Creations of the King

We are creations of the King. Each and every one of us was thoughtfully created by God. He formed us, made us, loved us. And not just us, also them. 


God didn't just create you with a purpose. He didn't say 'well most of these humans aren't worth much, I just love that one'. He created every one else with a unique purpose too, and He loves them. He thinks they're beautiful. He is sad when they're sad, and happy when they're happy. He wants what's best for them. He's a loving, creative God who formed every detail of their body.

So, treat them with respect. Admire the ways our King made them. That's not 'just' a person- that's a King's beloved creation. He sees them and listens to them.

He sees you, and listens to you. He cares about all the details of your life. He's sad for you when you make poor choices, and is pleased when you make wise ones. He pays attention to you.

So, pay attention to them. Knowing that your King wants them to feel loved, do your best to make them feel loved. Set aside your selfishness and let God work through you to show them His love.

We are creations of the King. Each and every one of us was thoughtfully created by God. He formed us, made us, loved us. And not just us, also them.

Photo booth with Robby :]

Yea... we're seriously this goofy.....

Saturday Funnies :)

SO, this is so some random stuff that made me LOL. 

Yea... I want those!

Why do we let people like this get famous?? Well, I guess it is entertaining... Probably not the type of entertaining she's going for though!

That's what Shelby does!!

So, those weren't any deep thoughts... but they were entertaining! {At, least, they were entertaining for me!!}

Nap-tastic!

Yay, it's Friday! I can sleep so much this weekend!

Okay, that might sound boring. A nineteen year old college student, and all I want to do this weekend is sleep.  And sleep some more. And sleep a lot... I've had a really exhausting week! Several tests, lots of homework, and I basically lost my job. I say 'basically' because I haven't actually been fired. However, my boss told me he's 'not comfortable' scheduling me. In other words, I lost my job because I had to call in sick to work- once.

Now, in some ways I'm not upset about this. See, I don't like my boss. I don't like him at all. He's absolutely unprofessional and very frustrating to work with. He yells, he cusses, and he gets mad over really stupid things. For example, during my first shift I got yelled at because I was shaking the cinnamon wrong. Not that I put the wrong amount on, or put it in the wrong place, I was simply shaking it 'wrong'. This and numerous other 'offenses' got me in trouble, despite the fact that I had no training. He told me I had the job, scheduled me for a Friday night, and I just got thrown into the mix. On more than one occasion he would 'teach me' how to make a drink by demanding I watch him make it while helping customers and running the cash register. After only one of these 'lessons' I was expected to know exactly how to make the drink. Basically, my boss is crazy. But, still, I'm not excited to start looking for another job.

So, that's been my work situation. As far as school goes, it's been crazy. Most nights this week I've stayed up till about 3 AM trying to get all my homework and studying done. And, still, I'm getting behind. Man, homework is hard when you actually do it! This semester I'm holding myself to a new standard of academic commitment. I'm trying to get straight A's, and in classes that are pretty hard. (Biology, math...) So I'm kind of stressing. Last year if I got really busy, I could just let one assignment go by. However, that's not what excellent students do. So this year I'm doing every homework assignment, studying for every test and quiz, and going to every class. It's harder than I thought!

OH YEAH, I've also been really sick this week. Pretty much zombified since last Wednesday. Goodness, when it rains it pours! But this weekend.. it's all mine. I hardly have any homework, and no commitments. There's nothing I really need to do this weekend but sleep and relax. I'm so excited!!! :D

A needed focus; Rejoice in the Lord.

It's not a new thought that a college student is stressed out. Really, it's pretty common. So, here I sit in my state of stress and I can't even call it a novelty. I have so many things I have to do... It's really hard to figure out where the line is between being lazy and overworking myself. If I don't do any of my homework or chores- that's lazy. If I insist on doing every homework assignment and every chore or errand to complete perfection- that's overworking myself. Or is it?

