Update: Changes Coming

Wow, it's been awhile. I've missed this. I'm hoping to make some changes to the blog in the next couple of weeks, including layout and most importantly a new name! I also have some thoughts that have been floating around in my head that I'm in the process of putting on paper so I'm hoping to have a new post in the next couple of days. Back to the changes, please feel free to leave input in the comments below, I'm always looking for new ideas and things to tweak. :)

Is There Really, Something in The Water?

You may or may not have heard Carrie Underwoods newest single, Something in the Water. If you've heard it (and paid attention to the lyrics) then you can tell that this song is about salvation, the grace of God, and baptism. If you've paid really good attention to the lyrics and know the Gospel, you should be questioning the message of this song. Here are the lyrics, I'm going to have you read them before I give you my thoughts.

                                "Something In The Water"

He said, "I've been where you've been before.
Down every hallway's a slamming door.
No way out, no one to come and save me.
Wasting a life that the Good Lord gave me.

Then somebody said what I'm saying to you,
Opened my eyes and told me the truth."
They said, "Just a little faith, it'll all get better."
So I followed that preacher man down to the river and now I'm changed
And now I'm stronger

There must've been something in the water
Oh, there must've been something in the water

Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way
Didn't think about it for a couple of days
Then it hit me like a lightning late one night
I was all out of hope and all out of fight

Couldn't fight back the tears so I fell on my knees
Saying, "God, if you're there come and rescue me."
Felt love pouring down from above
Got washed in the water, washed in the blood and now I'm changed
And now I'm stronger

There must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water

And now I'm singing along to amazing grace
Can't nobody wipe this smile off my face
Got joy in my heart, angels on my side
Thank God almighty, I saw the light
Gonna look ahead, no turning back
Live every day, give it all that I have
Trust in someone bigger than me
Ever since the day that I believed I am changed
And now I'm stronger

There must be something in the water (amazing grace)
Oh, there must be something in the water (how sweet the sound)
Oh, there must be something in the water (that saved a wretch)
Oh, there must be something in the water (like me)
Oh, yeah

I am changed (I once was lost)
Stronger (but now I'm found)
(was blind but now I see)

Now that you've read them I'd like to share my thoughts, Now I can't know Carrie's heart and I can't know if my thoughts line up with her intended message but based on the lyrics, I believe that she could be sending out a false gospel message. I just have a couple of questions and thoughts to go along with them that I ask that you at least take into consideration.

*I don't know Carries salvation story but I do know that these lyrics aren't necessarily her story.

1. Is she claiming salvation through baptism? 

That could be. In one of her lyrics she says that she "followed that preacher man down to the river and now [she's] changed, [she's] stronger, [because] there must have been something in the water." I take this as, she get baptized and says that changed her, which could very well be true! But, is this saying the salvation through faith alone by grace alone wasn't enough?

2. Is she saying baptism water is "blessed" or contains "power"?

Baptism is when a christian, someone who claims Jesus is Lord of their life and believes in his death and resurrection, decides to make a public profession of faith and be identified with Christ. Baptism represents dying to ourselves and rising up as one with Jesus. No there is no power in baptism, it is just a symbolic act, Jesus does expect it of those who have put their faith in Him but it does not save you.

There is a lot of truth in this song, and I'm not condemning Carrie Underwood, my point in writing this is to challenge you to examine the lyrics to a song before you embrace it. 

God answers prayer

Wow, its been awhile. Tonight, I kind of have a lot on my mind and I figured if I'm able to organize my thoughts I could post, so sorry if this is a little all over the board.

I've been on one heck of an emotional roller coaster lately, today especially. I got to see someone who mean the world to me for the first time in awhile. Our lives have gone down two separate paths and its hard watching someone you consider family, in every sense of the word, leave your life. I am thankful for the new path God has placed me on, I am constantly learning to be content where I am and some of the greatest lessons I've learned have come from this. I am also so thankful for the times when I do get to see her. Not seeing her as often has caused some serious issues for me though, asking myself questions like, what did I do wrong? Wasn't our friendship worth fighting for? Why would God tear apart something so good? I am now seeing the answers to these questions I have cried out to God.  I need to be still and look for Him above all else.

I have also been very concerned about what my future will be. The teen years are such a big part of figuring out who you are and what you want to be. Figuring this out brought so much stress to me that I felt I shouldn't even celebrate my 16th birthday since I didnt have these answers. I still dont have these answers but I see God opening and closing doors that will show me exactly where He wants me to go.

