On this, the day of my birth...I would like to thank my parents for 1) deciding to actually have me! and 2) for raising me in the home that I have been raised in. Most importantly though, I want to thank my Lord and my God for giving me life and for giving me forgiveness so that I may live every day of my life to glorify Him in everything I do.
Thank you also, those of you who take the time to be my friends! There are many of you whom I consider like my family, you are so close. At the times when I am feeling most blue at heart, you pick me up and show me my place in life! Thank you all!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Blue Lake! :D
I am back. Simply put, I am back from Blue Lake. I got home yesterday evening at about 5 pm, for anyone who wanted to know. I had a most enjoyable time, and would do it all over again, if I had the chance. I very much hope that I can do it again next year.
My days began with the alarm going off at 6 am. We were to get up directly and prepare for the day (including brushing teeth, fixing your hair, showering (only if you were of the first three in the bathroom), putting on makeup, ect.). At 6:30, everyone was to be out at the unit’s campfire. Let me back up to explain this. I was in a cabin with 10 other girls that were supervised by a counselor. This made up one cabin. There were 6 cabins in a unit and probably around 10 girls units. So that explains the whole unit-thing. Whoever was the first cabin out at the campfire, they got breakfast first as well as 6 points to go toward the cabin-cup award. Whoever was second got breakfast second as well as 5 points for the cabin cup award. And so it went on down the line. Anyhoo…we would all trudge down to breakfast (about 7-10 minutes away) where there would be more announcements on the day. Then we would go to breakfast (normally something like waffles, pancakes, bagels, donuts, eggs, hash browns, or omelets). Directly after breakfast we would all head off to the morning’s classes. For me, it was sectionals all the way back at Karr (near my unit). Sectionals were about 45 minutes long and then there was technique afterwards with the same teacher for another 45 minutes. Technique turned out to be extra fun sometimes because we would just sit around and talk (sometimes about famous violists or viola music). I really enjoyed my teacher for these different classes. After technique, we had an hour to do stuff (spent in either cleaning your area in the cabin, or showering). Then, we walk all the way back up to Main Camp to Marek South to have AM rehearsals for an hour and a half. After that, it was lunch time…whoever got to our “meeting place” (just a place by a tree) got lunch first and 6 points…and you know the rest of the drill. Lunch was normally pretty good. After lunch, it was minor time in which you go off to your minor if you have one. I didn’t so I would either hang out at Main Camp and get an ice cream, or go back to the cabin and clean, eat, shower, practice, or nap. Then I would go back down to Marek South for PM rehearsal for another hour and a half. After that, it was rec time where you just hang out with your friends. My cabin girls were….A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Let’s just leave it at that. Then it was dinner time, which tended to be gross, so I just skipped on over to the salad bar. Then we would all go back to our units and have unit activities before going off to a concert of some kind in the evening. We’d get back late, wash up and prepare for bed. By Michigan law, we had to be in bed by 10 pm and up no earlier than 6 am. Most of the days sort of mesh together, so I really can’t tell you what I did every day. Thursday, however, was different. In the evening, we had a pizza party with our sister unit and our brother unit. Then, we went over to Stewart Shell and watched a concert put on by the faculty and then there was the camp dance. It was SO AMAZING. Then, we did our dance that we learned for Michal Jackson’s “Thriller” and then it was time to go to bed. The dance was cut short because of tornado warnings.
I am so grateful for everyone there that I met. The girls in my cabin were Olivia, Miranda, Izzy, Lauren, Frannie, Erica, Megan, Sophie, Mary and Niki. They were…wow, so very cool. I met a lot of other girls in my unit and around camp also and anticipate on keeping in contact with them all!! My counselor was Kristin, and my U.D. was Charis, and my U.C. was Amanda. I miss them all so much and wish I was back there!
Thank you to all of you who took time to write to me! It was *VERY* much appreciated and I always loved it when mail time came around.
I also got an invite to audition for the International Orchestra for next year. I auditioned and applied, but haven’t heard yet whether I made it or not. I probably won’t go anyways, as it costs $5,000, but it was worth the audition practice!
Some of you were worried about whether there would be a huge Christian influence there. Thank you for being concerned! I was so afraid as I prepared to leave that the girls there would laugh at me for being Christian and homeschooled. I did, however, find a girl there who was my age and was homeschooled *and* Christian. I also believe that most of the other girls in the cabin were Christian. They didn’t laugh at me…they accepted me. I didn’t attend the chapel service for a number of reasons, the main one being that I got to sleep in an extra hour. I am very glad I brought my Bible and I did spend a lot of time praying while I was there and it was a real time to “get away” from life and spend some quality time with God.