Is it lunacy to want to have a clean room, straight A's, work a job, have a rewarding social life, and get enough sleep? Maybe, maybe not. Like I said, I can't figure it out. All I know is I want all of those things. I want straight A's, because I know that it's a huge blessing to be able to go to college. God surely didn't give me a brain and an educational opportunity so I could waste them! And I want a clean room. I spend a lot of time in here studying, and it's so hard to study when all I see is clutter! I want to work a job. It's a life skill, it's a good resume, AND it's food/gas. {Okay, I also want to buy clothes!} The 'rewarding social life' part is pretty obvious. Really, I only called it a 'rewarding social life' because it sounded a lot more mature than 'I want to hang out with my boyfriend and friends a lot'.

Now, about getting enough sleep... Most of you that know me probably know that I need a lot of sleep. For me to really function well I need ten hours a night. {I have friends that get ten hours in three nights, and most college students get ten hours in two nights} I try really hard to not let that hold me back. I'm really quite determined that I can do anything I want to do if I don't give up. But that doesn't mean I don't get discouraged some times.. Like when I feel like I need to stay up really late studying for a test to be prepared, but I know that if I don't get enough sleep I won't be able to concentrate or remember anything anyways. Where's the balance? I have to think through these things through every day. I don't have the luxury of taking energy or sleep for granted. {And, really, few people do}

In the middle of all this, sometimes I forget how amazing my life is.... {'In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed' -Francesca Battistelli} So, today, I guess what I need is to remember how blessed I am. But, see, the biggest blessing in my life is knowing Christ and His power. So...... I'm just gonna focus on HIS abilities and what HE has already done and is doing- not the things in my little life that I like or dislike.

• He created the world
• He was faithful to Israel 
• He did miracles
• He came to earth to save us
• He died for our sins 
• He rose again
• He loved sinners
• He taught us truth
• He gave us the Bible, His word
• He enabled us to know Him intimately
• He is faithful
• He is kind
• He is good
• He is powerful
• He knows everything
• He hears us
• He sees us
• He had a plan for our lives before He laid the foundation of the world
• He knit us together
• He never forsakes us
• He adopted us into His family, made us into citizens of heaven
• He walks with us
• He speaks to us
• He is eternal
• He gives us strength
• He is forever truth
• He has offered us justification
• He gave us joy
• He gave us music
• He taught us how to love
• He never changes
• He created beauty 
• He teaches us about Himself
• He fulfills our every need
• He provides for us
• He loves us

These are just some things that He brought to my mind... Isn't it cool that He teaches us about Himself? The God who created the universe wants us to know Him intimately and personally, and He makes that possible. What a gift!

'Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God'

2 Corinthians 7:1

'For He chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will- to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves'

Ephesians 1:4-6

'Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all He created'

James 1:16-18

'Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things'

Philippians 4:4-8

'In God's Sight'

{{ Dear friends, I hope you will enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. This blog is basically a rundown of my favorite verses and their truths. I know that God will use His Word powerfully in your life just as He has in mine. I just hope and pray that my words are a help and never a hindrance! Enjoy this time to meditate on what God has done for us! As always, feel free to email me any questions or concerns! :: rredmond@liberty.edu :: please don't give my email to scammers :) -Rachel}}

'But now He has reconciled you by Christ's

physical body through death to present you

holy in His sight, without blemish and free

from accusation'

-Colossians 1:22 NIV

'I'm just a sinner, saved by grace'; it's a new catchphrase of the church. I hear it all the time. Honestly, it bugs me! I think that it mostly bugs me because it seems to be used like an excuse. Like 'Yea, I'm making a poor choice... but I'm just a sinner, saved by grace'. Sure, that seems like a true statement. But, is it? 

I, personally, don't believe it's true. I believe that statement represents a flawed view of our standing with God. {Now, to be clear, my real concern is the view- not the saying. The saying bugs me because people don't seem to realize that it presents a warped view.} Here's the problem: it says 'I'm saved, but still a sinner'. 'Hold up', you might be thinking, 'I am saved, and I am a sinner!'. Well, sort of. Being saved doesn't mean that you no longer sin. {We won't be perfected till we're in heaven!} However, you are no longer called a sinner. Look at the above verse. Does it say 'He presents you a sinner who knows better'? No! It says He presents you 'holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation. 

