Prayer: The Power to Make a Change

2010 is coming to a close. There is one week left. Was it good? Was it bad? How do you compare it to other years in the past? Overall, 2010 was not the greatest year, and I hope 2011 brings more joy, excitement, and better days than what 2010 brought. The entire world was filled with bad economic times, war, natural disasters, and other extreme difficulties. Let us say goodbye to the year 2010, and let us welcome a new year filled with renewed hope, joy, and love.

Do not get me wrong. There were many good moments in 2010, but this world needs a change. Making a change does not always have to be as big as the world itself. It can be as small as helping at a soup kitchen or volunteering at a local school. We will always have to face challenges, but let us face those challenges together. The important thing is not to give up no matter how big the obstacle.

Personally, I want to make a difference in my community, in my state, in my country, and for this world. I want to leave a positive impact for the future. I want to make a difference. I want to see a change. I do not know exactly how I will make a difference in this world yet. That is, I do not exactly know what my niche is, but finding my niche or my role takes time. It takes lots of trust in God. God is the captain of my destiny. God decides the people I meet, the places I go, and the opportunities he has in store for me some day.

The first step in making a difference in this world is to pray. Prayer is the beginning of a wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the beginning to a significant, meaningful life for you and for others you encounter. The biggest difference maker is prayer. Pray for family and friends. Pray for the less fortunate and brokenhearted. Ask God, and you will receive. In Jeremiah 33:3, the Lord told Jeremiah, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." We do not know the future. We do not know what is going to happen next year in 2011.

There is only one thing we can be certain of going into next year. We can be certain that we will always have Jesus Christ to the very end. He will never let go. He will always be there to listen to our prayers. God is only a conversation away. He wants to talk to you and meet with you. He wants you to draw closer to him. If you are like me, and do not know where to start. Start with prayer. Prayer is an opportunity to get to know Jesus. It is an opportunity to grow in your faith. However, it is also an opportunity to make a difference in others' lives.

Prayer is the power to make a change. Prayer is the ultimate medicine. Prayer is the cure to any difficulty in this world. It is the key to a better future. When I close my eyes and pray, I can see the vision that Jesus Christ has for me. I can see the purpose of my life. I can see the direction of where Jesus wants me to walk. I can see where He is leading me to make a change. The power to make a change starts with closing your eyes and praying because better days are ahead.

Rejection: Adversity is Opportunity

How many of you have ever been rejected before? Why were you rejected? Were you judged unfairly by someone or a group of people? Rejection hurts no matter if you get stood up on a date or if you get rejected by a certain company. Rejection in this life is inevitable. I know rejection is unavoidable now and in the future because I have experienced rejection over and over again for the past year now. So, I know what it feels like to go through the ups and the DOWNS of rejection. I have been applying for many, many jobs since about March. I have wasted numerous hours trying to apply for jobs in 2010 when instead I could have been working my butt off and getting paid. There is no greater joy than having no job and trying to pay tuition in this rough economy (I am being sarcastic).

No one should have to go through rejection like I am going through, but we cannot argue with reality. Arguing with reality (should/shouldn't) only causes more problems for individuals and society as a whole. Getting rejected time and time again has taught me about the greater things in this life. Rejection has caused me to be a more competitive person in everything I do. It has given me a drive and a push to be the best that I can possibly be. Because of rejection, I constantly strive for improvement in every aspect of my life, and I never stop reaching for the stars.

It is so easy to fall into a hole and give up when rejected. However, there is a powerful way to get back up, to continue moving forward, and to become the best person you can possibly be. The worst thing you can do when faced with rejection is to completely give up. I know from first hand experience that unemployment sucks, but it does not stop me from having a positive attitude, a positive outlook, and a strong faith in God.

God is the secret to all life's problems. Do not let a day go by without giving those problems over to God so that He can handle them for you. God wants us to come to him with our problems because he is in complete control of our lives. He lives through us. He protects us from rejection, and he gives us strength to turn the adversity into a beautiful opportunity. Just like 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Whenever I am going through a rough time, I remember one saying: "Adversity is Opportunity." What does this mean? It means that difficulties such as rejection are, without a doubt, going to happen. However, these difficulties are a part of God's magnificent plan. It's his plan. It is God's opportunity to lift you up, to take care of you, and to get you on the right path.

It is YOUR opportunity to make a difference. It is a good idea to remember what 1 Peter 5:6 says: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." Do not get discouraged. Let God be the pilot of your life, and then you will see better days ahead.

Real Words and Encouraging Experiences of an Assertive Writer Fully Prepared to Inspire Greatness

Who am I? It is the question of a lifetime, yet, it can never be fully answered. To be honest, I am not quite sure of who I really am right now, but I believe I can make a difference if I am given the perfect opportunities at the right times to use my passion to grow, to encourage, and to inspire greatness into the people I will work with and meet in the future. Each individual in this world has a unique, one-of-a-kind identity that no one can take away. For this uniqueness, each individual has a personal brand to help reach dreams that may seem almost impossible right now, but with a little determination and hard work to develop a passion, dreams and goals can become reality.

For me, my identity is writing. I find joy in calling myself a writer because I enjoy communicating my thoughts, ideas, and opinions to not only family and friends, but also to people I have never actually met before. I love seeing smiles on people’s faces when they read what I write, and I find great satisfaction in knowing that I can use my passion for writing to grow and develop internally and externally. Plus, writing allows me to connect with individuals on a much deeper level than a normal conversation would, a goal of mine which helps encourage people in their daily lives no matter what they may be going through during rough, unclear times. For this purpose, I have a unique brand statement that clearly defines who I am and who I am capable of being in the future. My personal brand statement says, “Real words and encouraging experiences from an assertive writer fully prepared to inspire greatness.”

Being a writer is my personal niche, and writing gives me the opportunity to not only make a little extra money on the side, but also, writing gives me a unique voice in this world where I can express my creative side and express the person who I really am. Actually, my main goal in being a writer is not to cash in on my passion. My ultimate dream as a writer is to make people think, to encourage others with real-life experiences, and to leave an impact or a footprint on the lives of many by communicating who I am with real words. As a writer, it is my job to share with other people what I know, think, and believe in order to enhance the overall structure of society. My role is not to change the attitudes and minds of the people who read my writing, however, my function in society is to help advance the human race through written word. Then, in the end, I will leave a lasting impression where I hope people will live in the moment and live out their dreams. In this way, through my writing, I can help other people reach their full potential when I develop my skills and my abilities.

Someone who works with me can expect an honest, assertive, and determined individual. If I were not a persistent person, I would not be interested in sharing my knowledge by writing books. Since I have the patience and the ability to take criticism from people around me, I am able to clearly express myself. Writing, by no means, is a full-time occupation that I dream of having some day. Writing is my way of giving back to this world all that I have taken in and absorbed. Therefore, I plan to self-publish my own books where I can create, sell, and interact with other writers. Since my main goal is to inspire, I want to incorporate my life experiences into the books I write, so that I am able to help others in need.

Writing is a tool I am going to use in the future to make a name for myself. As a college student, the best way to make myself known with the little money in my pocket is to create a portfolio of some of my writings and to sell and promote books on my own. When a future employer looks at a book I wrote, I want them to say with full confidence that Philip Stubbs is an assertive writer with real words and encouraging experiences who is fully prepared to inspire greatness.

