I have just finished my last day of high school, and although I have my fair share or regrets, one sticks out. It was that I wasn't outspoken enough with my faith. I wanted (and still do want) to make a difference, but at every opportunity, I chickened out. I didn't act. I let another soul walk past and possibly go to Hell. I reget that so much. It only takes one person to start a revolution, and I had the chance to change this generation, the school, and possibly the world. I missed it. Don't miss your chance if you're still in high school. It's really the only time you'll get a free voice with no consequences.
There's a song by Jeremy Camp that I have fallen in love with because of the boldness it cries for. We are THE hope. We know THE truth. And we're all too silent. We're too chicken. Don't be too chicken. You'll regret it.
"Speaking Louder Than Before" by Jeremy Camp
Speaking Louder Than Before by Jeremy Camp
Hear now this declaration From out across the nations We need to wake up and understand Many hurting hearts are crying But our voices seem to be dying Can you see the battle raging on? We are the Light to reach this world We are the Salt preserving these souls Let's show them the Love that we've received
We are, we are in desperation We need to reach this generation We are speaking louder than before We are the Hope that's been forgotten We have the Love that will be brought and We are speaking louder than before
Take every chance that you can Move together, taking a stand Never losing heart, we'll speak as one We need to be the Image of Christ Show Love and serve at all times We can make a difference in this land We are the Light to reach this world We are the Salt preserving these souls Let's show them the Love that we've received now
We are, we are in desperation We need to reach this generation We are speaking louder than before We are the Hope that's been forgotten We have the Love that will be brought and We are speaking louder than before
Everything's so surreal But this urgency I feel We should be reaching out to all these desperate pleas Oh, the need is real, can't you feel? Let's call it revolution My beating heart is breaking for them That's why I'm speaking now That's why I'm speaking now
We are, we are in desperation We need to reach this generation We are speaking louder than before We are the Hope that's been forgotten We have the Love that will be brought and We are speaking louder than before
(We are, we are, we are) We're speaking louder (We are, we are, we are) We're speaking louder (We are, we are, we are) Louder than before We are speaking louder than before
I am so weak and I'm so tired It's hard for me to Find enough strength to feed the fires That fuel my ego And consequently, all my pride has all but died which leaves me Down on my knees back to the Place I should have started from
Been beat up, been broken down Nowhere but up when you're facedown on the ground I'm in last place if I place at all But there's hope for this underdog That's the way, uh-huh, we like it That's the way, uh-huh, we like it Call me the underdog
I'm in this race to win a prize The odd's against me The world has plans for my demise But what they don't see Is that a winner is not judged by his small size but by the substitute he picks to run the Race and mine's already won
Been beat up, been broken down Nowhere but up when you're facedown on the ground I'm in last place if I place at all But there's hope for this underdog That's the way, uh-huh, we like it That's the way, uh-huh, we like it That's the way, uh-huh, we like it That's the way, uh-huh, we like it
Spoken: Underdog. I wince every time I say the word, especially in connection with Jesus. Yet, as I read the birth stories about Jesus, I cannot help but conclude that, although the world may be tilted toward the rich and the powerful, God, hallelujah, in His mercy, is tilted toward us, the underdogs!
That's the way, uh-huh, we like it That's the way, uh-huh, we like it That's the way, uh-huh, we like it That's the way, uh-huh, we like it That's the way (uh-huh, we like it) That's the way That's the way (uh-huh, we like it) That's the way (uh-huh, we like it) We like it
Lesson 2 is called Being a Disciple. It is about who a disciple is, the role of the disciple in the disciple-making process, and what they are to be doing with what they learn. The sections are: Core truth - Who is a disciple? A disciple is one who responds in faith and obedience to the gracious call to follow Jesus Christ. Being a disciple isa lifelong process of dying to self while allowing Jesus Christ to come alive in us. Memory verse - Luke 9:23-24 (in the context of Luke 9:18-27) Bible study - Luke 5:1-11 Reading - Demands My All
If you go to Pathway, I again encourage you to join a discipleship group. Just reading these gives you NOTHING in comparison to what you would get out of a group.
I decided to get into a discipleship group at my church for the next four weeks (there are 6 weeks, but we have already done 2 of them). I don't know exactly what I am going to get out of these lessons, but I have heard nothing but good from people who are in them. There are 4 parts with 6 lessons per part, and in my group, we have finished up the first lesson and started the second one.
