Confession--Part One

So... This is really important. So important that it has to go beyond this post. You have to do what it says. It's that important.

When I'm angry, I tend to keep it all bottled up inside until it gets to the point where I can't stand to hold it all in anymore, so it all explodes on some random person that has no idea what I'm talking about. And, generally, they still won't afterwards--because I'll be too scared to admit the real reason why I'm ticked.

Don't get me wrong--we should always go to God first with our needs and frustrations. Always.

But, God speaks in many ways. And, quite often, it's through other people.

Lately, I've been feeling somewhat emotional and depressed about a variety of things. Some simple, some large. I felt the need to tell someone about it, to get it all off my shoulders. I had a six hour car ride with a close friend and, within the privacy of her dry-erase board, confessed--bit by bit--everything. It felt so good, and now that she knows, it's easier to get advice from her. And she gave me amazing advice--good, godly advice.

Now, are you going to get that same good, godly advice from a non-Christian? I think not.

It's so important that we turn to other Christians.


"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1-2  


Now, does this mean that we have to carry their burdens upon ourselves? Only Christ can do that. But what we can do is smile with them, cry with them, laugh with them. Give them the advice and love they need to make it through the day. Sometimes all someone needs is to be listened to. 


Maybe you know someone who is burdened--or maybe you are burdened yourself. Maybe you feel like the whole world is resting on your shoulders. 


Tell someone. It's so simple. 


~Elizabeth

The Well

John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'”

Ahhh, the beautiful water that floods the soul, fills the heart to overflowing! Let it gush out of you to fill up everyone around you. Your well will never run dry. There is enough for you to give to everyone. It refreshes, nourishes, strengthens, and enlivens. Live life filled with this everlasting water called the Spirit. Take it to the whole world -



-Aylin

Three Things

Hello, Everyone! Today, I have three, wonderful things to tell you :)

First and foremost - Elizabeth's last post on the 30 Hour Famine was our 100Th post!!!
To date, we have had -
viewers from 13 countries
26 comments
3 followers

Most of all, though, Elizabeth and I have had a lot of fun exploring the blogging world, posting, coming up with ideas, and reading comments from everyone - so thanks to everyone who reads this blog!

The second thing is - today is my birthday!!! So, yeah, I'm pretty happy about that XD

Also, you may have noticed that I added a widget to the sidebar of the blog. It is for the Rebolution's Modesty Survey. I really encourage you to take a look at it - I think it's great. The survey shows Christian guys' opinions on everything from lipstick to skirts. They share how much is too much (or too little) and how their minds react to what girls wear. It isn't a list of do's and don'ts - it's simply a great way to be made aware of how what we wear affects the opposite sex. Also, if you're a guy, you can go to the modesty survey and sign their really cool petition.

And, also, I am going to post a song - just for the fun of it.



-Aylin

30 Hour Famine

So, this weekend I'm going to this thing called the 30 Hour Famine, which is put on by World Vision, this weekend. 

Basically, your last meal is lunch on Friday, and then you don't eat again until dinner on Saturday, which is normally a huge feast at the place holding it--hence 30 hours.

In most cases, you sleep over at the Church/building holding it from Friday to Saturday. Essentially, you are putting yourself in the shoes of a starving child. You can (though in some cases it is required) raise money towards it--$30 feeds a starving family for a month.

This is my first one, and I'm really excited about it. They have LOTS of them in many different areas--you should see if there are any near you!

~Elizabeth

Our Hope

Inspiration... Where's it come from? How do you use it? What makes you drag yourself out of bed in the morning, gobble down a bagel (IF you eat bagels - personally, I prefer instant oatmeal, a glass of milk, and homemade blueberry muffins)? What do live for? What do you dream about?

For some, anger and revenge drives them on. For others, it's proving that they can make it. Maybe it's a career vision, or a happy, healthy family that keeps them pushing onward.

No matter what it is, it always involves hope. You know - the hope of success, the chance for things to work out in the future. Without hope, we might as well not exist. Think about it, if you knew that it all was going to end in failure and heartache - why would you even try? I think it's the reason for suicide. People feel like there is no hope, no way out, nothing to hang on to. They don't see a reason to live any longer.

