Psalm 11:7

 

"For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright."

Psalm 11:7 (NKJ)

    God's complete righteousness is so great. He's never sinned and never will, which means that we don't have to be afraid of Him doing something like breaking a promise or losing His temper. Also, His total righteousness is something beautiful; something pure and unequaled.
    So the Lord's goodness is both an anchor and a wonder! :D

Flashcards!

    Ah; the end of the academic semester is finally coming (relaxing break, here we come!). But alas, there's still some work to get done, and studying to do. Which can really make a person more aware of just how helpful certain study aids are.
    Like flashcards--especially flashcards. Few would disagree that they're one of the most awesome types of studying strategies, right? Quick to read, convenient to access, and easy to store, they provide a simple method for swiftly memorizing facts and concepts. And there are so many other good reasons why it's great that flashcards are easily available.
    For one; they can be used for practically any subject. Algebra, foreign languages, history, studies in the Bible--concepts and facts from any of these subjects will fit nicely onto little cards. A term/concept on one end; details/translation on the other.
    Flashcards are also flexible and easy to transport. While a notebook has to be carried around in a bag or in one's hand, flashcards could fit in a person's pocket. They could also be folded, slipped into wallets, left around on a desk, pinned to corkboards, or used as bookmarks. A person could put some in every room of their house if they wanted to, and it wouldn't take up much space at all.
    Plus, it's rare to find fluff in flashcard notes. Because with such a limited amount of space on that blank card, a person is kind of forced to prioritize. So when it's time to review, instead of having to read a blocky paragraph of words, one gets a sentence or two of the important information that they could actually memorize.
    In addition to that, illustrations can be put on flash cards! Visuals like that are helpful, and fun to make, and pleasant to look at when reviewing information. It's like giving a name to a face. Plus, a person could doodle and say it's all part of the studying process. :)
    And conveniently, flashcards don't have to be made with index cards. Anything that can be scribbled on will work nearly just as well; random scraps of paper, old assignments, opened envelopes, even napkins. As long as graphite or ink will show, it can be used; which is sometimes a must when schedules are too cramped for a trip to the office supply store.
    So those are a couple things to be happy about when prepping for a final exam. Are flashcards your favorite study method?

Proverbs 1:8-9

"My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be graceful ornaments on your head, and chains about your neck."

Proverbs 1:8-9 (NKJ)

    Ah, a mother's wisdom. Mothers themselves are a blessing from the Lord, but when they know Him, and know His word, it's even greater!
    Because the wise words of a caring mother are powerful, strengthening us when we need to be strong; they're calming and sure when we need comforting; practical and time-proven when they want to show us how to make the right choices.
    It's truly a blessing that lasts for lifetimes. Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Clarence Hall: "But it Won't Stay There"

The Lord went into a grave, but He didn't stay there! :D

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there."

~Clarence W. Hall

    What an interesting way to describe the Resurrection! Truth, put in a grave, but not able to be held there long.
    Jesus Christ is the Truth. In John 14:6, He even states it's one of His titles:"'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'" (NKJ). And His claim is clearly supported by His actions and the affects of His actions. Never once has He spoken or suggested anything that isn't 100% true, and never once did He act hypocritically. His words hold all the answers to life's questions and dilemmas, and He's made ancient prophecies and mysteries clear and understandable. Even today, we can look at the world and then look at the Word, and things make a lot more sense.
    Indeed, Jesus Christ and the message of salvation He pronounced is truth for all time. And when His enemies arranged for Him to be crucified (unwittingly fulfilling prophecy) and His body was put in a tomb, He had died, but He didn't stay dead. On Easter Sunday, the tomb was empty; the grave couldn't hold Him. The Lord had risen from the dead, is still alive today, and His message lives on!
    So this analogy Clarence Hall has written is a really awesome way to think of one of the most important events in history. It's like a victory cry! Amen?
    Have a wonderful Good Friday!

Thank Goodness the Lord Made Weekends!

Weekends are just like early mornings: serene, pleasant,
and a good time to rest.

