Proverbs 31:25-26

'She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is always on her tongue.'
Yup, that's who I want to be!

29.9.10

Why don't we speak up?

Why do we keep our thoughts to ourselves? More importantly, why do we keep the truth God has filled us with to ourselves?

I'm thinking about this for a specific reason. Recently I was sitting listening to people who are so involved in their sin that they're actually willing to give everything else up. They make jokes about not graduating, about getting fired, etc, and they say that the extreme 'partying' lifestyle is worth it.

I sat, quietly listening. Listening to people that are regularly presented with God's truth, and I said nothing.

Have I forgotten what it's like to be in a broken state, and not even fully realize it?

' No, it's not worth it. Yes, I do know. I've made mistakes that very few people think I've made. I've done horrible things, and lived to tell the tale. I have not always been the woman of God that I'm blessed to be today. I have been to the darkest places, lived in the worst way. God forgave me, cleansed me, saved me, made me completely different. I know it seems hard to imagine right now, but God can bring new hope and purpose into your lives. He loves you, no matter what you are doing or have done. The Bible says 'God demonstrates His own loves towards us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us'. Did you catch that? While we were sinners. But, make no mistake, the life you're living now will break you.  Don't despair- there is a hope you cannot imagine. You have to realize that yes, you are wicked. Then you realize the fullness of God's grace.'

That's what I could have said, should have said....

I have a passion for God's truth, I love speaking His name, and I find it impossible to keep it to myself... Usually.

'But if I say 'I will not mention Him or speak anymore in His name', His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, indeed, I cannot'
-Jeremiah 20:9

That's how we need to be filled. This week, let's pray that God would so fill us that we would be incapable of keeping silent.

27.9.10

Beautiful

A beautiful flower patch in downtown Lynchburg. (Photo taken by Rachel)
'If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? for the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own.'
-Jesus, quoted in Matthew 6:30-34
Hey, guess what? I can send a text message from my phone that posts itself on my blog! WOAH. -Rachel :)

Hi, again.

Wow. Sometimes all it takes for me to feel guilty is to look at my blog. My very empty blog. Today my good friend Bert posted a link on my facebook. It was a link to someones blog about yoga. Bert told me that he wasn't saying I should start yoga, just trying to help me get inspired to write more on my blog. He also pointed out that all my blogs don't have be videos... You know what? It worked! Here I am, feeling a lot less intimidated by my mostly empty blog. Also, I'm getting over the fact that I had to give up 'rachelredmond.com'. I was sad to lose that. But here I am, blogging once more. And this time I will do better! I will post more frequently, and I'm excited!!! Friends that help us do things we love rock!! Be a good friend today. -Rachel :)