your friends. Drinking ruins you. Really.
Another thing I'm sick of: this Santa dude stealing credit for Christmas. He's fake. Not real. Never has been. Never will be. Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you're reading this blog and you still think santa is real, well I really have nothing to say to that...
You always see those blow-up santas on people's lawns. Some fat dude in a red suit whose reindeers can fly, and he delivers presents to every single person in one night. How does he do it?! Hmm, I don't know, maybe it's the fact that it's your parents stashing the presents under the tree, not some fat dude, and it's your parents eating the milk and cookies, not some fat dude. He's not real. It's fun for little kids. But honestly, we need to grow up. If we're still having santa decorations everywhere, and giving him credit for Christmas and talking about him all December, then we've missed the mark. Santa is not real. Jesus is. He was a real person. He's still alive. Guys, if we celebrate a fake person who gives us material things during Christmas rather than Jesus, who gave his life for us, who loves us so much, then we've missed the mark. Have you ever once heard your parents say, "Santa loves you." ? No. Exactly. He doesn't. Because he's not real.
I find this next thing kind of interesting. I made a typo while spelling 'santa'. Can ya guess what I said instead? Satan. That was my typo. Now I'm thinking, did satan create santa so that Jesus wouldn't get celebrated during Christmas? Satan knows that Jesus should be on everyone's minds right now, but instead we're filled with shallow things like presents and santa and decorations.
My request to you right now, is to look past those shallow things and really spend time with Jesus. Not just now, not just during the Christmas season, but for the following week, month, year, decade, life!! You will never stop learning. I can guarantee you that.
Blessings,
Ariel
November 27, 2010
Scream
You know, the one thing that gets under my skin the most is when people take their opinions, and put words in God's mouth. It makes my blood boil. Things like when I'm listening to my music, "Oh, I bet God hates that music". Yes, it is metal, yes, they do scream, yes, THEY ARE A CHRISTIAN BAND!!! They are talking about God defeating hell, about loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, they are just doing it in a way that reaches kids who don't get the word of God in any other way. Apparently, if you don't like screaming, that's not a good thing. I listen to bands like Hawk Nelson, Amanda Falk, For Today, Flyleaf, The Letter Black, Seventh Day Slumber, Group 1 Crew, David Crowder Band, Breaking Benjamin, TobyMac, Bluetree, Rapture Ruckus, Manafest, Thousand Foot Krutch, Skillet, Carrie Underwood, Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus, for crying out loud! I listen to pretty much everything. Except opera. Or the Beach Boys. Ick. You could not pay me enough money to listen to either of those. Check some of those bands out. Even if you only listen to the first 30 seconds of their songs and then turn it off. I'm not telling you to like this music or just get off the face of the earth. I'm asking you to listen to the music, decide for yourself if you like it, and listen to the lyrics. If nothing else, listen to the lyrics. (Or look them up, if you can't understand them :) ) They are all very different groups. Metal, rock, praise and worship, alternative, country, whatever! I love it. Diversity, in anything, makes us beautiful.
Another thing, "Who ever said that Jesus was fun?" (By the way, I am not saying names in this because I don't want these people to get hurt. I am angry. I am venting. But I am not bringing you into it. Please don't make this a big deal.) Who ever said Jesus wasn't fun?!?!?! Agh!!!! First off, if people didn't have fun with Jesus, do you think anyone would follow him? No! Would people listen to him talk for hours on end? No! Would people try to get other people to follow him? No! How would people get to follow Jesus if he was boring? "Oh yeah, there's this guy...in heaven...who loves you...nothing exciting really happens in your life...you just kinda believe in him...even though you can't see him...but you know...he loves you...so you should follow him." NO!!! Guys, I have seen proof of God. That is so exciting! When God works in your life. When he shows himself, when he works in others lives. It makes you want to jump and scream and dance all around the room! It's fun. It's exciting. Working at camp, serving God, it's fun. If I didn't have fun at camp, I would not work there. It's as simple as that. Yes, God has some serious work for us to do. But I think he wants us to have fun with it. He doesn't want us to suffer. He won't give you anything that you can't handle.
