Just for Fun and Stuff

I'm just going to put down for the blogging record that this post is a brain ramble that I am doing just on a complete whim for the fun of it.
I have come to the conclusion that often I  (even unconsciously) do things like write, speak, dress, converse and act in a 'people-pleasing' sort of manner.
I find myself acting in a way contrary to my own personality just because I want to fit in with the people around me.
But God sees the heart.
Not the outward actions.
If I look perfect on the outside, but on the inside all I worry about is my next outfit, how to speak so I come across as witty and intelligent and do all things to glorify myself in the eyes of man, what good is that?
I want to my life to be glorifying to God starting from the inside and working out.
Because honestly, who cares what the world thinks? 
Not God.
As believers we are have citizenship elsewhere. This is not our universe and we are here for only a short while.
So....don't be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Yell it from the rooftops. (okay, maybe not, but you get the picture)
I know I need to be better about speaking the words of life. Not just thinking that smiling and being courteous to people is the equivalent of witnessing face to face about the wrath of God that condemns all mankind to hell and the amazing grace of redemption He has given. And I am really honestly talking to myself, because I NEED to do this. I am not sharing the gospel like I should because the fear of man is holding me back. How foolish that looks as I write it, and it's humbling.
That I wouldn't take every opportunity to sing praise to the wonderful, faithful, gracious, redeeming God that created the universe just because I am afraid of the response a mere person may give me. ugh.
 the fickleness of my flesh. I don't know if you ever realize it, but I know I find my human nature to be quite aggravating in many different situations.

However, I don't to bore you with my frustrations.
 I would much rather dwell on the creativity of God.
HIS CREATIVE GENIUS IS SO UNFATHOMABLY AMAZING.
(that really did all have to be in caps)

 The frailty and fragrance of a freshly bloomed spring flower.
He invented that. And created it.

Hands.
He made those too.

Jellyfish.
I have a strange infatuation with these creatures. I think they are such a testimony to God's intelligence in designing all things.

Sunsets and rises.
Every detail, our God attends to. From the rising of the sun to it's sinking into the horizon, He controls all things.

Love. God is love. Although He is a jealous God who has fiery wrath and is full of justice, there is a time when we need to stop. And just dwell in the lavishes of His mercy on His children and the love He poured out through His son. Because it is a beautiful thing.

~Bugg

Miscellaneous

Yeah, from the way I describe miscellaneous, the title will pretty much fit the post. :) I just thought I put down some random thoughts... But, if you've ever read this blog you'd know that randomness isn't too much out of the ordinary...
Life goes on...Pictures could probably describe better than words, otherwise ramblings may stretch far beyond anyone (including myself) would appreciate.

Jellyfish.
I told you it was going to be miscellaneous around here... :) No, but in all seriousness, I just have to let out a breath and stand in awe of our artistic Creator once again. These little blobs are gorgeous! Fragile as a sprout pushing it's way out of soft soil, yet you don't want to get too close because you know it's flowing tentacles aren't just ribbon like decorum on the sea creature and they will sting! And obviously I'm no ocean expert, but I have to out on a limb and say that these creatures aren't really on the top of the "Most important Water Creature" list. So, why do we really care whether jellyfish have been invented or not? Well, one verse that pops into my head is Psalm 46:10...
 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”God shows His glory through His creation. He is an artist, a designer.
He didn't just make jellyfish, an outstanding feat in itself, He created it. He knew that a little mushroom shaped organism fluttering through the ocean would show His glory.
Sometimes in my flurry to try and behold God's glory and to get closer to Him, I don't stop and be still. I don't look around to the earth He designed and marvel, knowing that the God who created all of this sent His only Son to save my soul for eternity. I need to do that more. He is God.
The biggest thing that stands in our way of knowing God more is satan. Keeping us from the salvation of Christ and knowing our Savior more isn't just a fun hobby for the devil, it's his passion. He desires that we would fall away and forget our God,  he wants to cloud our eyes and turn our heads away,make us think we can handle our lives on our own,  putting our strength above God Almighty's. I don't know about you, but thinking about an active enemy who is passionate about keeping us from Christ, makes something inside of me flicker and want to run to Christ and never ever ever let go. I want to fight the devil and his wily schemes. The thing is, I'm not always fighting. Sin is subtle. We have to be watchful, preparing ourselves for battle, the sword of the Spirit continually at our sides. If sin announced itself with a flashy neon sign that sign that said "Turn in here!!! Sin reeks havoc in your life and you know that's what you want! Pride, arrogance, disrespect, impurity, gossip, blaspheme and everything else God tells you to turn away from, it's all here!"
No. It's not like that. The devil whispers. very very very quietly. He twists what is right until it's wrong, and then hands it back to you. "It's not wrong...." he whispers, "You aren't as bad as that guy.......He deserves it.....nobody will ever know you thought that..." I could think of many more examples....And when we give into that, it's like throwing ourselves onto a bed of this...

