Application

This took not only a lot of thinking about, but also that extra day and plenty of meditation on the Bible to finally work out, so I pray God speaks to you. It is very, very easy to look around (especially over the last few years) and think that you yourself are nothing more than a consumer. You walk through life never really making things that the world can look at with awe and inspiration. But no-one has ever been where you are right now, with your mind and spirit because you are unique. God has put you right where HE wants you to be, right where HE needs you to be. He chose the exact year you would be born, the friends and family you would grow up with and the strangers you bumb into everyday! WHY? So that you can have every opportunity to reach your full potential in God, so you can use the gifts the Lord gave you to do mighty works in HIS name. So that the Pure Light of God can shine off you and into your family and friends to help them grow closer to the Almighty One too. This is a world where death is certain and this gives a select bunch of people a very ‘crash and burn’ attitude. But what some do not realise is that after death Eternal Life carries on, which throws up a huge uncertainty in people’s lives. What we must embrace is this ‘if life carries on all the stronger after death, is it not wise to work ever the harder to do good now?’. Not for the selfish thought that God will reward our good deeds, but simply to bring people to develop that Love with God that is shared by hundreds of thousands all over the Earth. Now even I can see the little issue here. Talking the good talk is all very well, but when it comes to the shove how should I act? That my friends will be one of the daily battles we all face, how to act all the time. After long times of persecution it will come to a place where we seem to lose all motivation. This should however only work to make you feel stronger, because it is the devil trying to bring you down, as he sees you are doing good works in the name of The Lord God, and this scares the devil. Also these times of suffering act as a refining fire upon our character, and soul. God’s pure fire removes all the impurities of this world to strengthen us. Romans 5:3-5 says it all for me. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 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. This is as God spends all our lives making our lives more like His, to be open and true, obedient and careful in word and deed. Slow to anger, fast to listen and patient, amongst many, many other mighty things. The easiest way to fully apply yourself is to do what you LOVE doing. What you spend time in your own place, perhaps with God, perhaps with others doing. It is always important to refresh the Spirit within us; otherwise life can gauge a rough path and wear us thin. Only by embracing the Truth of God and asking for His strength to face each day and trial, can we carry on. Discovering your own special abilities can only ever be a personal journey. There is no guide, except daily prayer of what God what’s you to do and reading of the Bible to help you develop physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, and all the other –ally’s I can’t think of right now. God has it all in hand Ecclesiastes 6:10 The Future—Determined and Unknown 10 Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny. Some would call this scary that everything seems fixed, but I view it as a complete comfort. It assures me that life although dreary at times will finish with the grand unveiling and an awesome life in eternity with God. Nothing compares to knowing Him, and it’s a relationship that can grow deeper everyday. Another blessed month to you, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Amen!

Distraction

It is very easy at times to let things in this world distract us:

Matthew 24:6-20 New International Version (NIV)

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Lots of things will happen to draw our attention and many people will go round in circles looking for the smallest of details in order to achieve some far flung dream to reveal a masterplan. It is the devil's wish that we all be distracted; but if we focus where the devil cannot enter; on the Holy Spirit within us, then God in His glory will guide us and show us what paths to take. Even when the darkness seems to be all around.

Proverbs 3:5-8 New International Version (NIV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

No matter how low you are feeling, no matter how pointless and useless your life seems, God has a plan!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

And it is most certainly not one of these mass plans, that makes you feel like your being rushed through the system. It is personal, it is unique and it is FULFILLED! In the End it should be our wish to unite as Humanity, as one body, to come before the Lord and be brought to Heaven.

Romans 12:5-8 New International Version (NIV)

5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

But this physical world will end, and all that we understand shall pass away, and We will then spend eternity with God on the New Earth.

Matthew 24:35 New International Version (NIV)

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Revelation 21:1-7 New International Version (NIV)


A New Heaven and a New Earth
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

So do not be so concerned with the ways of the World. We are called by God only to live in it not by it's ways. If you read the Bible and Keep God's words your perseverance shall be rewarded.

Revelation 3:10-15 New International Version (NIV)

10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Says the Lord. And so we choose to follow God and bow to His greater knowledge, for He has a plan and He holds us secure all through our lives.

Few and Far Between

If you are trapped between two situations you cannot see them both at the same time. You can know they both exist as problems, but you never deal with them in the same observation.

This is where the role of the onlooker becomes pivotal. One who has nothing at stake and can observe unbiased from a distance. Such a person can see both problems and you in a sort of metaphysical line. But the distance of the onlooker can often allow the motivational forces behind each situation to reveal themselves [due mainly to their fixed pattern nature*].

Although this same distance can occasionally result in the onlooker drawing stereotypes on the situations; which can be dangerous for you the subject of both situations. This form of 'inconvenience' can only be removed by a professional observer, which takes time and dedication.

But thinking on a positive note: can we not all, to some degree, be onlookers for each other?

*Fueled usually be emotions in other people; greed, jealousy, lust, etc. These sort of expressions are not very good at being concealed and will be revealed if sought out.

Timewise

In reference to time how long is too long?