Here's the thing. I try to speak the truth all the time. If I've offended you, get over it. This is what is true. I hope that I haven't butchered any of this. If I have, I'm sorry, please correct me. But, if you say "You've offended me" to anything that I've said that is true, this is my reply: "I don't care." I'm not being mean. I'm being truthful. I really do love you all. And I will show you love, but I'm also an incredibly sarcastic and irritating individual, as some of you will and have found out. I am me. Take it or leave it. I'm not changing for anybody, and I've learned that you can't please everyone, so please God, and no one else matters after that.
God bless,
Ariel
Another thing, "Who ever said that Jesus was fun?" (By the way, I am not saying names in this because I don't want these people to get hurt. I am angry. I am venting. But I am not bringing you into it. Please don't make this a big deal.) Who ever said Jesus wasn't fun?!?!?! Agh!!!! First off, if people didn't have fun with Jesus, do you think anyone would follow him? No! Would people listen to him talk for hours on end? No! Would people try to get other people to follow him? No! How would people get to follow Jesus if he was boring? "Oh yeah, there's this guy...in heaven...who loves you...nothing exciting really happens in your life...you just kinda believe in him...even though you can't see him...but you know...he loves you...so you should follow him." NO!!! Guys, I have seen proof of God. That is so exciting! When God works in your life. When he shows himself, when he works in others lives. It makes you want to jump and scream and dance all around the room! It's fun. It's exciting. Working at camp, serving God, it's fun. If I didn't have fun at camp, I would not work there. It's as simple as that. Yes, God has some serious work for us to do. But I think he wants us to have fun with it. He doesn't want us to suffer. He won't give you anything that you can't handle.
Here's the thing. I try to speak the truth all the time. If I've offended you, get over it. This is what is true. I hope that I haven't butchered any of this. If I have, I'm sorry, please correct me. But, if you say "You've offended me" to anything that I've said that is true, this is my reply: "I don't care." I'm not being mean. I'm being truthful. I really do love you all. And I will show you love, but I'm also an incredibly sarcastic and irritating individual, as some of you will and have found out. I am me. Take it or leave it. I'm not changing for anybody, and I've learned that you can't please everyone, so please God, and no one else matters after that.
God bless,
Ariel
November 21, 2010
Tick, tick, tick...
Okay, this blog post is most likely going to be very much out of anger. Unless you'd rather call it passion. Or some other word. Either way, brace yourselves, I am a ticking time bomb right now...
First off, I am going to be a rebel for God. Whether you like it or not. People have certain opinions, but when they try to tie those opinions in with things in the bible, that are not right, that is a huge pet peeve of mine. I will get angry. I will snap. My head may blow off of my body. Just saying. I am going to get tattoos. Pretty sure no one's going to change that. I don't want to be like everyone else. I want to be unique. Having a tattoo can open a door. That door being someone asking, "What does your tattoo mean to you?" Huge door. I love that door. People tend to think that all Christians have to be little goody-two-shoes, good little Church goers. Um, k, we're people, not clones. (P.S., I am just a tad ticked off, if you have not already noticed) When people look at me in the future, they'll probably say, "she doesn't look like a Christian" and label me right off the bat. I'm going to break the chain. Your looks don't define who you are. Your body is your outer shell. I am going to have piercings and tattoos. I may dress in crazy clothes or have crazy hair. I have no idea what I'm going to do! But that's what I love. The unpredictability of it. I just want to have fun. But, if something does not honour God, I'm not going to do it. Let's get that clear right now. My life is not my own, but God's. Part of the reason I want to get tattoos is to open that door. But I also want to be able to look at my arm in a time of troubles and see and encouraging verse that will keep me hanging on. This is my opinion. My personal view point. It is not right or wrong. This is just who I am. I might have said something dumb in there. I have no idea, but please don't fight me on this. Don't try to change me. It's not going to happen. And I will get very angry, and I will blow up. Again, just saying.