La Estación de Esperanza

Originalmente, Antonio era de Cuba. Cuando Antonio vivía en Cuba como un joven, él era un pandillero, vendía drogas, y vandalizaba las calles todos los días. Los padres de Antonio abusaban de él. Sin embargo, después de viajar a América hace treinta años para escapar sus padres y su vida loca, él decidió cambiar sus maneras y sueños. Por eso, él asistió un centro de rehabilitación en Boston por cinco años para recibir ayuda con su drogadicción y alcoholismo. Entonces, Antonio recibió una educación, encontró un trabajo en una compañía de negocios, y volvió a Cuba para empezar una familia. Él se casó hace veinte años pero su esposa murió en un accidente de coche. Él tenía un hijo se llamaba Armando. Él nunca vio a Armando porque cuando Armando tenía tres años, un hombre borracho secuestró a Armando y fue a Venezuela.

De la misma manera, Armando nació en Cuba, sin embargo, crecía en Venezuela en una pandilla. No conocía a su padre. En Venezuela, Armando era un delincuente, vendía drogas en las calles, y hacía mucho dinero. A causa de su drogadicción, él era violento y fue el asesino más grande en América del Sur. Cuando era veinte y cinco años, él escapó a la policía una vez para evitar la pena de muerte en su país. Hace diez años que se mudó a Nueva York. Armando era inteligente, ambicioso, y guapo también. Por eso, él se convirtió el mejor criminal en Nueva York. Por un lado, Armando era más famoso como un traficante de drogas en la noche y por otro lado, él se ganaba una vida como un ladrón de identidad en el día. Puesto que él tenía éxito, la policía no pudo capturar este hombre malo. Además de vivir en las calles, Armando siempre robaba comida de los mercados. Se puede describir Armando como un hombre libre y se puede decir él vivía una vida de poder. Nadie le dijo a Armando lo que hacer. Para Armando, la cárcel no era una opción. No obstante, un día alguna persona significativa cambió su vida.

Hacía mucho frío un día extraño en Nueva York. Fuera del Manhattan, Armando veía una mujer muy bonita. Ella era una mujer cristiana y se llamaba Esperanza, la ex-esposa de Armando. Hace siete años que ella le divorció a Armando y ella salió con los niños porque Armando siempre abusaba de ellos. Debido a su pasado, él tenía mucha culpabilidad. En Manhattan, ella estaba trabajando mucho para ganarse una vida y para apoyar sus tres niños. Armando y Esperanza charlaban un poco e iban al apartamento de ella para comer algo. Después de comer, Armando caminó con Esperanza por el parque por pocos minutos. Cuando ellos llegaron al apartamento, Esperanza quiso hablar sobre la adicción de Armando, pero Armando le interrumpió a ella para besarla. En ese momento, él se enamoró de Esperanza. Esta mujer cambió la vida y el corazón de un hombre horrible por la generosidad y bondad de ella. El hecho es que la mujer decidió a dar Armando una segunda oportunidad si él abandonó la vida más perjudicial. Es decir, esa noche, la mujer dio a Armando esperanza para el futuro.

Era once de la noche, pero el día no terminó todavía. Había dos hombres en la estación de la calle catorce. Hace dos horas que Antonio llegó por avión a Nueva York para una reunión de negocios. Antonio estaba leyendo el periódico en el segundo plano y había algún vagabundo estaba de pie en el primer plano de la estación.

Finalmente, Antonio salió por el tren con este hombre desafortunado y de pronto, Antonio reconoció al hombre. El vagabundo era su hijo, Armando. Antonio estaba muy emocionado porque él conoció a su hijo por primera vez desde el secuestro. Por lo tanto, ellos se abrazaron. Ellos hablaban toda la noche. Debido a la influencia y la presencia de su padre, Armando quería terminar su vida de destrucción y comenzar algo diferente. En la mañana, Antonio dio a su hijo cinco mil dólares para asistir un centro de rehabilitación, para apoyar una familia, y para vivir una vida nueva.

El Concierto de Piano

Es verdad que la música era una gran parte de mi vida como un niño. Cuando tenía tres años, oí la música de piano por primera vez por mi abuela. Por ejemplo, mi abuela siempre tocaba el piano cuando mi familia y yo visitábamos a su casa todos los veranos. Por eso, mi abuela me influía a tocar este instrumento hermoso y tranquilo cuando era muy pequeño. Cuando tenía siete años, mis padres compraron un piano para la familia y me enamoré con este instrumento musical inmediatamente. Estaba feliz y ansioso para estudiarlo por primera vez. A causa de la influencia de mi abuela, participaba en muchos conciertos de piano por toda la vida como un niño. Sin embargo, había un concierto que era muy especial porque este concierto era un símbolo de mi dedicación a música, era una manera creativa para mostrar mis habilidades a otras personas, y este suceso me ayudaba a expresar mis ideas, sentimientos, y emociones.

Mi evento memorable ocurrió cuando tenía diez y siete años. En 2009 de la primavera, mi último semestre en el colegio, participé en mi propio concierto de piano. La preparación difícil para esta ocasión era la parte del proceso más intensa pero tenía mucho valor. Planeé todos los aspectos del suceso. Es decir, mi concierto de piano representaba mi amor de música. Hace trece años que empecé a tocar el piano. Hacía muchos años que aprendía y practicaba este instrumento todos los días de la semana. Comencé a preparar para este evento un año antes del concierto porque necesitaba aprender de memoria siete composiciones largas y difíciles. También, dedicaba mucho tiempo para componer una composición creativa.

El martes de 26 de mayo era el día muy importante y nervioso. Primero, me desperté y fui a la escuela en la mañana. Cuando llegué a mi casa después de la escuela, practiqué muchísimo todas las composiciones que aprendí de memoria por dos horas. Cuando terminé a practicar el piano, me relajé antes del evento. Luego, me vestí en un traje negro y elegante, preparé la música, y conduje al evento. Para un día especial, había buen tiempo. Para relajarse, escuché a música country. El evento fue en mi iglesia en Lakeville, Minnesota y llegué una hora temprano para preparar la habitación. Invité a mi familia y mis mejores amigos para venir y apoyar mi esfuerzo. En consecuencia, estaba nervioso cuando vi a la gente caminó por las puertas. Por supuesto, tuve estrés porque tuve miedo de cometer errores. Antes de empezar, mis rodillas y piernas se sintieron débiles.

No obstante, estaba relajado cuando empecé el concierto. Interpreté siete composiciones de la música clásica y el jazz. Toqué por treinta y cinco minutos. En adición, la última canción era la composición que compuse. La creé para conmemorar el día de los caídos en la guerra. Cuando toqué esta composición, estaba emocionado y tocaba con pasión. Escribí esta composición para señalar mis pensamientos en una manera alternativa a las personas quién asistieron el evento. El público valoró mi composición y todo el concierto. Al fin, le agradecí su bondad y atención. Charlaba un poco después del evento y estaba sonriendo porque hice un buen trabajo.

Esta experiencia definía mi niñez perfectamente. Lo que es más importante es que el concierto era un resumen de mi vida porque lo usé como una oportunidad para establecer un vínculo íntimo por música con otras personas. De la misma manera, el concierto me dio una voz para compartir mis emociones. En conclusión, el concierto terminó un capítulo de mi vida y empezó una aventura nueva debido a una fuente de inspiración, mi abuela.