Thank you all for reading!
My days began with the alarm going off at 6 am. We were to get up directly and prepare for the day (including brushing teeth, fixing your hair, showering (only if you were of the first three in the bathroom), putting on makeup, ect.). At 6:30, everyone was to be out at the unit’s campfire. Let me back up to explain this. I was in a cabin with 10 other girls that were supervised by a counselor. This made up one cabin. There were 6 cabins in a unit and probably around 10 girls units. So that explains the whole unit-thing. Whoever was the first cabin out at the campfire, they got breakfast first as well as 6 points to go toward the cabin-cup award. Whoever was second got breakfast second as well as 5 points for the cabin cup award. And so it went on down the line. Anyhoo…we would all trudge down to breakfast (about 7-10 minutes away) where there would be more announcements on the day. Then we would go to breakfast (normally something like waffles, pancakes, bagels, donuts, eggs, hash browns, or omelets). Directly after breakfast we would all head off to the morning’s classes. For me, it was sectionals all the way back at Karr (near my unit). Sectionals were about 45 minutes long and then there was technique afterwards with the same teacher for another 45 minutes. Technique turned out to be extra fun sometimes because we would just sit around and talk (sometimes about famous violists or viola music). I really enjoyed my teacher for these different classes. After technique, we had an hour to do stuff (spent in either cleaning your area in the cabin, or showering). Then, we walk all the way back up to Main Camp to Marek South to have AM rehearsals for an hour and a half. After that, it was lunch time…whoever got to our “meeting place” (just a place by a tree) got lunch first and 6 points…and you know the rest of the drill. Lunch was normally pretty good. After lunch, it was minor time in which you go off to your minor if you have one. I didn’t so I would either hang out at Main Camp and get an ice cream, or go back to the cabin and clean, eat, shower, practice, or nap. Then I would go back down to Marek South for PM rehearsal for another hour and a half. After that, it was rec time where you just hang out with your friends. My cabin girls were….A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Let’s just leave it at that. Then it was dinner time, which tended to be gross, so I just skipped on over to the salad bar. Then we would all go back to our units and have unit activities before going off to a concert of some kind in the evening. We’d get back late, wash up and prepare for bed. By Michigan law, we had to be in bed by 10 pm and up no earlier than 6 am. Most of the days sort of mesh together, so I really can’t tell you what I did every day. Thursday, however, was different. In the evening, we had a pizza party with our sister unit and our brother unit. Then, we went over to Stewart Shell and watched a concert put on by the faculty and then there was the camp dance. It was SO AMAZING. Then, we did our dance that we learned for Michal Jackson’s “Thriller” and then it was time to go to bed. The dance was cut short because of tornado warnings.
I am so grateful for everyone there that I met. The girls in my cabin were Olivia, Miranda, Izzy, Lauren, Frannie, Erica, Megan, Sophie, Mary and Niki. They were…wow, so very cool. I met a lot of other girls in my unit and around camp also and anticipate on keeping in contact with them all!! My counselor was Kristin, and my U.D. was Charis, and my U.C. was Amanda. I miss them all so much and wish I was back there!
Thank you to all of you who took time to write to me! It was *VERY* much appreciated and I always loved it when mail time came around.
I also got an invite to audition for the International Orchestra for next year. I auditioned and applied, but haven’t heard yet whether I made it or not. I probably won’t go anyways, as it costs $5,000, but it was worth the audition practice!
Some of you were worried about whether there would be a huge Christian influence there. Thank you for being concerned! I was so afraid as I prepared to leave that the girls there would laugh at me for being Christian and homeschooled. I did, however, find a girl there who was my age and was homeschooled *and* Christian. I also believe that most of the other girls in the cabin were Christian. They didn’t laugh at me…they accepted me. I didn’t attend the chapel service for a number of reasons, the main one being that I got to sleep in an extra hour. I am very glad I brought my Bible and I did spend a lot of time praying while I was there and it was a real time to “get away” from life and spend some quality time with God.
Thank you all for reading!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Blue Lake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goodbye all! I am now leaving for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. If you have time, please drop me a line at:
Sarah Bacon
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Central Camp - Villanelle - Atwood
300 East Crystal Lake Road
Twin Lake, MI 49457
Thank you!
Sarah
Sarah Bacon
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Central Camp - Villanelle - Atwood
300 East Crystal Lake Road
Twin Lake, MI 49457
Thank you!
Sarah
Friday, July 9, 2010
Aimee/Sarah adventures
A few people out there have been asking me what I have been up to lately with Aimee. Haha, well it has been busy, but we’ve managed to get some time in together.