Also, girls, I have a bone to pick with you. Read closely. I'm not talking to anyone in particular (except the women, of course). This may not even apply to you. But I feel that it's necessary. At the start of the summer, I really wasn't sure why WBC had such a strict dress code. No cleavage, no bra straps, shorts have to have a 3 inch in-seam, no bikinis, etc. (Not sure what the guy's code was, seeing as I'm not a dude) But since then, I've had numerous opportunities to see into the mind of a male. At camp the girls got to ask the guy leaders questions, and vise versa. I went to a Healthy Sexuality youth thing. Everyone you talk to, will tell you that guys are incredibly visual. Now I get why the dress code was so strict. Apparently, some guys can get turned on by something, what girls see as a little thing, like bra straps. So girls, now it comes to our job. COVER UP!!!!!!! It really is as simple as that. If your tank top goes just a bit too low that you can see cleavage, wear an under shirt. If you have to keep tugging at your shorts to cover up your butt, chances are, your shorts are too short. If you're uncomfortable or self conscious in anything you're wearing, you probably shouldn't be wearing it. Wow, logical, isn't it? I honestly don't know how girls can be so comfortable with having half of their boobs hanging out of their shirt. a) it's not attractive at all and b) it does not look comfortable. Yet I see it all the time at school. You want your boyfriend to stop pressuring you to have sex? Stop dressing slutty. Never would've guessed that one, would ya? (If you haven't caught the sarcasm in this text yet, I'm incredibly sorry. I'm sure I'll get a slap from someone for this post.)
Wow, it feels good to get that out of my system. I'm sure there will be some chuckles at this post. There usually are when I get worked up. This really wasn't a "big deal" post, but really just something I felt that I needed to get out there.
God bless you guys,
Ariel
First off, I am going to be a rebel for God. Whether you like it or not. People have certain opinions, but when they try to tie those opinions in with things in the bible, that are not right, that is a huge pet peeve of mine. I will get angry. I will snap. My head may blow off of my body. Just saying. I am going to get tattoos. Pretty sure no one's going to change that. I don't want to be like everyone else. I want to be unique. Having a tattoo can open a door. That door being someone asking, "What does your tattoo mean to you?" Huge door. I love that door. People tend to think that all Christians have to be little goody-two-shoes, good little Church goers. Um, k, we're people, not clones. (P.S., I am just a tad ticked off, if you have not already noticed) When people look at me in the future, they'll probably say, "she doesn't look like a Christian" and label me right off the bat. I'm going to break the chain. Your looks don't define who you are. Your body is your outer shell. I am going to have piercings and tattoos. I may dress in crazy clothes or have crazy hair. I have no idea what I'm going to do! But that's what I love. The unpredictability of it. I just want to have fun. But, if something does not honour God, I'm not going to do it. Let's get that clear right now. My life is not my own, but God's. Part of the reason I want to get tattoos is to open that door. But I also want to be able to look at my arm in a time of troubles and see and encouraging verse that will keep me hanging on. This is my opinion. My personal view point. It is not right or wrong. This is just who I am. I might have said something dumb in there. I have no idea, but please don't fight me on this. Don't try to change me. It's not going to happen. And I will get very angry, and I will blow up. Again, just saying.