Now, this might be confusing. We're holy, but we're not perfect. We sin, but we're not sinners. Here's how I look at it- I'm a saint, but I don't always act like it. We know that sinners do some good things. {they are incapable of pleasing God, but that's a different blog yet to come! See: Romans 8:5-8} Well, saints occasionally do sinful things. HOWEVER, they're still saints. Our salvation is complete, and in God's sight we are holy. Now, if the Creator of the universe, God of the Ages, Ultimate Judge, and Knower of ALL things says we are 'holy, without blemish, and free from accusation' who are WE to argue??

In our actions we are sinners. However, in our identity we are SAINTS!

If you think I'm writing this to make you feel all 'holier than thou' or to give you a warm fuzzy feeling- think AGAIN! I'm writing this because it's {i.m.h.o.) a foundational truth that shows another beauty of Christ and the gospel. He didn't only enable us to go to heaven. {Obviously that in itself is amazing! Perfect, eternal fellowship with God! WOW!} He didn't just free us from sin. {Again, amazing!} But, in order to do these things, He changed our entire identity!! So, I  used to be a sinner, but by God's grace I'm now a saint. This change of phrasing changes the whole thing. Now, it cannot be used as an excuse. Instead, it's a thing to be grateful for- and a challenge. If I used to be a sinner, but I'm now a saint.... Well, I better act like who I've been made into- not who I was.

Now, take a minute to realize the beauty of the Gospel again. God chose us, saved us, changed us, and made us able to please Him. We get the honor of bringing pleasure and joy to God!!!! THAT is a reason to follow His commandments. THAT is loving obedience. Following God's commandments should not be a burden- it should every day overjoy us that we GET to please Him! {Again, Romans 8:5-8. Before salvation we cannot please Him} It's all because of what He did for us! Let's just praise Him for His mercy of salvation!

'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 

The old is gone, the new has come"

-2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

'Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?

 It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?

-Romans 8:33

Back to blogging.

Okay, here I am... again. This is my new commitment to blog!

I will blog at least once a week. This doesn't include short posts that aren't really about anything (like this one). They'll be thoughts about my life, some deep thoughts (obviously?), and hopefully some vlogs. I miss my blog life! I just visited 'Fans of rachelredmond.com', which was back when I had an awesome domain name! Anyways, it made me remember how much I loved blogging. So, here I am.

I'm not promising to be interesting, funny, inspiring, or entertaining... But I'll try! :)

P.S. Please ignore the messiness of my room in that picture!

My testimony....

I was an evil child. Lying, cheating, screaming, all of it. Honestly, I'm not sure how my family put up with me! So, personally, I never had to question if I was naturally good or bad. From the time I could do anything, I did things that were obviously wrong- they were sins. The question was if I could ever be better. 

I grew up in a loving, Christian home and attended church. There was never a time when I didn't know who God was. When I was four, I sincerely asked Jesus to 'come into my heart', a simple expression for 'God, please take everything I am and make it yours. I believe that Jesus came into this world and died and rose again, taking the penalty for sin and making it possible for me to be cleansed of the filth of sin, and part of God's family'.

However, as I grew older I had to grow in the full understanding of that. At twelve, I 're-dedicated my life to Christ', basically I'd transitioned to a deeper, more mature comprehension of God, and I made it clear that I was still choosing Him.

That wasn't the end of my troubles, for sure. Through my teen years I went through periods of rebellion and bad choices, but I learned of God's patience. I've wandered far, but I've realized that God never lets me go. He's always with me, and He always loves me. What more could I ever hope for?

Tuesday.

