Ploughed up and Re-sown

"Cutting the grass may keep it short: but I shall still produce grass and no wheat. If I want to produce wheat, the change must go deeper than the surface. I must be ploughed up and re-sown." 

-C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

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For the record, this is one of my favorite books - Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. It's definitely a must read!

I love this quote! It's so true! When you decide to accept Christ's offer of salvation, it's not as easy as it sounds. Well, it is and it isn't. It is easy in the way that Christ has already done everything, all you've got to do is let Him come in. It isn't easy in the way that it's going to flip your life around if you allow it, and it's going to make your life harder in the eyes of the world, but oh so much better in the eyes of those who know Him!

But it isn't just...you know, saying a little prayer, asking Jesus in your heart, and all that milky stuff that many of us in the U.S. are taught today. It's a decision. The biggest decision of your life - and it matters for ETERNITY.

And, as I learned just recently from a Bible teacher named Michael Pearl, this life, this present physical life that we have been given on this earth, is the one and only opportunity we have for building our character. After we're physically dead that's it for the character building process. Up in heaven we'll be far to busy worshiping God around His throne to have any time for character building exercises, if it were even possible. 

So it's here and now that you've gotta live "the hard life" as it were. It may be harder than anything else, but it's going to be SO worth it in the long run. 

Cutting the grass just keeps it short. That's it. You aren't going to change the your grass crop into a wheat crop by cutting the grass shorter. It doesn't work that way. 

In the same way, you can't produce a crop of good works and good character if you are just cutting back on your bad works and bad character.

It's 180 degree turn.

You've gotta dig up all that grass and keep it out of there. One little blade allowed to live can multiply and destroy your whole new crop of wheat. 

The older I get, the more I see that being a Christian is an all-or-nothing deal. It's an all-or-nothing deal because that's exactly what Christ requires of His children - all-or-nothing.

In Christ our Deliverer,

Buttercup

Smack Down on the Ground

"All of us fail, but this doesn't mean that we are failures. We need to understand that failing can be a step toward maturity, not a permanent blot on our self-esteem...we don't have to allow failure to prevent us from being used by God." 

-Robert S. McGee, The Search for Significance

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Failing can be pretty disheartening. 

Or, maybe you just laughed at my statement and thought "That's an understatement!"

If you are a goal oriented person, and you love accomplishing things, setting goals, making schedules, and everything working out just right, then this post is for you; because this post was written by just that type of person.

I love making schedules, setting goals, seeing things accomplished and completed, and everything working out just as I planned, but it seems that most of the time...it doesn't work out that way.

I usually put too much in my schedule and get overwhelmed...but wait wait wait! That's the schedule! You must follow it because you made it this morning and it's faultless! Nothing is wrong with the schedule, something must be wrong with you. Yeah, you just witnessed my train of thought. 

My schedules, more often than not, look more like a list of unachievable goals than a list of things I must (and logically can) accomplish that day. So it's no surprise that I've thought of myself many times as a failure.

But, just like every other time, I found that I wasn't the only human being in the history of mankind that was apparently unable to get anything done. I read The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee, and he gave me some answers.

"All of us fail, but this doesn't mean that we are failures. We need to understand that failing can be a step toward maturity, not a permanent blot on our self-esteem...we don't have to allow failure to prevent us from being used by God."

If God could only use perfect people, He would have created robots.

But He decided to create us. He created people that rebelled against Him, people that had a free will whether or not to obey Him. He created people that He knew would fail Him time and time again. Why?

Because He desired people that would serve Him because they wanted to serve Him. He wanted people that would obey Him because they wanted to obey Him. So He did it. And He got me, and I failed Him...right?

Well, God uses failures. Take that back. God uses people who fail. McGee makes it clear in this section that just because you fail (no matter how often) that doesn't make you a failure. 