On Monday, we managed to get Libby in with us. So after work, Aimee came and picked both up and took us to her house. We hung out there for a little while before heading out. We “broke” into the library and got 3 movies to watch. Rachel met us there and took us to 1) Taco Bell to get Libby some lunch, 2) QD to get ice cream (we didn’t end up getting any there), 3) Meijer to get ice cream (we got some!), and 4) Taco Bell again to get the rest of us food. After that, we went back to Aimee’s house and began to watch movies while eating ice. cream. Rachel and I had to leave early to get back home so we could eat dinner and watch Avatar.
Yesterday, however, was the big Aimee/Sarah day. She picked me up and we went out to knock something else off our bucket list. We headed over to our city skateboard park, you know, the one with the big slopes and dips and all that? Well, it just so happened that it was raining (hey, what a coincidence!). We clogged the drains in the dips and then headed off to town to wait for it to rain harder. We went and got some ice cream at Tasty Twist and had an amazing time there. Then we just drove around town blaring my iPod through the car stereo. After it stated *pouring* we headed back. After kicking off our shoes in the car, we ran out to the skateboard park. Let me now tell you the main reason for our going (besides kicking something off our bucket list). I have this pair of jeans that have all these stains in them that won’t come out…rust I think…so I want to do the exchange for them at Sears, but I can’t because they don’t have any holes in them. Well, Aimee told me of this amazing way to get holes in your pants…you simply go to the skateboard park when it’s raining and slide down the hills and such and then…lol, well you have holes. So that is exactly what we did. And let me tell you, boy, did we have holes. I can’t exactly go into *all* the details of it, but yea, it is now my favorite thing to do. Besides that, it was pouring the whole time. We tried to get Libby to come down with us and do it too, but she was busy for the afternoon. So we called Anna…and didn’t get a hold of her. So we drove over there and saw Anna was at the church. We went to say “hi” (yes, with towels wrapped around us). She suggested coffee, so we called up Rachel to come in to town and have coffee too, and then borrowed some clothes from Anna so that we could actually appear in society. So that is exactly what we did. And besides having a wonderful time with friends, we also something else off our bucket list, which was that we got to tip Biggbys in foreign coins. Anna gave us some Haiti, Romanian, and Ukrainian coins. Besides, we got to keep one ourselves!
I will get to see Aimee again tonight for L’Abri, and hopefully tomorrow if we do a girls’ day.
So there you go…another chapter in the Sarah/Aimee adventures!
On Monday, we managed to get Libby in with us. So after work, Aimee came and picked both up and took us to her house. We hung out there for a little while before heading out. We “broke” into the library and got 3 movies to watch. Rachel met us there and took us to 1) Taco Bell to get Libby some lunch, 2) QD to get ice cream (we didn’t end up getting any there), 3) Meijer to get ice cream (we got some!), and 4) Taco Bell again to get the rest of us food. After that, we went back to Aimee’s house and began to watch movies while eating ice. cream. Rachel and I had to leave early to get back home so we could eat dinner and watch Avatar.
Yesterday, however, was the big Aimee/Sarah day. She picked me up and we went out to knock something else off our bucket list. We headed over to our city skateboard park, you know, the one with the big slopes and dips and all that? Well, it just so happened that it was raining (hey, what a coincidence!). We clogged the drains in the dips and then headed off to town to wait for it to rain harder. We went and got some ice cream at Tasty Twist and had an amazing time there. Then we just drove around town blaring my iPod through the car stereo. After it stated *pouring* we headed back. After kicking off our shoes in the car, we ran out to the skateboard park. Let me now tell you the main reason for our going (besides kicking something off our bucket list). I have this pair of jeans that have all these stains in them that won’t come out…rust I think…so I want to do the exchange for them at Sears, but I can’t because they don’t have any holes in them. Well, Aimee told me of this amazing way to get holes in your pants…you simply go to the skateboard park when it’s raining and slide down the hills and such and then…lol, well you have holes. So that is exactly what we did. And let me tell you, boy, did we have holes. I can’t exactly go into *all* the details of it, but yea, it is now my favorite thing to do. Besides that, it was pouring the whole time. We tried to get Libby to come down with us and do it too, but she was busy for the afternoon. So we called Anna…and didn’t get a hold of her. So we drove over there and saw Anna was at the church. We went to say “hi” (yes, with towels wrapped around us). She suggested coffee, so we called up Rachel to come in to town and have coffee too, and then borrowed some clothes from Anna so that we could actually appear in society. So that is exactly what we did. And besides having a wonderful time with friends, we also something else off our bucket list, which was that we got to tip Biggbys in foreign coins. Anna gave us some Haiti, Romanian, and Ukrainian coins. Besides, we got to keep one ourselves!