Lastly, one of my goals in life is to be an encouragement to everyone around me. Someone others girls can look up to, someone who leads people in their walks and shows them what it means to be a follower of Jesus. I was feeling down, feeling like I hadnt been doing a good job of that as I moped around because of past events. I realized, I need to choose joy, I need to put aside my feelings and get over my selfish wants and be joyful despite my hurt. I am most encouraged when I am encouraging. As I have gotten back to reaching out to people I have realized how silly I was to throw a pity party for myself when deep down I knew people needed to see Jesus in me. Now that I've gotten back to that I am so happy and I love knowing I can be a safe place for my friends.

Be still and know that I am God...

This simple phrase has brought me much comfort lately. I have many questions I want answered. Why do I feel so alone? Why is my life so different? Why am I struggling in my relationships? Why does my faith feel like a roller coaster ride? Why do I have so many questions? Some of these questions I may never have answers to and I have to accept that. How do I accept the unknown though? One day I was just wondering what God is asking of me because of these trials I have. It suddenly hit me, what if He doesn't want me to do anything? What if He wants me to just wait on Him and do absolutely nothing but rely on Him? Sometimes that's what God calls us to do. Waiting is never fun, but God will give you the strength to wait upon Him. I know this answer may not be fun but I have to trust it what He called me to. "Be still and know that I am God." This verse can be found in Psalms 46:10. Not only does this verse call us to be still an wait but to know that God is God. I know this can be cliche but this one verse contains so much power. Make a list of all the attributes that come to mind when you think of God, read that list and know that those qualities and so many more make up the God you serve. 

Just some thoughts...

Sorry I haven't posted, I've had a little bit of writers block. 

Tonight, I'm feeling rejected, alone, and like I don't belong. I don't understand why life can be extraordinary one day  and miserable the next. I'm worn out by these feelings, they've become quite common the past two to three years. I've always kind of seen myself as that loser kid who was left out and made to feel bad because of it. Most of the time not intentionally but nonetheless. I'm feeling emotionally and spiritually exhausted. I struggle because I feel like I have no one to go with my problems because I feel like I struggle so much I wear people out. I was thinking about this along wit he everything else tonight when this thought really hit me, God will never get tired if me asking for help. Anyone who has been around young kids knows all the questions can get frustrating and annoying but God will not get annoyed with us. He wants us to learn and grow towards Him and sometimes we learn the most by asking questions. I just found such comfort knowing Gods not fed up with me for this, He's not going to give up on me for crying out to Him to show me His will and how this can possibly be good. So tonight just be encouraged by knowing Gods not going to give up on you and He will never else you. 

My Testimony

So today my family joined our church, we had to give our testimonies to the congregation so I thought I would share mine with you as well. Feel free to comment yours :) 

At the age of 5 I prayed the prayer asking Jesus to forgive my sins and come into my heart. I knew I was a sinner and Jesus dying on the cross paid the price for my sin. I didn't truly understand that by me putting my faith in His sacrificial death,my debt was paid and by rising from the grave death and sin were conquered once and for all and I was now viewed as righteous in the eyes of God. I didn't come to understand this until around the age of 10. At the age of 11 I made my faith known through baptism. Once I entered sixth grade I really started to grow in my understanding of the Bible and knowledge of who God is.Through a program that my youth group offered called Servant Leadership I realized how Christianity is about a relationship and not a religion. I understood that it's not about what I have done it's about what He did for me on the cross.  I continued to grow in my walk with The Lord through bible studies, and various small  groups geared towards teaching teens how to be a light through living out the character of Christ. In the fall of 2012 my church split. The year and half that has passed since the split has without a doubt been the most trying time in my life. After the church split I really struggled with a lot of things, but through the trials I held onto the knowledge that my God loves me and has better plans for me.  One of the most important lessons I learned from this was people are going to fail me, it's inevitable but God will not. Even when it feel like He is not around I have to know that in His word he promises to never leave me. God has shown me that He is all that I need to get through life. If I have Him I have everything.  Through this trial God has taught me more about His character than I ever could have imagined I could learn from one situation. I understand that the God of the universe who brought the dead to life loves me in my selfish state and calls me His child and friend. While I will be unfaithful to Him and place idols in front of Him, He still will remain faithful to me and He still wants to use me. It is my desire and prayer to be used by God to further His heavenly kingdom in whatever way He sees fit for me. I know it may not be pleasant but I know that if He is with me and if it is His plan then it's good and I want to be apart of it.

Update: I'm back

So I know my posting hasn't been consistant lately but I am happy to say I will be doing my best to post as often as possible. I want to get back to doing once a week but I need topics and some weeks I'm not sure what to post. I needed a break as I had a lot of things I was struggling with. I felt I needed to get my feelings in order before I wrote again. I'm still struggling with them but I'm learning to live joyfully despite them and I have hope. Hope in a God who has not given me anything more than I can bear. Hope in a God who is going to be there for me every step of the way. Hope in a God who is going to walk me through and draw me closer to Him in the process. Now, that is something to live for. :)