Ouch.


So....all that being said, I want to be aware and FIGHT by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit. We can trust our God to hold us. He is eternal and holds us, past, present and future.
Jumping right to the next thing....

Mom and Dad! <3

Dash and Oggie

Erna and I :)

I'm so thankful for relationships. I have a wonderful (not perfect, but wonderful all the same) example of the relationship of a husband and wife in watching my parents. And I'm am proud to say that Christ is at the center of my mom and dad, and even though I've observed hurt feelings or misunderstood situations, when they run to Christ as their first love, forgiveness and a deeper love comes between them. I am so so so thankful for my parents, and I am realizing the value of their being in my life and in my life even more as I get older.
Oggie and Dash. Huge sigh. Not sure what emotion flows through my mind when I think of those two, but love for sure. If you have brothers, or if you even have more than one brother, you have probably observed that  there is competition. But, I have to say, I'm proud of them both and most of all thankful to Jesus for the growth in their relationship. Oggie, one of my 5 best friends, and brother in Christ has grown a lot and I am thankful that I have a brother so close to my age and that actually likes to hang with me. :) Dash is another one of my best friends although it can be hard sometimes, I love him more and more each day.  :)
Erna, (my lil' sis) and I are so different. so different. But God I think God is using our relationship as sister to grow us both, and Erna has pulled out the goofy, crazily creative side and oh, I just love having a sister!
God has given me 7 awesome relationships to grow in  in this stage of life, and He has shown me that I don't need any more to worry about right now. :)

 And...here is some random-ness for you :) We went to a museum with some friends and the triangle of mirrors fascinated me! haha :)

 I LOVE this picture. I don't know why, but I do. I love the little girl in the picture even more though!

 Yep. I love her!

Well...closing down for now! Thanks for reading (or skimming the page...)
~Bugg~

To the Glory of God...

"We only have our two-fifths-of-a-second-long scene to live. I don't know about you, but I want my two-fifths of a second to be about my making much of God. First Corinthians 10:31 says, 'Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.' That is what each of our two-fifths of a second is about.
So what does it mean to you?"
(Taken from 'Crazy Love', by Francis Chan, Ch. 2, pg. 44)

After reading this, my heart and mind both say, "How am I living my 'scene'? Am I living for me, or to the glory of God?" In our American culture, living for the Glory of God and dying to self is hard. Not only is it hard in our flesh because all humans are natural self-pleasers, but our culture says that if you don't serve yourself first, you're crazy!
        My family and I were out shopping, and I noticed somebody trying to ask this lady something in the parking lot. After they asked the 2nd or 3rd time she turned around and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, I was so wrapped up in my world, I didn't hear you!" And not that I totally don't do that, but it's a good reminder to myself to be constantly focused on others, and not me. Also, if anybody has noticed Pepsi's "Live for Now" advertising... That made me really sad. I don't want to live for now. Living for now usually results in, "What is the best way to self-indulge?" and "How can I make 'the now' better for myself?" 
I am writing this post as a self-reminder to myself, because I am always finding myself caught up in the moment, tangled in a mess of pleasing myself.
One thought I had the other day has been really on my heart as of late.
 Am I living with the world and trying to get enough of it before I tell God, "Okay, I've had enough. Can you take me to heaven now so I can fill myself of pleasure there now?" Or, am I living in the world but standing out because I don't belong here anyway? Heaven is my true resting place, and God is where I should derive my joy and pleasure from.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
   
(1 John 2:15-17 ESV)

Living for others and to the Glory of God is hard. And, it doesn't come easily. I've noticed something in my quiet times, the bible is full of verbs. Action verbs. And it's pretty hard to carry out the action of an action verb without doing anything! :)

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
    Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
   
(Romans 12:9-21 ESV)

Now, practicing is hard work too! But, he takes our burdens and when I practice righteousness, I feel very joyful. It brings me happiness to know that I'm doing what my King has commanded! And even though I try and fail, and try and really fail and try even harder and fail yet again, HE LOVES ME. Isn't that unbelievable! I am so thankful for a God who tenderly loves his children, and who rebukes them in gentleness, and even though are constantly turning around to other things, loves them.
 
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
(John 15:9 ESV)

He loves us so much, he died to cleanse us. That is amazing.

~Bugg

He loves me...

John 15:9

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. 

Abide in my love. 

Reflections

"Driving here is interesting, stop, start, swerve, slow, wait..yikes! The little boys who came up to the car at one stop were putting their heads on my window, giggling at me when I would wiggle my eyebrows.When they laugh, their eyes sparkle and give they a sly smile when you say hello to them in their language. The Holy Spirit is so present here. I've never had to trust God so much before, and guess what? I've never felt so much peace......."~from one of my very few journal entries in Africa.