I will get to see Aimee again tonight for L’Abri, and hopefully tomorrow if we do a girls’ day.
So there you go…another chapter in the Sarah/Aimee adventures!
Random quotes
The standard in the final judgment will in the first place be the gospel (John 12:48); but that gospel is not opposed to, and cannot even be conceived apart from the law. The requirement to believe, after all, is itself grounded in the law, and the Gospel is the restoration and fulfillment of the law.”
Herman Bavinck –Dutch Reformed Theologian
Vol 4 Reformed Dogmatics –pg. 700
“Give what you have; to someone it may be better than you dare to think.” Longfellow
Rise again, ye lion-hearted, saints of early Christendom.
Whither is your strength departed, wither gone your martyrdom?
Lo, love’s light is on them, glory’s flame upon them
And their will to die doth quell, even the lord and prince of hell.
“The religious life does have its own content and an independent value. It remains the center, the heart, the hearth, out of which all his [i.e., the Christian’s] thought and action proceeds and from which it receives inspiration and warmth. There, in fellowship w/ God, he is strengthened for his labor and girds himself for the battle. But that hidden life of fellowship w/ God is not the whole of life. The prayer room is the inner chamber, but not the whole dwelling in which he lives and moves. The spiritual life does not exclude domestic and civic, social, and political life, the life of art and scholarship. To be sure, it is distant from these things. It also transcends them by far in value, but it does not constitute an irreconcilable opposition to them; rather, it is the power that enables us to faithfully fulfill our earthly vocation and makes all of life a serving of God.” --Herman Bavinck
Herman Bavinck –Dutch Reformed Theologian
Vol 4 Reformed Dogmatics –pg. 700
“Give what you have; to someone it may be better than you dare to think.” Longfellow
Rise again, ye lion-hearted, saints of early Christendom.
Whither is your strength departed, wither gone your martyrdom?
Lo, love’s light is on them, glory’s flame upon them
And their will to die doth quell, even the lord and prince of hell.
“The religious life does have its own content and an independent value. It remains the center, the heart, the hearth, out of which all his [i.e., the Christian’s] thought and action proceeds and from which it receives inspiration and warmth. There, in fellowship w/ God, he is strengthened for his labor and girds himself for the battle. But that hidden life of fellowship w/ God is not the whole of life. The prayer room is the inner chamber, but not the whole dwelling in which he lives and moves. The spiritual life does not exclude domestic and civic, social, and political life, the life of art and scholarship. To be sure, it is distant from these things. It also transcends them by far in value, but it does not constitute an irreconcilable opposition to them; rather, it is the power that enables us to faithfully fulfill our earthly vocation and makes all of life a serving of God.” --Herman Bavinck
Poem of mine
To whom shall I turn?
But to you, Oh my God,
You hear me with patience
No matter how long.
No matter my problems,
You remain still and good.
And when I am down,
You send me a sign.
You tell me you’re there,
And there you will stay,
You tell me you care,
You hear and sustain.
You uphold me with blessings,
Protect me with truth,
Your love is a covering
Boundless and free.
It comes without price
It comes just for me.
My greatest free gift,
Is my Jesus, My Lord.
But to you, Oh my God,
You hear me with patience
No matter how long.
No matter my problems,
You remain still and good.
And when I am down,
You send me a sign.
You tell me you’re there,
And there you will stay,
You tell me you care,
You hear and sustain.
You uphold me with blessings,
Protect me with truth,
Your love is a covering
Boundless and free.
It comes without price
It comes just for me.
My greatest free gift,
Is my Jesus, My Lord.
Sermon notes from a while ago
Remember, Remember, the 5th of November. We are called to never forget God’s law, and His covenant. God remembers us faithfully. It’s not like he could forget us…rather it is when God is about to perform some great deed for those people. He will act for the favor of His people. 1) His remembering is covenant-based. i.e. A marriage covenant: within this covenant it binds us with another party which grows to a close and intimate relationship. The memory of the covenant lasts forever. 2) His remembering of us is Christocentric…it is centered and hinged upon Christ. God remembers us because of Christ’s fulfillment of our debt. Christ was our liability for this legal covenant or binding. We belong to Christ and through that, God does remember us. For those outside of Christ…those who are separate, God does not remember. This should stir up within us a passion to want to remember God. We are commanded not to forget Him, but knowing that He never forgets His people should stir up in us an automatic remembering of God and His mercy.