I don't have anything super deep to say today... Which is weird for me! It's just tuesday. I'm sitting in theology class right now, listening to Ergun Caner talk. Yes, I'm blogging while in class. Does that make me a bad student? Cause I'm listening to him still. Multi tasking at it's finest :)

What's you favorite thing to multi task your way through?? Class? Work? Chores?
Mine is class.... I can facebook, I can text, I can email, I can blog, whatever! It's nice. However, there's one thing we shouldn't multitask our way through- time with God. There should be some time each day when we're not on the computer, we're not talking to people around you, not doing anything but fellowshipping with God. It's not about just doing a reading plan, or singing a song.... It's about spending time just focusing on being close with God. So read some, pray some, cry some, whatever. And if you're not sure, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into intimacy with God. Then, sit and wait. Be patient!

Let's be practical here, time to only do one thing is a luxury these days... Most people have a ton of things to do everyday, and the only way to get anywhere close to getting your to do list done is to do multiple things at once and rush through everything. But, time with God is not supposed to be an item on a checklist. We should not lump it in with all our earthly duties.

What earthly duty can you sacrifice to free up some undisturbed time with the Creator?

I guess I did have something deep to say... Comment your thoughts :)

God is my _______

     God is my Warrior, the Lord fights on my behalf. The strongholds that I can't see in my life crumble before His mighty power. He will not let me perish, He will hold me up in the days of trouble. He lifts me up, though sin would attempt to hold me down. He sees me as His precious daughter, He treasures me more than I could ever understand. He does not forget me, and He will never let me fight despair by myself. He is my defense. He does not 'run' to my aid, for He never left my side. He does not lose sight of me. He strikes down every weapon, every stronghold, and ever fear. He sets me free from the bondages of this world.

     God is my Shepherd. When I stray far He calls my name, He guides me back, He leads me. When I have no idea how lost I am, He comes after me. When I'm too dumb to see the predators of life, He pursues me to protect me. When I'm in a place of starvation, He calls me back to His feast of fellowship. When I forget how delightful our relationship is He takes away the things I let distract me- He makes me remember that He is all the fulfills me. When I feel like I'm in a place of utter aloneness, He holds me tight. When I think that all is for naught, He reminds me of His great plans for me and tells me to trust and follow Him.

    God is my Love. Love is not something I posses naturally,  it's something I've been given from God to share with others. Love of this world is dirty, Love of the Holy One is pure. Love is His nature, nothing apart from Him can have love in it. Love in the world comes from God, if it isn't from God it isn't really love. Love from my Creator is what gets me through life; Love from my Abba is all that I can rely on.

     God is my Rock. The world is ever changing, always frightening, never stable, consistently intimidating- but God is who He always has been and always will be. Whatever this life throws at me, God is who He always has been and always will be. Whoever comes into my life, whoever leaves my life, God is who He always has been and always will be. No matter what I do or how I fail, God is who He always has been and always will be. Despite what the world tries to sell me, God is who He always has been and always will be. Always, eternal, never ending, never changing, the perfect foundation, the only absolute, beginning and end, was, is, and is to come- God is who He always has been and always will be.

Some strong biblical Pro-Life evidence

In my General Education class, basically Christian worldview, we're currently evaluating what God says about abortion. One of the articles we're reading had what I think is some very strong evidence for God valuing life in the womb!


Let's look at Exod. 21:22-25 :
'If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows.  But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.'


Now, let's all realize what that just said- the Old Testament (OT) law was that if you hurt an unborn child, even accidentally, whatever you did to the baby gets done to you. If you accidentally hit a pregnant woman and it results in the death of her child in the womb, you are to be killed as punishment. Obviously God treasures and protects the life of children from the point of conception. In fact, the OT punishment for hurting an unborn child was the same as hurting a full grown person. 


(Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner:  fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.' - Lev 24:19-20)


Wow, sounds like God sees fetuses in the womb as precious, innocent babies to be protected.


Oh, and thank goodness we now live in the law of grace and mercy, thanks to our Savior- Jesus the Christ!!