rain.

i love rain. there is something about it that makes me feel . . . content, i guess.

maybe because it reminds me of how rain is another word to describe trials. it's cool if you think about it. rain nourishes the ground. and it promises that the sun will shine through the clouds soon. it is the same with trials. whether we realize it at the time or not, trials nourish us. God sends them our way to test and strengthen our faith and trust in Him. but He doesn't leave us in those trials. the hope of rescue, joy, peace, and safety are promised after the rain.

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.' Isaiah 43:1-3a

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of you faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

i wasn't planning on going any further than this, but it is interesting to note what the word dross means here. waste or impure matter; worthless or dangerous material that should be removed. rain also washes away the dirt and dust. trials purge the impurities from our lives. things that shouldn't be there. God teaches us things through trials that we can't learn any other way.

don't stop...don't get distracted.

pray often; for it is
a shield to the soul,
a sacrifice to God,
and a scourge for Satan.
- John Bunyan

a listening ear.

so i've discovered something that i love, besides music. it kind of scares me to be honest. it's kind of weird, but i really do love it. a lot.

here it is: i love to listen to people. what they're going through, their struggles, things they need to sort out and talk to someone about. i love it when people come to me and talk to me about that stuff. it somehow makes me happy. even though it's not usually happy things they tell me.

what bothers me is that i never quite know what to say to comfort or encourage them. but i love being there for them. and just having someone they can tell hopefully helps them a little.

another thing that is annoying about it is that i can't just simply fix everything for them. i hate to see hurt and confussion and difficulty in the lives of people i love.

all i can think of is this:

"bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" Ephesians 6:2

devistating.

Some friends of mine wear these t-shirts that say

abort73.com


I always wanted to check it out. and then I did
it was hard to even look at the pictures and videos let alone read any info.



check it out for yourself. I have no words to describe it.

maybe I'll get my own shirts. people should, no, people NEED to know.

why.

ever wonder why it is that God chose you?



why He chose you to share His love with?

why He chose you to send His Son to be crucified for you?

why He would care about a sinful creature that doesn't give Him all the glory due Him?

why He loves you despite your continuous falling and doubting?


i do.

ponderings.

after a very different summer than all the other summers of my short life, i think i have learned some valuable lessons. hopefully i don't forget them anytime soon.


God is never going to let you go, even if you feel like He is far away. and He speaks to you through people and the Bible the most.

stress is a good excuse to pray...hard; and read the last few verses of Isaiah 40 over and over.

the Bible is the most interesting, comforting book in this entire world. and i hope i never take it for granted.

making friends is fun, especially when they are people who you didn't expect to ever become close too. or when you thought you couldn't get any closer to a close friend, you do.

the older you get, the more complicated life seems. the more problems and trials people seem to have. the more i want to help people that are close to me to get through them and pray for them.