The End...Or is It??? 12/19/12

Jeremiah 29:11

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."

Through these past six weeks, I have been trying to renew  my relationship with Christ.  I have felt closer to Him and have been more open to learning more about Him.  A few weeks ago, I mentioned that for my Sunday School, we were going to try to read at least two verses in the Bible per day.  This only lasted for about a week.  I wish I could have followed through with this more, but reading isn't something I enjoy all that much.  All of the others in my Sunday school forgot or put it off as well.  I really hope that with the new year right around the corner, I can come up with some good New Year's resolutions to follow through with, like reading the Bible more, and thanking God for things rather than asking Him.  

During this past year, my family, well, more like intermediate family, is somewhat splitting apart.  My cousin has been having some issues lately with her mom (my aunt) and has drug the whole rest of the family into it.    I don't really want to talk about it, but I know God has been watching over us through it all.  Sometimes I wonder, why did this have to happen?  But, everything happens for a reason, and it's all part of God's plan. 

Before school started this year, I had been accepted into The Association (AKA Van Buren's show choir).  When we started show choir camp, I literally hated it.  If you haven't seen me dance before, I pretty much fail at it.  It took me about two months to finally get the moves down, and I still don't completely have them down.  But, God has helped me through it and now I love it.  

I have also recently began taking voice lessons.  I had been taking piano lessons for the past eight years (I still am though), but I wanted to try something new.  I absolutely hate singing alone in front of anyone, but God has given me the strength to not be so nervous, and now I actually kind of enjoy singing in front of an audience.  I even had the courage to try out for All County Honors Choir, and I made it!

So far this school year, God has been a big part of my life.  I just started high school, I finally joined a sports type thing (show choir), I have been able to work on my artistic abilities in art class, I have found the courage to do things I thought I could never do without crying or embarrassing myself (singing for an audience mainly), and many more.  God has given me the strength to do all of these things.  Even though I'm still the quiet person in class who barely says a word, I feel like I have more courage than I've had in a while.  I used to be scared of literally EVERYTHING!  I'm so glad our Creator cares and watches over us.  Without Him, no one would have the strength to do anything.  Without Him, we wouldn't even be here.  I have so much to thank God for.  A family, a home, friends, food, water.  We can be so greedy at times, when many people in the rest of the world don't have half as much as we do.  As we start the new year, I hope to remember this, and to not be pulled away from God.  No matter what storm I may be facing, I hope I will always be close to the Lord.

Here's another song by Casting Crowns that I absolutely love :)

Remembering Christmas 12/5/12

Luke 2:9-14
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 

As the Christmas Season is coming closer, many people have either forgotten or remembered Christ's birth.  Many have always thought of Christmas as just a time to get presents and decorate their homes with tacky blow up Santas and snowmen, while others remember Christmas as a time of giving, and celebrating Christ's birth.  Christmas shouldn't be about receiving presents, it's Jesus's birthday, not ours.  He should be the one getting all the gifts.  I get so excited during Christmas time, wondering what glorious presents I will soon unwrap on that joyful morning, but this year, I haven't really cared about what I get.  I mean, I do have a few things I want, but I definitely don't need them.  I'm hoping that this year, I can put all the presents aside and be great full to God for what I already have.