After having a discussion with a group of teenagers about God, I compiled a list of a few of the answers I received. The ages are 13-16 and all teenagers attend church regularly.
1. If you had the power to perform something miraculous in your own life, what would you do?
I'd make it so that I could only remember the happy moments from when I was small.
2. Give me four words to describe you from A) Your Perspective B) Loved One's Perspective C) God's Perspective D) Satan's Perspective
A. Fine!!! B. Opinionated C. Who is she? D. Possible Candidate
3. Fill in the blank, "I'm more than a ____________. I'm the ___________ and not the _______________. I'm _____________ only and not __________________.
I'm more than a man. I'm the best and not the worst. I'm strong only and not wimpy.
4. In less than ten words, explain how this year's presidential debates and campaigns have affected you.
In one day, emotions range from proud...angry...confused...militant...
5. You see Death approaching, and you know you literally have less than a minute before he touches you. What do you do?
RUN! I ain't ready.
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sweet Revelations
How many times have we faced incredible stress, pressure, frustration, fear or disappointment as a result of a failed attempt to have or accomplish something? How often have we sought the comfort of our loved ones, yearned to receive advice from our friends, or endeavored to overcome the feelings of defeat? Now, think about it for a moment. What are some common words of encouragement/advice that we have ALL heard or received at some point in our lives? Here are a few I was able to come up with:
1) You can do anything you put your mind to.
2) Your frowns will become smiles. You can get through this.
3) Don't worry about what other people think or say about you.
4) Keep your head up.
When we are in an optimistic state of mind and we happen to hear these encouraging words, whether we're at church or watching Oprah, we become a part of the A-men choir who chants and cheers along with the messenger. We agree with what is being said and we know it's true because we are witnesses to those truths. So, what happens to that same confidence when someone tells us Comment #1, after we've been turned down for a second job interview? Why do we have trouble receiving comment #2 when a loved one passes away? Why does Comment #3 offer little hope when we know we are being judged by others for our mistakes? And how do we believe Comment #4 when our circumstances tell us we are broke and there's no money in the bank?
I have come to the conclusion for myself that the reason I've had problems applying those same words of encouragement during those times I couldn't see past my hurts is because I failed to internalize that God's word, just like Jesus, is the same yesterday, today and forever. I failed to realize that any and every question, problem or concern that we can possibly think of or experience is covered in God's word. I didn't really know that until God opened my eyes yesterday. (see 4/10/08 Blog.)
I began thinking about advice I use to give my friends before I was saved, and I see how God was using me even before I knew it. There were times when I told my friends Comment # 1 (see top of this page), and I took the credit for it. My friends would say "Thanks for the advice," and I'd respond, "You're welcome. Any time you need me I'm here." I had no idea that there was nothing original about the words of comfort that I had offered. I had no idea that any good advice that I was giving, that any of us were giving and taking credit for, had already been offered by God the Father, in His word.
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For all the "good" common advice we've given or received, surely, there is a Bible verse that correlates with them all. Many times, songwriters attempt to advise their listeners and fans, believing they've come up with this message of hope. Some of them don't realize they're delivering a Biblical message, or maybe they know but just don't feel the need to give God credit. Help me search for scriptures that correlate with the messages conveyed in the following song titles, described as among the top 100 inspirational songs for teenagers.
1. I can See Clearly Now.....Johnny Nash
2. I Believe I Can Fly....R. Kelly
3. Lean On Me....
4. I Believe....Fantasia
5. Hero....Mariah Carrey
6. Man in The Mirror....Michael Jackson
Sometimes, we will find that there are songs that appear inspiring and uplifting, but when we get to a certain place in our walk with God, he shows us that many of these songs, which offer advice, do not contain Biblical messages. In fact, some of them are a direct contrast to what the Bible tells us. When I was a little girl, two of my favorite songs were "We Are the World" and "The Greatest Love of All." You can imagine the enlightenment I experienced when I learned otherwise.
1) You can do anything you put your mind to.
2) Your frowns will become smiles. You can get through this.
3) Don't worry about what other people think or say about you.
4) Keep your head up.
When we are in an optimistic state of mind and we happen to hear these encouraging words, whether we're at church or watching Oprah, we become a part of the A-men choir who chants and cheers along with the messenger. We agree with what is being said and we know it's true because we are witnesses to those truths. So, what happens to that same confidence when someone tells us Comment #1, after we've been turned down for a second job interview? Why do we have trouble receiving comment #2 when a loved one passes away? Why does Comment #3 offer little hope when we know we are being judged by others for our mistakes? And how do we believe Comment #4 when our circumstances tell us we are broke and there's no money in the bank?
I have come to the conclusion for myself that the reason I've had problems applying those same words of encouragement during those times I couldn't see past my hurts is because I failed to internalize that God's word, just like Jesus, is the same yesterday, today and forever. I failed to realize that any and every question, problem or concern that we can possibly think of or experience is covered in God's word. I didn't really know that until God opened my eyes yesterday. (see 4/10/08 Blog.)
I began thinking about advice I use to give my friends before I was saved, and I see how God was using me even before I knew it. There were times when I told my friends Comment # 1 (see top of this page), and I took the credit for it. My friends would say "Thanks for the advice," and I'd respond, "You're welcome. Any time you need me I'm here." I had no idea that there was nothing original about the words of comfort that I had offered. I had no idea that any good advice that I was giving, that any of us were giving and taking credit for, had already been offered by God the Father, in His word.
------------------------------------------------------------------
For all the "good" common advice we've given or received, surely, there is a Bible verse that correlates with them all. Many times, songwriters attempt to advise their listeners and fans, believing they've come up with this message of hope. Some of them don't realize they're delivering a Biblical message, or maybe they know but just don't feel the need to give God credit. Help me search for scriptures that correlate with the messages conveyed in the following song titles, described as among the top 100 inspirational songs for teenagers.