Also, girls, I have a bone to pick with you. Read closely. I'm not talking to anyone in particular (except the women, of course). This may not even apply to you. But I feel that it's necessary. At the start of the summer, I really wasn't sure why WBC had such a strict dress code. No cleavage, no bra straps, shorts have to have a 3 inch in-seam, no bikinis, etc. (Not sure what the guy's code was, seeing as I'm not a dude) But since then, I've had numerous opportunities to see into the mind of a male. At camp the girls got to ask the guy leaders questions, and vise versa. I went to a Healthy Sexuality youth thing. Everyone you talk to, will tell you that guys are incredibly visual. Now I get why the dress code was so strict. Apparently, some guys can get turned on by something, what girls see as a little thing, like bra straps. So girls, now it comes to our job. COVER UP!!!!!!! It really is as simple as that. If your tank top goes just a bit too low that you can see cleavage, wear an under shirt. If you have to keep tugging at your shorts to cover up your butt, chances are, your shorts are too short. If you're uncomfortable or self conscious in anything you're wearing, you probably shouldn't be wearing it. Wow, logical, isn't it? I honestly don't know how girls can be so comfortable with having half of their boobs hanging out of their shirt. a) it's not attractive at all and b) it does not look comfortable. Yet I see it all the time at school. You want your boyfriend to stop pressuring you to have sex? Stop dressing slutty. Never would've guessed that one, would ya? (If you haven't caught the sarcasm in this text yet, I'm incredibly sorry. I'm sure I'll get a slap from someone for this post.)
Wow, it feels good to get that out of my system. I'm sure there will be some chuckles at this post. There usually are when I get worked up. This really wasn't a "big deal" post, but really just something I felt that I needed to get out there.
God bless you guys,
Ariel
November 17, 2010
Kingdom [Day 2]
Day 2 started very early, earlier than any of us had intended! 7am. Kristy is an early riser, but a heavy sleeper, makes me laugh :) Oh, this was a full day! 7am until 1am. Brace yourselves.
We are the light of God. Word for word from my journal. Chris told the story about when Jesus took 3 of his disciples, Peter, James and John up to a mountain. Jesus was transformed right in front of them, his face shone as bright as the sun, his clothes white as the light, and Elijah and Moses appeared. God said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" [Matthew 17:1-13]. Jesus shone like the light because he was God's light. We're supposed to be God's light to the world. People are supposed to look at us and not be able to figure out why we are the way we are, and want what we have. Do you know what the greatest miracle to ever take place on this earth is?? No? Can't think of it? Do you want to know? When the Holy Spirit enters your body, enters your heart, and makes you a child of God, that is the greatest miracle that can ever, ever happen. God recreates. If you're an alcoholic, or do drugs, or a prostitute, or anything else, and you invite Jesus into your heart, don't expect him to completely destroy and rebuild you. He won't do that. It's not that easy. What he will do is recreate your mind, your soul, your spirit. He'll renew you. He'll make you into His image, with a lot of prayer, faith and hard work from you. I'm only beginning this journey, but guys, it is so worth it! This is going to sound harsh, but if you really look at it, every single one of us, is dirt. Now, I don't mean this in a way of putting people down. God made this earth, he made everything on it, he made us. When he made Adam, he made him out of dirt. He breathed the breath of life into Adam's nose. Chris said not his mouth, because that would be CPR. Haha. We're all made out of the dirt of the earth. A lot of the time, in the bible it says man did this and man did that, when it says "man", it means all of mankind, women included. Here's a really cool thing that we learned: Your body is not the real you. It's the outer shell. Your spirit, that's the real you. Chris said that people are wrong when they say "I have cancer" or whatever, they should say "My body has cancer", because your body is not the real you, your spirit is.
Earth is like boot camp. And some days, I know it sure feels like it! Basically, God's training us for leadership. You have the power to transform this world. All things are possible in Christ who strengthens me. All things. One thing that Chris said, was that God never told you to "afford" anything, he just told you to do it. Trust in him, and do what he asks of you, and he will supply. Man, this is gonna be one wild ride!
Like I've said before, the Holy Spirit is in us. God communicates to us through the Holy Spirit. When God thinks something, you will think it too. Your thoughts come from Him. Don't get me wrong, he's not going to give you evil thoughts. That's completely the devil trying to get you off track. DON'T LET HIM!! Fight. Fight hard. God has emotions. He has deep emotions. When you hurt, it hurts him even more deeply, he hates to see us hurt. When someone is saved, and brought to Christ, he rejoices! He's so happy! He can't contain himself! I know a lot of the times, I've never thought about God having emotions. But it's so cool, how deeply wrapped up in us he is, that when we feel, he feels.