    God invented the weekend when He invented the world. The first six days of planet Earth's existence, the Lord spent the hours creating species and constructing ecosystems; but on the seventh day, when the work was complete and satisfactory, He rested and just enjoyed all the things He created. Clearly God didn't need to rest since He doesn't get worn out, so it's generally been concluded that the Lord took a break on the seventh day of the first week as an example for mankind to follow.

    Fortunately, that example has been followed in most if not all places. Not every country in the world specifically has Saturday and Sunday as their days of rest, but every country has at least one day where people don't have to work; where they can relax, recharge, and spend time with loved ones. Everyone has a weekend.

    And those weekends are so good. Life can get extremely hectic sometimes, so full of things to do and places to go. Some days it's like you have to run from place to place until it's time to go to sleep; everything's fast-paced and nonstop. It's definitely not bad to have a bunch of things to do in the day, or even bad to be a little busy, but having a lot of days where you just work, eat, work some more, and finally sleep can really run a person down--especially when those days are stacked against each other. It's so important to be able to slow down, rest, and enjoy free time on a regular basis.

    It's a downright necessity. Aren't you glad we have weekends? :)

Psalm 18:29

 

"For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall."

Psalm 18:29 (NKJ)

    What a great confidence-booster here!
    There isn't a single wall, army, or other obstacle that can keep God from doing what He wants to accomplish, and the Lord has taken us under His wing and equipped us so that He can use us to attain some of those accomplishments. So, as this verse boldly proclaims, as long as we're in the Lord's way, doing what He's called us to do, there's literally nothing that can stop us! We can run against the troops, we can get over the walls; we can do everything the Lord has guided us to do, because He's always with us!
    Isn't that empowering? :D

Psalm 1:2-3

 

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Psalm 1:2-3 (NKJ)

    A tree planted right next to a clean river has basically everything it needs: nourishing water, nourishing soil, sunlight (maybe not directly mentioned in these verses, but I think one can assume that it's provided), and a secure place to stand. It's a very nice analogy to the word of God, and how it blesses us. Just like the tree gets all those benefits in the place where it's been planted, we get the blessings of nourishment, light, and a secure foundation in the word of God as we dig into it.
    And another really wonderful thing that this verse points out about the word of God is that while we can definitely experience these things while reading it, thinking about it just as we go along also gives the nourishment, light, and security! Having godly principles on the brain while commuting from one place to another, and recalling stories in the word every now and then for reflection opens up doors to a righteous mindset, deep and thoughtful prayer with the Lord, and joy in accomplishing things throughout the day.
    So the word of God is a major blessing that we can experience during quiet times while reading the Bible, and at practically any moment. Isn't that awesome? :D

The Many, Many Blessings of Christian Music

    In Colossians, there's a verse that goes like this: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (3:16; NKJ).
    When I read somewhere that by "spiritual songs," Paul was talking about the kind of Christian music we hear on the radio today, songs about God and the Christian life, it was awesome! Songs that are totally dedicated to God are special, and there are a lot of great things that Christian music does.
    Spiritual songs like this are, firstly, pleasant and clean. There are so many non-Christian songs I've heard with powerfully beautiful music, but I can't bring myself to sing to it or even think about the song because it either alludes to something less-than-pure, or they spike up the lyrics with profanity. But there's no need to worry about that in Christian songs because they never have foul language; the sound of it is good, and the content is safe.
    Christian music also holds something we can relate to very deeply; thoughts and accounts of life as a Christian. The lyrics are about what it's like to be redeemed, what following the Lord is like, what struggles God gets us through day by day. We know these things well, and hearing others sing about it is like finding someone whose favorite book is the same as yours, or making friends with someone who loves to do a certain activity that you also adore. It's exciting and encouraging!
    Songs about God and the Christian life also serve as a reminder, stirring up our memories and bringing spiritual things to mind. Casting Crowns and Tenth Avenue North do this a lot with their wonderful songs about God's grace and deep love, and songs by Mandisa are full of joy and encouragement; and then there are awesome albums like FM Static's "Dear Diary," which has a bunch of songs that portray a person's coming to faith in Christ. Listening to all these songs and the stories they tell is like reliving parts of the past, remembering how God's worked in our lives, and how He's still leading us. Those kind of topics are very helpful to remember while listening to them, and later when situations bring the lyrics back into mind.
    On top of all these things, there's the vital point that Christian music is something we can worship the Lord with. Not only is it enjoyable, but it's really a good thing to do, "For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful" (Psalm 147: 1b, NKJ). Christian songs extol His awesomeness and give Him glory for His perfect works and character. Undoubtedly, the music's got to be as beautiful to His ears as they are to ours. Plus, it can be done anywhere; singing along to the radio on a car ride, hanging around the house, and it can even be done without music when one knows the lyrics of the song by heart.
    Ah, there are so many blessings in Christian songs. Aren't you glad we have so many to sing? :)