In Genesis 8, God remembers Noah, His faithful servant, and therefore saves him from the flood.
Genesis 30:22 – “Then God remembered Rachel and God listened to her and opened her womb.
In Exodus, God remembers Israel in slavery.
Psalm 103 speaks repeatedly of how great God is for remembering His people.
Now those were just a sample of how much God really remembers us. In fact, it is mentioned 73 times in the Bible how God remembers us. That is a lot, but if you think about it, it’s not that much at all if God remembers us constantly.
A people of God will be shown by if and how they remember God. We are to remember Him not only in time of trouble and suffering, but also in good times. We are to burst forth with praise and obedience. This comes from gratitude of His remembering and love for us. And so, we are not only commanded to remember Him, but to pass down to our children this idea of remembering our God.
Deuteronomy 4:9-14 – “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said to me ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’ Then you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the firs. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only head a voice. So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might observe them in the land which you cross over to possess.
We are to magnify His name and spread His mercy. In this way, people will either be attracted to Him, or be repelled by it. The smell of life or the smell of death. We are a people who has been set free. We should start by remembering Him. We God’s name must be carried forth and this must be done through His people who He remembers constantly. He hasn’t forgotten us yet and He won’t anytime soon. We are to pray that God will pursue His glory through us, His people. We pray that we will be salt and light to a world that needs it so very, very badly. We need to let our lights shine before all men so that they may see our good works and know our Father in heaven through them. We must be not only Christocentric, but Theocentric also.
In Genesis 8, God remembers Noah, His faithful servant, and therefore saves him from the flood.
Genesis 30:22 – “Then God remembered Rachel and God listened to her and opened her womb.
In Exodus, God remembers Israel in slavery.
Psalm 103 speaks repeatedly of how great God is for remembering His people.
Now those were just a sample of how much God really remembers us. In fact, it is mentioned 73 times in the Bible how God remembers us. That is a lot, but if you think about it, it’s not that much at all if God remembers us constantly.
A people of God will be shown by if and how they remember God. We are to remember Him not only in time of trouble and suffering, but also in good times. We are to burst forth with praise and obedience. This comes from gratitude of His remembering and love for us. And so, we are not only commanded to remember Him, but to pass down to our children this idea of remembering our God.
Deuteronomy 4:9-14 – “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said to me ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’ Then you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the firs. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only head a voice. So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might observe them in the land which you cross over to possess.
We are to magnify His name and spread His mercy. In this way, people will either be attracted to Him, or be repelled by it. The smell of life or the smell of death. We are a people who has been set free. We should start by remembering Him. We God’s name must be carried forth and this must be done through His people who He remembers constantly. He hasn’t forgotten us yet and He won’t anytime soon. We are to pray that God will pursue His glory through us, His people. We pray that we will be salt and light to a world that needs it so very, very badly. We need to let our lights shine before all men so that they may see our good works and know our Father in heaven through them. We must be not only Christocentric, but Theocentric also.
Faith and Fear
Faith is the absence of Fear
Fear is the absence of Faith
Faith:
Full
Assurance
In
The
Heart
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Fear:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
“Jesus said, ‘Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” John 14:27b
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.” Isaiah 12:2a
Fear is the absence of Faith
Faith:
Full
Assurance
In
The
Heart
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Fear:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
“Jesus said, ‘Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” John 14:27b
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.” Isaiah 12:2a
Poem
God’s Best
If you want the very best
That God has planned for you,
Then take His Word and study,
Praying as you do.
He has a plan for every life;
Seek it in earnest prayer,
And find the pattern all laid out
For you to follow there.
Let the Holy Spirit guide you,
Follow where He leads,
See His will in everything
And He will meet your needs.
He will give you grace and power
To lead other unto Him;
And though strife is all around you,
You’ll have His peace within
--Mrs. Marvin McReynolds
If you want the very best
That God has planned for you,
Then take His Word and study,
Praying as you do.
He has a plan for every life;
Seek it in earnest prayer,
And find the pattern all laid out
For you to follow there.
Let the Holy Spirit guide you,
Follow where He leads,
See His will in everything
And He will meet your needs.
He will give you grace and power
To lead other unto Him;
And though strife is all around you,
You’ll have His peace within
--Mrs. Marvin McReynolds
My greatest....
My greatest loss – to lose my soul.
My greatest gain – Christ my Savior.
My greatest goal – to glorify God.
My greatest pride – a heavenly crown of glory.
My greatest work – to win souls for Christ.
My greatest joy – the joy of salvation.
My greatest inheritance – heaven and its glories.
My greatest victory – over death through Christ.
My greatest neglect – to neglect this great salvation.