Job Interviews

So, today I went to my first job interview this morning at 10 a.m. Honestly, I thought it was going to suck, but in reality, it was not half bad. Anybody knows that job interviews are never any fun, but they do give you a chance to figure out if you are still interested in working for the company. After the job interview I was in, I did not feel confident that I should be working here. I did not think it was the best fit for me as a person and as a student. The interview gives the interviewer an opportunity to see if you are truly the right candidate for the job.

This job interview was somewhat nice because I was not being interviewed by an adult. I was being interviewed by fellow University of Minnesota students. The job interview was for the Minnesota Daily, the largest student-run newspaper in the country. I sat in a conference room and answered about ten to fifteen minutes worth of questions. Then, I had to take a forty-five minute writing test, which was not all that difficult. When I finished the interview, I thought I did an okay job being it was my very first job interview in my life. I learned a lot about what to expect during interviews, and even if I do not get the job, I see the interview as a positive experience that will lead me to more opportunities, paths, and jobs down the road.

In the tough economy, it is important to learn good, quality interview skills that you can take with you to any job opening because the interview is usually the only face-to-face time you have with an employer. Interviews are informational. There are two main goals to accomplish in an interview. The first goal is to sell your skills,strengths, and abilities in an enthusiastic, positive way to show the interviewer you are the top candidate for the job. The second goal is to ask questions about the organization and the work environment to see if you are still interested in working for the company after the interview is over.

Interviews can be scary and nerve-racking. A good idea is to turn your nerves into energy and excitement. There are so many basics to interviewing like a firm hand shake, maintaining eye contact, dressing appropriately, listening carefully, speaking clearly, and being honest. The best way to prepare for an interview is to rehearse and practice. Visit your career center at your school, and they will probably be more than welcome to sit down with you, and maybe even sit with you through a mock interview. Go over possible questions that the interviewer might ask and come up with potential answers to those questions. Research the company/organization before the interview to make sure you are still interested in the job and to see what the specific qualifications for the job are.

What do you bring to an interview? Typically, you bring a pen, a notebook, a folder, copies of resumes, contact information for references, a smile, and a positive attitude. If you are truly excited about the position, show it to the employer. Overall, the best way to prepare is to rehearse, but do not over rehearse because the purpose of the interview is for the interviewer to get to know the real you. So, do not lie, but do not undersell your skills. You have a lot to offer. If an employer asks about your weaknesses, briefly describe them and then tell the employer what you are doing to improve your weaknesses. Interviewers want to know if you are capable of handling the responsibilities of the position.

In conclusion, an interview is an exchange of information. As an interviewee, it is your chance to get to know and understand the basic functions of the company. The interview may be your final way of making an impression before the interviewer makes a decision. You have to stand out from the pack, but you have to be yourself.

Friday the 13th

For many people, Friday the 13th is a superstitious day. Supposedly, it is the unluckiest day on the entire calendar. When the number thirteen falls on a Friday, people become extra careful that bad happenings do not occur to them. I am not quite familiar with the history behind Friday the 13th, but I am aware of the irrelevance of the date and other superstitions like walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror, and having a black cat cross your path. Why blame an innocent black cat for a misfortune? How can breaking a mirror directly cause seven years of bad luck? Most important, does Friday the 13th really bring misfortune and terrible luck? In my opinion, cats are the greatest creatures on earth, and they have no way of determining what is going to happen to you later on. Breaking a mirror will not influence your next seven years because a mirror is not the center of your fate. Also, one day and one number put together is not the reason for errors, mistakes, and bad luck.

I have been thinking about superstitions and luck a lot more recently, and I have realized the idea of superstition and luck is opposite that of destiny and fate. There are many ways to look at these two concepts. The idea of destiny is believing in an outside force that controls the events in your life and that everything happens for a reason. The idea of superstition and luck is that events happen by chance. In other words, there is a probability something will happen. If something occurs, it is by accident, or it is a coincidence.

For me, I strongly believe in destiny, and there is a reason behind everything in this universe. God is the center of the universe, and he has everything planned out till the very last moments of life. I do not think things can occur by accident no matter how unlikely the events may be on paper. If you are having a bad day, that day is not going to determine how well your day is tomorrow. If you are having a string of bad luck, your next choice or event is determined by God alone, not by what happened in the past. Life is a series of independent events and choices because God is the supreme authority over everything we do and decide. Life is a series of independent events in the fact that yesterday is gone, today is new, and tomorrow is still yet to come, so do not worry. However, you can also think of life as a series of dependent events. For example, texting while driving leads to injury in a car or driving drunk leads to jail time. So, Why do we have Friday the 13th besides for the fact that it is a date on the calendar?

I think "luck" exists, but not in the same way that you are probably thinking of the term luck. "Bad luck" or misfortune happens because you have the wrong mind-set in certain situations, you have a negative attitude in achieving a goal, you have a lack of confidence in the good that you can do, and you do not see life events as positive opportunities or eye-opening experiences.

"Good luck" happens when you see the glass half full instead of half empty. It happens when you have a positive attitude and a positive mind-set. It occurs when you have full confidence in your abilities, gifts, and skills to do good on this earth. It is when you have the confidence and perseverance that you can accomplish anything through Jesus Christ who gives you strength to face each and every day.

Do you want "good luck"? Then, rely on God because there is always good waiting for those who follow him intimately to the end of days. God controls what happens to you on any day of the week, good or bad, including on Friday the 13th. Just like any other day, it should be a day of rejoice and praise because it is a day that the Lord has made. When the next Friday the 13th roles around, do not worry, embrace the day, and use bad happenings in your life to see the true purpose of God's magnificent vision.

Book Review: "Coming Back Stronger" by Drew Brees

Every one remembers the dramatic, exciting Super Bowl win this year for the 2010 Champion New Orleans Saints as they beat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in a superb fashion. It was a great achievement for the fans and residents of New Orleans after the horrific catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. After the hurricane, homes were submerged underwater, buildings were demolished, and it was one of the deadliest hurricanes in United States history. Some New Orleans' residents packed up their belonging and moved to other parts of the country before the storm hit to be with family members in safe places. Others were less fortunate, and either took refuge inside the Superdome (Home of the Saints), they had to be rescued days later, or died.

I give my total respect to the Colts and their fabulous 16 win season. I think Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. However, the Super Bowl win for the city of New Orleans was destiny. I am not totally positive, but I believe the win was a part of God's plan to show that he was not done with the state of Louisiana, specifically the city of New Orleans. There was still work to be done in New Orleans. The championship gave the people of New Orleans hope for a better future in their rebuilding city.

The journey of how the Saints organization went from paper bags to the top of the football mountain is an amazing story. Saints football was the one thing that brought the people closer together to produce hope for better days, to rebuild, to restructure, and to win a championship. The Saints' success story is God's happening, but it would not be at all possible without the leadership, determination, and Christ-like attitude of Drew Brees.

Drew Brees originally played the quarterback position at Purdue University in Indiana. Then, Drew was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played for San Diego from 2001-2005. Then, Brees became a free agent, and he decided to take his talents and services to New Orleans where he signed in March of 2006. Remember, Katrina took place in 2005 right before Brees' signing, so Drew made a real difficult decision, but a choice led by God in hopes of resurrecting and reviving the Saints franchise, the devastated city, and its people. Drew Brees is truly a man of God. He has been a saint on and off the football field. The Saints' story is an inspiring one. It shows that anything is possible through God if you have faith and trust in him. God can do miraculous things if you obey and follow his words and ways. Like Drew Brees said in his book, "See adversity as an opportunity." The hard parts of life can be opportunities if you have the positive mind-set, the right attitude, and the vision of Jesus Christ.