The truth is, though, that there is a reason to keep breathing. There is a hope for the future. Even if every, single person on the earth didn't care at all if you existed, there would still be a reason to get up in the morning.

God. That's it. God is everything. He is the hope of our tomorrow - that something much, so much, better will come. He is always by our side, and when we are taken from this world we will live in His glorious land forever. We will bask in His presence. Always.


"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." -Romans 5:3-5

-Aylin

Spring

Ahhh... the fresh, pure smell of spring air... I always forget how much I love the smell of the sweet rain, the clean, brisk wind, and the bright, cheering sun. Spring is such a beautiful time of year. Everything is in bloom, everything is new.

I know it isn't technically spring on the calender yet, but I don't care. It is spring out today, and there is spring in my heart today, as well...



-Aylin

So, I know Elizabeth is technically the photography expert around here, but here are some unprofessional, taken-through-the-truck-window pics from my trip...

"Nature is a volume of which God is the author." -William Harvey

I love mountains :)

-Aylin

Self Control, Part 2

Sorry about the lack of posting last week--I'm going to try to make up for it. Anyway...

I think that there's more to self control then anger management. We need to control ourselves in plenty more ways then that--we are God's holy temple, and because God has set us apart, we need to choose to live apart.

That means in all areas of our lives--that means that we need to not only abstain from anger, but also drugs, large consumption of alcohol (or under-aged usage of it), and any form of adultery (these are just some examples).

We, by our actions, represent God.

How do you think it looks when we (representations of God) use drugs, get drunk, dress immodestly, or have adultery?

We look like complete and utter hypocrites.

Now, how do you think a non-Christian would look at that? I'm not saying we need to be perfect, because we can't in the first place.  But we need to ask God this:

What do you want from me--and after you reveal this to me, can you help me get to that point?

~Elizabeth

Plans

I like road trips. Well, maybe not so much the road, per se, but the destination, anyway. Usually that's what really gets me excited - camping in the forest, visiting family, etc.

Not this time. In a couple of days I'm heading to Georgia with my dad. It's technically a business trip, because he's picking up equipment for work, but I'm riding along. This time, the destination isn't all that great, but the trip should be fun. We'll be passing some beautiful mountains and forests along the way, and I plan on taking pictures. Maybe I'll post some when I get back.

So, please pray for our safety on the road this week, and that things will go smoothly :)

- Aylin

16 reasons why to read your bible

Hello, Everyone! Today I would like to encourage you to pick up your Bible and delve into its endless depths. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to spend time with our Father through reading His word. Here are sixteen reasons to read the Bible that I thought of -

1. It's God's letter to YOU





2. It shows you how to live





3. In it, God reveals Himself to you





4. It has been carefully preserved for thousands of years





5. It is full of innumerable truths





6. In it, were written facts of science then undiscovered





7. It teaches you how to pray





8. It encourages





9. It admonishes





10. It won't become outdated





11. It is always true





12. It changes lives





13. It was inspired by the God of the universe





14. You can never finish reading it





15. It tells of the only way to be saved





16. It will bring you closer to God

Let's make sure that we take time to read this precious Word of God today!


-Aylin

Self-Control

I have this friend that lives nine hours away from me, but we see each other each year at a servant event at my camp.

Needless to say, since this is the only time I get to see her, I want to spend every second of it with her. So, when she brought a friend with her that also wanted all of her attention, a lot of tension grew between us (her friend and me). In fact, her friend actually got really nasty about it.

But I was in my Youth Group the other night, and the guy was talking about how God can use those points when we are just so angry and so frustrated to remain Christ-like and be good examples. He said that people will notice if you stand out, and they will ask why you do. Which, of course, is an amazing opportunity to share the Gospel.

So, though self-control is hard, I think we all need to (with and through God, of course) persevere through it all so that we can show them that we are Christians by our self-control--by our love.

~Elizabeth