Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Million "Second Chances"

I've done so many things in my life. I lost count of them all a long time ago. And I've done a lot of bad things, too.

I think everyone loses count of the good and bad things they've done. My mom is trying a new system for me called "grace points." I start out with three grace points every day. Every time I complain, get angry, etc, I lose a grace point, but I don't get reprimanded. But once those grace points are spent, then I get reprimanded. It's not terrible, but I have to admit...I lost a point today.

In James 1:19-21, it says, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." (emphasis mine).

This is a huge challenge for me. I get frustrated quite easily (something I've been working on to fix), and I always feel regret when I throw all my anger on other people in the home. 
So, I decided to look in my Bible and find out what it has to say about anger. 

"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Cain was angry, Pharaoh was angry, Jacob was angry, Moses, Balaam, Samuel. The list goes on and on. Some had good reasons to be angered, others didn't.
But God is forgiving, too: "O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help." (Psalm 86:5)

And sometimes, it's good to be sad: "Sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding." (Ecclesiastes 7:3)

And God gives us so many second chances when we sin against Him. Though, one of these days, those chances will run out...And we won't be breathing anymore. 

Anger is sinful, but it depends on how you control it. And that is what I'm working on. I can do so much better without anger....

Everyone can.




 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Saturday's Selections

Oh, my. I'm sorry for not posting sooner! Well, I hope to be up and at it again soon!



Saturday, January 12, 2013

Saturday's Selections

The power of prayer... "A man is powerful on his knees."-Corrie Ten Boom.
Corrie Ten Boom (April 15, 1892-April 15, 1983) helped Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust in World War II.
She was born in The Netherlands and died in California at the age of 91.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Saturday's Selections

"Hugs can do a great amount of good, especially for children."-Princess Diana, Princess of Wales.
Why not hug someone today?

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year 2013!

The year of 2013 has begun! Just when I get used to writing 2012, 2013 happens! (to borrow from my brother. :) )
It snowed all day yesterday, so we got out the snowsuits and played for a while today. 

I must say, 2013 sneaked up on me! I didn't expect it one bit! To me, all I knew was it was coming. Now, it's here.

I wonder if  I should change my blog's design with the changing of the year. What do you readers think?

From my first post in 2010, I've changed this blog around a lot! At first, I didn't really care much about words. I liked telling stories with pictures. Then, after a while, I decided to write only about photography. Later, I switched to anything I felt like writing about (with parent's permission). I started Saturday's Selections for the purpose of a weekly showing of things I enjoy: music, quotes, etc.

So, I hear some people have a list of resolutions. A resolution is a strong decision to either do or not do certain things.
My resolutions? Hmm...
  1. Work hard in schoolwork.
  2. Sew two articles of clothing.
  3. Read the Bible daily and meditate on what I read.
  4. Grow into a girl who God wants me to be for Him.
  5. Jump off the high-dive in a pool (once I can find one!)
  6. Save more than $100 and donate it all to Salvation Army, Compassion Int., and Red Cross.
  7. Teach myself to play the guitar.
  8. Draw portraits of my family and friends.
  9. Ask God faithfully for wisdom, non-selfishness, and hope.
  10. Pray every day for someone.
  11. Memorize at least two songs in ASL (American Sign Language).
  12. Write a letter to God every month.
  13. Pray that God will use me as a witness for Him.
  14. Spend less time on the Internet and more time in the Word.
  15. Learn first-aid safety.
  16. Live.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV


Through the years, though we change, God never will.
"They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end."Psalm 102:25-27 ESV

"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8

"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." James 4:12-14
HAPPY NEW YEAR!