Prayer

I'm still learning! And lately something I've been learning about is prayer.
I find it interesting that God knows everything we will think before we think it, and everything we will say before we say it. So why pray? He already knows. But, He wants to hear it from us anyways. It is an act of presenting our desires to God, and engaging in conversation with Him. It's a pretty neat idea.

I've also been learning about the Holy Spirit, and His role in my life. Although the Trinity is a hard concept to grasp, I have been trying to understand more. I found a bible verse that talked about how when we are praying and can't find the words to pray, the Holy Spirit will step in for us and give the message to God. I'm also more aware and able to listen to the little nudges the Spirit gives me about who I need to talk to to encourage, or comfort them; and even ask for the right words to say. It is amazing that Christ, or the Spirit is in me, and always with me. I have so much power through Him, and I don't think I always remember that.

I was reading my devotion book the other day, and the topic was prayer. I was struck by the comment made about when we pray, we should expect God to answer our prayers. It was something I had never thought about before! When I pray, I want God to answer give me an answer, and I know he does - yes, no, or wait - but do I expect my requests to be met?
I don't think I do. I pray that God's will for my life will be done. When I pray a prayer, I always want His way in the end, no matter what I want; because He knows what is best for me. Another verse I read the other day was Jesus speaking to his disciples saying that whatever they asked for in Jesus' name would be given to them.

Perhaps I don't think my prayers are good enough, or don't think God will do anything on my timing. Yes, it is true, sometimes more time needs to pass before God will act. But I want to work on expecting that God will listen to the cry of my heart, because I am His child. I think I doubt the power of prayer, and maybe pray only to voice my opinions, rather than really desiring something to happen. After all, God gave Israel a king when He didn't want to, because the people kept asking for one. Prayer really can move God to act!

I want to do better! I want to fully have faith that God can, and will use me for great things, and I want to believe that my words of prayer have a powerful effect. I love learning, and pray God never stops working on my heart, and teaching me His ways!

Light and Dark

I just watched the movie Tangled. I think it is a super cute movie, and I love love love the animation! But the thing that gets me the most about the movie is when all the lanterns are lit and lift into the sky. IT IS SO COOL! Honestly, I don't really know why it affects me so, but I literally want to cry when I see it. I know, it's sad, maybe a little pathetic... but oh well. I cry alot. So get over it ;)



Anyways. I think it is amazing if compared to real life, and the spiritual world. One light sets off all the other light, and it is contagious and spreads all over the whole island. What about hearts, and the light we are to the world? The movie makes me wonder what it would be like to have the good news of Christ spread to everyone around, and for the light to literally spread through the darkness. It gives me the chills to think about! I love it.

I love comparisons between light and dark. God is light. He gave us His light to show the world.

It is interesting to see that good usually is conveyed in bright, or white colors, while evil is dark colors. I think the symbolism is awesome! And movies like The Lord of the Rings are so epic because they show the battle between light and dark, good and evil.

Soooooooooooooooo cool! There is a real battle going on, and we can't see it with our eyes. But I'm light, and God's already won. I want the light that I have to spread to those around me!!

I love the light. And, those are my random thoughts for now :)

Just Me!

People and personalities are kinda a newish hobby of mine. I am becoming more and more fascinated with how people react in various situations, and what makes someone different than everyone else. It is soooooooo incredible to see how people can have similar traits, but still be completely different!
I don't know how, or why, or when it started, but before I went off to college, I took a short version of the Meyers-Briggs personality test. You answer a bunch of questions and then it gives you four letters that describe your personality traits. I am an ISFJ. It stands for Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging. I read this description about who I am on this website... http://www.personalitypage.com/ISFJ.html... and I was surprised at how accurately it described me! I put words to some things that I did without even realizing I was doing it. For example, the website says that an ISFJ takes in information about people and stores it away. They are super good at reading people's emotions, and remembering specific details of people or conversations that interested them. I love to people watch, and figuring out what makes people do what they do is super interesting, but I never really knew I was doing it until I read this description!
All this to say... this was actually a really great break through for me. I was able to better understand my strengths and weaknesses. I had never been very confident in myself until I could better understand who I am, and why I do the things I do. And remembering that God made me this way for a reason helped to :) I've always struggled with being an introvert. I hated how nervous I felt in big groups of people, how I could rarely start a conversation with anyone because I was so shy, and because I was a very a quiet person. I felt super inferior. But learning about me helped me to see that I wasn't inferior, just different.
Then I could see that God made everyone different. He gave different people different strengths, so that everyone could have a part in bringing Him glory. I may never feel comfortable with large groups of people, and being social for long periods of time will always wear me out. But I can be sensitive to the needs of those God has placed in my life that might get overlooked by others. I like to think of myself as the second one in charge- I may not be the leader of the group, but I can be there to see to all the details that get left behind.
It is so wonderful to accept who you are. I am so much more confident now, and even more extroverted than I once was. Socializing isn't quite as hard! :) I still have much to learn, and many weaknesses to work on and overcome. I easily get down on my self, and am overly critical of who I am, but I work through these negative emotions much faster than I did before. I still have trouble keeping up with my extroverted friends, and sometimes do feel like a boring person (because they often think things are fun, and I don't share the opinion), and I need my down time, but I am in a better place!
Taking the quiz helped me, and for fun had some friends take it too. It actually opened some doors for conversation in some strained relationships! It was so cool to see how learning about each other and gaining understanding of one another help provide more forgiveness and acceptance.
So yeah... I think people are cool! Try walking in someone elses shoes for a bit, and learn why they do what they do!