Trials are Gifts

Yes, you read it right.  Our trials are gifts.  I recently watched this video about a kid named Clayton McDonald.  Maybe you've heard of him or maybe you haven't.  He was an incredible boy who saw his trials as gifts and opportunities to share the gospel.  It shows incredible selflessness and putting God's glory and the salvation of others before your own pain.  Hopefully this video will impact you the same way it did me and show you that God works all things out for good and that His plans are ALWAYS perfect.

Perseverance

 Yes, I know, finishing things is hard.  Especially when you get distracted with things that seem more fun or better than what you are stuck on.  During November, as I've said many times, I participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  Needless to say, writing a novel in a month isn't as easy as it sounds.  Perseverance is a big part of it.  Usually half way through NaNo I've decided that my novel is junk and not really worth finishing.
But what I have to remember is that there are always things that seem bigger and better out there.  There will always be something in my mind telling me that what I'm writing is no good.  Everyone, even the greatest authors, have struggled with doubt that their project isn't worth finishing.  Perseverance applies to almost all things in life.
You don't give up singing just  because you hit a few bad notes.
You don't quit your job just because it's hard.
You don't stop playing a sport because it gets more difficult.
Working hard and giving your best are always better than giving up.  More importantly, God doesn't want us to quit.
The bible says that we are to strive to be like Christ.  And if Christ didn't give up on us even though we continued to sin and disobey Him, we shouldn't give up on people or other things.  As my dad reminded me the other day, "It's just a season, it will eventually pass."  So keep running in the race!  Taking breaks only makes you fall further behind!  Persevere!

NaNo Approaches!

NaNoWriMo is seriously 2 days away!  I can hardly wait!  I know I post on it every year and about how much fun it is.  Hey, I can't help it.  It's something I enjoy...a lot!  Here's the link just in case someone wants to check it out and join me on the crazy mission to write a novel in a month!  NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

French!

Today, my youngest brother was writing some "words" on the back of note cards that my sister had used for a research project (luckily the project was finished!).  He gave them to my mom and told her to read them.  While she was reading out loud what his gibberish said my little brother had a proud look on his face.  When she finished, mom said, "Great job buddy!  What language are you writing in?!" To which he replied in the most matter of fact tone possible, "French!"
Oh the little moments that make us laugh.  They're so unexpected but then end up making our days so happy and enjoyable!

The Truth About Youth Group

Blimey Cow: The Truth About Youth Group

Silver Platters

Having a job is not at all what I was expecting.  Before, I had kind of been able to hide from the hard days and avoid things I didn't really want to do.  Now, I stare the hard stuff straight on in the face.  Mom told me that life can't be handed to me on a silver platter.  The hard part is, that up until this point, some of it has been.  Getting out of that is a little bit of a challenge.  But I must admit that even on the hard days, I still find myself having a good time through it all.  As my boss said, "If you're having a bad day, don't show it because the customer might be having a bad day too, and your smile and kindness might just give them the push they need to finish the day."
Truth is, I enjoy my job, and the chance to push myself and leave my comfort zone may be scary and intimidating, but it's just broadening my horizons so that I can be better equipped and prepared for the things God throws at me throughout the day.  It's all for a purpose and a reason!  Don't give up just because it's hard!  Instead, see it as a challenge that God has given you to help you grow in your faith, or be better suited to spread his Gospel.
Last Sunday my dad gave a wonderful sermon.  In the passage of scripture he was speaking from Paul said:

"For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.  But though we had already suffered ad been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.  For our appeal does not spring from error nor impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts."

(1 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

I just think it's kinda cool that Paul saw the gospel as a precious gift that God had entrusted him with.  We also should see it that way.  It's not something we keep in our back pocket and flash it whenever we need it.  It's something we should protect, treasure, and share.

The Giver

Yesterday afternoon, I went to see the movie The Giver with my dad and sister.  I'm not going to lie, at first I thought it was a little slow and confusing.  But as the plot developed and the movie went on, it started becoming more clear and less strange.
The Giver is about a boy, Jonas, who lives in a Utopia where everyone is the same.  They wear the same clothes, speak the same, and there are no colors.  Jonas is chosen to be The Receiver on graduation day (where every eighteen year old is assigned a job).  The Receiver is given all the memories from that past that have been lost, from The Giver.  As Jonas gains all of these memories *spoiler* he starts to realize that the "Community" they are living is incomplete and empty.  There are strict rules (never lie, precision of language etc.), curfews, and no emotions (due to daily injections).  All in all, the movie was great and very interesting!  My dad and I were talking about it and he said, "It's strange, most movies these days are about teenagers.  And there's a teen who is a Christ like figure trying to save the world."As I thought about it, I realized he was right.  It kind of feels like Hollywood ran out of ideas so they keep repeating the same plot line but with different characters with goals that "sound" different.  While I watched The Giver, I noticed that while people may deny that there is a God, and that Jesus died for our sins, they can't help putting a "Messiah" in their books and movies.
Anyway, just a thought.  Hope this little review was helpful for this highly recommended movie!