Another cool thing: God doesn't hide our destiny from us, he hides it for us. He wants us to find our destiny! But he wants us to look for it, to be so wrapped up in him, so that he can reveal it to us. When we ask, he will help us. Seek and you will find. God, he has a book in heaven written about you. About your destiny. About what he wants you to do. The desires that you have, he puts them in your heart. If you desire a husband, God will give you a husband. If you desire children, God will give you children. If you desire a car, or a house, God will give it to you. But keep in mind, it's all in his will. Your kingdom come, your will be done, Father.
You know how when a girl knows that a guy likes her, she plays "hard to get"? Just because it's encouraging for girls when a guy pursues her. It makes them confident. It makes them feel wanted, loved. God does the exact same thing! He wants you to pursue him! He wants to feel loved by you and wanted by you! He's not going to come somewhere that he's not welcomed or respected. You have to invite him. You have to want him.
Chris told us about the three things that we can never talk about in a mean or hateful way: Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the blood of Jesus. Jesus is so precious. He loves you so much. It hurts him when you talk about him in a hateful way, and it should hurt you too. It's not in any way acceptable.
You need to be intimate with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is your ticket to God. He wants to have a relationship with you. The Holy Spirit is living inside of you, you can't get any closer! Romans 12:11 says to be on fire for God!
Another thing that we learned, was that when something Heavenly is lifted off of you, people tend to look for something earthly to cover you. Like Adam and Eve, after Adam at the fruit from the tree that God told them not to eat from, they realized that they were naked. They looked for leaves to cover their bodies, because they sinned against God. Also tying into that, when something Heavenly is removed, religion comes in. Everyone talks about religion and being Christian and stuff, but personally, I don't like the term Christian. Jesus never called us to be "Christians", he called us to follow him. Followers of Christ. Religion, I think, is just going through the motions. Because we feel we have to. I don't want that.
Jesus should be our standard. Not a camp counsellor, or anyone else. We should strive to be like Him. He should be our role model. It makes me so sad to see girls looking up to famous people like Rhianna or Katy Perry, or whoever. Don't get me wrong, I don't know who they are as a person, because I've never met them, but neither do these girls, and that's what makes me nervous. You see Rhianna or Katy wearing very little clothing, a lot of makeup, their lyrics are not appropriate. We think that that's the person they are. And that scares me, because how a person looks, and what they sing, are not who they are, but that's what these girls look up to. Looks and lyrics.
Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." One thing that Chris said to us was that we should look at the Bible like we're looking into a mirror. You should be a reflection of Jesus.
A super cool thing that we experienced this weekend was healing. Dean (our youth pastor) came up to the front after praise and worship on Saturday morning. He started saying that God had given him a vision that there was someone there who had one leg shorter than the other and that it caused them pain throughout their body. He asked them to raise their hand, and two sisters raised their hands. (They did give me permission to share this story.) He asked them to come up to the front, and sit down with their legs out so that he could see the difference. He asked Chris and Kris to come up to the front and pray for them. They started with Natalie, she's about my age, they just started praying and praying, and afterwards went to Alayna, the older sister, and prayed for her. Guys, NATALIE AND ALAYNA ARE HEALED!!!!!! I cannot stress enough how real this is! Their legs are now the same length. I talked to them yesterday, their legs are still good. Amazing. God is so good, guys. Right there, in front of all of us, God showed himself to us. After reading this, there is no way you could tell me that there is not a God. Because deep down inside you, that seed is planted. And it's all my fault :) Chris was saying how every day, people say that their back hurts, or their arm, or something that's causing them discomfort. He said that all we have to do is ask them if we can pray for them. The worst thing that they can say is no. All you have to pray is this, "The kingdom of God has come upon you. In the name of Jesus Christ, be healed!" That's it. You just have to believe, have faith, that God can do anything. And honestly, he really can. You can't afford to think, "what if". It just isn't an option. He still performs miracles, he's not done with us, guys! And to those of you who are still struggling with deciding whether you believe in God or not, think about this: You can't see your brain between your ears, but you have faith that you do, in fact, have a brain.