The first lesson was called Making Disciples and it was on discipling people, which I thought was a little shocking because I would have figured they would start with being discipled (which is lesson 2), versus discipling others. But the point of the lesson is to introduce the people who are taking the course to the idea early on that what they learn should be taken and used by them to make more disciples, instead of just being learned and held by them.
Every lesson is broken up into 4 sections: a core truth (a question with an answer), a memory verse study guide (a memory verse read in context with questions asked about it), an inductive Bible study guide (a section of Bible reading pertaining to the lesson with questions), and a reading (a story or lesson written or found specifically for the lesson). The four sections of the first lesson were: Core truth - What is discipling? Discipling is an intentional relationship in which we walk alongside other disciples in order to encourage, equip, and challenge one another in love to grow toward maturity in Christ. This includes equipping the disciple to teach others as well. Memory verse - Matthew 28:18-20 (in the context of Matthew 28) Bible study - Luke 6:12-16; 9:1-6; 9:10 Reading - A Biblical Call to Making Disciples
As I go through each section of the lesson, the writer of the book analyzes the core truth in detail and show ways to live it out. The lessons and questions that accompany them are insightful and interesting and I enjoy getting up an extra half hour (because that's how long it takes for me to complete a section normally) in the morning to do them.
If you go to Pathway and haven't joined a discipleship group yet, I encourage you to do so when it becomes available again! They are awesome, and even though I have only gone through two meetings, I love them.
I attended the evening service of Grace Church of Sacramento, located at the corner of Pecan and Pershing. Why? Because I was bored and had nothing to do. This is what I saw.
The people are very friendly. They welcomed me and were nice, explaining everything as the service went along. I had a nice time with them, and instead of being a little nervous,I was calm and relaxed. Most of them are Russian, but luckily, the service was all in English because, they said, they live in America and want to follow America's language. They have a relatively large college ministry, and even consider youth to be the ages of 16 to 25. Children's ministry is from 0 to 15. The church is only about 100 people total for their two services, so large college group is like 30 people, if that.
The service itself had a LOT of singing. I like singing, so this was good, but shocking. The prayer time was taking prayer requests out loud, like you would do in Sunday School, then having everyone break up into groups to pray, instead of someone praying while everyone listened. They then finished up with someone in front praying and ending the prayer time. I thought that was very unique and a good way to do it in order for everyone to get a chance to really pray instead of just listen. The preacher was very big on theology. He didn't overly apply what he taught, but did teach on things such as angels. He also had a huge knowledge of Hebrew and Greek and used it throughout the teaching. I think he may even know more than Wes, and probably near the same amount as Rob Bell, which is crazy because that's a LOT of Hebrew and Greek. I would love to learn what he studied in college and where he did so.
When I got home, I checked out their statement of beliefs, which seems to be in order. I didn't read everything, because it was LOOOONG, but I got the jist of what they believe. They use the NASB version of the Bible, so it's kind of like King James, but also kind of like NIV.
Overall, I really enjoyed going there and learning. The band isn't as good as Pathway, and there's no way I'm switching churches, but it wouldn't be bad if I had nothing to do some Sunday nights to go and attend a service every once in a while...plus, the Russian guys there are quite cute.
This song is ringing more true as my life goes on. The more I face, the more I see that God is holy and soverign, and that I don't have to know everything; I just need to try to be as close to Him and His example as possible. And I need to worship and recognize that throughout my life, despite whatever is happening.
