Comments on: Do Hard Things: Prayer, Ideas, and Participation http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/ reb•e•lu•tion (reb’el lu shen) n. a teenage rebellion against the low expectations of an ungodly culture. Tue, 2 Dec 2008 08:29:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Study Shows: Teens Love Family « Teen Fellowship Group http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-133479 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:27:09 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-133479 [...] On a side note, thank you everyone who has been signing up for our Prayer Updates. We have the deadline for our book coming up at the end of this month. We are worn down from frequent traveling but need to make quick progress to finish on time. Please remember us in your prayers. It makes all the difference. [...] […] On a side note, thank you everyone who has been signing up for our Prayer Updates. We have the deadline for our book coming up at the end of this month. We are worn down from frequent traveling but need to make quick progress to finish on time. Please remember us in your prayers. It makes all the difference. […]

]]> by: Mollie M http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-128916 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:44:52 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-128916 OK, one thing that I find hard is pursuing leadership, while also seeking to live out my God-given roles. In my youth group, the girls are repeatedly characterized by their eagerness to serve and their eagerness to initiate. Frankly, girls are often given a task because we tend to be more efficient, creative, able to multitask, etc. We use the excuse of "Well if nobody else is stepping up and if we can get this task done better and faster-then it's good that we're putting ourselves in these roles of leadership." It's a difficult struggle allowing the guys to lead around us when we don't like relinquishing the reins of control. I think just as men need to be urging themselves to step up more, we as women have to be reminding ourselves to be willing to step down more- to ask our Savior to help us in showing respect and deference to our brothers. To seek ways to encourage and support our brothers as they attempt to lead (even if they do go about in ways different from our own- that's OK!) It's not easy breaking out of the cultural norm and returning to God's perfect plan for us, but it's not right settling for anything less. A hard thing for me, is anything that causes me to relinquish what I want for what God wills. Anything that forces me to swap my agenda with His. Yet God hasn't called us to an easy life...His Son died on the cross for us...and if we are believers we are called to "deny ourselves, pick up our crosses daily and follow Him." Often the decisions that are hard for us to make now, that cause us to make sacrifices now...are what are equally wonderful later on and are what accrue for us treasures in heaven for all of eternity. I think hard things will always be a struggle, unless we seek to apply the right perspective (the hardest temporal sacrifices we will have to make now often secure for us our richest eternal blessings later on) and unless we too ask for the grace to pray "Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done." It reminds me of one of Randy Alcorn's books, similar to Pilgrim's Progress. While we as Christians must and will pick up rocks along life's pathway (trials/difficulties) and must lug these heavy weights upon our shoulders- when we arrive in heaven, we will see them as the Lord sees them (and for what they really were): not filthy, burdensome rocks but precious, priceless treasures. OK, one thing that I find hard is pursuing leadership, while also seeking to live out my God-given roles. In my youth group, the girls are repeatedly characterized by their eagerness to serve and their eagerness to initiate. Frankly, girls are often given a task because we tend to be more efficient, creative, able to multitask, etc. We use the excuse of “Well if nobody else is stepping up and if we can get this task done better and faster-then it’s good that we’re putting ourselves in these roles of leadership.” It’s a difficult struggle allowing the guys to lead around us when we don’t like relinquishing the reins of control. I think just as men need to be urging themselves to step up more, we as women have to be reminding ourselves to be willing to step down more- to ask our Savior to help us in showing respect and deference to our brothers. To seek ways to encourage and support our brothers as they attempt to lead (even if they do go about in ways different from our own- that’s OK!) It’s not easy breaking out of the cultural norm and returning to God’s perfect plan for us, but it’s not right settling for anything less. A hard thing for me, is anything that causes me to relinquish what I want for what God wills. Anything that forces me to swap my agenda with His. Yet God hasn’t called us to an easy life…His Son died on the cross for us…and if we are believers we are called to “deny ourselves, pick up our crosses daily and follow Him.” Often the decisions that are hard for us to make now, that cause us to make sacrifices now…are what are equally wonderful later on and are what accrue for us treasures in heaven for all of eternity. I think hard things will always be a struggle, unless we seek to apply the right perspective (the hardest temporal sacrifices we will have to make now often secure for us our richest eternal blessings later on) and unless we too ask for the grace to pray “Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done.” It reminds me of one of Randy Alcorn’s books, similar to Pilgrim’s Progress. While we as Christians must and will pick up rocks along life’s pathway (trials/difficulties) and must lug these heavy weights upon our shoulders- when we arrive in heaven, we will see them as the Lord sees them (and for what they really were): not filthy, burdensome rocks but precious, priceless treasures.

