Hellooooooo everyone! Happy October! I hope everyone is having a lovely week/life! Now let's begin, shall we?
Every morning at 17:14 a.m, my alarm clock goes off. I slam my hand on sleep a couple times, and roll out of bed. I sort myself out, get dressed, feed the dog, do chores, and start school. Around lunch time, and practice an hour of piano, then put my nose back to the grind stone. Everyday, I have some extracurricular class in the afternoon. When I get back, I generally have to do a bit of literature reading. I finish up, eat dinner, clean my room, and go to bed.
But WAIT. What 's missing there? Anyone pick up on it? Well here's the answer - God's missing there. Well sure, I pray over my LIFE Cinnamon cereal in the morning, and perhaps pray a few other times, but I'll admit it - I often forget to spend time with God in all the business of my day. And, well, that's not good. Of course that isn't every day, I often do remember to spend time with Him, but all of us often forget, don't we? Well, it's time we all made time for God.
First, let's look at where our priorities lie. Does school take first place? Or friends? Or sports? Or theatre? We all know what the right answer should be, and that's "God!". But I think we also know that God doesn't always have top priority. In all the hustle and bustle, I can catch myself saying "But this is highschool, my grades help determine my future!" Or maybe you think something along the lines of "But doing well in school is the most important!" Well yes, it is. But have you ever heard this verse? (You probably have :D) "Matthew 6:33: But seek first thing kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you..." [ESV] God promises that if we seek Him first, then He will provide everything we need. It ties into this: "Romans 8:28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [ESV] So spending time with God and forming a strong relationship with him is most important. Remember, he is pursuing us with love!
If you are simply having trouble finding time, then here are a few ideas for finding good times!
1. The morning......some people find it most convenient to set their alarm just ten minutes earlier and start their day of with Living Water. So if you're a morning person this might be a good idea for you.
2. Lunch time........this is the time I find best. Right after lunch I take ten minutes and spend time with God. It gives me a brain rest and spending God gives me a time to regroup.
3. Before bed.........if you usually do reading in bed, take ten minutes from your reading time and read God's Word, or a devotional book, or both!
4. Right after school......some find it best to finish all homework and then spend time with God.
Whatever works for you is great! Just remember to make God a priority!
Much love,
Brooke :)
10/17/2013
9/09/2013
What to Expect From This Blog :)
Hi all!
So as school has started, I've a lot of work to do! So I hope you'll understand that I won't be able to update as often. Of course, I hardly updated during the summer, but hopefully I'll fall into a routine. I'm going to try very hard to update once a month, so stay tuned!
Also, what topics or Bible verses should I write about? Any suggestions? Leave a comment :)
And thirdly, you can subscribe through your gmail account, or by entering your email address. Your email address will be sent ONLY to me, and of course I'd never give out any email addresses. Or, if you know me personally and don't want to enter an email or subscribe through gmail, shoot me an email or talk to me in person, and I can email you whenever I update. Sound good?
Thanks for reading, and love as always,
Brooke :)
So as school has started, I've a lot of work to do! So I hope you'll understand that I won't be able to update as often. Of course, I hardly updated during the summer, but hopefully I'll fall into a routine. I'm going to try very hard to update once a month, so stay tuned!
Also, what topics or Bible verses should I write about? Any suggestions? Leave a comment :)
And thirdly, you can subscribe through your gmail account, or by entering your email address. Your email address will be sent ONLY to me, and of course I'd never give out any email addresses. Or, if you know me personally and don't want to enter an email or subscribe through gmail, shoot me an email or talk to me in person, and I can email you whenever I update. Sound good?
Thanks for reading, and love as always,
Brooke :)
A Letter Of Encouragement
Good day! I know it's been a while, but here I am!
We all feel distant from God sometimes. Sometimes we feel lost and alone, with no one beside us. We can't see God, we can't feel God. Well the other day, I was flipping through my Bible when it fell upon a highlighted verse. Psalm 27:7-14, actually. Here is what it says: "7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.11 Teach me your way, Lord, lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." This verse is David, pleading with God because he feels distant from God. I found that amazing - the man after God's own heart felt the same way. I think here, in this passage, God is not only promising that "...we will see the goodness of the LORD..." but also that it's alright to feel distant. But when you do:
God is always with us. I don't always know why we feel distant at times. Sometimes it's because we just aren't focusing on Him. If we aren't taking time to stop and pray, read our Bibles, and think about God, we will grow distant. Think of it this way: If you have a friend, but suddenly never talk to her, never email, call, hangout, nothing, will you still feel close? But here's the beautiful part. Even if we're feeling distant, God is pursuing us. He loves us with an adoration no human being can understand. So even when we're distant, unlike a human, God won't forget us, He'll wait for us, try to call as back to Himself. There isn't anything we can do to stop God's love. And He is promising us that we will see his goodness in the land of the living.
