"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less."
-C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
So often, we think the exact opposite of this statement. We feel like tearing ourselves up and making ourselves out to be less than we think we are is true humility. We go to great lengths to tell ourselves that we aren't very good at what we do, we aren't very pretty, or we are just downright not very good people. All the while we know that all of the statements that we have just made about ourselves are not true at all. But, we think that by tearing ourselves up constantly like this, we are showing true humility. I hate to break the news to you, but this is actually a form of pride.
Look up at that quote again. "True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." What do we learn from this quote? Even though we feel like we are being extremely humble by putting ourselves down all the time, we are actually being extremely prideful by thinking constantly of ourselves. It doesn't matter if the thoughts are good or bad, it only matters the amount of time that we spend concentrating on ourselves instead of others.
So, if putting myself down all the time is not true humility, then what is? True humility comes when we are seeking the best for others and putting them before ourselves. Once we start concentrating our time on others, then we will not only have less time to think about ourselves, but we will also be practicing humility. Once you do this, be careful that you do not begin to pride yourself on your humility, or all of your hard work towards it will go out the window. Humility will take a lot of persistent hard work, and that work will continue all throughout your lifetime.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others.
(This post was inspired by a few comments my pastor [Jay Childs] made in his sermon yesterday.)
Monday, February 17, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
What is True Love?
Well, Valentines Day is back and along with it come some questions. What is true love? Will I ever find someone that loves me? How do I know if I love someone? There are more, but I would like to address the first one - what is true love?
Most teenagers today would probably interpret it as a boyfriend/girlfriend that really loves them and gives them gifts and fulfills all of their desires. So, if this is true love, am I losing out on something by not being involved in a dating relationship? Absolutely not! If we subscribe to the world's definition of true love, then we should all go "shopping" for a date immediately!
Fortunately, as Christians, we have a better definition of true love. This example is found in Jesus on the cross. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." You might be asking, "What is the big deal? He died on a cross--end of story." No, not end of story. To really understand this, we need to back up a little. Jesus came to earth as a baby when He could have stayed in heaven as God. He came here to die. But this is where it gets amazing. Jesus was a perfect sinless man. Romans 3:23 tells us that if you sin (something we all do) you deserve to die. So since Jesus was sinless, why did He have to die? Because of love. (Yes, we are finally getting back to our original topic.) Jesus loved us (the whole world--a bunch of lousy sinners) so much, that He was willing to come to the earth and die for our sins! Not only did He die for the sins of all of those around Him, but the sins of the whole world--now and forevermore.
I hope now when you wonder what true love is, you will remember what Jesus did for you on the cross, and the true love that He showed to us. There is more to the story of Jesus (a lot more) but there isn't time for me to write all of that here. Please contact me at sistersinchrist.girlz@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Happy Valentines Day!
Most teenagers today would probably interpret it as a boyfriend/girlfriend that really loves them and gives them gifts and fulfills all of their desires. So, if this is true love, am I losing out on something by not being involved in a dating relationship? Absolutely not! If we subscribe to the world's definition of true love, then we should all go "shopping" for a date immediately!
Fortunately, as Christians, we have a better definition of true love. This example is found in Jesus on the cross. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." You might be asking, "What is the big deal? He died on a cross--end of story." No, not end of story. To really understand this, we need to back up a little. Jesus came to earth as a baby when He could have stayed in heaven as God. He came here to die. But this is where it gets amazing. Jesus was a perfect sinless man. Romans 3:23 tells us that if you sin (something we all do) you deserve to die. So since Jesus was sinless, why did He have to die? Because of love. (Yes, we are finally getting back to our original topic.) Jesus loved us (the whole world--a bunch of lousy sinners) so much, that He was willing to come to the earth and die for our sins! Not only did He die for the sins of all of those around Him, but the sins of the whole world--now and forevermore.
I hope now when you wonder what true love is, you will remember what Jesus did for you on the cross, and the true love that He showed to us. There is more to the story of Jesus (a lot more) but there isn't time for me to write all of that here. Please contact me at sistersinchrist.girlz@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Happy Valentines Day!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Two Lessons God Taught Me This Year...
This past summer/winter, God has been teaching me about patience and His sovereignty.
It began this summer when I didn't get scheduled to work the first week of Camp Agape (day camp where I work in the summers). When I looked at the schedule, I was really surprised and really disappointed. I felt that if I didn't get to work right at the beginning of the summer, I wouldn't get to know the kids well, and I would not build the same kind of relationships with them that I was sure the other counselors would have.
After I got over my initial disappointment, I began looking around to see what I could get done in my week off. That week, I was able to finish some overdue schoolwork, and I also learned that sometimes God's timing isn't the same as mine. I was able to build really great relationships with the kids and staff during the weeks that I worked, and overall, I felt like God had taught me a lot through the many experiences I had while working at that camp.