]]> by: Jordan Y http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-128549 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:22:25 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-128549 Hard things... Yes, we can do things we don't particularly like, for instance a chore or two... maybe some homework. You fill in the blank. But the truly hard thing about doing hard things is your attitude while doing those things. Doing something while complaining about it isn't all that hard. Your heart is what matters. Before Jesus came to this earth and died for our sins, all the jews had was the law. All they had to do was obey the law. When Jesus came, he focused on yes, obeying the commandments, following rules, but those not so much as your heart. Jesus focused on your heart when doing those hard things. The hard thing to do is to do those things you don't like while being cheerful about it and truly serving with the right heart. Anybody can do something they don't want to do. Few can do it with joy. Hard things…
Yes, we can do things we don’t particularly like, for instance a chore or two… maybe some homework. You fill in the blank. But the truly hard thing about doing hard things is your attitude while doing those things. Doing something while complaining about it isn’t all that hard. Your heart is what matters. Before Jesus came to this earth and died for our sins, all the jews had was the law. All they had to do was obey the law. When Jesus came, he focused on yes, obeying the commandments, following rules, but those not so much as your heart. Jesus focused on your heart when doing those hard things. The hard thing to do is to do those things you don’t like while being cheerful about it and truly serving with the right heart. Anybody can do something they don’t want to do. Few can do it with joy.

]]> by: Brittany http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-128404 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:26:13 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-128404 I just attended the Rebelution conference in Greenwood, IN. It was the most awesome thing i have ever been to! You guys are so amazing! I wish i could know some people that are as much into God as you two are. God has really blessed your whole family with a wonderful gift of spreading God's messages to other people. I read Josh's "I kissed dating goodbye" book all the time. My grandma and I have meetings on the book with a couple of our freinds. Not a lot of people are interested in these kinds of things. so it's up to us to spread the word. I just wanted to thank you guys for standing up for all of us Christians out there. The Rebelution really made me think about a lot of things I was having trouble with in my life. I can't say thank you enough. My younger brother is thirteen years old and is having a very hard time. He got his shirt signed by both Brett and Alex. He had such a good time. He talks about you two everyday! But my mom accidentally washed the names off so he was pretty upset. But the rebelution really helped him and that was the first time in a long time that i have seen him have so much fun. I can't say thank you enough. God Bless you and your family. I just attended the Rebelution conference in Greenwood, IN. It was the most awesome thing i have ever been to! You guys are so amazing! I wish i could know some people that are as much into God as you two are. God has really blessed your whole family with a wonderful gift of spreading God’s messages to other people. I read Josh’s “I kissed dating goodbye” book all the time. My grandma and I have meetings on the book with a couple of our freinds. Not a lot of people are interested in these kinds of things. so it’s up to us to spread the word. I just wanted to thank you guys for standing up for all of us Christians out there. The Rebelution really made me think about a lot of things I was having trouble with in my life. I can’t say thank you enough. My younger brother is thirteen years old and is having a very hard time. He got his shirt signed by both Brett and Alex. He had such a good time. He talks about you two everyday! But my mom accidentally washed the names off so he was pretty upset. But the rebelution really helped him and that was the first time in a long time that i have seen him have so much fun. I can’t say thank you enough. God Bless you and your family.

]]> by: Kandice http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-127696 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:01:34 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-127696 I think that there are really only two things that are a the root of hard times and problems. 1.God gives us hard times to make us stonger. Some of us would ask why, when we really should ask, "God, how can I rely on you more?" or "What can I do better for You and for Your glory?" I think that the real problem is that we tend to focus on our problem, rather than focusing on God and relying on Him for our strength in our time of weakness. We all fail at one thing or another, but God wants to help us pick up the pieces of the puzzle, that we call life. 2. The second reason that we have hard times is when we reject God. When you eliminate God out of your life you are empty and in the dark. We need His light to help us or we stumble in the dark and have no way of escape. (See Psalms 119:105) We need God and His word to guide us and to help us through tough times. No matter how good life get there will always be tough times, but have faith and stand stong with God, Love and Serve Him with all that you have (no matter how much or how little) and let your focus be on Him. God will help you if you obey and serve Him. Praying for you guys! Keep up the great work! Thanks for you blog. I love it and so do a couple of my friends! God bless you and your work. I think that there are really only two things that are a the root of hard times and problems.
1.God gives us hard times to make us stonger. Some of us would ask why, when we really should ask, “God, how can I rely on you more?” or “What can I do better for You and for Your glory?”
I think that the real problem is that we tend to focus on our problem, rather than focusing on God and relying on Him for our strength in our time of weakness.
We all fail at one thing or another, but God wants to help us pick up the pieces of the puzzle, that we call life.
2. The second reason that we have hard times is when we reject God. When you eliminate God out of your life you are empty and in the dark. We need His light to help us or we stumble in the dark and have no way of escape. (See Psalms 119:105) We need God and His word to guide us and to help us through tough times.
No matter how good life get there will always be tough times, but have faith and stand stong with God, Love and Serve Him with all that you have (no matter how much or how little) and let your focus be on Him. God will help you if you obey and serve Him.

