rebelling against low expectations
Independence is championed in modern culture. Being self-sufficient is seen as the ultimate goal of success. We’re pushed to rely on ourselves and make decisions based on our own good and preservation. This has led to some major problems in life, because we were created by God for community. Consequently, I have noticed a general trend among young people. They’re searching for...
With Thanksgiving preparations, and the holidays approaching, it’s easy to get distracted and forget what Thanksgiving is all about. But as Christians, we should be even more intentional to live out the real meaning of Thanksgiving, since being thankful is an important part of having a healthy relationship with God. Everyone’s situation is different, and believe me, I know what a struggle it can...
“And the thing is…I’m not jealous.” I’m pretty sure my friend’s jaw hit the floor as that sentence left my mouth. Why? Well, long story short, I’d just confessed to her that someone I‘m really close with has feelings for the same guy that I do. Yes, you read that right. I’m not jealous. That is so weird for me to say; because, believe me, if I had been in the same situation two months ago, I...
“Don’t you know who is the King of the Beasts? Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the Great Lion.” “Ooh!” said Susan… “Is he—quite safe?” “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver…“Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” — The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe I think we often echo Susan, asking if our God is harmless. Because we would like a Coke...
Excuse the generalization, but homeschooled kids like myself can have have really strong imaginations about the scary world of “school.”As we watch the Christian movies and hear the warnings of our Sunday school teachers, our minds get stuffed with ideas of all the persecution we could face.Well, after just three weeks as a dual-enrollment student at my local community college, I can tell you...
“I should be there right now.” The thought crosses my mind for a moment before I refocus my attention on the task at hand: working on the rough draft of a scholarship application. I reject the rising tide of self-pity and disappointment that threatens to wash over my will. I will determine to do my best where I am. An Unexpected Detour During my first year of college, I invested my efforts...
Lately, God has been teaching me about his character, especially his overwhelming faithfulness. I say overwhelming because every time I try to understand it I get…well, overwhelmed. It’s one of the craziest and most amazing things I’ve ever known. He’s also been teaching me about my character—especially my unfaithfulness to him. Distracted Again I have a tendency to get distracted...
We’ve all experienced pain. There have been times when people hurt us so badly–emotionally or physically–that we don’t see how we can forgive them. All we can think about is getting even with them. Today, I want to share with you three reasons why Christians need to forgive. 1. God Forgave Us First When we sin, we isolate ourselves from God. God cannot associate with sinners like us...
We’ve all had moments of rebellion, right? You don’t have to sneak out at night, wear revealing clothes, or hang out with the bad kids to be “a rebellious teenager.” Because every sin we commit is, essentially, an act of rebellion against God and the authorities He placed in our life. There is a difference, however, between a rebellious teenager who is repentant and a rebellious teenager in open...
Often the best things come the hardest. The most worthwhile things come at the greatest cost. And what we need most is what we want least in the moment. But God knows best. And he surely knew what he was doing this February when he decided to do some heart renovation on me! Through friends and quiet time with him, he revealed some uncomfortable things about myself—things that were incredibly...
rebelling against low expectations
