Truth Among All The Evil In The World

I finally have time to write post something! My life has been crazy lately.

Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

In verses one through eight, Solomon goes on about how there is a time for everything. Each activity or emotion has a time in our life. Sometimes we might want to do something but we know it isn’t the right time for that, we need to do something else. Sometimes we just want to lay around and cry about something, but you can’t wallow in sadness. Eventually you have to get up and push away that sadness and embrace the days ahead of you with a positive attitude. God will help you in this. If you are in a pit of despair, cry out to God for help, comfort, and strength and He will come to you. God is waiting for all His children to cry out for His help. If you need Him…go to Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-22

Solomon is starting to see God in life in these passages. He gives God credit for the beauty of this world. He states that the gift of God is “that everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toils.” God endures forever; nothing can be added to or taken away from this world or from God. Men revere God because of this. Revere is described as “to regard with respect tinged with awe; venerate.”

Everyday is the same; yesterday, today, and tomorrow are all the same. There is wickedness everywhere. There always has been, there always will be. God will judge us for this wickedness. God will judge both the wicked and the righteous.

There is a time for everything. All things must come to and end. Everything dies, it goes back to the dust of which it came from. Solomon decided at the end of these verses that there is nothing better for man to do that to enjoy his work. (He’s kinda two faced on this issue isn’t he?)

Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4:1-6

Solomon noticed all the bad and evil that was happening to the people of the world, and he saw that they had no comforter. He said that those who were dead were better off than those living. He also said that those who had not been born yet were even better off than the dead because they hadn’t even seen the light of day.

Solomon saw that all the work and accomplishments of those around him were a result of envy. This, he said, is meaningless. It is better to be tranquil than to toil in meaningless ways.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Working all alone without companionship is meaningless. Without people around you loose the enjoyment of life, you deprive yourself. You also become very consumed in yourself and in your wealth.

(These next few verses, 9-12, are some of my all time favorite verses!!)

Two people, together, are better than someone who is alone. They help each other and profit from each other, but they don’t take advantage of each other. If one person falls down, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, his friend can help him up. But a man who has no friends won’t have help when he falls. If two are in need of warmth, they can draw close to each other and the will keep warm. If one needs comforting, his friend can draw close and comfort him. But one who doesn’t have a friend has no one to help keep him warm or to comfort him. When one person is put in some kind of hardship without the support of a friend, he will easily fall. But when a person goes through a hardship with a friend by his side, he can stand strong. The encouragement of a friend is powerful. When you put three friends together you are even stronger to face whatever comes your way. I recently was inspired about the meaning of the verse where is says, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” This can refer to three different situations, I think. The first one is the most obvious. Three friends together are strong, and their friendship is secure. I realized a while back the this verse could also refer to two close/ best friends who have God actively in their lives and in their friendship. This reminds me of a song by Michael W. Smith called “Friends.” Some of the lyrics are “And friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them…In the Father's hands we know, that a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.” Sometimes this is hard to do because you want to talk about boys/girls, school, sports, or music. But the strongest friendship is one where you not only talk about those things, but you talk about God. What He’s done in your life, what He’s doing in your life, you pray together, study the word together, and you encourage each other with scripture. This is the kind of friendship that is strong and will last. The third meaning of this verse applies to marriage. My best friend recently told me about this meaning behind the verse. This meaning is much like the last meaning except that it has to do with a married man and woman rather than friends. All the principles are pretty much the same. But they are on a more intimate level. This is the longest I’ve ever gone on about a certain set of verses. But after God, friends are the biggest thing in my life. I treasure my friends and I try very hard at the relationships I have. I’m sure many of you can relate.

The last bit of Ecclesiastes four talk about how it is better to be young and wise, then to be old and foolish. I think that’s pretty self explanatory.

I really hope what I have said in this post helps and encourages you! I pray that this will in some way affect you. If you have any questions about what I have said, feel free to email me. christianyouthsspeakout@yahoo.com I would love to hear from you!