In the evening session, Chris called us all forward, we sang Fire Fall Down again. Then he asked whoever didn't feel filled with the Holy Spirit to step forward. I didn't at first, but I felt God pushing me, so after a little push from Him, I stepped forward along with about 10 other people. Chris, Kris and Dean started going from person to person and praying with them. On November 13, 2010, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. We all learned how to speak in tongues. I really don't like saying "learned" but I don't know how else to phrase it. At first, I was just scared. About what was going to come out of my mouth, if I was going to sound stupid, what people would think, what if it didn't come naturally, what if I was just making it up. But again, we can't afford to think, "what if". After I just let go of whatever worries I had, and it took a little bit, the words just started flowing. Let me tell you, speaking in tongues was something I never thought I would experience or be able to do. I thought that you wouldn't know what was happening, that God would all of a sudden just make weird words come out of your mouth. But it doesn't work that way. Once I let the words come out, they flowed. I have no clue what I said, I didn't even listen to myself as I was speaking, I don't try, I don't think. It is the most amazing gift from God. That night I also talked to Kristy about my past, I had really been struggling with it for a long time. She prayed for me, and she said, "You know, in God's mind, none of that stuff ever happened. It doesn't exist. Never happened." So, so true. Ever since I started thinking about that, I've been at so much peace. It never happened. My past never happened. I love that.
Don't get me wrong, this weekend wasn't all such serious and heavy stuff. Although, the heavy stuff was probably my favorite part! We did this game, the Blanket Toss. So fun! Basically, a bunch of people are around a blanket, holding onto the handles. A person goes in the middle, and we all yell "One! Two! THREE!" And throw them up in the air! Sooo fun! I went, I was really scared to, but man, I flew!! I'm so light, so I went so high! (I just realized I used the word "so" three times in that sentence, is that grammatically correct? If Adam Wiebe is reading this right now, this is all I have to say to you: Smart AleK.) After the evening session some of us stayed back and were just hanging out. The guys started talking about poop (no surprise) and I was the only girl there, so I decided to go to be before the lights all got shut off on me. I was walking back to our chalet, and after about 5 seconds, I hear Hannah Montana blasting out of the Wigwam!! It wouldn't have been so funny, but there were like, 15 guys in there, rocking out to Hannah Montana!!! Soooo funny!
Blessings,
Ariel
P.S. I will try to finish Day 3 soon!!
We are the light of God. Word for word from my journal. Chris told the story about when Jesus took 3 of his disciples, Peter, James and John up to a mountain. Jesus was transformed right in front of them, his face shone as bright as the sun, his clothes white as the light, and Elijah and Moses appeared. God said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" [Matthew 17:1-13]. Jesus shone like the light because he was God's light. We're supposed to be God's light to the world. People are supposed to look at us and not be able to figure out why we are the way we are, and want what we have. Do you know what the greatest miracle to ever take place on this earth is?? No? Can't think of it? Do you want to know? When the Holy Spirit enters your body, enters your heart, and makes you a child of God, that is the greatest miracle that can ever, ever happen. God recreates. If you're an alcoholic, or do drugs, or a prostitute, or anything else, and you invite Jesus into your heart, don't expect him to completely destroy and rebuild you. He won't do that. It's not that easy. What he will do is recreate your mind, your soul, your spirit. He'll renew you. He'll make you into His image, with a lot of prayer, faith and hard work from you. I'm only beginning this journey, but guys, it is so worth it! This is going to sound harsh, but if you really look at it, every single one of us, is dirt. Now, I don't mean this in a way of putting people down. God made this earth, he made everything on it, he made us. When he made Adam, he made him out of dirt. He breathed the breath of life into Adam's nose. Chris said not his mouth, because that would be CPR. Haha. We're all made out of the dirt of the earth. A lot of the time, in the bible it says man did this and man did that, when it says "man", it means all of mankind, women included. Here's a really cool thing that we learned: Your body is not the real you. It's the outer shell. Your spirit, that's the real you. Chris said that people are wrong when they say "I have cancer" or whatever, they should say "My body has cancer", because your body is not the real you, your spirit is.