But as long as you are following after Christ, God can use you. He doesn't mind if you miss doing your math, or you forget to sweep the kitchen, or you are too tired to fix dinner and go out for fast food...He doesn't hold that against you. His mercies are new each morning. Each day is a new start. What happened yesterday...guess what? It happened yesterday. Its over, it's done, there's nothing you can do about it so quit fretting over it. 

God's got it. God's got you. God will use you, if you let Him. 

Don't let your feelings of failure grab a hold of you and smack you down to the ground. Smack your feelings of failure down on the ground and tell them how big and forgiving your God is.

In Christ our Solid Ground,

Buttercup

Grey Areas

My dear readers,
I was just recently talking with a friend via email and the subject of churches came up, for me and my family are still on the search for a home church near us. While we were talking, we discussed how both of our families like the King James version of the Bible best, and we like hymns best; and we were trying to find a church that used the KJV and sang hymns, not necessarily exclusively, but mostly. My friend then asked me why I liked KJV and hymns best, for she was trying to get her thoughts on the subject together and wasn't quite sure about it. I told her and then she told me of how their former pastor was adamant and would only sing hymns, and drums on beats 2 and 4 were evil, and all this stuff, and we discussed how one must not get so wrapped up in our own opinions that we force them on those around us. We recalled how Paul wrote about how if a man is convicted of a thing, then he must not do it, or it is a sin for him; and if you are not convicted about it, then it is fine for you to do (this applies to all things that are grey areas in the Bible and are not made clear to us through His word, areas where we must decide for ourselves); BUT if your brother is convicted of a thing, and you are not, yet you do it in front of him you may cause him to stumble. Therefore, you must do all in love, seeking His will. All that to say, I believe that I have learned to like grey areas.

Most people dislike grey areas immensely, and so do I a lot of the time. They are a pain to deal with and make you double guess yourself, and sometimes, many times possibly, you make the wrong decision and must pay for it later.

But I found the other day while I was talking to my friend why God gave us grey areas.

Grey areas cause you to think, and also to make a decision. The decisions you make either grow or harm your character and your relationship with God, depending on how you deal with the decision-making process. To find out what to do with a specific grey area, you've got seek God - through His Word, through prayer, and through discussing the topic with other brethren in Christ. Then you can make a wise decision based on your knowledge of the topic and what God wants you personally to do.

Grey areas are a pain, I admit it. Many times, even after you make a decision, others will try to convince you otherwise and you will either have to defend it or go back on your decision. You may even double guess yourself - something I do often with certain grey areas.

But something I always remember is that God works everything together for good (Romans 8:28) and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), and that includes standing up for something I think is either right or wrong (depending on the situation). That said, when it comes to grey areas and personal conviction by the Holy Spirit, we must be very careful not to cause a brother or sister to stumble or offend them. This is a tender area and, in my opinion, a super important aspect of keeping the church functioning properly.

All that simply to say, when you come across something that isn't very fun, be it grey areas, trials and temptations, or anything like that, remember that God's got you in the palm of His great and mighty hand, and He won't ever let you go. He will always be there guiding you, all you've got to do is seek, listen, and obey, and He'll take care of the rest.

In Christ our Solid Rock,
Buttercup

One Bold Move

Tis a Rare and Unusual Species

How many teens have you personally met that are just completely on fire for God? Or rather, how many people, no matter their age, have you met that are on fire for God?

Probably not many.

We live in an age where there are many "Christians", and many Christians, but not many flaming Christians.

Many call themselves believers, but are not.

Many who call themselves believers, and truly are, are hard to spot because they are afraid of what will happen if they shine their little light is the dark world.

We are a rare species. We who are on fire.

Am I on fire? Not as much as I'd like. Shame on me if those around me are not sure if I'm a Christian.

So, what can we do? 

I'm not going to go running down the street screaming that I'm a believer. They'd just think I'm insane and lock me up.

But I'm not going to sit in my bedroom all day every day and not shine my light to the outside world either.

Like most everything, there is a balance. 

