Never, EVER Worry

Encouragement in Images

I Praise You Because I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY Made!

Gods Love Letter to YOU!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XNXgMuCujvA

The Power of Words

People Do Really Stupid Stuff

Have you ever seen people do really stupid things? I know I have and I’m sure you have to. It gives me a very unsettling feeling every time I see the effects of someone’s stupid decision.

This past week I saw two freshman girls get arrested for drugs. I saw them in cuffs with school police officers. It caught me off guard for sure. I knew (or at least knew of) both of the girls and had classes with them. I have even considered making friends with one of them.

It bothered me that someone with so much to loose (one of the girls was in pre-AP classes, competitive cheer, and all around involved) could throw her life away so easily. How can you make a mistake that could cost you potential opportunities later on in life? I just don’t understand.

I don’t see how one could risk so much and do something that they know is so wrong. As outsiders from situations like that its hard to understand motives and thoughts, but I have two take away messages. First, I think we all on some degree do things we shouldn’t even though we know it’s not what we should be doing. We may not be smoking or skipping or going too far in a relationship, but we all make stupid decisions and do things that we know are wrong. Maybe its gossiping or maybe its cheating. I don’t know what it is for you, but I encourage you to take situations like this and use them for your own learning experience. Think about things that you are doing that are “stupid” and find a way to get out of that habit. I know its time for me to do that. I also know that after something like this it strongly enforces the need to choose friends very carefully. You don’t have to be rude to people who make bad choices, but you definitely don’t want them to be your closest friends.

Don’t be stupid. Choose what you do and who you hang out with carefully. Consider how your actions will ultimately affect you, your future, and others around you. 

Survey about Heaven

Did you check out the AOL survey last week? If not, you missed a pretty interesting set of statistics:

What is the key to getting into heaven?

• Living a good life. 65.5%
• Having connections to someone at the top. 26.7%
• Helping old ladies cross the street. 2.7%
• Slipping St. Peter $20.00. 1.9%
• Having a strong letter of reference. 0.5%
• Making a deal with the devil. 1.2%
• Telling a really good lie. 0.5%

Total votes 121,836

Are you going to heaven?

• Yes. 89.8%
• No. 10.2%

Total votes 143,309

(Source: www.aol.com)

Mankind is No Island

I have posted a neat video about homelessness. It may not directly relate to Christianity, but what matters is what you do with the information given.

I Am Second

Unlovable Video

My “Faith Statement”

I think that it is important to as teenagers to consider what you believe and why. Its easy to copy your parents faith or your friends faith, but it is much more rewarding and benefial to have a faith of your own. I encourage you to use the template below to develop your own "faith statement."   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                                                                                                                                                      My “Faith Statement”

My denomination of faith is ____________________________________, which means that I believe that___________________. To me and my lifestyle that means that I am to ___________________. My faith also means that I don’t/won’t ___________________. I do all of this because ___________________. In my faith, the consequences of not following what God wants me to do are ___________________. Other things I must remember about my faith are ___________________. 

Life is Temporary

                                                             I came across this video today and I really think it gives us something to think about. What are you living for? Are you living for money? Popularity? A great career? Living in the moment? Or are you living for God?

My Rules for Life

My Rules for Life

1.    Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good. (Appreciate)

2.    When in doubt, take the next right step. (Courage)

3.    Life’s too short to waste time hating anyone. (Love)

4.    God never gives us more than we can carry (Trust)

5.    Don’t compare your life to others (Confidence)

6.    Everything can change in the blink of an eye- but don’t worry- God never blinks  (Realization and Perseverance)

7.    Go with the flow (Happiness)

8.    Frame every so called disaster with the words, “In 5 years, will this matter?” (Maturity)

Do as I Say, NOT as I Do: A Christian Mistake

You know what amazes me? The way that people who claim to be Christians constantly do things they shouldn’t be, like hateful language and acts, strong language, disrespect, and so much more. These people who preach to others or wear a cross necklace, read the Bible or attend church, and then turn around and do things they know better than to do; things that God NOT call us to do.


I was reminded of this the other day when a girl in one of my classes, an agnostic, told a story about how a boy she knew had preached to her and told her that if she didn’t believe in God then she was going to go to Hell. This same boy, who we will name Bob, then turned around and got sent to an alternative learning center later on.


Now don’t get me wrong- I’m not saying that people shouldn’t make mistakes or teach about God. What I’m saying is that there are SO MANY stereotypes about Christians out there that is it unbelievable. As Christians we wonder how so many things have gotten out there and become a face for the Christian faith.