Is it a lifetime? Is it seven years? is it even a second? Of course, it depends entirely upon the subject. Take Love for example in truth you can never spend too long in Love. If both parties are loyal, humble, faithful, passionate...in Love, it may as well last for ever. Just to completely wrap this example up...
Point 1: 1 John 4:8 God is Love
Point 2: Jeremiah 10:10 God is the eternal King
So...Love is eternal so has no time limit.

However; when we are talking about something smaller, something like contemplation, "how long is too long?". If you experience a major incident, you are going to think about it for a while. It may have shocked you, or helped you, but it will keep popping up in your head for a while. But you can't let it get in the way of the rest of your LIFE! Sure things happen, but that is life itself. And you are alive after all, so put on a brave face and walk outside. Think about the future for once, of what could be. Remember what it felt like as a child and stretch to your goals.

Growing up was only ever created to be a physical progression, it shouldn't make you forget about LIVING YOUR LIFE! So in answer to the question of contemplation; any amount of time that stops you living is too long...remember that.

Faith, the brightest torch I know

There MUST be more than this right? You look around in life and you had dreams...but now your stuck in a dead end job, just because you needed a little bit of money once. What happened to those dreams? Where has the passion gone? It's not that you need a boost, because every time you arrive at the bottom, you somehow manage to pull yourself back up. BUT WHY DOES IT NEVER GO ANY FURTHER?

You just try to survive, to find a way to ignore the bad times. The times when all of life closed in on you and your friends turned their backs. Each time you survived. What was the cost? Does your heart ache less now each night? Do you ignore the desperate plea of another human in a situation you where once in? Where is the joy you once lived for each day? How could it all end like this?

When we were young, and all of life's issues were kept from our eyes we had happy lives. But as age gains on us, we see the truth. That family, friends put their own worries aside to let us have great childhoods. No one ever said life would be easy. Then again; did we ever have a choice? There will never be answers to every question. There will never be a human life of pure joy and no sorrow. We can kid ourselves and look past the pain, filling our lives with useless things to keep us from thinking...what if?

You are individual. You are strong. You have survived. When did you give up on yourself? How did doubt get past your guard? You CAN make it you know. That dream, sitting in sight, but out of reach. It can be yours. It will take more though. More than you want to risk, but as much as you have. Give it your life; give it all you have and see where you end up.

"But where do I get that confidence from?" Look past life. And ask.
He will provide, if you want it enough. Ask God each day for what it takes, what it needs. Then step out. Point your whole self in that direction and walk. Walk without fear, walk with God in your sight toward you dream. Then see where life can take you. And know why there IS so much more than this.

For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Steps on the Pyramid?

It is a rather odd thought to me, that my thoughts (go figure) would feel so much more ordered and understandable when i am the most tired.

Either you a trawling through the senseless ramblings of a tired 17 year old lad; or you are witnessing the well structured and proved prose of a keen young mind. But at times we are called to work with what we are given so...here we go.

Due to my young age, there are many things in life that i have not experienced; as of yet. One situation that has only recently reared it ugly head is, inequality. Sure we see it in films, on television; or hear of it in talk, but up until recently i have never been a victim of it.

On this count i would consider myself blessed, because inequality IS a horrible thing. As just mentioned I did experience it quite recently from someone who is equal to me, and being that I am still young, and forming of opinions and views are not yet set in stone, it shook me up a fair bit.

Now I really know what injustice feels like, and it's only from our own emotional experiences that we can create opinions and perspectives on situations in life. What then, am i going to do?

I am going to give this person and peoples the same respect i give to everyone else. I would consider us equals and try to help, as I have helped others. I would wish them, well and long lives, and show them that I care for their future. Even if they do not.

I'd hope any person reading this would be challenged and also give it a go. For it is not the depths of our wallets, nor the height of power of our acquaintances that make us friends of the people. It is the sacrifices and time, and equality shown to the people. That earns true respect, and that is hard to break.

Ramblings

For some strange reason I'm finding writing quite hard at the moment [so bear with me]; stories, poems, blogs have slowed down. Perhaps it's due in part to this emotional journey I'm on. Some things have changed, I've grown...and the shifting of life from one area of comfort to an unknown is looming [University]. A question I have always wrestled with is "Am I ready?", but that's just being selfish of me, I'll never be completely ready for anything. I may as well give it a go rather than spend an entire lifetime being fully prepared. Life cannot develop without unforeseen consequences and challenges that we have to overcome. Shame no-one i talk to seems to feel the same way.

And if I am sure of what i have to do, then by a 'little help from above' and with my love for God and his plan [and all the rightly deserved respect there] then surely [Romans 8:28-31] 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

I will go for it, rather than waste a lifetime in contemplation. Why? Because i want to try for God and I have faith. I want to enjoy myself and make Him smile, at the same time. So if I appear a little random, a little loud, a little crazy, a little unique...it's because I am and I know I am and I am comfortable with myself. And I'm doing it for the betterment of people so they have something to cheer them up rather than a year of sadness.

And now on to something a little less related. Yes, a tangent. I found it quite odd after writing a few poems that people and websites said "it's good to be surrounded in what you are doing", in this case to read poetry before writing it. I didn't find it hard to write poetry, and to me reading other peoples poetry was an optional step which I am yet to take. So where are my poems now? Well my friends are reading them, then i can bring in the 'system' and get them published. YAY!