I think that one of the only things that shouldn't be balanced is what we are willing to do for Christ, and to further His kingdom. Within reason, yes. We're not going to walk into a village in the middle of nowhere where we're sure we'll be killed before we can open our mouths, that doesn't accomplish anything. But we shouldn't be so consumed with our own lives that we simply aren't willing to risk them for Him who died for us.

Getting back to the subject, we've been called to be different.

We've been called to be the green blade of grass in a field of brown, the only light in a dark world, the fish who swims against the current while the others just flow with it.

In a sin-filled world, being a Christian implies being different. 

No true change on the inside means no true change on the outside either. We've gotta be washed from the inside out. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, as we read His word, talk with Him and spend time with Him, our words, actions, and attitudes will change. The more time you spend with Christ, the more you will begin to act like Him. It's just like with anyone you spend time with. That's why it's so important to be around believers and people that love God, and to not hang out so much with people who are consumed in the world. Who you hang out with will form you into what they are.

Don't go swim with the others. 

Don't turn brown by spending time with the wrong people. 

Don't hide your light. Shine it.

Waiting for a Sign

Just a moment ago, I sat here at the computer looking at the comments that you, my dear readers, have left on my last couple of posts. And as I sat, a song came on. It was Lift Me Up, by the Afters.

I've always loved this song, but the timing seemed impeccable. So here I am...posting about it.

Waiting for the sunrise

Waiting for the day

Waiting for a sign

That I'm where you want me to be

I love this part, I mean, it's SO true! Sometimes, when I don't know where to go, don't know what to do, don't feel like I'm making an impact for the Kingdom...just the feeling that I'm wasting time...I am just waiting for the sunrise, the day, a sign, any sign, that I'm where HE wants me to be. 

I feel like I'm open. I feel like I am just supposed to sit and wait for direction, and until then do....well, nothing but sit and wait.

That's not what the Christian life is supposed to be. We are to continually be shining our lights in the world, though small they are, they are still a light in a dark world. 

Even a little glimmer can be clearly seen in the pitch dark.

So, here I sit.

Waiting.

But is that what I'm supposed to be doing?

I - we! - have already been given direction.

Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the world. -Matthew 28:18-20

That sounds a lot like directions to me. 

I'm a firstborn, I like structure, I like specifics, I like order. So this command, this direction, this guidance, seems pretty broad. But keep in mind that that's not all the direction that He gives us! 

He guides and directs us, this is very, very true, but in some instances we might not receive specific instruction.

Sitting on your rear end waiting for specifics is one thing. Working to further His Kingdom and serve His people in any way you know how is another thing entirely. 

Most likely, we are not going to get moment by moment instructions, but that's ok, because we've already received an order from our Lord - go ye therefore.

So, in the meantime, I - we - just have to keep working. We've need to pray for guidance and direction, but always look towards the goal, never stop learning, serving, and worshiping Him, and continually work to further His Kingdom.

There's no time to sit around and wait. 2000 years ago the time was at hand...what does that mean for right now?

Worth Fighting For

The clock ticks. Slowly. Steadily.

You chew your pencil. Day dreaming. Staring.

You inhale. You exhale.

School, chores, work, church, volunteer work, hanging out, video games...these things fill your life, your spare time, your thoughts.

Life seems boring. Dull. Repetitive.

You want adventure. Excitement. Purpose.

You know what you could be doing. You know what you want to be doing. You know what you need to be doing. 

But somehow, these things often don't happen.

Life becomes grey. Purposeless. Worthless.

You need something. Something new. Something exciting. Adventure. Purpose. 

Something worth fighting for.

Every hour, dozens of abortions take place in the US alone.

Every hour, Dalits are raped and murdered.

Every second, a mortal life ends and an eternal life or death begins.

These are battles that are currently going on in your world.

These are battles most people either don't know about, or just chose to ignore. 

These are just a few examples of causes worth fighting for.

End abortion. End the raping and murder of Dalits. Show the lost the Savior.