Earth is like boot camp. And some days, I know it sure feels like it! Basically, God's training us for leadership. You have the power to transform this world. All things are possible in Christ who strengthens me. All things. One thing that Chris said, was that God never told you to "afford" anything, he just told you to do it. Trust in him, and do what he asks of you, and he will supply. Man, this is gonna be one wild ride!
Like I've said before, the Holy Spirit is in us. God communicates to us through the Holy Spirit. When God thinks something, you will think it too. Your thoughts come from Him. Don't get me wrong, he's not going to give you evil thoughts. That's completely the devil trying to get you off track. DON'T LET HIM!! Fight. Fight hard. God has emotions. He has deep emotions. When you hurt, it hurts him even more deeply, he hates to see us hurt. When someone is saved, and brought to Christ, he rejoices! He's so happy! He can't contain himself! I know a lot of the times, I've never thought about God having emotions. But it's so cool, how deeply wrapped up in us he is, that when we feel, he feels.
Another cool thing: God doesn't hide our destiny from us, he hides it for us. He wants us to find our destiny! But he wants us to look for it, to be so wrapped up in him, so that he can reveal it to us. When we ask, he will help us. Seek and you will find. God, he has a book in heaven written about you. About your destiny. About what he wants you to do. The desires that you have, he puts them in your heart. If you desire a husband, God will give you a husband. If you desire children, God will give you children. If you desire a car, or a house, God will give it to you. But keep in mind, it's all in his will. Your kingdom come, your will be done, Father.
You know how when a girl knows that a guy likes her, she plays "hard to get"? Just because it's encouraging for girls when a guy pursues her. It makes them confident. It makes them feel wanted, loved. God does the exact same thing! He wants you to pursue him! He wants to feel loved by you and wanted by you! He's not going to come somewhere that he's not welcomed or respected. You have to invite him. You have to want him.
Chris told us about the three things that we can never talk about in a mean or hateful way: Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the blood of Jesus. Jesus is so precious. He loves you so much. It hurts him when you talk about him in a hateful way, and it should hurt you too. It's not in any way acceptable.
You need to be intimate with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is your ticket to God. He wants to have a relationship with you. The Holy Spirit is living inside of you, you can't get any closer! Romans 12:11 says to be on fire for God!
Another thing that we learned, was that when something Heavenly is lifted off of you, people tend to look for something earthly to cover you. Like Adam and Eve, after Adam at the fruit from the tree that God told them not to eat from, they realized that they were naked. They looked for leaves to cover their bodies, because they sinned against God. Also tying into that, when something Heavenly is removed, religion comes in. Everyone talks about religion and being Christian and stuff, but personally, I don't like the term Christian. Jesus never called us to be "Christians", he called us to follow him. Followers of Christ. Religion, I think, is just going through the motions. Because we feel we have to. I don't want that.
Jesus should be our standard. Not a camp counsellor, or anyone else. We should strive to be like Him. He should be our role model. It makes me so sad to see girls looking up to famous people like Rhianna or Katy Perry, or whoever. Don't get me wrong, I don't know who they are as a person, because I've never met them, but neither do these girls, and that's what makes me nervous. You see Rhianna or Katy wearing very little clothing, a lot of makeup, their lyrics are not appropriate. We think that that's the person they are. And that scares me, because how a person looks, and what they sing, are not who they are, but that's what these girls look up to. Looks and lyrics.
Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." One thing that Chris said to us was that we should look at the Bible like we're looking into a mirror. You should be a reflection of Jesus.