Read Drew's book, "Coming Back Stronger." If you think you are not the type of person who can be motivated by a book or a speaker, think again because this book will have you jumping out of your bed each morning equipped for a good day, ready with a positive attitude, and seeing God's wonderful purpose for you. Besides the Bible, this book is my new favorite. It has something for everybody. The book has a positive message, it is easy to understand, everyone can relate to at least one of Drew's experiences, and there are multiple things to learn from each chapter. I highly recommend reading this phenomenal piece of work.

Not to give anything away, let me share some interesting quotes from the book. "It is not where you start in life, but rather how you finish." "Any situation, no matter how bad, can ultimately make you stronger." "If God leads you to it, he will lead you through it." There are many more inspirational messages and sayings inside of the book. I have now seen the perspectives of two Christian NFL quarterbacks, Kurt Warner and Drew Brees. I absolutely love reading about Christian professional athletes and the work that they do because these athletes share their stories, and it has inspired me to follow God more intimately and closely in order to fulfill his purpose for me.

I hope when you read a book like the one by Drew Brees, you might feel the same way as I do. It is amazing how God can use people's life stories through books and writing to touch the lives of others. This book is not a football book. You do not have to know anything about football in order to read it. "Coming back Stronger" is a memoir that can be easily understandable for anyone who feels inspired or led to read this autobiography. I suggest you read this book, but I also suggest you read the one by Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda, "First Things First." Enjoy the reading!

Making a bad choice does not make a bad person

We are all human. We all make mistakes in life. Nobody is perfect not even a perfectionist. Basketball players turn the ball over every once in a while. Parents make mistakes when they are parenting their kids. Teens make mistakes and errors in judgment in their searches for identities. When someone goes down the wrong path, that person will eventually figure out what they did wrong. Everyone deserves a second chance. No one deserves disrespect or to be looked down upon just because they made a choice in life that they will regret. All people need support and care. No one person can get through life on their own. Even if you feel lonely, you are not alone because God is always with you through the good and the bad. People of this world judge by your outward appearance, but the Lord examines you inwardly at the heart.

Making a bad choice in life does not make you a bad person. When you make a wrong decision, talk to God about it because he knows everything about you and your circumstances before you even talk to him. God will never leave you nor forsake you. He is with you when you are struggling. He is with you when you are weak. For when we are weak, God is strong. He is Almighty and Powerful. He shows extreme kindness to us for a reason. God wants us to be saved, to follow him, and to share his Word with the people we meet on a daily basis. God rejoices in your screw-ups and pain because he views a mistake as an opportunity to work inside of you and bring a change in order to walk humbly and faithfully with Jesus Christ.

Do not let other people tell you that you cannot do something, and you are worthless. When you try your best, you may fall down a few times, but when you try your best and rely on God, you will succeed. God wants us to succeed. He is there to pick you up and place you on your feet. A bad decision does not make you a bad person. A bad decision is an opportunity for God to help you turn your life around and make a true difference in your life.

Do not worry about what other people think of you. Do not worry about tomorrow or the past because our Almighty, Powerful God will be his same loving, accepting self today, tomorrow, and forever. If you are hopeless right now, God will give you hope. If you need rest, God will give you rest. All you have to do is come to Jesus, and he will fill you up. You will never be thirsty again.

Jesus died on the cross to save this entire world from sin because he loved each person so much. He showed his kindness by sacrificing his life, so that every person would have the opportunity to love, know, and follow him. Jesus shed his blood so that we may be saved and spend eternal life with him. God showed mercy on us, so that we may show mercy and forgiveness to others. We are all sinners, but God sent his Son, so that we can be saved through Christ Jesus.

When we are saved, Jesus takes the burdens off our backs, breaks our chains, and sets us free. God is your friend. The only thing he wants is a holy relationship between you and him. Becoming a follower of Christ is a huge decision, and it has its rewards and benefits, but there will still be times of struggle and hurt that everyone has to go through. The tough times are what test a person's faith and trust in God. Those times help us to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus, so that we can rely on him more.

The important thing to remember is that God is always there for you. You can talk to him when you are in pain. You can praise him in a storm. You can share about him with your friends, family, and co-workers. God is the absolute center of your life. Let him take control, and you will see his invisible qualities (almighty power and divine nature) work through you, so that you can be a light in the darkness of this world. God is your protector, your comforter, your all in all. He is your everything.

Amplify and live your life out loud for Jesus Christ. Do his purpose. Fulfill his will he has for you on this earth. God is the Rock of Salvation. He loves you, and he has a purpose for you to serve. Serve your Almighty Father. God gave you time on this earth, so use it wisely as a Christ-like example. Your Christ-like attitude and behavior can make all the difference.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."
--Robert Frost

What's the Next Step in Life?

In today's society, it feels like we have to be continuously moving toward a goal or a dream. We have to work hard and persevere in order to accomplish tasks, get things done, and succeed. When we finish one chapter in our lives or when we are finished with one opportunity, we are already working towards something else. We are already striving to accomplish other tasks. How do we know what the next step in life really is? How do we know what we are supposed to do? For me, these questions have been a huge challenge in my life.

I got done with high school in 2009, and I am about to enter my second year at the University of Minnesota. I have goals and dreams just like everybody else, but I am having doubts in what I should do next. I have been searching for a part-time job for several months now in these bad economic times in order to pay for tuition. I have been deeply examining myself this summer to find my true identity and my true passion. I like to write, so I have been thinking maybe a Journalism or a Scientific and Technical Communication major would be something worth pursuing. I also love math. So, I have been wondering about a mathematics major or minor.

There has been so much on my mind, especially in the last two weeks, on the path I should take in order to figure out my next move. I have also been seriously considering the military, so that my higher education would be more affordable, and I would be able to have more time to search for my identity and passion.

I do not think anybody can figure out the next step in life on their own. It takes support from family and friends. More important, it takes constant prayer with God, and that is what I have been doing. Each day, I ask God for help because I know he is listening, he will answer, and he will provide for me. God knows my future before it even happens. I absolutely know God has magnificent, wonderful plans for me.

Taking the next step is about having faith and trust in Christ Jesus because Jesus is the beginning and the end; he is the author of destiny. I should not worry because I know God will reveal his purpose for me soon enough. That is why taking the next step in life is not about how much money you can make or about how much you can accomplish in life. It is about letting God be in control. Taking the next step should be about fulfilling God's purpose in order to develop a personal, intimate relationship with him on earth.

Why do we rush to get things done? Why do we feel like time is running out all the time when we try to complete tasks? I think it is important to live in the moment. Life is fleeting. Time on this earth is brief. Our demanding schedules should not be centered around work. They should be centered around God. Our goals and dreams should serve God's purpose. His vision is the best vision.

It is important to set aside private, one-on-one time with Jesus each day. If you do not have time, make time. Jesus wants to meet with each one of us on a daily basis. Maybe, you need to wake up an hour earlier than usual. Perhaps, you like to take walks. That could be your personal time with God. God is the author of our life stories. We need him in order to have hope for the future and to have strength for the moment.