You have a choice.

You can chose to ignore these ongoing battles like most people, or  you can fight. It's your choice.

No excuses.

There are things in this life that are worth fighting for.

Strange how things Change

My dear readers! I am back! Three months is so long and so short a time. Short in the way that its hard to believe that I haven't posted since then. Long in the way that it feels like I've grown up a lot since then. I don't know what it is about time, but it feels like you never have enough of it and it flies so fast. 

Funny thing about time. You love it and you hate it. You hate it when you can't wait for some specific time or event to come. You love it when it's there and when it's gone it's kind of a mixture of feelings. Love-hate relationship I suppose.

What's strange is change. It's strange how these two things we love and hate work together in perfect harmony to create the constant whirl of life. As time goes by everything around us changes - and we change. It's hard to find a solid, unchanging ground to stand upon, but once you find it, it will carry you through life - through all those changes - and it alone will be unchanging. This ground is God. This solid, unchanging, firm place is our Heavenly Father. The only One who will not change, who will carry you through life with all that change, whether good or bad, and will never let you fall. 

Maybe that's what has changed most in my life in the past three months. My feet have become even more firmly planted on that Solid Ground. Daily it seems like they can't be more firmly planted, but as the next day (or challenge) comes and goes, I am over and over again proven wrong. And how glad I am that I have been wrong so many times! Because for every time I am wrong my feet are planted more firmly and my eyes more set on that which matters most of all. Yes, both my feet and eyes go astray way too often from that which they should be on, but without fail He brings me back again. That's the God I serve. 

It's strange how things change. One day you think everything is great, nothing could go wrong; the next day the clouds overhead become dark and let loose their water; and the next, the sun shines out even brighter than before. You can't ever tell what the next day - or even the next moment! - will bring, but you know that the Rock you are continually standing upon will always be the same.

Thanks, Talia, for encouraging me to come back. :)

In Christ our Rock I stand,

Buttercup

Yeah, it's gonna hurt...

I thought I had it all under control
I thought my fate was still in my hands
All of my plans were firmly set
By the words they I say
I forgot how quickly things can change
Now my vision can not be the same

(Chorus)
My life is not what I thought
I'm not where I planned to be
Though something's gone
There's nothing wrong with my changing world
Though something's gone
There's nothing wrong with my changing world

I need to let go of my destiny
I need to trust in things unseen
I believe in having faith
Though I yield my control
I forgot how quickly things can change
Now my vision can not be the same

(Chorus)
My life is not what I thought
I'm not where I planned to be
Though something's gone
There's nothing wrong with my changing world
Though something's gone
There's nothing wrong with my changing world

I'm embracing all of my fears
I am watching them turn to delight
The very fears which
Were gripping my mind
Are now the hands shaping and sculpting my dreams

(Chorus)
My life is not what I thought
I'm not where I planned to be
Though something's gone
There's nothing wrong with my changing world
Though something's gone
There's nothing wrong with my changing world

In my world
In my changing world
In my world
In my changing world

(http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/kutless/changing-world.html)

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I've always liked this song. It's got great music, lyrics, voices are amazing...but...now I love it.

It's so true.

I thought I had it all under control....I need to let go of my destiny, I need to trust in things unseen.

My world is changing.

The highlight of my week is Sunday night Youth Group - I get to fellowship with my bestest friends. Those guys mean SO much to me. Now, with the approaching school year, things are changing - because the graduates are leaving.

D is moving away. A, C, and K are moving away. J is moving away. Another J isn't moving but won't be coming to Youth Group anymore. Another C will be leaving in the spring....That's half the youth group. And half of my best friends.

That hurts...ya know?

That section of my world is changing.

A year ago, it didn't occur to me that at some point, people would leave the youth group. I didn't even think of it. Honestly, I didn't think about it until our youth camp out that happened this May.