Part of the problem is people like this. People who, although they may know God, although they may be baptized and be regular church goers, they aren’t being the people God has called them to be. Being a Christian is more than attending church and wearing a necklace with a cross on it. Being a Christian also means we need to live a life of leadership, example, trust, faith, encouragement, joy, and good, positive things. Being a Christian is more than wearing a shirt advocating for God. Being a Christian is living that faith and showing people who you are that way. Wearing the shirt or cross necklace, attending church, saying you believe in God, all of it is truly FANTASTIC, and something we should continue doing, but what we need to look at is how WE, as people, as Christians, as teens, are living that faith. Are you doing more than just physically being a Christian? Are you verbally and emotionally and spiritually being a Christian? Or are we just another Bob?

Just a thought,
      Riley

Communication with God

"In my distress I cried to the Lord, and he heard me." Psalm 120:1

Everyday we spend hours talking about work, school, events, etc. We seem to always be talking to someone, everyone. How often do we talk to God? How often do we tell him about our problems, concerns, and excitements? How often do we talk to the one that cares most about what we have to say and the one who can fix our problems? How often do you talk to God? Some people might say it's because it's harder to talk to God. Just because he isn't on your speed dial doesn’t mean he isn't easy to communicate with. He is just words away. You can pray anywhere, anytime. You don’t even need to worry about how much service you have, or if your phone is fully charged.

Sometimes we might feel like our call is cutting out and God can't hear, or we might think that God's ignoring us. We have to remember God can hear everything and everyone at once. He cares what we have to say, no matter what other people think; He cares what we need and is willing to help us get what we need. You might not be able to say that about your best friend, or the person you tell your secrets to. Even if you can, that’s not the point. Neither is the point to get rid of friends. The point is that God cares what we have to say, always has, always will. He loves us and wants to help us receive what we deserve. "If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it." (John 14:14 KJV)

Being a Christian

Being a Christian isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be REALLY hard. When we are around so many bad influences at school, and even at home, doing the right thing can be tough.

Many people steer away from Christianity because they think that it’s too hard to live the morally right way. People take the easy way out simply because it is the easiest thing to do. Hopefully, as you continue to grow and mature you will be able to the Bible to help you get through these tough times.

In tough and trying times, remember that God is there for you. He wants to help you, all you have to do is ask. One of the best things to do in a tough or trying situation is to pray. Ask God to help you get through it and to do the right thing.  Then think to yourself;

“What would Jesus do?”

Encouragement

There are so many people who go through life without caring. Now I am not talking about stressing out about everything that happens. I am saying that you should care when someone gets killed or murdered. I am saying you should care when there is a hurricane or some other natural disaster. You should care how people are treated around the world. You should care about other people’s welfare and treatment. Not only should you care about the wellbeing of others, you need to care about the wellbeing of yourself. You need to care when you make a bad grade or do poorly on some sort of assessment. You should care when you hurt someone’s feelings or do something you know you shouldn’t have done.

Not only should you care, but you should be proactive. You should go out there and advocate for certain rights, volunteer for charities, donate time, money, and supplies for those in need. Don’t wallow in the bad stuff that happens. Realize the problem, care about it, and then fix it. Societies main problem with this is it doesn’t perform all of the steps. People might care about a problem, but worry about it so much that they can’t even think of a way to fix it. People might realize a problem, but make no move to care about it or fix it. Others might fix something, but with other motives in mind. If we would all follow those simple steps the world would be a better place. So remember; realize, care, act.

Have you ever gotten and kind note in the mail, or through email, saying a kind word or two to you? A sweet text? If you have you know what a great feeling it is. For those of you who haven’t, you are missing out. To know that people have taken time out of their busy lives, their busy schedules, their time, just to help you out. The things people can say to us, the smile they bring to our faces. It is truly the sort of thing that makes your day. So, when it is so wonderful, why don’t we do so more often? Why don’t we make people’s day time and time again? I think for many we feel our schedule is to busy, we have more important things to do, we don’t like writing, we thing we don’t have time to do it. Well, maybe we don’t have time NOT to.

Welcome to my Blog

Welcome to my blog! First, I would like to take a second to thank you for reading my blog in the first place. Second, I would like to tell you a little bit about what I would like to use this blog for. I want this blog to be used to share my thoughts about everyday things as they relate to Christianity. I want to encourage you in Christ and help you in every way possible. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions, comments, and suggestions by emailing me at rileybrown96@gmail.com.