Well, that was one of the lessons from the summer...
Some of you know that I play the violin quite seriously. In November of last year, I had been practicing about 2 hours a day, and I was progressing quickly on my instrument and really enjoying it. I had auditioned into the highest ensemble at my youth orchestra program, and I was having the time of my life with my music and all of the new things that I was learning.
Until...
A few days after Thanksgiving, I suddenly had a sharp pain in my hand/wrist while I was playing. I stopped practicing for that day, and came back to it the next day. The pain continued--in fact, it got worse. Almost my whole lower arm (elbow to hand) hurt when I played. It was at that point that I realized that I probably had tendonitis. (Tendonitis is when the tendons in your arm become inflamed. It is usually caused by tension. In my case, the tension is in my violin playing.) The next day, we contacted my violin teacher to tell her what was going on and that I wouldn't be able to come to my lesson the next day. To make a long story short... It has been about two and a half months since I got tendonitis, and I still have it. It is really frustrating for me, especially when I realize how much it is holding me back in my violin playing.
You are probably wondering why I wrote this long story about how I got tendonitis when this post is supposed to be about the lessons that God has been teaching me this year. Well, here is how it relates.
I still haven't figured out why God would let this happen to me, and I am not sure I ever will, but
I am learning to be content with that fact. Ultimately, I am learning about God's sovereignty. At my church the last several weeks, our pastor has been speaking a lot about God's sovereignty. That really spoke to me. Even thought I struggle with the "why," I know that He is always in control, and that His plan is what is best for me. Now, I am learning to lean on Him when it gets hard to keep going.
I hope that you have been encouraged by the things that I have learned this past year, and I would love to hear how God has been working in your life! God bless you!
After I got over my initial disappointment, I began looking around to see what I could get done in my week off. That week, I was able to finish some overdue schoolwork, and I also learned that sometimes God's timing isn't the same as mine. I was able to build really great relationships with the kids and staff during the weeks that I worked, and overall, I felt like God had taught me a lot through the many experiences I had while working at that camp.
Well, that was one of the lessons from the summer...
Some of you know that I play the violin quite seriously. In November of last year, I had been practicing about 2 hours a day, and I was progressing quickly on my instrument and really enjoying it. I had auditioned into the highest ensemble at my youth orchestra program, and I was having the time of my life with my music and all of the new things that I was learning.
 |
| Performing with an orchestra in early November |
Until...
A few days after Thanksgiving, I suddenly had a sharp pain in my hand/wrist while I was playing. I stopped practicing for that day, and came back to it the next day. The pain continued--in fact, it got worse. Almost my whole lower arm (elbow to hand) hurt when I played. It was at that point that I realized that I probably had tendonitis. (Tendonitis is when the tendons in your arm become inflamed. It is usually caused by tension. In my case, the tension is in my violin playing.) The next day, we contacted my violin teacher to tell her what was going on and that I wouldn't be able to come to my lesson the next day. To make a long story short... It has been about two and a half months since I got tendonitis, and I still have it. It is really frustrating for me, especially when I realize how much it is holding me back in my violin playing.
You are probably wondering why I wrote this long story about how I got tendonitis when this post is supposed to be about the lessons that God has been teaching me this year. Well, here is how it relates.
I still haven't figured out why God would let this happen to me, and I am not sure I ever will, but
I am learning to be content with that fact. Ultimately, I am learning about God's sovereignty. At my church the last several weeks, our pastor has been speaking a lot about God's sovereignty. That really spoke to me. Even thought I struggle with the "why," I know that He is always in control, and that His plan is what is best for me. Now, I am learning to lean on Him when it gets hard to keep going.
I hope that you have been encouraged by the things that I have learned this past year, and I would love to hear how God has been working in your life! God bless you!
Friday, September 6, 2013
The Princess and the Kiss - by Jennie Bishop
One day a king and queen celebrated the birth of a baby girl, their princess. Her parents loved her so much. They thanked God for His precious gift, and God gave the princess a very special gift as well. The king and queen kept the princess' special gift in a safe place. When she was grown, they took her to the room where the gift was hidden and protected. The queen told the princess that God loved her very much and had given her this special gift on the day she was born. The king warned, "Be wise, and save it for the man you will marry." The princess would often go to the secret room. She would gaze at her precious gift, and wonder how she would ever be able to give it away. She had never before received such a wonderful present.