At camp, on the last day, Mr. W told us all to put our hands on the seniors - we were going to have a prayer time for them. It was sweet. Actually, it was really, really sad. We were all bawling. I couldn't STOP crying. I mean, here are those friends that mean the most to me, and...we're saying...goodbye.

At the moment, everyone staying, everything just remaining the same, seems best to me. But...that's not how life works.

We grow up. We change. Those around us change. Plans change. Life changes.

Starting soon, I will be the oldest teen in youth group. Dude, I remember when I was one of the YOUNGEST only two years ago. Now, I will be the one that the younger ones look up to. Not the one looking up to the older ones. My role in the group is changing.

I forgot how quickly things can change...

Yeah. Everyone leaving will be insanely hard, but you know what?

Romans 8:28 stands.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, for them who are the called according to His purpose."

God knows what's best. And He will work all things together for the good of those that love Him, and for His glory.

Easier said than done? Oh yeah. I'll be crying. I know I will. But tears are not forever. And neither is separation. Praise God, not only are these guys my best friends but also my brothers and sisters in Christ. I'll be with them forever worshiping our great, fantastic God.

God has a plan for each one of us. I believe that with all my heart. I don't know what those plans are, but I know that God will do what's best.

I can deal with the pain that comes before the sweet. But not on my own. Philippians 4:13 says that "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me". Through Christ, I can do anything.

Now, "I will praise YOU in this storm!" (-Casting Crowns) Praising God through the hard times is both the hardest and most beautiful.

Yeah. It'll hurt. Bad. But God is always with me, my friends, and you if you trust in Him.

Giving HIM the glory through the storm,

Buttercup

Smile :)

On a plane somewhere again

I take my place in line

Just like every other time

I slide into my window seat

She was sitting there

One seat over so I said

"Hello, how are you today?"

With my smile I could see the hope within her eyes

And I knew that something's different today

Though everything's the same

Inside there's something real

A faith which causes me to change

(But what's different now)

A spark is gleaming in my eye

Like diamond stars that fill the sky

I think a smile says it all

A smile says it all

The conversation presses on

As miles pass below

She said I have to let you know

You seem so different to me

There is a joy inside

The love of God is all I know

From which this could originate

With one smile I could see, the faith we share inside

And I know that something's different today

Though everything's the same

Inside there's something real

A faith which causes me to change

(But what's different now)

A spark is gleaming in my eye

Like diamond stars that fill the sky

I think a smile says it all

A smile says it all

I see what a smile can say about me

I know that words are not always what speak

Sometimes it's not what I say

That the world around me seems to understand

Though everything's the same

Inside there's something real

A faith which causes me to change

(But what's different now)

A spark is gleaming in my eye

Like diamond stars that fill the sky

I think a smile says it all

A smile says it all

A smile says it all

(A smile says it all)

A smile says it all

(A smile says it all)

A smile says it all

(A smile says it all)

A smile says it all

(A smile says it all)

By Kutless

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The first thing people see when they look at you is your expression - your attitude. What do they see? What is their first impression of you? Do they see that you are unhappy? stressed out? angry? kind? overjoyed? Do they see a smile? or a frown?

Please, honestly answer this question: What do others see in you?

Your answer should either encourage or challenge you. It should encourage you if you are already living your life with a smile on, living in a way that shows the world that you are different - a servant of Christ. But on the other hand, if you examine yourself and find that you are not that kind of person, then it should challenge you to BECOME that kind of a person!

I have always liked this song by Kutless. Love at first sight, you could say. For it tells of a man who gets on a plane, sits next to a woman, and through his smile and joy, she sees something different in him. The song goes on to reveal that the woman figures out that the man is a believer without him saying anything about it and that the smile and joy of the man betrayed where his loyalty stood.

The writer of the song makes it obvious that it was nothing the man said that showed the woman that he was a believer, it was his joy - his smile.

That is how we should live. We should live in a way that shows the world that we are different because of Christ. He lives in us. We must live in a way that manifests Him in our lives. This means allowing His light to shine through. Putting ourselves behind, and Him in front. So the world sees Him not us.