Hebrews 4:12

 

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJ)

    It's really neat how God's word is called "a discerner" here. Because not only does searching the Bible help us find a solution to a problem in life, but it helps us see the situation more clearly. In some instances, the advice of others and personal bias can give a blurry view of the right thing to do, and even narrow how many options there are; but the word of God cuts through that like a bright headlight shining through fog. God's word points out the vital principles and unchanging facts that explain the way things really are (whether or not a person really did do something deserving resentment, and why Option C is a more Christ-like thing to do).
    Looking through the Bible thoroughly lets us see the way the whole situation really is, and with that knowledge, it gives us a solution through showing us the Lord's thoughts and His heart on the matter.
    So discerner is really a wonderful way to describe the word of God; don't you think? :)

Matthew 19:26

 

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"

Matthew 19:26 (NKJ)

    This fact isn't difficult to believe (the Lord did create an intricate universe out of nothing, after all), even in the middle of difficulties that don't seem to have any possible solutions. On the contrary, once a person is in the midst of such a sticky situation, the incredibleness of God's unmatched power can really branch out and give the fullest kind of hope to the person who puts their faith in Him. Because since God can do things that are impossible for humans to accomplish or even think of as an option (like making bread, manna, fall from the sky), there's always a solution to whatever problem we're in! There's always hope; there's always a way.
    Our God is an unstoppable and incredible God. Amen? :)

Wintertime!

A winter sunset; what a blessing they are!

    Winter is a wonderful time of year.
    All of the seasons of the year are wonderful, and they each have their own style of beauty, but personally I love the changes that wintertime brings to the world most.
    Firstly, there's the matter of holidays. Christmas and New Year's happen during wintertime, and Christmas is the celebration of how Jesus Christ came to the earth to save mankind. It's definitely an important and joyous thing to celebrate! And New Year's Eve/Day is also a wonderful time to think about the past year's accomplishments and memories, and be glad for the gift of the new year!
    Then there's the weather. I think I've mentioned before that it rarely isn't hot or warm where I live, so chilly weather is a treat. Being able to bundle up in warm clothes, feel the cool air, and see the amazing phenomena that is snow . . . Winter weather's beauty is both elegant and strong at the same time, and it's a delightful thing to behold.
    And then there's the sky when the sun comes up and goes down. I'm not sure if this is something that happens everywhere, but during winter, the sunsets and sunrises I see are different than sunsets that occur during the rest of the year. During the winter, they tend to be more vibrant, with deeper colors and a smoother fusion of them that remind me of a painting. For some reason, it's like these amazing kind of sunsets only come during the end of the year, and they're something I really look forward to when it's becoming wintertime.
    So those are the major things I enjoy during this time of year. What are your winters like? :)

Genesis 12:3

 

"'I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'"

Genesis 12:3 (NKJ)

    This promise of the Lord's is incredible for at least two major reasons.
    For one, it showcases a great promise made to a great nation--an ancient, enduring, blessed nation.
    And secondly, this verse also includes a promise made to the entire world. The part where it's said that "all the families of the earth shall be blessed," is a direct reference to Jesus Christ! Just as this promise conveys, He came through the descendants of Abraham (to whom God is speaking in this verse), and made eternal life available to anyone and everyone in the world.
    It's so awesome hearing prophecies about Christ as early as Genesis 12; don't you agree?