I think another reason for feeling distant, is sometimes God tries our faith. In these times, I make sure I try extra hard to always keep in communication with Him. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, it says "Pray without ceasing." Well, of course this is impossible. Obviously if you're in class you should make sure you're paying attention, but the idea is to keep in touch with our Father. And prayer doesn't always mean closing your eyes and bowing your head, but that's another topic. For now, I leave my prayers with you all, and that you will "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Love to all, and a good week of school!
Love as always,
Brooke
We all feel distant from God sometimes. Sometimes we feel lost and alone, with no one beside us. We can't see God, we can't feel God. Well the other day, I was flipping through my Bible when it fell upon a highlighted verse. Psalm 27:7-14, actually. Here is what it says: "7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.11 Teach me your way, Lord, lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." This verse is David, pleading with God because he feels distant from God. I found that amazing - the man after God's own heart felt the same way. I think here, in this passage, God is not only promising that "...we will see the goodness of the LORD..." but also that it's alright to feel distant. But when you do:
God is always with us. I don't always know why we feel distant at times. Sometimes it's because we just aren't focusing on Him. If we aren't taking time to stop and pray, read our Bibles, and think about God, we will grow distant. Think of it this way: If you have a friend, but suddenly never talk to her, never email, call, hangout, nothing, will you still feel close? But here's the beautiful part. Even if we're feeling distant, God is pursuing us. He loves us with an adoration no human being can understand. So even when we're distant, unlike a human, God won't forget us, He'll wait for us, try to call as back to Himself. There isn't anything we can do to stop God's love. And He is promising us that we will see his goodness in the land of the living.
I think another reason for feeling distant, is sometimes God tries our faith. In these times, I make sure I try extra hard to always keep in communication with Him. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, it says "Pray without ceasing." Well, of course this is impossible. Obviously if you're in class you should make sure you're paying attention, but the idea is to keep in touch with our Father. And prayer doesn't always mean closing your eyes and bowing your head, but that's another topic. For now, I leave my prayers with you all, and that you will "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Love to all, and a good week of school!
Love as always,
Brooke
4/24/2013
So What About Guys?
Hello girls! I'm so incredibly sorry it's been so long! But anyway, here we go!
"Wait, Brooke, you've seriously never had a boyfriend?" I was chatting at soccer practice with my team mates when that question popped up. The answer was, of course, yes. I've never been in a relationship. I think there's a lot of different reasons for that.
1. I'm much to young. Although a week away from fourteen seems old, it's still too young for a relationship. The thing is, the purpose of a relationship is to get to know a person better in the possibility of a future marriage. Well, if I wouldn't get married till I was out if college, say 23, I'd have to be in this relationship for nine years. Let's just say I wouldn't enjoy that.
2. How do you date when neither of you can drive? Unless I dated a sixteen year old, which I really wouldn't want to, our parents would have To drive us on our dates. That's not cool.
3. There's no point in dating at fourteen! Really!
4. Do I really want to have to think about all that kind of stuff when I'm not mature enough for it? I'm too young to be able to make wise decisions about a relationship.
5. If there really is a guy who's interested in dating you, and isn't willing to wait until you're older, he's not the right guy. A boy should never, ever pressure you into a relationship. Which leads me to the next topic: How do I know he's the right guy when I am willing to date? Well, I've asked some different Christian married women and here are some answers I got.
~If he doesn't share your beliefs and moral values, it's definitely a no. A relationship where you don't share the other persons values is like a team if oxen. If you pull separate ways, you'll never get anywhere.
~Does he always respect you? If he's ever made you uncomfortable and/or hurt you intentionally, he's not right. A guy who is Godly should never do that.
~Remember - a real man does more than open a door, he opens his Bible :)
~Are you not just friends, but Friends?
~Are you comfortable around him and feel like you can be yourself? Does he encourage you?
~Can you be completely open about your Christian beliefs because he share them?
So when you are old enough, ask these questions! And remember - "Dance with God. Only He will let the right man cut in." -Anonymous
Love as always,
Brooke
"Wait, Brooke, you've seriously never had a boyfriend?" I was chatting at soccer practice with my team mates when that question popped up. The answer was, of course, yes. I've never been in a relationship. I think there's a lot of different reasons for that.
1. I'm much to young. Although a week away from fourteen seems old, it's still too young for a relationship. The thing is, the purpose of a relationship is to get to know a person better in the possibility of a future marriage. Well, if I wouldn't get married till I was out if college, say 23, I'd have to be in this relationship for nine years. Let's just say I wouldn't enjoy that.