A super cool thing that we experienced this weekend was healing. Dean (our youth pastor) came up to the front after praise and worship on Saturday morning. He started saying that God had given him a vision that there was someone there who had one leg shorter than the other and that it caused them pain throughout their body. He asked them to raise their hand, and two sisters raised their hands. (They did give me permission to share this story.) He asked them to come up to the front, and sit down with their legs out so that he could see the difference. He asked Chris and Kris to come up to the front and pray for them. They started with Natalie, she's about my age, they just started praying and praying, and afterwards went to Alayna, the older sister, and prayed for her. Guys, NATALIE AND ALAYNA ARE HEALED!!!!!! I cannot stress enough how real this is! Their legs are now the same length. I talked to them yesterday, their legs are still good. Amazing. God is so good, guys. Right there, in front of all of us, God showed himself to us. After reading this, there is no way you could tell me that there is not a God. Because deep down inside you, that seed is planted. And it's all my fault :) Chris was saying how every day, people say that their back hurts, or their arm, or something that's causing them discomfort. He said that all we have to do is ask them if we can pray for them. The worst thing that they can say is no. All you have to pray is this, "The kingdom of God has come upon you. In the name of Jesus Christ, be healed!" That's it. You just have to believe, have faith, that God can do anything. And honestly, he really can. You can't afford to think, "what if". It just isn't an option. He still performs miracles, he's not done with us, guys! And to those of you who are still struggling with deciding whether you believe in God or not, think about this: You can't see your brain between your ears, but you have faith that you do, in fact, have a brain.
In the evening session, Chris called us all forward, we sang Fire Fall Down again. Then he asked whoever didn't feel filled with the Holy Spirit to step forward. I didn't at first, but I felt God pushing me, so after a little push from Him, I stepped forward along with about 10 other people. Chris, Kris and Dean started going from person to person and praying with them. On November 13, 2010, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. We all learned how to speak in tongues. I really don't like saying "learned" but I don't know how else to phrase it. At first, I was just scared. About what was going to come out of my mouth, if I was going to sound stupid, what people would think, what if it didn't come naturally, what if I was just making it up. But again, we can't afford to think, "what if". After I just let go of whatever worries I had, and it took a little bit, the words just started flowing. Let me tell you, speaking in tongues was something I never thought I would experience or be able to do. I thought that you wouldn't know what was happening, that God would all of a sudden just make weird words come out of your mouth. But it doesn't work that way. Once I let the words come out, they flowed. I have no clue what I said, I didn't even listen to myself as I was speaking, I don't try, I don't think. It is the most amazing gift from God. That night I also talked to Kristy about my past, I had really been struggling with it for a long time. She prayed for me, and she said, "You know, in God's mind, none of that stuff ever happened. It doesn't exist. Never happened." So, so true. Ever since I started thinking about that, I've been at so much peace. It never happened. My past never happened. I love that.
Don't get me wrong, this weekend wasn't all such serious and heavy stuff. Although, the heavy stuff was probably my favorite part! We did this game, the Blanket Toss. So fun! Basically, a bunch of people are around a blanket, holding onto the handles. A person goes in the middle, and we all yell "One! Two! THREE!" And throw them up in the air! Sooo fun! I went, I was really scared to, but man, I flew!! I'm so light, so I went so high! (I just realized I used the word "so" three times in that sentence, is that grammatically correct? If Adam Wiebe is reading this right now, this is all I have to say to you: Smart AleK.) After the evening session some of us stayed back and were just hanging out. The guys started talking about poop (no surprise) and I was the only girl there, so I decided to go to be before the lights all got shut off on me. I was walking back to our chalet, and after about 5 seconds, I hear Hannah Montana blasting out of the Wigwam!! It wouldn't have been so funny, but there were like, 15 guys in there, rocking out to Hannah Montana!!! Soooo funny!
Blessings,
Ariel
P.S. I will try to finish Day 3 soon!!
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