God Bless!

Rachel

There Could Never Be a More Beautiful You!!

I had always heard this song on the radio and would sing along every time, but only recently did I find the artist and his music video - and shall I say, it was love at first sight.  This video really connected the lyrics to my life and the rat race we call humanity:

~*Watch the "A More Beautiful You" Music Video*~

As you watch the video, it is much like the Dove Evolution and Beauty Is a Product of Photoshop videos.  These videos show already-beautiful girls being transformed into super models - the world's standard of beauty.  However, this beauty is a false ideal, one that stems from computers and editing.  Yet, girls and guys alike look at these images and find themselves unattractive and undesirable, unable to reach the high standards placed on us by Hollywood.  I find myself disgusted by what is in the mirror some days, as we all do at some point.  Yet I look around me and find something beautiful in EVERY person, whether is is in their pretty face, athletic build, or warm heart.  You see, beauty radiates from the inside.  Having a cold heart and rude attitude takes away from whatever physical beauty a person may hold; likewise, a warm heart and friendly personality makes any person more beautiful both physically and inwardly.  

Let me walk you through the process I needed to experience to appreciate who I am EXACTLY AS GOD MADE ME.  Didn't God tell us that we were made in his image, that He made us exactly who we are and loves us for it?  Put aside all your thoughts of pleasing the world for a moment.  Peter says in 1 Peter 3:3-4:

"Do not be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

GOD made us who we are, and He loves us exactly the way He made us!  Guys and gals - HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING!  You were not God's mistake, his broken toy on the assembly line.  You are unique and perfectly formed.  And you know what?  He made someone JUST FOR YOU, someone who will consider you the most gorgeous or most handsome person in the world.  

The first step in appreciating your beauty is UNDERSTANDING that God CREATED you!  You are His masterpiece, His one-of-a-kind YOU.  Take a look at some of these verses, and explore more.  Once you have learned that you were created in God's image (which is perfect!) you can begin the healing process, step by step, of loving who you are. 

*Psalm 139:13-18

* Genesis 1:27

*Proverbs 31:30

 I will continue posting each step of the way, and if you EVER need anyone to talk to, don't hesitate to contact me or any of the other writers on the blog!  If you have friends who struggle with self image, please pass this blog along. I will continue posting both to help you AND myself in the process of loving who you are.  God Bless!

In Christ Always,

Hilary

It's Been A While

I finally have time to write again! Since my last post i have just been really busy and haven't had time to sit down ant type up what i've studied and written about Ecclesiastes. So i'm going to continue now with Ecclesiastes 2. We'll see how much i can get typed.
Ecclesiastes 2:4-16
Solomon thought is he did good deeds, like farming, he would find the meaning to life. So he built houses for himself, planted vineyards, gardens, and fruit trees, and he made parks. He made reservoirs of water through everything he had done. He tired even more, he bought slaves and livestock. He acquired much gold and silver. He acquired singers and musicians. He became the wealthiest man is Jerusalem. Some say he was the riches man to ever walk the earth.
Anything and everything he wanted he made sure he got it. He was happy about his accomplishments. But when he looked back over everything he had done, it was all meaningless to him. It meant nothing to him.
Bible Gateway Passage Lookup Ecclesiastes 2:4-16

Ecclesiastes 2:17-23
Solomon hated life. The work her had done grieved him. He felt as if all he had worked for was nothing. Why work hard on something when people in generations to come would destroy it? He felt that all he had done was in vain.
Bible Gateway Passage Lookup Ecclesiastes 2:17-23

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
Solomon believed that there was nothing better than to eat, drink, and be satisfied with your work. But although he believed this, he thought it was meaningless. Solomon mentions God for the first time in verse 24. Solomon tells us that satisfaction is from God, and that with out God we can't find enjoyment. God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to those that please him. But to the sinner He gives a life full of toil. Solomon said that a life of toil is meaningless.
Bible Gateway Passage Lookup Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

I honestly don't think there is a whole lot to gain from these verses. But what i saw over and over is that if you work for God and do all the work you do for His glory you will live a satisfied and fulfilled life. So start trying to live for God and to do your work for His glory.