1. I can See Clearly Now.....Johnny Nash
2. I Believe I Can Fly....R. Kelly
3. Lean On Me....
4. I Believe....Fantasia
5. Hero....Mariah Carrey
6. Man in The Mirror....Michael Jackson
Sometimes, we will find that there are songs that appear inspiring and uplifting, but when we get to a certain place in our walk with God, he shows us that many of these songs, which offer advice, do not contain Biblical messages. In fact, some of them are a direct contrast to what the Bible tells us. When I was a little girl, two of my favorite songs were "We Are the World" and "The Greatest Love of All." You can imagine the enlightenment I experienced when I learned otherwise.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A Revelation
I was born and raised in the South, so I'm use to the severe heat and humidity that claims the moisture from our throats, soils our skin, and invites the nagging insects to disturb us. I can truly appreciate a cool, refreshing glass of water that quenches our thirst on a day when the heat index is above 100 and the atmosphere is so thick with hot air that it hurts to swallow. Today, however, it is not hot outside. As a matter of fact, the calendar shows us that it's springtime, the time of year when the weather is your friend and the melodic tunes from feathered creatures evoke feelings of calmness and serenity. Nevertheless, I am certain that today, 4/10/2008, I experienced a most refreshing encounter when I received one of the greatest revelations that will be revealed to me in my lifetime.
After experiencing a season of frustration, I shared with a friend, my thoughts, conclusions and analysis of what I had been going through. After whining, complaining and attempting to solicit some pity, at some point during our conversation, God used her to help me receive a revelation. There was no thunderous voice from the clouds that spoke to me. Nor was there a vision of an angel whispering God's word in my ear. It wasn't Sunday morning, and we were not dressed in our "church clothes". There wasn’t a prayer line, nor were we waiting to hear a word from our pastors. We were leisurely riding along in the car, traveling to our homes from work, and it happened suddenly.
Today, this very afternoon, I had a breakthrough on the driver's side of my vehicle, when I made a connection...when I received a revelation...when God's word came alive and became practical, with the understanding of one scripture. It literally started with one scripture, but what happened next brought me such joy and peace that I had to share it with someone. The best way I can describe the impact this had on me is for me to ask you to remember Helen Keller (who was deaf, blind and mute) and the moment she made the connection that the cool, wet substance that dripped onto her hand from the water pump is the thing that her teacher (Annie Sullivan) had spelled into her (Helen’s) palm several times. The moment Helen understood that the liquid on her hand was the same thing as the letters, W-A-T-E-R, that she learned to spell using sign language, the child immediately began to understand that everything else around her had a name.
In that car, I had a Helen Keller moment when I began to understand that God's word is not just a book of scriptures that can offer me hope and encouragement when I am sitting in church learning about it. Now I know, I mean, really know and understand that the moment I face a challenge, there is an immediate word from God that is and always has been available to speak directly to my situation. THAT REVELATION IS SO AWESOME! If you're reading this, I know you are probably thinking, "Duh. Is that all? I could have told her that!" And maybe you could have, but it wouldn’t have been a revelation. It would have been information. I would not trade my experience for a more prolific or religious version of it. Today, I am charged to begin to look at the Bible, the same Bible I've always read, in a new and more enlightened way, knowing that not only does it contain the tools I need to apply it to any part of me that needs maintenance, but I’m fully equipped to access it myself. I don’t have to hire a maintenance worker to tell me what the Father has already deemed true. "To God Be the Glory."
Nateisha (Samuel) Taylor
After experiencing a season of frustration, I shared with a friend, my thoughts, conclusions and analysis of what I had been going through. After whining, complaining and attempting to solicit some pity, at some point during our conversation, God used her to help me receive a revelation. There was no thunderous voice from the clouds that spoke to me. Nor was there a vision of an angel whispering God's word in my ear. It wasn't Sunday morning, and we were not dressed in our "church clothes". There wasn’t a prayer line, nor were we waiting to hear a word from our pastors. We were leisurely riding along in the car, traveling to our homes from work, and it happened suddenly.
Today, this very afternoon, I had a breakthrough on the driver's side of my vehicle, when I made a connection...when I received a revelation...when God's word came alive and became practical, with the understanding of one scripture. It literally started with one scripture, but what happened next brought me such joy and peace that I had to share it with someone. The best way I can describe the impact this had on me is for me to ask you to remember Helen Keller (who was deaf, blind and mute) and the moment she made the connection that the cool, wet substance that dripped onto her hand from the water pump is the thing that her teacher (Annie Sullivan) had spelled into her (Helen’s) palm several times. The moment Helen understood that the liquid on her hand was the same thing as the letters, W-A-T-E-R, that she learned to spell using sign language, the child immediately began to understand that everything else around her had a name.
In that car, I had a Helen Keller moment when I began to understand that God's word is not just a book of scriptures that can offer me hope and encouragement when I am sitting in church learning about it. Now I know, I mean, really know and understand that the moment I face a challenge, there is an immediate word from God that is and always has been available to speak directly to my situation. THAT REVELATION IS SO AWESOME! If you're reading this, I know you are probably thinking, "Duh. Is that all? I could have told her that!" And maybe you could have, but it wouldn’t have been a revelation. It would have been information. I would not trade my experience for a more prolific or religious version of it. Today, I am charged to begin to look at the Bible, the same Bible I've always read, in a new and more enlightened way, knowing that not only does it contain the tools I need to apply it to any part of me that needs maintenance, but I’m fully equipped to access it myself. I don’t have to hire a maintenance worker to tell me what the Father has already deemed true. "To God Be the Glory."
Nateisha (Samuel) Taylor
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