Sunday, November 13, 2011

The Most Powerful Thing

It's not a secret nor a surprise that I like words.

I always have and always will. English, spelling, reading and composition have been my go-to subjects from the beginning. I don't necessarily hate numbers, but words and I kind of have a thing...

Take my room for instance. I have many notes to myself with scripture, intriguing quotes and song lyrics posted in multiple places. This is what my bathroom mirror looks like.





I also have more notes and posters in my closet. Here is one of my favorite scriptures which I had made into a wall quote. It's the last part of 1 Corinthians 2:9 in case you can't read it.




Then I have this one phrase that I taped above the light switch in my room. It simply says "Your life follows your words."

Truth.
Do you really comprehend just how powerful your words really are? I mean, really and truly have you thought about it? Award yourself a few points if you've at least thought about it. Now, do you attempt to live your life like you know just how powerful your words are? (How we doin' on the points?)

This concept has been at the forefront of my mind over the last several months. I can't get away from it.
And there are a lot of directions I could go with this post, many scriptures I could bring up or other sources I could quote, but I don't feel like getting all scholarly right here and now...I have other things I need to tend to! (But to back myself up: Phil. 2:14, James 3, Eph. 4:29, 5:4, Proverbs 12:18, 13:3, 12:28, 25:11, and many many others.)

Words.
Words.
Words.

Intangible things, you realize? Intangible, invisible things that come from something smaller than an iPhone: your tongue. Yet words can burn a nation to the ground, or stir its citizens to action. Comfort a weeping child or scar him for life. Make a heart overflow with joy and excitement or break it to pieces that scatter on the wind. Words can set a soul free or shackle it with chains of iron.

Words.

I finished reading a little booklet this morning that our church handed out a couple of weeks ago. It is Kenneth Hagin's "In Him." So good. Find yourself a copy and read it! Or if you ask nicely, I might loan you mine :)

Anyway, this theme of speaking God's promises and His pure goodness over your life came up again and again.
Do you wonder why you are tired?
Why the rottenest stuff happens to you?
Why all the joy seems to have flown out of your life?

Well, what does your daily conversation and self-talk consist of? Do you constantly complain "I'm sick and tired?" "It's just my luck that____," "Geez, can't this week be over?!" "I just hate school/work/whatever so much!" Etc., etc., etc. Blah blah blah.

As Christians, this type of self-talk is honestly unacceptable. I have been challenging myself to avoid these statements and statements similar and instead confess that God is taking care of me, that it's all good and that I am healthy and whole. Because all of that is true. I don't always succeed, but I am trying. And I can tell a difference.

I would challenge you to censor yourself in the same way. Just see what happens.

I in no way mean to belittle or judge other's circumstances. That's not my business and not my point. I only mean to lay before you a challenge and leave the rest to you.

Oh and leave you with this story:

Back in the summer, my mom, brother and I were heading to Taco Bell to get one of their slushy drinks after working at my grandmother's. I had tried a Pina Colada Frutista Freeze a few days ago and wanted another.
But as we pull into the drive-thru, I made an offhand comment of "Just watch and see- they won't have that kind!"
We pull up to order.
"Pina Colada? Ma'am, we don't make that kind. We do have Strawberry or..."
To this day, I have never been able to order that flavor.

Just sayin'...

Saturday, November 12, 2011

I'm Back!

So it has been a few months since I last posted.
I truly meant to be more consistent (which is what everyone says), but senior year started and it is kind of taking a starring role in my life right now. According to my countdown app, it is 24 weeks and six days until I get to walk across that stage!
And it can't get here soon enough.
Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about these past three years...what I have learned, what I absolutely WILL NOT miss, etc., etc. It's mind-boggling really. I am pretty different from when I graduated high school- not in the essential things, mind you, but in other ways. Ways that needed to change.
But what I want to share today is a list of things/people that I could not have survived college without. The first few are random and a bit silly, but the latter part of the list is quite serious.

10. Granola bars (It's what's on the menu. I wonder how many I have consumed in the past three years?)
9.   Green tea (More than one steaming thermos of this life force helped me get through some nasty days!)
8.   Umbrella (There have been certain days when this accessory is almost more necessary than a Scantron.)
7.   Rain boots (See above. Note to self: never leave rain boots by a space heater...)
6.   Warm boots (I love my Uggs. Worth the money since I wear them nearly everyday during the fall/winter and they last and last...)
5.   Son of Citation Machine & EasyBib (Need I say more???)
4.   My planner (I'm smart, but not that smart. It is my external hardrive.)
3.   Dean Fisher (If you know him, you know why he made the list. If you don't know him, well...)
2.  My family and close friends (They keep me sane and steady!)
1.  Jesus (Of course! How else have I survived?)

So there you are, read it and be amused...or not haha! I won't be offended.

There are other things and people who have most assuredly made this season in my life a success. It has not been a solo act! But really, my last point on the list is the only one that matters. Here is a note I wrote to myself several months ago that sums it up:

"I stand upon the Rock. College has not tempted me to find another rock to stand on, but forced me to better understand and more strongly believe in that upon which I already stood. Out of necessity, I have sunk my roots deeper & deeper into the Solid Rock. And I have not been disappointed."

Later!