God Bless
Rachel

LiveLove.

Hey! My name is Ashleigh! Hillary asked me to write for this blog a little while ago and although I was unsure of what to say I wanted to. She gave me the idea to write about my trip to Africa! As the weeks went on I tried to think of something to say because honestly words do not describe anything I saw or felt on this trip. This week I have been thinking about this blog and what I should say a lot. I feel like maybe this is not something worth writing about, but then again maybe it is important for others to hear. Even though I cannot explain the significance this trip had on me and others I will try my hardest! :)

Today I'm going to try and explain Day 1 of my trip to Kandaira, Kenya in Africa. The first three days on this trip I kept a journal, so much of this stuff is coming from it!

-As we were driving to Kandaria (about an hour drive) from Sunset Hotel in Kisimu, Kenya I was shocked to see the naked children standing on piles of trash picking things out and putting them in thier mouths and baskets. Although I have heard of this before it was shocking to actually witness it. Its so hard to explain the feeling of actually SEEING it with my own eyes. I've heard it so many times you know like "People in Africa don't have food" or "they are starving." I have even listened to Jeff Foxworthy describe him experience on a mission trip to Africa and listened to him tell me about the trash kids are scrummaging through for food, but it never really clicked. I thought I knew what he was talking about or atleast understood what it meant, but I didn't not until I saw the children, the toddlers, the teenagers that are my age, that should be in school just like me EATING trash! Its so hard to think that your money could be so empty and gone that you have to resort to eating someone else waste. Its does happen. I saw it happening and thier was nothing I could do, nothing at all but try to prevent it happening to other children. The roads NO rules. It is hectic, busy, and crazy compared to our systematic laws. Its funny how perfectly this demonstrates how life in Kenya is. Just like the way they love, crazy love, its nothing like American love. It was so easy for them to love me even though I was different then them in many ways they accepted me and only thought about how my heart could help pray with them to the god we both loved and beleived in. They thought of me as thier sister, daughter, mother...as wierd as that sounds the children really did think of anyone who had the appearence and love for them as mothers do as thier mothers and treated you like it too. When we got to the community we were immediatley greeted by Pastor Jack, Pastor David (Jacks brother), and Pastor Paul. The first stop we made was to Akado Primary School. It is so smll compared to our huge buildings, even the schools we consider tiny are huge compared to these. Mud/ cement buidling with hoels n the walls for windows and dirt floors. We walked into the principal's "office" (Lillian). She told us how this school is number 1 for testing!! This school has 281 students with 9 teachers! Thats almost 32 kids per one teacher! Next year they are expecting 400 students with only 9 teachers that almost 45 kids per teacher!! Thats insane!Next we went to Sigoti Primary School. We were introduced to a couple of young, girl students. They sand a good worship song and were so shy. I walked with thier principal (Joseph) to explore thier school. It is still small but bigger than Akado. 280 kids with 10 teachers and they are also expecting around 400 students next year. Both schools are xpecting so many students next year because of the program BrighPoint for Children. It will be providing free lunch for every student, so most of the children will onyl be coming to school because thier parents cannot afford food so that is where they will be getting it from. Most kids either go days without food or come to school and get a lunch everyday. This program is what I use to sponsor Mercy Atieno, who attends Sigoti Primary School. Next we went to the water tank! It was a very long walk with many rock and mostly uphill. The young children would run up withough falling. Ha! We walked back down for the community meeting after being shown the water tank that was started with the group that went last year. It is cool how the babies to elders are all involved in this meeting. We were given our Luo-Kenya names, mine is Akinyi because I was born in the morning. After the name ceremony we ad small groups. I joined the youth with three other poeple from the group. At first I wanted so bad to join in with the children, but ended up with the youth because it was short on members from our group. We discussed verses in Joshua, Mark, and Matthew. It was really cool how the Bible Study was more student led that adult led. The youth pastor hardly got a word in because the youth was so involved. You hardly see that much involvment in today's youth group or bible study. It was so refreshing. If they were catorgized in a U.S. highschool they would most likely be said to be a future preacher. I met a girl named Julia, she was my first friend. :) She is very! outgoing and talkative. We walked back to the meeting and a member of every group gave a description of what went on in each group. A little girl sang "You Are My All In All." It was beautiful to see how appreciated everyone was of her song and how they don't care AT ALL how to sound as long as you sing. And the poeple there are not afraid to stand up and randomly sing a song they just don't care if poeple think they are "good" or not. THE DANCE!! It was awesome! Many youth boys showed us the traditional dance with drums, whistles, harmonicas, and costumes. Randomly an elder woman stood and chanted, then she started dancing. Quickly many more followed they grabbed us and then the men came to dance too. Men and women stayed seperated while dancing. We all loved it!! This lasted for about ten minutes. after we started walking down to the bus, everyone followed. All the chidlren loved taking "photos" and as you walked they would grab at your empty hand to fill it with thier love. Every member of the team had about 5 children sourrounding them. It was hard to say goodbye.

