Let's Do Some Reading.

Hey everyone,

I've been thinking alot about books. I haven't read a really good book in a while. Have you ever been asked the question, What's your favourite book? I personally dislike that one. It's like asking what's your favourite song or band or movie. Chances are you've heard more, listened to more or seen more than ONE song/band/movie in your lifetime. It's the same with books. I personally love reading. I know some people find it really boring and dumb and like they could be doing better things with their time. But reading is actually really important. Why do you think they have us do so much of it in school? I know that TV is a huge rival to books these days (Wow. Saying these days makes me sound old...), but nothing can really compare to a book.

2 Quotations That Show Why Books Are Better Than TV
"TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six. Open your child's imagination. Read a book." - Author Unknown.
"Books had instant replay long before televised sports." - Bern Williams

You know how there's books about literally anything and everything? How to get over that loser boyfriend, how to fix your own car, how to play the trombone. Not to mention books about science fiction, just science, romance, teen drama, non-fiction and MATH! Did you know there's books about God too? You're probably like, Uhm.. what the heck? I'm not stupid. But alot of people have this idea that all books about God are basically like the Bible. Or they're preachy and uninteresting. But that's TOTALLY not it at all! There are alot of good books that have a God-centred focus that aren't that way. Have you read any books that are centred on God? Yes, the Bible is one of them, but novels are good to read too. They're another way to grow closer with God. It's also a fun way to change up learning about God that isn't just through your Bible (not a substitute, but something fun to try). So go to your local library and check out a book that's centred about God. Go online and request a book. Go to Chapters and find one. Do some research and Google it up. (I'm talking novels here.)

Here's some recommendations for books about God! I've read some of them and have thoroughly enjoyed them.

1. True Colors Series by Melody Carlson
(A whole series of books - each dealing with different issues with today's teen girl)
2. Notes From A Spinning Planet Series by Melody Carlson
(3 different series of books - I've read the Papua New Guinea one).
3. The Last Christian by David Gregory
(More science fiction but still centred on God)
4. Feeling like God by Chris Tiegreen
(NON-FICTION. More formal but still super good).

AND.. If you would like to watch a movie... Facing the Giants is a really great one. It's about football and coming back from failure. I cried..

Happy Monday guys! If you've read any good Christian books, let me know in the comments!

Worship - What Is It Anyway?

Worship is kind of a scary word. According to www.cambridge.dictionary.com, worship means to have or show a strong feeling of respect or admiration for god or a god. That's pretty crazy. I always used to talk to my mom about worshipping at church and she always liked to say she didn't like the word worship and the meaning it harboured. But the truth is, we are worshiping God. When I hear the word worship, I think music. Singing along with the rest of the church or youth group while Jesus-infused lyrics fill up my heart. That's what I think of. What about you? What do you think when you hear the w word?
 
For me, the meaning worship is simple. I boil the definition down to praising God. For some, that may be completely underwhelming and not the right answer and to others it may very well be. Worship, however you look at it, is a very important part of our relationship with God. Praising God for His works is important. Showing admiration and strong feelings is important. Other definitions I looked up talked about worship being in awe of God. Well.... how could you NOT be? Look around you!  

Ways to Worship God (in my opinion)  
1) Singing 2) Talking to others about God 3) Reading your Bible. 4) Fellowship 5) Living a Christian life

We always talk about living a truly fulfilling, meaningful, God ruled life. So if we're doing that, day in and day out, isn't that in itself worship? Praising God with everything we have with powerful emotions, including ourselves as testimonies to what we believe. Truthfully, if we are truly living a Christian life, shouldn't we be worshiping all the time? Shouldn't our whole lives be the biggest way we worship God?

Happy Saturday everyone! 
I've left you some thinking to do!  

Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi!

Hey guys!

So I haven't blogged in almost a year... how bad is that? I guess things just fell to the side and I just didn't blog as much then that turned into not at all. I've had a couple people tell me they've read my stuff and have really liked it so I'm going to start up again!

School's back in session. What what. I'm excited, I don't know about you guys! It's my junior year which sounds REALLY scary when you write it down. Like I said in one of my older posts, the school year always seems like a fresh start for me and I'm planning to stick with that concept again.

For today's post, I'm just going to quickly talk about the power of PRAYER. I love praying, I find it so enriching and therapeutic. Have you prayed in a while? And I mean really prayed. No matter what you've got to say, God wants to hear it, but praying for others as well as yourself is really, super powerful. Lifting others up to God is really amazing and can make a world of a difference in their lives and yours too.

My challenge for you guys is to start praying more often. Even if it's just a simple thank you or a "holy moly I'm freaking out".. DO IT! Prayer helps us grow as Christians in every form.

So glad to be back!

Happy Monday!

Christmas Time.

Hey everyone,

I'm not even sure if anyone is still following my blog anymore, as I haven't posted anything in over 2 months. I apologize for that (if anyone is still looking for updates). I know I made a decision to blog and I wish I had stuck to it, but here is another example of why I am a human, I am not perfect!

This blog was kind of a New Year's idea, so it makes sense for me to check back in because it's almost NY's again. I hope all of you have been well.

So, it's Christmas time. My apologies if you don't celebrate Christmas, that is completely okay. Because I am a christian I celebrate Christmas in all of its ribbon tainted glory. As we speak, my mother is wrapping presents behind me. One of my biggest aggrivations about Christmas is that we often forget the real meaning of it. We run around frantically looking for the perfect gift, hoping for the perfect weather, wishing for the perfect present, preparing the perfect meal. Now all of this is wonderful, don't get me wrong. I am in no way, shape or form a Scrooge, but I do think we need to stop a remember that Christmas is as much about us as it is about Jesus.

On December 25th, our saving grace was born. The Virgin Mary brought Him into this world by God's will, and even as a baby, His future was already mapped out. He was going to save all of the people of the earth. Kind of crazy, eh? At my age, I'm still figuring out where I truly want to be when I'm grown and gone. This little miracle baby already had his career path chosen for Him.

So, on this Christmas, I would like all of us to stop and think for a little bit about why we truly celebrate this holiday. Are we christians? Are we atheists? Why do we get so worked up about this one day out of the 365 in the year?

Christmas is more than gift wrap, turkeys, egg nog and trees. It's about the Son who was sent to save us all. So while you are wrapping your gifts, stuffing your turkey, pouring your egg nog and trimming your tree, think about why you're doing it.

If we ultimately do everything for the glory of God, why is Christmas any different?