My greatest crime – to reject Christ, the only Savior.
My greatest privilege – power to become a child of God.
My greatest bargain – the loss of all things to gain Christ.
My greatest peace – the peace of God that passes all understanding.
My greatest knowledge – to know God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
My greatest gain – Christ my Savior.
My greatest goal – to glorify God.
My greatest pride – a heavenly crown of glory.
My greatest work – to win souls for Christ.
My greatest joy – the joy of salvation.
My greatest inheritance – heaven and its glories.
My greatest victory – over death through Christ.
My greatest neglect – to neglect this great salvation.
My greatest crime – to reject Christ, the only Savior.
My greatest privilege – power to become a child of God.
My greatest bargain – the loss of all things to gain Christ.
My greatest peace – the peace of God that passes all understanding.
My greatest knowledge – to know God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
A whole bunch of quotes
“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.” Winston Churchill
“Envy is a symptom of lack of appreciation of our own uniqueness and self worth. Each of us has something to give that no one else has.” - Anonymous
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens." ~J.R.R. Tolkien
Yet the responsibility of Christian teachers, preachers and other
witnesses is to seek grace to expound it with clarity and conviction.
For the better people understand the glory of the divine substitution, the
easier it will be for them to trust the Substitute." John Stott
"It is a remarkable truth that the same God who worked 'through Christ' to achieve reconciliation now works 'through us' to announce it." John Stott
"You’re cooler than the flipside of my pillow…"
"Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..."
"Doesn't sound too bad. I'll try to stay awake."
"Oh, thank you. Your confidence is overwhelming."
"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." - Benjamin Franklin
What is a youth? Impetuous fire.
What is a maid? Ice and desire.
The world wags on.
A rose will bloom
...It then will fade
So does a youth.
So do-o-o-oes the fairest maid.
"The difference between a Pharisee and a Christian is that the former looks around the Lord's Table shocked that those people are here. The Christian looks around the Lord's Table and is shocked to be there." R.C. Sproul Jr.
"Faith does not eliminate questions...but Faith knows where to take them."
The classes and the races too weak to master the new conditions must give way. They must perish in the revolutionary holocaust. ~ Karl Marx
"Things turn out best for those who make the best out of the way things turn out."
You must either have a bowed head, or a turned back. There is no in between.
Christ’s death was sufficient for all…not efficient, but sufficient.
“Envy is a symptom of lack of appreciation of our own uniqueness and self worth. Each of us has something to give that no one else has.” - Anonymous
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens." ~J.R.R. Tolkien
Yet the responsibility of Christian teachers, preachers and other
witnesses is to seek grace to expound it with clarity and conviction.
For the better people understand the glory of the divine substitution, the
easier it will be for them to trust the Substitute." John Stott
"It is a remarkable truth that the same God who worked 'through Christ' to achieve reconciliation now works 'through us' to announce it." John Stott
"You’re cooler than the flipside of my pillow…"
"Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..."
"Doesn't sound too bad. I'll try to stay awake."
"Oh, thank you. Your confidence is overwhelming."
"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." - Benjamin Franklin
What is a youth? Impetuous fire.
What is a maid? Ice and desire.
The world wags on.
A rose will bloom
...It then will fade
So does a youth.
So do-o-o-oes the fairest maid.
"The difference between a Pharisee and a Christian is that the former looks around the Lord's Table shocked that those people are here. The Christian looks around the Lord's Table and is shocked to be there." R.C. Sproul Jr.
"Faith does not eliminate questions...but Faith knows where to take them."
The classes and the races too weak to master the new conditions must give way. They must perish in the revolutionary holocaust. ~ Karl Marx
"Things turn out best for those who make the best out of the way things turn out."
You must either have a bowed head, or a turned back. There is no in between.
Christ’s death was sufficient for all…not efficient, but sufficient.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Life
Wow, life has been really hectic lately. I just want to sink to the floor and lay there all day. I've got the biggest headache of my life right now. Ick.
My hand has been doing a little better lately, due to this brace that I'm wearing pretty much all day long. It can be such a pain though sometimes.
Last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I worked for 6 hours a day. That wore me out really fast. Thursday I had a viola lesson and then a little shopping. Friday I worked for 8 hours and Saturday I went shopping again with my dad and Becca. Sunday, we had church and afterwards we had a luncheon and then the others played some wiffleball. Then we went home and napped/relaxed before heading up to Lansing to listen to the Lansing Concert Band and watch the fireworks. We met some friends up there so that was fun.