So that the end of Day 1 in the community! I know it skips thoughts easily, but I wanted it to be straight form the journal with a few exceptions because I felt the strongest and it was the freshest when I was writing it.

I know this is super long!! BUT I have another thought on my mind... over the weekend I was at a youth conference where a boy named Migel stood and talked about his life. He was a child that had absolutely no Hope and no God in his life. He was sponsored through Compassion International where his life was forever changed. Not only because he was given the oppurtunity to have an education, food, and clothing, but mainly because the letters that he waited for every month shared love and God with him. He told us how if he didn't get those letters or wasn't sponsored he would have never known Christ. He was told he was nothing and would never be anything, but ow he workd in Chicago as a missionary rescueing youth and children jsut as he had been rescued fifteen years before. It amazes me how something we do or say can change a life and a way of thinking. Just today I was sitting having luch with a friend of mine, Libby. We were talknig about God and jst stuff that was on our heart about our relationship with Him and churches today. Loosing track of time, many of the poeple had left the restaunt. We weren't paying attention to anyone else at all. We were talking, not even loud, to each other. When we were aobut to leave a man came up and told us how refreshing it was to here youth talking about God. I thought yeah its great, but then left it at that. Later I rememberd the situation again and talked to Libby about it and realized that we might have changed his perspective about youth. We might have influenced him to talk more about God, to tlak to his family about God and what He is doing in the lives of youth. Its hard to realize that EVERYTHING you do and say influences somebody whether in a good way or in a bad way. Even small things like talking to a friend could influence someone and could even hcange thier mind about God. It made me realize jsut how powerful my actions are. That maybe someone in that restaunt wsn't a Christ Follower and hearing us, changed his mind a tiny bit about God. So my point is that every action and word can be used for God's Glory and to remember that poeple do pay attention to you so not only remember to surround yourself with Godly things, but also you can use small things like eating with a friend to influence someone and change someones life! Every moment can be used to glorify God. :) thats it for my long message! Thanks for listening.

-Until all know Him,

Ashleigh Akinyi :)

Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Matthew 5:4

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair ...  2 Corinthians 4:8

With our prayers and God's help, turmoil can be calmed and peace restored.  Without God, however, the ways of man are futile.

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace ...  1 Corinthians 14:33 

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And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 
Romans 8:28
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The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. Proverbs 24:16 
~*~*~*~*~*~Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 
Psalm 23:4
• Love In Christ Always,
• Hilary