I think God has been really touching me and my life these past two or three weeks. Whatever God throws at me in this life, I am ready and prepared for the challenge to follow and complete his purpose for me. He will reveal his plans for me when he thinks I am ready. God knows everything about me. He knows my next step in life, even though I have no idea. I am just so glad I have Jesus Christ as a friend inside of me. He is working in my life, so that I may share and spread his Words with people whom I meet.

Praise God for what he has done because he is so amazing. I am so glad he came to save us. Since he came to save us, our value to God is not how much we accomplish by the end of the day. Our value to God is how much we grow in our faith. Our value or worth to God is our personal relationship with him. What is the next step in life? Ask God. He has the answers, but do not forget to thank him.

"Don't worry about anything instead, pray about everything. Tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers." Philippians 4:6

Trials and Temptations....Praise God in the Storm...: James 1:1-18

One of the best parts of the summer months is the storms that come through. It is exciting to see the lightning fill up the sky, hear the loud thunder claps, and to hear the quiet, but heavy raindrops. Nothing fascinates me more than a thunderstorm. I like to gaze out the window to see the dark sky, flashes of lightning, and the tough, fast winds moving through the trees. Storms can also cause a lot of damage to homes, buildings, cars, and entire cities. Storms are not always a good thing, but they are a part of God's magnificent, beautiful creation. When it rains, for example, the rainbow is God's promise that he will never flood the earth again.

There are physical, literal storms in our lives, but there are also metaphorical storms happening in our lives as well. These storms are the trials and tribulations that we face on a daily basis on our Christian walk with Jesus Christ. Trials and tribulations are not necessarily bad. Most people have a tendency to get upset when something in their life is going wrong, so they may fall away from God or lose faith entirely.

God uses pain and struggle to test us and our faith. If we can stand through the storms, we develop perseverance, and we tend to grow in faith and walk more closer to Jesus in the end. A good place to look in the Bible about trials, temptations, and tribulations is the book of James. James 1:2 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." No one says life on earth will be easy. Certainly, no one says that making decisions and choices will be simple. God tests the faith of everyone because he loves every person on this earth. He wants people to come and know, love, and follow him.

When things get hard, do not give up and turn away. Rely on God. If you try your best, you might fail because you are not leaning on Jesus. However, if you try your best and put your trust in Jesus Christ, you will never fail. God wants us to work hard. He has already prepared the work that we are supposed to (Ephesians 2:10), so that we may be ambassadors for Christ. When we get through the tough times, we have persevered and can stand victoriously in heaven right next to Jesus. Depressing years may be painful now, but the reward for perseverance is great later. For James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." Stay faithful to God and his unfailing love, and God will give you your crown of life.

It is so easy to walk away from your faith and turn away from God in the storms and in the valley because you may think God is tempting you. You may think that he does not care for you. In fact, he loves you deeply. He loves to show kindness. The storms are his way of showing kindness, so that you may have faith and believe in Jesus. Then, you will be saved.

It is also easy to blame God for the messes in life. Do not blame him. You should be thanking him. You should praise his name in the storm because he is helping you become complete, so that you may get up and walk humbly and peacefully with him some day. James 1:13-14 explains that God does not tempt you, but you are tempted by your evil desire. It says, "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." Before you are saved, your old self was not pleasing God. It was pleasing evil. When you become saved, you turn away from evil . You still may do some wrong because of your sinful nature, but pleasing God will be your number one goal.

The most important thing to remember is that God is always right by your side, even during the hardest, toughest part of the storm. It is all right to be afraid, but know that God is right there with you and ready to support you. When you are in a storm in your life, the best thing to do is to talk to God. God wants to help you. You must admit you absolutely need his help because you positively cannot do anything without him. For Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Through God, anything is possible. He can move mountains.

The storms that you are facing can be huge opportunities for you to draw closer to Jesus. You just have to ask God for help and for him to come inside of you. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Do not be afraid to talk to God. He is your friend. He is the best listener there is. God can give you great wisdom and great understanding.

He is all-powerful to do miraculous things with your life. He is the commander of destiny and the Father of Hope for the future. God will never let go, even in the darkest of days. Therefore, Praise Him in the Storm.

Submission to the Authorities: Romans 13:1-7

What is your opinion about people in authority such as police officers, government officials, parents, and teachers? Perhaps, you do not like people telling you what to do. Maybe, you like to be independent with little or no supervision to get tasks completed. Perhaps, you feel like you need someone to keep you on track, otherwise nothing would get done.

No matter how you view people with more authority, control, and power than you, you must respect their leadership abilities. If they irritate or bother you, do not get angry or upset. If they make a mistake, do not think of yourself any better than they are because authority figures are just as human as everyone else. Also, when something goes wrong, it does not make it right to blame or point a finger at the person with power. Sure, "With great power comes great responsibility," but no one can handle a situation on their own no matter how much control or influence that person has. People need to cooperate and work together as one body to accomplish what needs to get done to make things better.

God appoints authority figures on this Earth. God knows what is best, and he chooses who will exercise authority, and he decides who will be a leader in this world. This appointment by God is evident in Romans 13:1, which says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." This is saying that everyone must respect those who have authority because God chooses these people to be his special servants and to be leaders in every nation in order to help, protect, and provide for millions of people.

People we should respect and submit to might include the President of the United States, police officers, judges, pastors, and bosses at your workplace. For Romans 13:1 says, "The authorities that exist have been established by God." God placed Barack Obama as the leader of the United States, so you must acknowledge his leadership no matter what opinion you may have of him, but you should also pray for him because he is God's servant.

If you continually disobey and argue with your manager or supervisor during your work shift, you will have to face the consequences like fewer hours, lower pay, or even getting fired. This example is exactly what Romans 13:2 says: "Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." So if you are not obeying the instructions your parents give you, you are not obeying God, and you are just bringing the consequences upon yourself for later.

Parents are the biggest authority figures in the world. One of the ten commandments in Exodus 20 says, "Honor your father and your mother." Submitting to authorities is important because there is punishment for those who do not submit like jail time for disrespecting a cop, a time-out for disobeying a parent, and getting kicked out of a class for not respecting a professor. Romans 13:4 says, "For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." This is saying that authority figures use their leadership skills to help you, but if you get out of line when they tell you to do something, the authority figures have the right to intervene. Bad choices always have consequences.

Romans 13:7 says, "Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." It is important to honor, to respect, and to submit to earthly leaders and rulers, but remember that God is the ultimate authority figure. He created the heavens and the earth. God has all the power and control in our lives. God commands your destiny from the beginning to the end. Submit to God, take up your cross, and follow him.

We are on this earth to serve and to honor him. We are here to do his purpose, so that we may shine the light of Jesus Christ wherever we may go. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." So, obey God's authority, and do not let his vision out of your sight. We are all a part of the Lord's army to serve other people, to honor and glorify God, and to share the Good News, so that the Lord's Kingdom will grow and grow.

Our daily walk and personal relationship with Jesus can only grow and develop if we are fully dedicated and submitted to him, his purpose, and his authority.