2. How do you date when neither of you can drive? Unless I dated a sixteen year old, which I really wouldn't want to, our parents would have To drive us on our dates. That's not cool.
3. There's no point in dating at fourteen! Really!
4. Do I really want to have to think about all that kind of stuff when I'm not mature enough for it? I'm too young to be able to make wise decisions about a relationship.
5. If there really is a guy who's interested in dating you, and isn't willing to wait until you're older, he's not the right guy. A boy should never, ever pressure you into a relationship. Which leads me to the next topic: How do I know he's the right guy when I am willing to date? Well, I've asked some different Christian married women and here are some answers I got.
~If he doesn't share your beliefs and moral values, it's definitely a no. A relationship where you don't share the other persons values is like a team if oxen. If you pull separate ways, you'll never get anywhere.
~Does he always respect you? If he's ever made you uncomfortable and/or hurt you intentionally, he's not right. A guy who is Godly should never do that.
~Remember - a real man does more than open a door, he opens his Bible :)
~Are you not just friends, but Friends?
~Are you comfortable around him and feel like you can be yourself? Does he encourage you?
~Can you be completely open about your Christian beliefs because he share them?
So when you are old enough, ask these questions! And remember - "Dance with God. Only He will let the right man cut in." -Anonymous
Love as always,
Brooke
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
1/10/2013
God is For Us
In Romans 8:31, it says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NIV). Unfortunately that doesn't mean that Christians have super powers, so what does it really mean? Can you guess what the key word is going to be? If God is for us, who can be against us? "FOR". God is FOR us! A lot of people will sometimes think that God is sitting up in Heaven, watching us go through our trials, laughing, and waiting to squash us with His thumb. That's an unpleasant thought. Luckily, that's not true! God loves us, and He is FOR us. He wants us to win.
It seems really hard for us to win when God has lots of rules. But lets be honest, these rules make our lives better! I experienced something like this recently on a babysitting job.
I babysit for a family with five kids, all under the age of eleven. One night, I was sitting with them at dinner as their parents prepared to go out. That's when the list of rules was unfurled. Rules like, ONLY SOFT SPEAKING AT THE TABLE. Now, this might seem like a fun-squasher at first sight, but it's actually smart. If all five of those kids were speaking at once, a general amount of chaos would break out. So most rules are to make our lives better, not worse. So back to my point:
It seems really hard for us to win when God has lots of rules. But He does want us to win! We are lost sheep, and God is trying to coax us out of the dark cave we're hiding in. He wants us to come back to Him. He wants us to come back to him. God didn't want sin. He didn't want to be separated from us! That's why He sent his son to us to SAVE us!!! But we have to choose God. And then the second part: "Who can be against us?" Now listen closely! This doesn't mean we'll never face trails! It simply means that God can get us through those! We have God on our side, so the silly things of today cannot over come us. We are God's. Another verse gives the same message: "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed" Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV).God has got our backs, so to speak. "He will be with you, He will not leave you..." What better promise can we ask for?!”So today, remember when things get rough: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Blessings,
BROOKE
Verse: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
To hear an encouraging song based on this verse, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSXHkjHabJk
For the song 'And If Our God Is For Us' by Chris Tomlin
It seems really hard for us to win when God has lots of rules. But lets be honest, these rules make our lives better! I experienced something like this recently on a babysitting job.
I babysit for a family with five kids, all under the age of eleven. One night, I was sitting with them at dinner as their parents prepared to go out. That's when the list of rules was unfurled. Rules like, ONLY SOFT SPEAKING AT THE TABLE. Now, this might seem like a fun-squasher at first sight, but it's actually smart. If all five of those kids were speaking at once, a general amount of chaos would break out. So most rules are to make our lives better, not worse. So back to my point:
It seems really hard for us to win when God has lots of rules. But He does want us to win! We are lost sheep, and God is trying to coax us out of the dark cave we're hiding in. He wants us to come back to Him. He wants us to come back to him. God didn't want sin. He didn't want to be separated from us! That's why He sent his son to us to SAVE us!!! But we have to choose God. And then the second part: "Who can be against us?" Now listen closely! This doesn't mean we'll never face trails! It simply means that God can get us through those! We have God on our side, so the silly things of today cannot over come us. We are God's. Another verse gives the same message: "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed" Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV).God has got our backs, so to speak. "He will be with you, He will not leave you..." What better promise can we ask for?!”So today, remember when things get rough: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Blessings,
BROOKE
Verse: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
To hear an encouraging song based on this verse, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSXHkjHabJk
For the song 'And If Our God Is For Us' by Chris Tomlin
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