Not Of This World

I just want to be able to accept whatever he gives to me this year, and be able to view it through Christian eyes. I want to be able to see everything for what it is—a learning experience. I want to be able to diminish, and let Him get bigger and bigger in my life. 

I’m here to offer my insight (as much as that may be worth).

Also, I would love it if you guys came to me with prayer requests. 
:D 

Please include me in your prayers. I am having an extremely difficult time combatting the forces of Satan since I decided to be baptized in the Mormon church. I have been disheartened and discouraged greatly. Please just say a blessing to give me strength and perseverance in Christ. Thank you guys so much! 

COMPARED TO WHAT?

I’ve probably said this before, but we need to have glory for God in EVERYTHING we do. 
And part of the reason for this is so that we can reflect His glory at all times so people will look past us and see Him always. 

Think about it this way: Do your friends know for a fact that you’re a Christian—ALL your friends, not just the ones from youth group? Do the people you have class with know that you know God, even if they don’t go to your church? People should know God through you and your deeds. 

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it’s stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.”  — Matthew 5:14-16

If people don’t start telling me about what kind of posts I need to post to reach you or to help you grow in Christ, then I really don’t need this tumblr. 

The whole point of this tumblr is to offer a little bit of Christian guidance. But, since I am not hearing any suggestions, people obviously don’t need my help. 

I’m sorry if this is harsh, but I don’t need to spend my time on tumblr if I’m not benefitting anyone for God. Just reblogging and looking at cool inspirational pictures isn’t the point. 

So, I’ll give it 3 days. If there is no need for me by then, that’s that. It’s up to you guys whether you want constructive help or not. 

What kind of posts do you want to hear about?

Or is it worth it?

Edit: I realize that this is very harsh. And I apologize. But I feel that I have been spending too much time worrying about tumblr recently. I feel that I have not really been helpful or useful to my followers. And I when I sit down to write a post for you guys, I just can’t think of anything to write. There is just too much. I need help narrowing it down so I can help YOU specifically. Please understand my frustrations, and that I am trying not to take it out on you guys, but that I just don’t have any direction right now. 

     I wanted to do a post on Emotional Promiscuity, because a lot of people take it for granted or don’t even know about it. 
     But I was thinking about just doing a week-long series of posts on different aspects of it based on what everyone wants to hear about it or understand about it.
     I may do this for other subjects you guys want me to cover at other times too. 
But I can’t do this if I don’t have any feed back. So PLEASE give me some answers and suggestions. Help me help you. 
     What are some questions you have about emotional promiscuity?
     What are other subjects or posts you would like to hear from me over time? 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE respond to this!!!!

I can only go so far with these posts if I don’t know what you guys need to hear! 

     Increasingly often, I feel uncomfortable in certain situations (I think this is due to the fact that I’m starting to realize what should make me uncomfortable more and more because I have been really trying to be closer to God). And sometimes, it is really hard to know how to handle these situations. 
     Usually, I just sit there and take it. But I’m starting to see that this is not good for me, spiritually or emotionally. It is building up resentment for some people that I am close to, and it is making me more anxious in social situations. So, when is it appropriate to say something and when should you remove yourself from the situation? Here’s what I think.
     I think that if you feel uncomfortable enough to start to think of objections or things to say to bring up whatever is making you uncomfortable in a negative light, they you SHOULD say something. Not something rude or angry, but just a small mention that lets the people you are with know that you do not like the conversation or the actions that are occurring in the situation.
     I also think if you are uncomfortable enough to start getting angry or frustrated, or even upset or worked up, then you should also mention something and ask your company to stop the behavior. If they continue, then relocate to a better place, whether it be having to leave and go home, or just moving to a different room or leaving to be with different people.
     However, it is harder to do this in places like classrooms or in large social settings. Again, if you feel uncomfortable enough to say something, DO say something politely. If it continues and you cannot remove yourself from the situation, you may need to mention it to an authority figure or someone you can trust. 
     It can be really hard to stand up for yourself and your beliefs when you feel you are the only one speaking out. I have a really really hard time saying anything to my best friend when he plays very negative, degrading, and angry music in my car. But I know that if I let myself be subjected to this, then I will start viewing it as okay sometimes, and eventually just lower my standards. This is unacceptable. From now on, I am going to take my own advice and say something. It’s really important to be able to stand up for yourself and God.
     Just a thought. 

     Usually, when I get on tumblr or when I set out to do something to strengthen my connection with God, I’m pretty motivated about it; I’m just really passionate and ready to have at it. Other times I just feel so negative and unhappy that I make excuses and feel unfulfilled until I do a Godly post or read some scripture, or even listen to Godly music. 
      But then there’s times like today, when I feel absolutely neutral about the issue. I don’t necessarily feel like I want to do anything about it, but I don’t feel like NOT doing anything about it. 
      So, I went and grabbed my laptop, intent on making a post or reblogging a good amount of inspirational or thoughtful posts. I opened tumblr… and I felt nothing. Nothing came to mind when I started to write a post, and no images really caught my eye to where I felt like I needed to hit “reblog”. 
     However, I felt I needed to take some time today and put some effort into this. I had to physically remove myself from the room I was in (where the LOTR marathon I was enjoying was going on), even though I was perfectly content, and put myself in a situation where I could concentrate on the task at hand.
     My point (after that LONG and seemingly meaningless introduction) is that even if you are not driven to do anything specific for God, or you are not moved to put effort into what you are doing to further yourself spiritually, FORCE yourself. After I moved rooms and just started typing, I gained some steam. So, even if you don’t feel motivated or moved, just give it a chance. If no scripture is speaking to you, keep reading. You’ll find something, even if it’s the littlest feeling of positivity in your heart. If you are trying to pray, but don’t feel particularly thankful or in need of God, pray with everything in your heart anyway. You’ll find something that you really needed to give up to God, or something you are really really thankful for. Just give it a shot. What do you have to lose, other than negativity?

Please Please PLEASE read this to the end, even if you do not love or believe in God.

I try not to become angry when I see someone who is actively speaking out against God or doubters who are fervent in their mission to make others doubt. 

Okay, so at first I get kind of mad. And I start to think, who do they think they are?

But then I start to think, who do I think they are?

They are a child of God. They are a human being, created with just as much meticulous thought and love as I was. They are blessed in Christ. They struggle, just as I do sometimes.

And then, I feel regret. Regret, because I cannot save EVERYONE I encounter. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this kind of regret, especially with someone you are close to that you simply cannot seem to reach with the Spirit. It is heart wrenching. It is HORRIBLE.
And then I start to think about how GOD must feel about this person! He loves them more than ANYTHING! And He has to live with their rejection of Him ALL THE TIME!

The point of this seemingly pointless post is that Christians don’t approach atheists or non-believers or doubters to debate or argue to the point of stalemate. Okay, some may, but that’s not very Christian of them. But true Christians should feel pained by sadness over the turmoil that this person will face without God. And they should want to help to plant the seeds of faith, LOVINGLY.

I’m sorry if you’ve ever been wronged by a Christian or someone who follows God. People are corrupt. We cannot perfectly represent Christ or his love. And a lot of “Christians” don’t even try. 
I vow will try never to post anything hateful or untrue. I vow will try to be as Christ-like as I can. I vow will try to love you no matter who you are.  Because I can’t be perfect. Because no HUMAN is. But I will do my best to be your friend. And I will do everything I can to help you through this difficult, mysterious, joyful, and sometimes hurtful life.

God loves you, and so should I.

So I will.

<3