Praying for you guys! Keep up the great work! Thanks for you blog. I love it and so do a couple of my friends! God bless you and your work.

]]> by: Austin belzer http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-123841 Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:12:50 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-123841 well i love what your doing . the good part is your doing it for god. well i love what your doing . the good part is your doing it for god.

]]> by: Trevor http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-119579 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:02:16 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-119579 This is a really good topic and I can't describe how much I have had to face it. Unlike you guys (Alex and Brett), I go to a public school, and it is easy to be tempted to do something ungodly because of all the peer pressure. I have on friend, who is Christian and when we walk around the track at the back of the school we start talking. We talk about our faith, our beliefs, everything. It takes a lot of humility to take a stand at the image of most teenagers today. I'll keep you guys in my prayers. This is a really good topic and I can’t describe how much I have had to face it. Unlike you guys (Alex and Brett), I go to a public school, and it is easy to be tempted to do something ungodly because of all the peer pressure. I have on friend, who is Christian and when we walk around the track at the back of the school we start talking. We talk about our faith, our beliefs, everything. It takes a lot of humility to take a stand at the image of most teenagers today. I’ll keep you guys in my prayers.

]]> by: Lisa http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-115173 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:06:53 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-115173 As a mother discipling two teens, I see 'hard' for myself and for them as whatever takes me beyond the limits I have set on the strength and ability God has given me--my expectations. It is an ongoing process of having my expectations continually expanded and the only way I have experienced that expansion, is by accepting the risks and challenges and adventure that come with Christ. He is demanding. Still, it is a wondrous adventure. As a mother discipling two teens, I see ‘hard’ for myself and for them as whatever takes me beyond the limits I have set on the strength and ability God has given me–my expectations. It is an ongoing process of having my expectations continually expanded and the only way I have experienced that expansion, is by accepting the risks and challenges and adventure that come with Christ. He is demanding. Still, it is a wondrous adventure.

]]> by: Matthew http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-111126 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:25:15 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-111126 Hi I'm from New Zealand. I'm 14. I think we have to do hard things because if we take the quick and easy way to everything we will feel like we didn't do our best .Example when I do the lawns, if I did half of it neat and half of it messy I will have let myself down on the inside.Also if I go to a shop and there's some rude photos on the cd's there and I walk past them and I look, inside I know I shouldn't. Its hard not to look but I know that in the end I will have done myself a favour. (Feel free to give me feed back if you think this is good.) Hi I’m from New Zealand. I’m 14. I think we have to do hard things because if we take the quick and easy way to everything we will feel like we didn’t do our best .Example when I do the lawns, if I did half of it neat and half of it messy I will have let myself down on the inside.Also if I go to a shop and there’s some rude photos on the cd’s there and I walk past them and I look, inside I know I shouldn’t. Its hard not to look but I know that in the end I will have done myself a favour. (Feel free to give me feed back if you think this is good.)

]]> by: mo http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-103982 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:32:32 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/06/do-hard-things-prayer-ideas-and-participation/#comment-103982 just a short quote on hard things. my dad continually tells us that "If it don't hurt or taste bad, it don't do you no good." now, everything comfortable and delicious is not bad for you, =) but it is the uncomfortable and distastful things that cause growth. thanks so much for your encouragment to 'do hard things'. this phrase rings in my ears when i'm tempted to take the easy road. just a short quote on hard things.
my dad continually tells us that “If it don’t hurt or taste bad, it don’t do you no good.” now, everything comfortable and delicious is not bad for you, =) but it is the uncomfortable and distastful things that cause growth.
thanks so much for your encouragment to ‘do hard things’. this phrase rings in my ears when i’m tempted to take the easy road.

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