"A smile says it all."

Live your life to His glory. Manifest Him not only through your words and actions, but also through your attitude.

In Christ alone,

Buttercup

How long must they wait?

Seeking Him

Hey Y'all!

A while back Anna posted about seeking God, and on that post, I commented a really long comment. lol. But anyways, I thought I'd edit some things and turn it into a post. :)

--------------------------------

Ever heard the quote: "a girl should be so lost in God that a boy has to seek Him in order to find her"? It's pretty well known, so all of you probably have heard or read it somewhere, but have you ever thought of what it implies? It implies a girl that is completely consumed in God. A girl that is fixed on Him, so fixed in fact that in order to find her, a boy has to seek Him!

We need to be seeking Him daily, hourly, and even minutely; we need to be listening and talking with Him constantly, but do we? I know I don't. Maybe that is why Paul the Apostle exhorted, "Pray without ceasing."

Also, I think that we need to seek him outside just as much as we seek Him inside, or for some people, seek Him inside just as much as we seek him outside! What I mean is this, we might seek Him at church on Sunday, but what do we do the rest of the week? On the other hand, we may seek him at home with no one around, but not in front of our friends at school.

Lastly, I think the most important thought I got from Anna's post was that we need to set our priorities right; meaning that if Christ is our number one priority, we will WANT to seek Him, on the other hand, if the computer (or anything or anyone else) is our number one priority, we will WANT to be with whatever the other thing is - all the time!

Hope that kindled some thoughts about seeking Him in your mind, and that you take to heart the truth - a girl should be so lost in God, that a boy has to seek Him in order to find her!

In Christ alone,

Buttercup

How I Live by Faith

Note: this was originally written for my AWANA book, like my earlier post.

As a Christian, I am constantly faced with choices and temptations, but through faith in Christ, I have the strength to battle them.

I am still a young, learning, still growing Christian, so I am just now learning how to live by faith. In my life, living by faith includes trusting God to do what is best fro me, even when I think differently - this is a big one, it's kind of like how Peter probably felt, stepping out of the boat and onto the water, believing that God can make that water firm beneath my feet, even when I cannot. It is knowing that when i jump out of the window, even though I can't see Him, Christ is just below me, ready to catch me. It also includes trusting God to do what is best in other people's lives, even when I don't agree. I know that He will do what is best because I know that He knows everything that will happen in the future.

When it comes to making choices and facing temptations, I have to remember that faith takes two people - the trusted and the trusting. I can't just pray and hope that I do the right thing, I have to listen for an answer. Sometimes God helps me through scripture, sometimes through another believer, and sometimes He just tells me. I believe that if I am doing the will of God and relying on Him, that I will never lack an answer.

I once saw a magnet that said, "Faith is not believing that God can, it's know that He will." I think this is so true in my own life, if I simply believe that God can, I am not putting all my faith and trust in Him, but if I know that He will, then I am putting my entire being into His arms, those arms that I know will never, ever fail.

I am not claiming to be perfect, not by any means, I just know what I need to do - let Christ hold all of me - and I'm learning how to do it - lifting my feet off of the ground.

In Christ alone,

Buttercup

Created for a Purpose

This is the latest poem I've written, I hope you enjoy it. :)

Why do anything kind,

Why do anything worthwhile,

If this life is all there is,

If we don't have anything after death?

If all we do shall be forgotten,

If we are never remembered,

Why do anything to be remembered by,

If it benefits you nothing?

Why do something to benefit others,

If they shall die someday, too?

Why live like we have a purpose,

If we have no purpose?

Why are we here?

What is our purpose?

Who should we worship?

Where are we going?

To worship God and enjoy Him.

To show the lost the Savior.

God and God alone.

To be with Him forever.

Life is full of questions,

Both that get answered,

And those that don't.

So we must trust Christ, for He knows all.

We were created for a Purpose!

By Buttercup