Yesterday I had work. Hunter is doing *SO* much better. I would almost say he is completly recovered. He is no longer needing pain medications which is a HUGE relief! He was laughing and running and playing and screaming just as much as before if not more. The only dark part of working is that (I babysat the girls too) near the end, Anna came and showed me their bunny..she thought it was so cute "sleeping." Gosh, I felt so bad when I had to tell her that it wasn't sleeping...it was dead. She was very good about it for 10 minutes and then just broke down. She was sobbing and sobbing and crying for "Mommy." She wanted her mom so bad it broke my heart. So I sat with her on the couch with my arms around her attempting to comfort her.
Today I am going to the park near the library to do some volunteer work. I get to read stories to young children and also do some face painting! Beware young children...I have never painted *anyone's* face before!
Tomorrow is going to busy...I'll have to tell you about that later ;)
Thursday is lessons!
I'm not sure why, but lately I haven't been able to sleep at all. Last night I got 4 hours of sleep and the night before it was 3 hours. I haven't had more than 5 hours of sleep in aboaut a month. This results in a short temper and exaustion throughout the day. The heat has been wonderful, but it results in dehydration. So all of this combined has been making me a bit depressed. I am hoping that my "vacation" at Blue Lake will help me regain my normal attitude.
Speaking of which, it is in 8 days from now. I am very nervous and excited at the same time. I still have shopping to do for Blue Lake. I am curious as to how I will have time to pack at all. I have work on Monday and Tuesday is a dentist's appointment along with...something else, I can't remember what though.
Today is Madison's (my twin) 16th birthday. She is the most amazing young lady that I have met. She has been there for me when I need her (for the most part). She is so kind and loving. She has always been a busy and hard worker! She is working today...for the whole day. On her birthday?? That stinks! But she still does it. She pays for a lot of their animals' feed and boarding which comes out of her paycheck (which I couldn't imagine doing!). She helps her mom out so much. Madison, I really look up to you. I love you so much, dear, and pray that you have a wonderful birthday with lots of love, joy, blessings, and sunshine. Happy Birthday, my dearest twin! <3
My hand has been doing a little better lately, due to this brace that I'm wearing pretty much all day long. It can be such a pain though sometimes.
Last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I worked for 6 hours a day. That wore me out really fast. Thursday I had a viola lesson and then a little shopping. Friday I worked for 8 hours and Saturday I went shopping again with my dad and Becca. Sunday, we had church and afterwards we had a luncheon and then the others played some wiffleball. Then we went home and napped/relaxed before heading up to Lansing to listen to the Lansing Concert Band and watch the fireworks. We met some friends up there so that was fun.
Yesterday I had work. Hunter is doing *SO* much better. I would almost say he is completly recovered. He is no longer needing pain medications which is a HUGE relief! He was laughing and running and playing and screaming just as much as before if not more. The only dark part of working is that (I babysat the girls too) near the end, Anna came and showed me their bunny..she thought it was so cute "sleeping." Gosh, I felt so bad when I had to tell her that it wasn't sleeping...it was dead. She was very good about it for 10 minutes and then just broke down. She was sobbing and sobbing and crying for "Mommy." She wanted her mom so bad it broke my heart. So I sat with her on the couch with my arms around her attempting to comfort her.
Today I am going to the park near the library to do some volunteer work. I get to read stories to young children and also do some face painting! Beware young children...I have never painted *anyone's* face before!
Tomorrow is going to busy...I'll have to tell you about that later ;)
Thursday is lessons!
I'm not sure why, but lately I haven't been able to sleep at all. Last night I got 4 hours of sleep and the night before it was 3 hours. I haven't had more than 5 hours of sleep in aboaut a month. This results in a short temper and exaustion throughout the day. The heat has been wonderful, but it results in dehydration. So all of this combined has been making me a bit depressed. I am hoping that my "vacation" at Blue Lake will help me regain my normal attitude.
Speaking of which, it is in 8 days from now. I am very nervous and excited at the same time. I still have shopping to do for Blue Lake. I am curious as to how I will have time to pack at all. I have work on Monday and Tuesday is a dentist's appointment along with...something else, I can't remember what though.
Today is Madison's (my twin) 16th birthday. She is the most amazing young lady that I have met. She has been there for me when I need her (for the most part). She is so kind and loving. She has always been a busy and hard worker! She is working today...for the whole day. On her birthday?? That stinks! But she still does it. She pays for a lot of their animals' feed and boarding which comes out of her paycheck (which I couldn't imagine doing!). She helps her mom out so much. Madison, I really look up to you. I love you so much, dear, and pray that you have a wonderful birthday with lots of love, joy, blessings, and sunshine. Happy Birthday, my dearest twin! <3
Friday, July 2, 2010
200 books!!!