Many princes came to ask for the princess' hand in marriage. One prince had great strength; one prince offered travel to faraway places; another prince brought costly jewels and clothes. But the princess did not find any of these men worthy of her special gift from God. The princess began to worry. Would she find no one with whom she could share her precious gift? The queen reminded her daughter that God could be trusted to show her what was best. And even if no husband came, the gift would be hers to treasure forever.
One day a young, handsome farmer came to the castle and asked to speak with the princess. He was not like the other men who had come to call. The farmer bowed before the king and queen and asked to speak to the princess. The royal couple was surprised that this common farmer would come to see their daughter. But he seemed to be a kind, humble man, so they gave their permission.
The farmer told the princess how he felt about her. It was as though he knew she had been saving her special gift. The he said, "I have a very special gift I have saved for you." When the princess saw the gift, she knew the farmer was to be her husband! The farmer asked the princess to marry him, and the princess said, "Yes!" The royal family was so happy that she had saved her gift for this kind, gentle man. The farmer rejoiced because God had given him a beautiful bride to whom he could give his own gift. On their wedding day, the princess and her husband exchanged the gifts God had given each of them on the day they were born. What were the gifts? Each received their first kiss - a kiss that had been saved to give on this wonderful day. The wise and happy prince and princess soon had a baby daughter of their very own. And on the day of the baby's birth, her parents received for her a very special gift from God.
Many princes came to ask for the princess' hand in marriage. One prince had great strength; one prince offered travel to faraway places; another prince brought costly jewels and clothes. But the princess did not find any of these men worthy of her special gift from God. The princess began to worry. Would she find no one with whom she could share her precious gift? The queen reminded her daughter that God could be trusted to show her what was best. And even if no husband came, the gift would be hers to treasure forever.
One day a young, handsome farmer came to the castle and asked to speak with the princess. He was not like the other men who had come to call. The farmer bowed before the king and queen and asked to speak to the princess. The royal couple was surprised that this common farmer would come to see their daughter. But he seemed to be a kind, humble man, so they gave their permission.
The farmer told the princess how he felt about her. It was as though he knew she had been saving her special gift. The he said, "I have a very special gift I have saved for you." When the princess saw the gift, she knew the farmer was to be her husband! The farmer asked the princess to marry him, and the princess said, "Yes!" The royal family was so happy that she had saved her gift for this kind, gentle man. The farmer rejoiced because God had given him a beautiful bride to whom he could give his own gift. On their wedding day, the princess and her husband exchanged the gifts God had given each of them on the day they were born. What were the gifts? Each received their first kiss - a kiss that had been saved to give on this wonderful day. The wise and happy prince and princess soon had a baby daughter of their very own. And on the day of the baby's birth, her parents received for her a very special gift from God.
The End
Even though this story may seem young for you, it is relevant to anyone and everyone at any age or stage of life. I first heard this story when I was pretty young, but it has stuck with me ever since. I hope you all liked it as much as I do!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Valentines Day Fun Facts!
The World's Valentine Fun Facts:
- In order of popularity, Valentine's Day cards are given to teachers, children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets.
- Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year.
- In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
God's Valentine Fun Fact:
For God so loved the world
that he gave his
one and only son that
whoever
believes in him
shall not
perish but have
eternal
life
http://www.stvalentinesday.org/valentines-day-fun-fact.html
Sunday, December 30, 2012
A Little Christmas Trivia
Did You Know. . .
- A traditional Christmas dinner in early England was the head of a pig prepared with mustard
- According to a 1995 Christmas survey, 7 out of 10 dogs get Christmas gifts from their doting owners
- Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday. This tradition began in 1836
- An average house in America will mail out 28 Christmas cards each year, and see 28 cards return in their place
- California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the top Christmas tree producing states. Oregon is the leading producer of Christmas trees - 8.6 million in 1998.
- Animal Crackers are not really crackers, but cookies that were imported to the United States from England in the late 1800s. Barnum's circus-like boxes were designed with a string handle so that they could be hung on a Christmas tree.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Verse of the Month
John 3:16
For God so loved the whole world, that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
I know this is a very common verse, but it is really important. With this verse, you can explain a lot of things, and answer some seemingly though questions.
1) Why did God let Jesus die on the cross?
2) Why didn't Jesus get himself off the cross?
3) Who gave us everlasting life?
There are many more questions and answers you could get from this verse. The verse itself is seemingly simple, but God's love for us is very complex! We should be grateful for his love for us.
For God so loved the whole world, that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
I know this is a very common verse, but it is really important. With this verse, you can explain a lot of things, and answer some seemingly though questions.
1) Why did God let Jesus die on the cross?
2) Why didn't Jesus get himself off the cross?
3) Who gave us everlasting life?
There are many more questions and answers you could get from this verse. The verse itself is seemingly simple, but God's love for us is very complex! We should be grateful for his love for us.
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