"Holy" by Nichole Nordeman
Holy by Nichole Nordeman
How many roads did I travel Before I walked down one that led me to You? How many dreams did unravel Before I believed in a hope that was true? And how long? How far? What was meant to fulfill, only empied me still? And all You ever wanted
All of me, on my knees Singing holy, holy Somehow, all that matters now is You are holy, holy Holy, holy
How many deaths did I die Before I was awakened to new life again? How many half-truths did I bear witness to 'Til the proof was disproved in the end? And how long? How far? What was meant to illuminate shadowed me still? And all You ever wanted
All of me, on my knees Singing holy, holy Somehow, all that matters now is You are holy, holy
And all I have is gratitude To offer You
Holy, holy Somehow, all that matters now is You are holy You are holy, holy Somehow, all that matters now is You are holy, holy
All of me, on my knees Singing holy, holy Somehow, all that matters now is You are holy, holy Holy, holy Holy
The dinner was fun. Mason was very gentlemanlike, which was fun for me, because I got to be very ladylike. I could tell he had been given hints from his family because he did things like open doors and make sure it was my night. I think I got kind of spoiled...okay very spoiled. We went to Olive Garden for dinner, which was nice and friendly. They were very nice to us because we were dressed up and it was obvious it was prom night. We went to the dance afterwards and although it wasn't great, it was okay. They only played rap music, so there was nothing to dance to. That really sucked because I wanted to dance and I never really got to. After the dance, we went to Mason's house to watch a movie. As soon as we got there, Mason decided he was going to wait on me and make sure that I was comfortable and relaxed, since I had been doing things all day (even though he had, also). If I even tried to get up, he would tell me to sit down and then he ould proceed to do whatever I was going to do when I stood up. I didn't protest too much, because I had been being treated this nicely all night and I had given up on protesting. After he was satisfid that I was as comfortable as possible, we started the movie. Apparently, I was too comfortable, because when the movie started, I layed back, and fell asleep (after being given permission to do so by Mason when he saw me laying down instead of sitting). Now, I don't sleep well with lights or sounds, so to fall asleep during a movie takes an especially tired girl. And I was. I was woken up soon after I fell asleep because Mason and his dad decided I should go home because I was so tired. So I went home.
All in all, it was a very fun night and I really enjoyed myself. Going with a friend was especially cool because there was no pressure to do anything or to misbehave. We could just relax and enjoy ourselves.
I got up at 7:15 to go do a fundraiser for the Sacramento Alternatives Pregnancy Center, and didn't get back from that until 12:00. At 12:30, I went and had my hair and make-up done by Sheri Eubanks. She was kind enough to volunteer to do it for no cost and did a fantastic job. After that, my mom and I went and grabbed Audrey and Mason and picked up the corsage and boutonniere at SaveMart. Then we went and did pictures at about 2:30. At 3:15, I headed over to The Last Tangle Salon on the corner of Beech and Greenback, next to the Annie's Breakfast. The lady who did my nails, Belinda, scheduled my appointment on Thursday and came into work on Saturday for the sole purpose of doing my nails. She got there right before the appointment and left right after. We had a great conversation ranging from friends, the ball, and family, to abortion, church, and sexual abstinence. Yeah, a lot to cover in an hour, lol. But I found out a lot about her and that we have a lot in common. If I ever get my nails done again, I am going back and having her do them. She is so awesome. Now I am home and trying to de-stink myself and fix make-up before dinner. More later.
If you get burned by jalapenos, there's not much you can do about it. There are several "remedies" that aren't permanent, and that can lessen the overall pain, but nothing around the house can, except detergent. If you go to the emergency room, they also can't do too much for you. Basically, you have to suffer. And if you treat it promptly, the pain can be greatly reduced and last way less long.
I had jalapeno capsaicin on my hands for about 8 hours before I could get anywhere to treat it. Nothing I tried that I got from family, friends, or online helped longer than after the water from rinsing it off my hands dried. Even today, I have a slight residual burning in a few of my fingers, but nothing like yesterday.
Here are a few things I tried: Dawn dish soap, baking soda, lemon juice, rubbing alcohol, plain hand soap, aloe vera, blowing on my hands, and a variety of other things. All temporarily helped (except for maybe blowing on my hands), none permanently helped. br>I guess the best thing to do would be prevention. Wear something over your hands when working with jalapenos and wash your hands thoroughly and completely after you are finished. Notice I said AND. Do both, because jalapenos burn.
Oh, and by the way, don't touch anything or put your hands in your mouth, nose, or near your eyes. You could transfer the capsaicin there also, spreading the pain around.
If you ever cut up jalapenos, wash your hands well!!!!
I cut some up today in Foods class and my teacher didn't warn me to wash my hands better than a rinse with soap after I was done. About 11 hours later, my hands are red and hurt like I spilled boiling water all over them. This sucks and nothing is making the burning go away, it's only getting worse. I am in pain.
So, moral of the story: when using hot peppers, wash your hands afterwards.
Hi! I basically use blogs to say to a piece of paper what I can't say as easily to the people I know. I encourage them to read my blog but my guess is most don't. If you read about me here, you will probably know more about me than most people.
