Wisdom to Live By

My youth pastor has been extremely influential in my life. Today I was thinking about two specific things he taught me about being a Christian.

The first is that the Christian life is simply a series of asking yourself “who do you love more?” Sin or God? Controlling the situation myself or God? Spending my time my way or spending it with God? There have been many times that I have had two choices clearly in front of me: do I hang out with friends or stay in to pray? Do I save my money or give it in the offering? Who do I love more? Asking this question has helped me make many correct decisions.

The second is a lesson on perseverance. About four years ago, my pastor told me that he and his friends used to fast together. None of them would eat until the next morning — except one guy. He always snuck something before he went to bed. He could never quite persevere and make it through. My pastor told me the guy still trying but not quite making in the Christian life. This taught me that little decisions to persevere are what lead to perseverance as a Christian. If I am not faithful and cut corners in small aspects of my Christian walk, the totality of my Christian life will fall short of the mark. (Its not legalism, its Eph 4:1.)

I will always appreciate the people who took a little time out of their lives to help me live mine. I never know how to express this enough.

Kidz Kaboom! and other thoughts…

I woke up in a panic today. Kidz Kaboom is starting in exactly a week! It’s my “day off” today, but I’m not feeling very relaxed. Everyone else went to work today. I didn’t think there was a need for me to go in… but I might as well have since I am now stuck at home with a million “to do’s” running through my head. I can already tell that this will not be a restful day so I might as well make it a productive one!

To do:
1. Laundry
2. Clean
3. KIDZ KABOOM TASKS
4. Go for a walk (edit: 4 pm – It’s raining…) (edit: 6 pm – now it’s not. crazy weather.)
5. Write letters
6. Call my grandparents
7. Take a shower
8. Figure out whats wrong with my iTunes (half my music has disappeared!)

NOT to do:
1. Go on facebook
2. Watch TV
3. Take a nap
4. Read (if I pick up a book today, I’ll be reading it until midnight)

I am going to feel SO GOOD if I can get this done!

Yesterday was “heaps” of fun (I just got done reading all the JLH Osaka blogs lol). After church, Tiff H, Tiff W, Drew, and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings. The Leakes were there. They challenged us to the Buzztime Trivia game and I actually won! I think I’ve won maybe twice out of all the times I’ve been to B Dubs. Maybe thats because I always listen to Hannah . Anyways, I barely beat out Pastor Jeff and Alyssa, but it’s only because on the last question I heard Pastor Jeff from across the room shout to Alyssa, “It’s 2! Press 2!!” I had no idea what the answer was so I went with 2. Because I heard him I won by maybe 10 points? LOL. It was so much fun!

On the way home, the four of us had a very very interesting and entertaining conversation. I’ll never forget it. Then we went to Sarah’s house (Studeny’s house) for an amazingly fun pool party! It was a great time.

Now that I’ve spent 15 minutes on the computer avoiding my to do list, it’s time to get started!