Silence: The Absence of Sound but not the Absence of God

What do you like or dislike about silence? Maybe, you do not like silence because you love to talk with friends, family, neighbors, and everybody around you almost all the time. Maybe, you do not like silence because you are not very comfortable in awkward situations. Perhaps, silence is scary for you because you are afraid of being alone, and you are insecure about yourself. If you are like me, you like to cherish moments of silence. I think of silence as an opportunity for me to do many things like talk to God, read, write, and think about life. For me, silence is one of the most beautiful things that God created for a reason in this world. In music, silence is added beauty to a composition or song. No matter how busy this society may seem, there is silence everywhere.

Experiences of silence might lead you to believe that you are depressed, isolated, lonely, and afraid. You might think and believe silence means that there is no God on the other end of your prayers. I remember I used to think like that. When I prayed, and God was silent, I thought it meant he did not care and was not listening. I thought he was telling me to handle my problems on my own. I believed that God's silence was his way of telling me to tough things out by myself. I used to believe that the only answers from God were audible and/or visible. Now I know that God's silence is his best answer for me. Silence is the best proof you have that God hears your prayers, cares for you, and will provide for you. It is true.

The best things that God gives us are unseen. The best things cannot be seen with your eyes or heard with your ears. The best example I can think of is faith. Faith is believing in someone or something that you physically cannot see or hear. According to Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." This is saying that if we put our faith and complete trust in God (who is physically not visible), God will give us hope for the future through silent responses. God is not punishing you when he is silent. He is disciplining you and training you. His silence is his love for you. It brings you one step closer to an intimate, close relationship with God.

God's silence means that he has plans for you. He has a great purpose for you, and he knows you are ready to follow him and share the Good News with the world. His silence has a deep, spiritual meaning. It has a slightly different meaning for each person because everyone is unique and has a unique purpose in this world. When God gives you silence, do not get upset. Thank him, worship him, and praise his name because he is working in your life. He is so good. "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." (Hebrews 11:3). This verse is saying that our faith in God has allowed us great understanding of God, of his magnificent work, and of his beautiful "silences."

Sometimes his silences may be painful, depressing, and hard for you to understand now, but in the end, God loves you, and he will support you and provide for you in order that you may be one with his son, Jesus Christ, in a holy relationship. This is evident in Hebrews 12:10-11, "God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." The important thing is to not give up hope. God's silence is his way of disciplining and training us to become more like him in everything we do, so that others may come to know, love, and follow Jesus. It is his ultimate sign that he loves us. Put your faith and trust in Jesus because silence is the absence of sound, but it is definitely not the absence of Jesus Christ.

News Report about Corrective Rape in South Africa.....My Thoughts and Opinion....A possible, personal calling from God?

Last Tuesday, I was watching a program on television called, E:60, on ESPN. It was on at 6 p.m. I had just finished dinner, and I was deciding on whether to watch it or not. Normally, I do not like to watch a lot of television during the day, but I decided to sit down and watch this show for about 45 minutes. For those of you who have never heard of E:60, it is an hour-long television program where broadcasters share news stories from around the world about top headlines in sports. It is somewhat like 60 minutes on CBS, but with a sports twist to it.

The third news story that came up was about South Africa. South Africa was the host of the 2010 World Cup not too long ago, but soccer was not the main point of the report. The story was about how a broadcast journalist went to South Africa, and he conducted interviews with female soccer athletes in the black townships. Specifically, these women were lesbian, and they experienced the horrors of rape just because they were homosexual. This kind of rape is known as corrective rape. Someone rapes another person for the sole purpose of trying to change that person's sexuality.

The report was very sad. South Africa is not a safe country for people who may be homosexual because 80% of South Africans believe that homosexuality is wrong. Plus, one out of every two women end up getting raped in South Africa, which is the highest rate of rape in the world. The police do not do much to try to control the situation either. Sometimes, they do not even try to catch the suspects. The men in the townships do not care what happens to these women. Many of the men believe that a man is a man, and a woman is a woman. The homosexual women get beaten, get knocked unconscious, and some end up pregnant where they have to have an abortion because they cannot care for the child. No one would stand up for these women. The women had to step up and stand up for themselves. The journalist who conducted the interviews did a nice job of coming into South Africa, respecting the opinions and beliefs of both sides to the story, and leaving with a report that would inform the world of this terror.

I have been thinking about this news report for a couple of days now. It just bothers me that so many people do not know about this, especially after the World Cup taking place. Maybe, this is God calling me into action. Perhaps, God wants me to use my writing skills to become a journalist to inform people of what is truly happening to this world. I do not know, but I think God is telling me to use my passion for writing to make a difference in this world, to provide a light in this dark world, and to give people some perspective.

Still, I do not know if journalism is the right career path for me, but finding my call from God is going to take lots of prayer and listening to what God has to say. Maybe, God is giving me a global challenge or opportunity to help interconnect identities in an evolving world with the words and opinions I write down and share. God knows best, and I have to trust in him with all of my heart no matter where he leads me in this life. Journalism is a very tough career path for any person, but if God is calling me to my passion of writing, I am ready for the challenge. I am prepared to go the distance and embrace the future. God is so amazing in what he can do.

Here is a link to the video and news article. Just to warn you, the video might be disturbing.

Worship Testimony: An Experience that Changed My Life

My favorite part of youth group at church was going on the retreats, especially the one at Camp Shamineau in the fall. My favorite summer childhood memory was going up to Camp Shamineau for a week meeting new friends, growing in my walk with Jesus, having interesting adventures, and playing awesome night games like Wells Fargo and Capture the Flag. Camp Shamineau was my favorite place to go. It is the place where I got stung three times in a row by three different bees. This camp helped me to really examine my life, and it provided me with some challenges to bring back home in order that I may continue to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus. The best part of my camp experience was chapel because I loved to worship. There were always cool bands up on stage. I loved singing along, even though I could not sing well. I loved doing the actions and clapping my hands. I enjoyed worshipping and having a good time. My favorite part of all the retreats I went on was the worship because I loved music. I loved to celebrate and give thanks to Jesus for what he had done for me.

My love for worship started back in elementary Sunday school. At the end of my class, all of the classes would join together for a kids' worship service led by Julie Andersen, Director of Children's Ministries at my church. She encouraged us to read the bible, memorize bible verses, learn the actions to songs, and most important, to sing loud for Jesus.

After elementary school, my love for worship simmered down. The passion cooled off. It felt like my enthusiasm was disappearing. In Junior High, I started not to care. I felt like I was better by not participating or singing. I did not want to sing because I did not know what other people would think of me since I could not sing well. I did not want to embarrass myself. Every time I tried to worship in Junior High youth group, it felt like everyone else was being "filled with the Holy Spirit," and I was being left out. When I tried to worship, I always crossed my arms, my attitude was negative, and I could not wait until it was over because I started to turn away from God, lose faith, and not rely on him anymore. When I prayed, it did not seem like I was getting an answer. It did not seem like God was listening.

I continued to attend youth group in junior high because I had some great friends I liked to hang out with on Wednesday night like Josh Gross, Kyle Terhark, and Quentin Cross, but I was deeply struggling in my walk of faith with Jesus Christ. I had an I-do-not-care attitude inside of me.

Obviously, that is not where I am today. Let me tell you about an experience that changed me. In 11th grade, I went on this winter retreat in Upsala, Minnesota, with my church. I met a lot of new people. I spent time with some old friends. I just had a blast playing broom ball, sliding, drinking hot chocolate, and watching the talent show. I came into the weekend with a negative attitude. I did not care about the weekend and would be happy when it was over. I did not believe that God had the power to bring a change in me. I did not have the faith to believe that God could give me a second chance, hope, and a renewed life.