I know I already posted some about Africa, but it is so heavy on my heart right now. I want to go back, but then, I realize that I don't have to go thousands of miles away to serve Jesus. Literally, I can sit where I am right now, and be the same kind of light I was while blowing bubbles and jump roping with the kids there. I don't think my siblings are saved, why can't I realize that they are just in need of Christ as any other 8,9, or 10 year around the world? I prayed and asked God for a especially servant's minded heart while I was there, to let the little things slip and be patient, kind, loving and gentle. And I really think he answered my prayers. But the thing is, I don't think I've whole-heartedly prayed for those things since. Isn't that awful? I have been so convicted of this. I am a light, and I reflect my savior. Sure, I'm a rusty, fogged up mirror, but he is gradually polishing me up to reflect him better. Does that mean I can be comfortable with snapping at my friends, siblings ect. for minor things that bother me, but aren't necessarily wrong, or correcting someone when they do sin out of anger? Christ corrects in love, and I should too. Maybe this means I should think a whole lot more before I open my big mouth. I know I struggle with this to, like being to loud, or trying to be funny.....My thoughts even, not setting my mind on Christ like things, and that comes out in the way I act. So thinking before I think would even be a good idea. (It does make sense, sort of, if you think about it) Ugh, I am so sinful. Can you believe God would ever love some as rotten as man? He sent his only son to die for us! How incredible is that? He loves me. HE loves me.... way down here on planet earth, a small little teeny, tiny, itty, bitty thing, and gave his life. He was carpenter. He got splinters and stubbed his toe, he got cold at night. He had foods that were is favorite and not so much, but he never complained, he never gave up. He, Jesus, the creator of the universe, left his heavenly, unimaginably beautiful home, and came to earth, not as a king as so many expected, but as a commoner. And because he didn't come and defeat the Romans and sit on a pathetic earthly throne like so many other men have done, he did something far greater. He gave us a far more magnificent gift, not one of fleeting trends or passing worldly things but of love.  He forgave us.  He wrapped us in his righteousness and now before the Father we are seen as spotless. How amazing is that? I love Him so much and I am so extremely thankful for his forgiveness and grace. Thank you Lord for saving me! Thank you for loving me. Please shine through me as the broken vessel I am and let your light be so bright that people instantly know it's YOU.
~Bugg

Whoa.....

God has been showing me a lot things about him lately, but the one that keeps getting thrown in my face is that he is BIG. Much bigger than I thought he was, which is really rather sad, because I want him to be the biggest part of my life. So, let me try to explain my thought process of what a galactic God we have. I am at a loss though, because there are no pictures or words or videos or anything to describe the hugeness of God. I can only try, (in a pathetic, human, way) to tell you what I am thinking. So, here is a bible verse I read this morning that might help......
    Job 37:1-13

1 “At this also my heart trembles

and leaps out of its place.

2 Keep listening to the thunder of his voice

and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go,

and his lightning to the corners of the earth.

4 After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice,

and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.

5 God thunders wondrously with his voice;

he does great things that we cannot comprehend.

6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’

likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.

7 He seals up the hand of every man,

that all men whom he made may know it.

8 Then the beasts go into their lairs,

and remain in their dens.

9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind,

and cold from the scattering winds.

10 By the breath of God ice is given,

and the broad waters are frozen fast.

11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture;

the clouds scatter his lightning.

12 They turn around and around by his guidance,

to accomplish all that he commands them

on the face of the habitable world.

13 Whether for correction or for his land

or for love, he causes it to happen."

    When I read this, I was like, whoa....And to think, I hardly ever throw a thought towards the direction that God has SO MUCH POWER. We are not serving some measly little God here, folks. He is not a little god who's power can be contained in a little wooden or metal figure and then placed on a shelf, just to gather dust. He is a galactic God. He's simply profound, hopelessly merciful, and terrifyingly beautiful. And I love describing him in confusing terms because he can be very confusing. Doesn't he deserve so much more praise then what we as humans think is enough? He created us, but he doesn't even need us. Right now the stars, sun, moon, ocean, sea creatures, flying things, creeping things, land animals, trees, flowers everything is praising his NAME!! It doesn't stop, it's not just worship at church, bible study, and cool christian concerts. I want be praising his name all the time. Which now brings me to show you this crazily cool video. 

You don't have to watch the whole thing, but fast forward to the last 9 minutes or so. You will be BLOWN away. I was. God. is. big. That is all I can say. He constantly amazes me with the blessings and trials he puts in my life. And I am really glad he decided to give me a little peek through verses, videos, studies and more how huge he is.

~Bugg~