and His purpose is...?

So, tonight was pretty much awesome.....hung out with some pretty *rad* ladies......yes, indeed.....awesome! Had a great conversation with two "Rays" of sunshine, Nicki Rae and Taylor Rae.....pretty awesome people! That was our small group out of the Middle School study....

So we talked about honoring parents.......why should we honor our parents? Why should we honor God? What's God's purpose in all of this?

I discovered something pretty amazing as I read one verse....after thinking how some people, including myself, see themselves as not too bad of people....don't have much of an attitude, never killed anybody, never done anything "especially" bad... just about the average Christian...ain't that good enough?

But what's cool, and this is the verse I was talking about, is that God didn't just call us to be average, but to live by a Higher Standard. That doesn't mean He's just laid out a bunch of more "difficult" rules to follow, that's not it at all! Ephesians 5:1-2 says:

"Be immitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us."

so....we are to be "immitators of God".....is it so He can look at our behavior and when we don't act how He would he'll check us off some bad points? I don't think so.....'cause what else did this verse say? "As dearly loved children".....that's so cool to think about! It goes on...."live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us"....so this whole "Authority" and "be immators of God" thing isn't just about following rules to be better people, it's about loving our Father because He first loved us....in fact, he had so much love for us that he "gave Himself up for us".....It's not about Him making us miserable with a bunch of rules to follow, it's about Him loving us while we were still sinners, and about us responding with that same love, and yearning for more. It's about asking God to make us act like Him, think like Him and love like Him. And when we don't? He loves us anyways...pretty cool, huh?

So, how can we better be immators of God, and as dearly loved children live a life of love? Something to think about......

Of Italy, Orphans, and Goals

Someday I would love to go Italy....to tour on a bike through grassy hills, past ancient castles, old stone cottages and fields speckled with sheep, misty blue mountains...places caught in the memory of yesteryear, retaining the charm of simplicity, richness and beaty. Yes, someday I would like to go there.......I would also love to go to Kenya....very different in many ways, not as beautiful perhaps....but in some ways it would be even more beautiful. I'd love to fly there and help in an orphanage, with little boys and girls...somehow showing them God's love, depsite what they've been through....that would be pretty cool.

~*~*~*~*~

I have a link on the side to Michael Johnson in Kenya...you really should read his blog, it's very inspiring. Everytime I read any of his articles it just makes me realize how much we take for granted here in America, we have so much that I can't even imagine living in the conditions experienced by far too many people in the slums of Kenya, and no doubt many other places as well.

~*~*~*~*~

I do want to go to kenya someday, maybe at a time not too far away.....but right now I'm here where I am, and for that I'm thankful. I'm kind of in a training time, I think....learning how to stay close to God everyday, and serve him in the best way I can. So many days I fail at this, and that is why I am glad for this time of learning....for their is much I need to learn.

~*~*~*~*~

I'm also trying to train myself physically, as well. Inspired by my good friend Jessica, whose blog I also have linked (teen2teenfitness), I have challenged myself to become fit and healthier this spring. Yes, I've been pretty lazy this winter in not getting much excersize.....If I want to go to Africa to serve someday, to Italy on a biking tour, or simply living everyday with zeal, I'd like to be fit and strong so I can keep going without feeling weak. I'm going to use this blog to help keep me accountable in my fitness endeavors, as well as posting tips I've gathered here and there that I find helpfull.

~*~*~*~*~

God has called me, and all who are his children, to bring glory and honour to Him in all we do- whether it be serving as a missionary, a fitness instructor, banker, or a web-page designer. I'm excited about the plans God has for me- whatever they may be.

~*~*~*~*~

Here are some cool words from a hymn by E.S. Hall....they're pretty amazing....I love to ponder over them whenever I'm feeling stressed out about life and what I'm gonna do in the future:

~*~*~*~*~

I do not ask to see the way

My feet will have to tread;

But only that my soul may feed

Upon the living Bread.

'Tis better far that I should walk

By faith close to His side;

I may not know the way I go,

But oh, I know my Guide.

His love can never fail,

His love can never fail,

My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"I will press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:14