During worship, I crossed my arms, sang softly, and ignored the words. During meals, I did not talk to anybody, and I tried to sit by myself. During free time, I spent my afternoon playing a little bit of broom ball and carpet ball, but other than that, I was alone taking pictures, thinking about my life, or just not really doing anything. No one noticed me. It was like I was invisible for most of the time. I felt lonely, depressed, and hopeless.

Then, it was Saturday night, and I saw something incredible happen to me. My youth pastor, Jeff Dexter, did something different. Most of the chapel time was dedicated to worship that night. At first, I had that I-do-not-care attitude again. Then, I realized everyone around me, and I felt alone. Then, one of my friends, Tom, put his arm around me, and he started to pray with me. I asked myself: How can someone like me with a negative attitude be so lucky to have a friend who cared about me that night? I began to cry. For the next ten minutes, while the music continued, I talked to God. When my friend put his arm around me, I found strength, hope, and lots of love. I talked to God like he was my best friend. I had tears of joy running down my cheeks because I renewed my faith and trust in him.

After talking to God for about ten or fifteen minutes, God filled me with the Holy Spirit. I was sitting in the corner of the room, but I began to listen carefully to the words of the songs. One of the songs that I still remember from that night was called, "You Never Let Go," by Matt Redman. Then, I began to sing the words, and my voice got louder and louder. I did not care what other people thought of me because during that entire experience, the only two people in the room were me and Jesus. It was amazing. This was around 10 p.m., and I was not even tired. I was energized with the Holy Spirit.

Towards the end, I stood up, and I put my hands up in the air, and I just had the best time with God. I saw the change in me. For the rest of the weekend, I had an open mind about activities, I had a positive attitude about the retreat, I listened and talked with so many people, and I had so much fun. Certainly, that night of worship goes in my top ten favorite moments of all time.

Today, I love to worship. I listen to KTIS and the REFUGE on the radio in my room and every time I am in the car. I love the special one-on-one time I get with God to praise his name. I do not care what other people think of me when I worship, even when I am clapping off the beat or when my voice is out of tune. I give it all to Jesus because he gave his life to save the world from sin. Worshipping God is not about how well you can sing. It is about how well you connect with Jesus. It is about submitting your entire life to God and letting God take control.

What is your opinion about worship? Let me leave you with some bible verses about worship:

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.
--Psalm 9:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.
--Romans 12:1

Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
--Exodus 34:14

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
--Psalm 59:16

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
--Psalm 99:5

The Pilot of My Life: Jesus, Take the Wheel

I believe in destiny. I believe that life is all planned out for us the minute we are born. There is a reason behind the choices we make, the things we do, and the people we meet. Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, once said, "To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there." Life is a series of choices. Make the right choices, and you can be satisfied with yourself, especially the path you took to reach your final destination. If you make the wrong choices in life, you can end up with more regrets and with more questions than answers.

Life choices are difficult to make. You have to think each situation through carefully without jumping to conclusions. In life, the answers are not spoon fed to you. You have to search deeply sometimes through others who you encounter and sometimes through the quietness and loneliness of yourself. There are moments in life where it is okay and acceptable to feel lonely and be alone. Our toughest challenges that we overcome tend to define us as people. No matter who we are, we all face troubling, depressing, and challenging times that push us to the limit where we find ourselves on a balancing tight rope act wobbling our way through the uncertainties of life.

We should not have to worry about anything that comes our way. I know that God will provide for me if I learn to trust in him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. God is the Almighty, the Creator of Life, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, and Rock of Salvation. He will always care for us no matter how far we stray from the path, no matter what bad things we have done, and no matter the circumstances in our lives right now. Do not worry about the future. The future is the present. The future never comes. Tomorrow never arrives. Yesterday was history, and tomorrow will always remain a mystery.

The most accurate way to start predicting the future is to start making it happen right at this very moment. What you do in the next five minutes can very well be what defines how your life turns out to be in the next 10 years. The next phone call you make can change your plans forever with one simple task of asking for forgiveness. Whatever you do, just do it. It may be meaningless to you now, but the simple jobs you accomplish now may have a huge impact on your future later.

Get involved in any way you can. Reach for the opportunities, and the dreams are limitless. Make your life worthwhile. Be yourself. Enjoy life to the fullest, and do not let other people get you down. Life is too short to worry about the little things. Have some fun, and do not forget to laugh. Laughter is the perfect medicine for the soul. Always look for ways to brighten someones day. If you are in a good mood, your friends and family around you will probably have good moods as well.

Try new things. Learn new ideas. Stop trying to spend and waste energy on proving what you already know. Start spending valuable time learning ideas, information, values, and concepts that you do not comprehend or do not know about at all.

If you try your best, you cannot fail. If you do not put effort into the activities you take part in, you do not learn the value of determination to achieve success and greatness. In general, you should always live your life to the extreme because you do not know when your time is up in this world. Live your life like you are going to die tomorrow. You only have one life to live, so you might as well make the most of it. I do not have any clue on when I am going to die, but when I do, I want to be able to say that I did what I had to do in this world. When I die, I want to be able to look at my life as 100% complete. I want to say that I did my job, I served my purpose, and I helped as many people as I could.

Life is like a parking meter. God puts coins in the meter, but he does not tell us how much time he has allowed us to stay on this Earth. When the parking meter expires, it is time for us to go. Life is the most precious thing that God has given to me. I cherish it with my family he has put me in and with the friends he has given me.

God is in complete control of every aspect of my life. God is the pilot of my life. He steers me to wherever He wants me to go. I thank Him everyday for His mercy that He shows me when I screw up, and he always shows me his unfailing love, even during troubling times. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are all part of the learning process. In order to have life experiences and adventures, I have to be able to make mistakes, I have to be able to embarrass myself, and I cannot care of what other people think of me.

There is no place for quitters in this world. I always have to tell myself "impossible" is not in my vocabulary. The word "impossible" has no meaning or definition. It is just a reason for someone not to try. Also, I should not be afraid to make mistakes because there are always occasions for second chances. I have to believe that I can turn my life around when situations get tough. I know that God loves me so much that he always shows mercy and forgives. He is always there for me, giving me hope, strength, and courage to face each day.

Each one of our lives is unique. We will all go down different pathways meeting new people and new opportunities. It is important to remember God is in control. God is the leader of our lives. So, it is important to get to know him throughout the course of your life. That is my ultimate goal: to live for Jesus. Jesus created us. He deserves our eyes and ears.

God is good. He cares so much for you that He died on the cross to save this world from sin. God wants to be your friend. He wants to talk to you and listen to you during prayer. God knows everything about you. He knows the number of hairs on your head, and he knows your entire life. God is your road map. God wants to help you and develop an intimate, close relationship with you. All it takes is five minutes of unrushed, quiet, and meaningful time with Jesus in a private place. Meet with Jesus today. He is the future of tomorrow.

God's Word: Why do we seek knowledge?

Throughout this summer, I have been digging deeper and deeper into God's Word. Every time I wake up in the morning, I have this thirst for knowledge to get to know Jesus Christ and who he really is, so I can walk by his side in a close, intimate relationship. When I read what God has to say, honestly, I pay less attention to the facts and little details and more to the overall spiritual message that I can apply to my daily life. God's message for us is homework for the soul. It is how we improve our relationship with God's Son, our relationship with others, and our passion for wanting to get to know him more each and every day.