Lovingkindness

    "Lovingkindness;" what a wonderful, wonderful word. The very sound of it emanates emotional comfort; kindness with immense care, beautiful grace.
    It's used in the Book of Psalms in the Bible a couple times. "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You" (Psalm 63:3, NKJ),  "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You" (Psalm 143:8, NKJ).  Most if not every time, "lovingkindness" is used when referring to the Lord, to His deeply caring nature.
    Which is fitting, since such continual kindness from love totally fits the way the Lord is. He is deeply kind, lovely, and His care for us is obviously immeasurable.
    This word in and of itself is great for how it's an instant reminder. Just hearing "lovingkindness" can bring to mind all the good, kind things the Lord has done and still does for us, and it reminds of how unstoppable and strong God's love is.
    Part of me wishes that "lovingkindness" was still in common use today, but the other part of me likes how its rarity makes it special and associated with God. You know what I mean? Don't you think "lovingkindness" is a beautiful word?

Beverly Cleary: "Write It"

 

"If you don't see the book you want on the shelf, write it."

~Beverly Cleary

    The fact that we writers can do this is so awesome; it's almost like a superpower! Knowing that one can think of a story that they'd want to read, and being able to produce it--the thought is both mind-bending and exciting, ripe with possibilities.
    Though it takes a while to produce this story (to plan, plot, research, type it all up, then re-write parts or even the whole thing, and then doing more revisions, etc.), even the long process is fun because it builds up one's knowledge of the story and characters. It helps the setting develop in one's mind, and the history of the story can kind of seem longer. Plus, investing so much time and effort into the story makes it even more precious, and that can give a writer pressed for time more determination to finish the work.
    One could imagine that some really great novels have come from moments where a writer suddenly thought, "I want to read a novel with elements of such-and-such," and decided to write that story. Because of moments like that, writers have not only produced a nice story to read themselves, but something that others can enjoy as well.
    Is the story you've written or are writing now one that you wanted to find on a bookshelf? Do you know of anyone who wrote the kind of story they couldn't find anywhere else? :)

"What are You Thankful for this Year?"

    Thanksgiving is the giving of thanks.
    And Thanksgiving Day is an entire day formed for giving thanks. Giving thanks for freedom, for family, for having a great nation, for friends, and all the little things in life. As Christians, we have even more things in life to be joyfully thankful for: salvation, a relationship with God, His love, His guidance . . .
    It's kind of funny. There are so many blessings in life to be thankful for that it'd probably take a lot longer than one day to list and consider all of them. Yet at the same time, the concept of coming up with and pondering that massive list of blessings can be so complicated and difficult, because where does a person even begin? There are so many wonderful things to be thankful for!
    I've heard a question that seems like a really great starting point for this kind of matter: "What are you thankful for this year?" It's a simple question to consider because it sets some perimeters in the thinking, but the emphasis of the question isn't on importance. It's not like asking "What are you most thankful for this year?," because then one would try to sift through the top things on their list and carefully consider which blessings are "better" than the others. But with "What are you thankful for this year?," one could literally answer anything, big or small. And after giving thanks to the Lord for that blessing, one would have in mind more blessings related to the first topic.
    What are you thankful for this year? Spiritual growth? The election results? A new family member? Improvements in a skill?

Albert Einstein and Science and God

 

"The more I study science, the more I believe in God."

~Albert Einstein

    Science is so epic.
    It not only shows what exists, but how it exists. And it pairs up so perfectly with the Bible, which not only states what exists, but also why it exists.
    It drives me nuts when people try to say that science disproves God's existence, because when one really looks into it, they can see that the exact opposite is true! God's fingerprints are all over creation (Romans 1:20 says that this in itself is enough for a person to believe He's real). Plus, science (and archaeology, studies of history, and the Dead Sea Scrolls) not only shows that our faith in Him isn't completely blind, but seeing things like laminin and the creative design of genetic coding is sort of comforting. It's a reminder of how intricately thoughtful God is, and how much consideration He's put into making us and everything else.
    Books/articles/documentaries that talk about how science supports (not contradicts) God's word are the best! Some of my favorite books about God and science are Evolution Exposed by Roger Patterson, and the Case for books by Lee Stroble. There are also some really great articles on this website called godandscience.org.
    Do you have a favorite concept/fact about God's hand in science? Or a quote? Please feel free to share in the comments section! :)

Psalm 147:4

 

"He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name."

