For those of you that know what in the world "Pomp and Circumstance" is then you already know what this post will be about. And for those of you who have no idea what it is, then you're about to find out. I only just found out what it was this morning! You see "Pomp and Circumstance" is graduation music. You know what i'm talking about, the music that plays as graduates parade down the aisle. Well the funny part about me not knowing what it was until this morning, is that I had my high school graduation today. ;)
Yes, it's official, I GRADUATED! It's a pretty awesome feeling to be graduated but with such a big milestone begins a new chapter of my life.
One of my favorite verses is Luke 9:25 "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?" I just think that verse is a real eye opener to anyone that reads it/hears it and is especially impactful to graduates who are being sent out into the world. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be in the world and not of it. Society pushes all the wrong things, to teens especially, and it is up to us as individuals to resist the temptation.
I was reading Romans today and I came across a verse in chapter 12 verse 21, "Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." Now I don't know about you, but when I see the words "good" and "evil" I immediately think of superheroes and villains. So as I read this verse I pictured a villainous world and a super God. Now I don't mean to say that everything in the world is evil, but just that it contains evil.
I guess what I've been trying to say is to always stay true to yourself. I know as a graduate I'm going to be exposed to new people, places, and situations that may make me uncomfortable. No matter what happens I think it's important not to let the wrong things overtake my life. I never want to lose my soul to material things, impure desires, or anything that compromises my faith.
I've always correlated Luke 9:25 with the song "Lose My Soul" by TobyMac featuring Kirk Franklin and Mandisa. It's one of my mom's favorite songs and one that my whole family sings along to. And I want to share that song with you here>> Lose My Soul by TobyMac
5/19/2012
5/06/2012
Roller Coasters of Life
I happen to love riding roller coasters. Just today my friends and I were talking about how much we love rollercoasters and which roller coasters are the best. From our conversation I am now convinced that I need to go to Islands of Adventure because I would love it there! ;)
Nevertheless, as much as I love roller coasters, sometimes my stomach still flip flops on the coaster. You know what that feels like. That feeling that your unagreeable stomach makes when you've just ridden too many rollercoasters.
And you know what, life can be exactly like the ups and downs of a roller coaster. You can feel great (up), then begin to struggle and feel not so great (down). However, through the Bible we can see that although our lives can feel like a wild rollercoaster at times, he is still with us.
In the book of Genesis we see Joseph's rollercoaster of a life. He was loved and favorited by his father (up). His brother became jealous of him and sold him as a slave (down). Joseph found favor in Potiphar's eyes and was held at high esteem (up). Potiphar's wife held Joseph at too high of esteem, falsely accused him, and got him thrown into prison (down). Joseph is remembered, freed from prison, and put in a position of power over Egypt (up). Joseph was able to guide Egypt through its 7 year famine (up). Joseph was reunited with his family (up).
In the book of Leviticus we see a similar coaster with the Israelites.
These are only two of the many examples in the Bible of rollercoaster lives. Now i'm sure the track that their life coasters were taking weren't always pleasant. I'm sure at times it seemed like God didn't care about them or that he had forgotten them. Still we see that God was with them and he had a purpose. When life gets tough don't think the Lord has left you. I mean if Joseph thought like that and gave up trusting in God who would have saved Egypt? Your life may not always be easy but God has a plan for your life regardless. So ride your rollercoaster with endurance, knowing that God is always by your side.
Nevertheless, as much as I love roller coasters, sometimes my stomach still flip flops on the coaster. You know what that feels like. That feeling that your unagreeable stomach makes when you've just ridden too many rollercoasters.
And you know what, life can be exactly like the ups and downs of a roller coaster. You can feel great (up), then begin to struggle and feel not so great (down). However, through the Bible we can see that although our lives can feel like a wild rollercoaster at times, he is still with us.
In the book of Genesis we see Joseph's rollercoaster of a life. He was loved and favorited by his father (up). His brother became jealous of him and sold him as a slave (down). Joseph found favor in Potiphar's eyes and was held at high esteem (up). Potiphar's wife held Joseph at too high of esteem, falsely accused him, and got him thrown into prison (down). Joseph is remembered, freed from prison, and put in a position of power over Egypt (up). Joseph was able to guide Egypt through its 7 year famine (up). Joseph was reunited with his family (up).
In the book of Leviticus we see a similar coaster with the Israelites.
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| Ok so it's not a picture of a roller coaster but you get the ups and Downs |
These are only two of the many examples in the Bible of rollercoaster lives. Now i'm sure the track that their life coasters were taking weren't always pleasant. I'm sure at times it seemed like God didn't care about them or that he had forgotten them. Still we see that God was with them and he had a purpose. When life gets tough don't think the Lord has left you. I mean if Joseph thought like that and gave up trusting in God who would have saved Egypt? Your life may not always be easy but God has a plan for your life regardless. So ride your rollercoaster with endurance, knowing that God is always by your side.
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