Ok, so I found this site that I really enjoyed reading. And this young lady was posting a link to another young lady who was doing a 50 book reading challenge. The whole idea is to read 50 books by the end of this year. December 31 at 11:59 pm! I was so excited...but since I am already a book addict...I thought that I might as well try for 200! Am I overambitious?? BE HONEST! Do you really think I can do it? HONESTLY?!
Here is the link for the original poster! http://agenuineglee.blogspot.com/2010/06/50-book-reading-challenge.html
I will be posting every...hmm...20 books?
Thanks all for reading...it really means a lot to me!!
Here is the link for the original poster! http://agenuineglee.blogspot.com/2010/06/50-book-reading-challenge.html
I will be posting every...hmm...20 books?
Thanks all for reading...it really means a lot to me!!
Heidelberg Catechism
Lord’s Day 6
16 Q. Why must he be truly human and truly righteous?
A. God’s justice demands it: man has sinned, man must pay for his sin, but a sinner can not pay for others.
17 Q. Why must he also be true God?
A. So that, by the power of his divinity, he might bear the weight of God’s anger in his humanity and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.
18 Q. And who is this mediator – true God and at the same time truly human and truly righteous?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given us to set us completely free and to make us right with God.
19 Q. How do you come to know this?
A. The holy gospel tells me. God himself began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later, he proclaimed it by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and portrayed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; finally, he fulfilled it through his own dear Son.
Lord’s Day 7
20 Q. Are all men saved through Christ just as all were lost through Adam?
A. No. Only those are saved who by true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all his blessings.
21 Q. What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a knowledge and conviction that everything God reveals in his Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance, created in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel that, out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, not only others, but I too, have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation.
22 Q. What then must a Christian believe?
A. Everything God promises us in the gospel. That gospel is summarized for us in the articles of our Christian faith – a creed beyond doubt, and confessed throughout the world.
23 Q. What are these articles?
A. I believe in God the Father, almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; I believe a holy catholic church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Lord’s Day 8
24 Q. How are these articles divided?
A. Into three parts:
God the Father and our creation;
God the Son and our deliverance;
God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification
25 Q. Since there is but one God, why do you speak of three: Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
A. Because that is how God has revealed himself in his Word: these three distinct persons are one, true, eternal God.
Lord’s Day 9
26 Q. What do you believe when you say: “I believe in God the Father, almighty, maker of heaven and earth”?
A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son.
I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world.
He is able to do this because he is almighty God;
He is able to do this because he is a faithful Father.
Lord’s Day 10
27 Q. What do you understand by the providence of God?
A. Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which he upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty – all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from his fatherly hand.
28 Q. How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us?
A. We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from his love. All creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved.
16 Q. Why must he be truly human and truly righteous?
A. God’s justice demands it: man has sinned, man must pay for his sin, but a sinner can not pay for others.
17 Q. Why must he also be true God?
A. So that, by the power of his divinity, he might bear the weight of God’s anger in his humanity and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.
18 Q. And who is this mediator – true God and at the same time truly human and truly righteous?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given us to set us completely free and to make us right with God.
19 Q. How do you come to know this?
A. The holy gospel tells me. God himself began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later, he proclaimed it by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and portrayed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; finally, he fulfilled it through his own dear Son.
Lord’s Day 7
20 Q. Are all men saved through Christ just as all were lost through Adam?
A. No. Only those are saved who by true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all his blessings.
21 Q. What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a knowledge and conviction that everything God reveals in his Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance, created in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel that, out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, not only others, but I too, have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation.
22 Q. What then must a Christian believe?
A. Everything God promises us in the gospel. That gospel is summarized for us in the articles of our Christian faith – a creed beyond doubt, and confessed throughout the world.
23 Q. What are these articles?
A. I believe in God the Father, almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; I believe a holy catholic church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Lord’s Day 8
24 Q. How are these articles divided?
A. Into three parts:
God the Father and our creation;
God the Son and our deliverance;
God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification
25 Q. Since there is but one God, why do you speak of three: Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
A. Because that is how God has revealed himself in his Word: these three distinct persons are one, true, eternal God.
Lord’s Day 9
26 Q. What do you believe when you say: “I believe in God the Father, almighty, maker of heaven and earth”?
A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son.
I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world.
He is able to do this because he is almighty God;
He is able to do this because he is a faithful Father.
Lord’s Day 10
27 Q. What do you understand by the providence of God?
A. Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which he upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty – all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from his fatherly hand.
28 Q. How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us?
A. We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from his love. All creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved.
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