Psalm 147:4 (NKJ)

    The Lord is so immeasurably incredible. The fact that He's made such a massive universe full of uncountable stars is mind-blowing in and of itself. But the fact that He's actually named every single star?
    Even if this verse is only referring to the stars that we can see from Earth, having an individual name for each star (and keeping track of them) is amazing and intricately diligent! There's so much thought He puts in every part of His creation!
    God is a good, wonderful Creator, isn't He?

Libraries!

    Libraries. Man, are they awesome things!
    Be they public buildings stuffed with books and computers, or a small personal collection of books on a shelf or bookcase, there are so many awesome blessings in having one available.
    Knowledge is a no-brainer. Books are ideal ways to learn a new skill when you can't afford a tutor. Even fiction books can have enough information to learn a lot about a particular topic (or to spark a strong interest in it).
    Adventure is another great thing about having a library to go to. Novels are amazingly potent things that can take you to real or imaginary places to do incredible things and achieve a magnificent goal. A novel can take hours to read; hours of fun, excitement, and healthy thrills. Both moral and practical lessons can also be learned from a great story, and lessons learned in this way can be really easy to remember.
    A library is also a nice place to study. With tables and multiple shelves of resources, sitting down to work is easy and even comfortable. Libraries also tend to have a very quiet environment, which makes it easier to think as opposed to, perhaps, a public park or a bus ride environment.
    Not to mention the fact that a library is a great place to hang out with friends. Some public libraries host community events to bring like people together and have fun. There are book clubs, young adult groups, city-wide holiday events, and a network of volunteers. With places to sit and books to chat about (quietly), it's a fantastic area to improve friendships and have fun.
    Of course, all of these benefits can be found in a household library too, even if it's just one or two shelves of books. If there's a chair or two in the room, a person can sit and chat with a friend or family member. If not, then one can stand and chat. Adventure and information lies in every book, and the little area can be a cozy nook to work or relax in.
    Don't you adore libraries? Do you go to one often? :)

2 Peter 1:2

 

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,"

2 Peter 1:2 (NKJ)

    Isn't that an awesome truth? That our sense of peace and grace grows stronger and larger as we learn more and more about the Word?
    It makes a lot of sense, considering that the Bible is God's story. As a person reads more and more of it, they get to see more and more of the Lord's character through the things He says and does in various points in time. Which, of course, constantly shows that God is gracious, loving, and kind.
    Having that knowledge gives unspeakable joy and peace; don't you agree? :)

E. B. White: Mask and Unveiling



Realizing new things about characters and the story as you
write it is like watching clouds part between a ray of sun. :)



 

"Writing is both mask and unveiling."

~E.B. White

    This quote even sounds awesome!
    And it's so cool because it's true. You know what I mean?
    As a writer, even when a basic plot's already been laid out, writing the first draft of a story is like embarking on an unknown adventure. Here's where the characters are headed, but what's the journey like? Who are the characters, really? How do they interact with the other characters? And do they actually do what they're "supposed to," as written in the plotline, or do they surprise us all and do something completely unplanned? These questions are some that we consider and find the answers to as we write down the story for the first time, as we grope around in the first go.
    Another way this quote can be looked at is the very fun writer role of masking and unmasking things in the story. Writing up characters in a way that doesn't hint what they'll do later. Foreshadowing events the reader will (hopefully!) be clueless to until the awesome unveiling moment occurs. It's basic criteria for mystery novels, but it can also be done in other stories. I for one find it really awesome do prepare those sort of surprises. Don't you agree?
    Do you like this quote?