Hey, everyone. ( :
It's been a while, right? I go from posting almost (if not more than) every day, and all of a sudden you hear nothing from me. No, I haven't turned my back on all you lovelies. Ha ha. I actually had my internet disconnected--say what?! Yeah, you heard me. First, my dad forgot to pay the cable bill, which I find hiiiilarious. And then Comcast just couldn't seem to make it work. So, dad's deciding to go with SureWest instead. Also at the cost of ditching cable television. It's okay, though. We'll live. And I'll enjoy being able to watch JCTV again, ha ha ha. I'm so cool. I seriously do love that channel, though. Christian music videos, and there was this one show that I think was called H2o or something that was really good. I'll have to check and see, because there are some awesome programs on that station. And the roadtrip one was fun, too. And nobody has any clue what I'm talking about, right? Ha ha ha ha.
Anyways. I'm at the library now. We still have another week until we get internet again. I've been dyyyying to post! There's been so much on my mind!
Okay, first thing on the agenda, (gotta do this fast, I only have 35 minutes to finish this post!! AH! LAWLZ I'm a fast typer, no worries) I've gotta tell you all about the book "Jesus Freaks" by dc Talk. It's amazing. It chronicles many stories of so many people in the persecuted church throughout history, and current, in closed-door countries. Many of these people are being persecuted for their beliefs by communists. It's so sad. But the book isn't just story after story of death and fear and destruction... I can honestly say it's encouraging. These people stand strong in their faith, boldy proclaiming the Good News when threatened with torture and death. They're willing to put their lives on the line to further God's Kingdom. I think that is absolutely amazing. How can we, who have nothing like that to threaten our joy, be scared of something as silly as judgement, and allow that to hinder God's work? We're ridiculous. We should be spreading out and boldly spreading Christ throughout the nations. This book has also burdened my heart for prayer. We should all be praying that the persecuted will stay strong in their faith, and that God would continue to keep them safe, strong, and loving. These people dare to love those that beat them senseless. It's truly amazing. Pray for their oppressors. Pray that they will see Christ in the Christians they want to see destroyed. Pray that these people will reach their persecutors with God's love. It's happened many times before, and it can continue to happen. Pray that the insane laws (such as the blasphemy law in Pakistan, which requires that those who reject the Koran and Muhammed's teachings should be put to death) to be thrown out. Their burdens are great, and so should our burden for prayer and action be. ♥
Next up! : ) Giving up our lives for Christ... man, this is something God's been slamming me with lately in my Bible studies. Whoever holds onto his life will lose it, and whoever lets go of their life for Christ will gain eternal life. Amazing, radical teachings. We have to give up our lives to put ourselves in teh center of God's will to experience what a real life is. It's crazy!
One of the biggest things I struggle about following God's Will is giving up everything that I want, all my selfish desires. It's easy for me to mistake emotions and junk like that and use them as a way of saying I'm following God... how foolish of me. I need to give up all that. What I follow is God's Word, and His Spirit. Nothing else. Not advice from friends, nothing like that. It's all about God. So, pray for me to pull through on this! I need to refocus!
I think it was Psalm 92 or 93 I wanted everyone to read. It's all just a huge heart of praise. Loved it. I hope everyone will check it out!
Peace, love, blessings, and prayer,
~Natalie
P.S. - I totally wanna remind my friends that I really am praying for them! I pray that you'll grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord, falling in love with Him more and more every day. And I pray that you'll be strong in your convictions, never wavering. And that you'll all find joy and love everywhere you go. I love you all!
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