It is so easy to read the Bible for our own personal gain. What do I mean by this? Reading for our own personal gain means many things. When you read the Bible, you have to make sure you put God's Word into action by living out loud for Jesus. If you read the Bible every day, but you do not set a Christ-like example in this world, you gain and learn nothing. Your relationship with Jesus just keeps going around in circles. Do not read the Bible because your parents, pastor, or somebody else tells you to or because you have a reading schedule you have to keep up with.

God's Word is the greatest book you can ever read in this world. In fact, it is the most stolen book in the world as well. It is important to set aside special, quiet time when reading. When you read the Bible, you are spending special, valuable, and quality time with God. If you have a hard time finding something to read inside the Bible, let God steer your heart. When you turn to a specific page, God led you to that one page for a reason. He wants you to dig deeper into that passage because he has a purpose for you.

Digging into God's Word should not be about gaining more knowledge and wisdom than the people around you. Facts and information should not be used to show off how much you know, but they should be used to lead others to Christ and share God's Word with those who may or may not believe. You need to put what you learn into practice in the real world, so others may see your Christ-like attitude and behavior. We are all children of God. We are a part of God's family. We are ambassadors for Christ, so we must show and tell the world who are King and Savior really is.

When I read a passage of Scripture, I find it helpful to write journal entries of what I read. This technique helps me understand the overall message better because my thoughts and ideas are written out and organized on paper. A lot of the things in my journal have ended up on this blog site because I like to share what I learned from God, and I hope that I can inspire and lead others closer to Christ with my gift of writing. Also, I find it beneficial to write down key Bible verses in my journal in order to help me remember what I read for the day. Plus, many of the verses I write down are inspirational pieces of advice and important words that Jesus said. Another thing I do when I sit down and read God's Word is I underline significant sentences in a passage. So, if I read the passage again in the future, I can see what God is teaching me, and I can make new discoveries. I also use study guides and booklets to help guide my reading along, but God is my ultimate Guide.

When I read the Bible, I feel like my relationship with Jesus is good, but it can always be better. I feel more equipped to handle the realities and hardships of life. "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."(Ephesians 6:17). I can share God's Word without feeling afraid of persecution or being crushed. God has taught me so many things this summer, but over this past year, I have felt a deeper connection with him. My faith and trust in him has grown so much, which has helped me keep my eye on his vision, his perfect will, and his ultimate purpose for me. I pray to God that he will teach me his ways each and everyday, so that I may follow him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Reading the Bible is not about seeking knowledge for your own personal self. Reading,understanding, and seeking knowledge in God's Word is all about growing in a relationship with Jesus Christ, so that you may be a good example for friends, family, co-workers, and the strangers in this world. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

The more you dig into God's Word, the more change you find in yourself. Your relationship with Jesus will be less about facts, information, rules, and guidelines. Your relationship will feel more and more like a love affair with Jesus Christ.

Taking Risks in an Uncertain World: God never lets go

How much risk do you take in your daily life? What is risk? Does this society need to take risks in order to progress and grow for a better future? Risk is about stepping outside of your comfort zone. It is about taking a chance on something that is uncertain in your life. The risk may pay off huge rewards in the end. The risk may lead to more difficulty and trouble later on. Why do we take risks? Risk-taking is what makes us better than who we are now. It is how we improve our abilities, learn from mistakes, and grow as people. Taking a risk is about ceasing the opportunity that is in front of you. It is about not being scared of the uncertainties in the future. It is about knowing that you can do all things. Nothing is impossible when you give an effort. With risk comes failure, but with failure comes another opportunity to try again and get back up on your feet.

Have you ever played RISK: the game of global domination? I have only played it a few times. The end result was I lost, or we never actually finished the game. It is a very time-consuming game. There is a lot of strategy involved, but it is also about taking risks to try to beat your friends and conquer as many countries around the world as possible. No wonder I am never good at that game. I do not know how to take risks. It is not that I am afraid of failure or rejection. It is that I have a hard time stepping outside of my comfort zone. I am shy and reserved. Also, I have a hard time making decisions because sometimes I am afraid I might make the wrong one.

Risk-taking is in the hands of God. Taking a risk means knowing that if you mess up, God will be there to pick you up and help you get back on your feet. When you take a risk, you may get rewarded. God sees your invisible deeds, and he notices them. I put my trust in God and have faith in him because he is the only one who knows that I will get through my moments in the valley. He is the only one who can get me to the top of the mountain.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because my God is for me. Then, who can be against me? God will never let go. My relationship with God allows me to take risks and to be who I need to be in order to do God's purpose. When God calls you to do something, he chose you for a reason, and you must follow through and be obedient to him no matter your circumstances in life. When God calls, you listen. There are no excuses. There is no turning back.

Take a leap of faith and dive right in. You make a mistake, and God will be right by your side. You need help, God is ready to lift you up. You need somebody to talk to, God is just a conversation away. I think God wants us to step out of our daily routines and activities. It is important to go out in the world and have an adventure because life is fading away. Life experiences help you to help others. Your story can lead someone to Christ. Your invitation to church can put a smile on someones face and give that person a brand new hope in life. Your talk at the coffee shop can make someones day and give them a whole new purpose that they never saw before.

What will you do to take a risk and be a Christ-like example on this earth? How can you make a difference in your community, city, state, country, or world? Being Christ-like means being an ambassador of Christ and doing what Christ would do in all situations. When you go out and try to change lives, you will find that your life will change as well. Sometimes, your life changes more. Do not be afraid to live life out loud for Jesus. If you are afraid to take risks, pray to God. He has all the answers. Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Uncertainty is a valuable part of life because if you take a risk or a leap of faith, you can get closer to God in an awesome, intimate relationship. Risk is just God's way of telling us to have faith in him because he can move mountains and get us through the storms in our lives.

Graffiti: A work of art or vandalism?

What is your opinion about graffiti? Do you find graffiti to be a beautiful, art masterpiece? Maybe, you think graffiti is just plain wrong, and it is vandalism. Perhaps, graffiti to you does not belong in the art category at all. I tend to think both ways on the subject, but I am more on the side that it is artwork. There are actual artists in the world who paint graffiti for a living. For example, Juan Carlos Arguello (1966-1995) was a Spanish graffiti artist during "la movida madrilena." This was a Spanish countercultural movement in Spain that took place during the first years of the transition toward democracy until the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. Juan Carlos was known for being a pioneer in Spain of the graffiti style. When you walk by graffiti artwork, it is "cool" to see all the colors mixed together, and it is interesting to see all the crazy, unique, beautiful designs that are displayed in graffiti. Part of me also thinks graffiti is vandalism. For sure, it can be. Writing slang words and gang symbols on public buildings without permission is definitely vandalism, and there should be punishment. Overall, I believe graffiti has artistic value, importance, and worth. It is a way for young people to express themselves in legal, mature manners. Graffiti is alternative culture, or you might call it counterculture. Young people just want to do something different and stand out, and plus, they take pride in the work they show off to millions of people. What do you think of this cultural phenomenon?

How do you pick a major/career path?

So, I am entering my sophomore year at the University of Minnesota, and I still do not know my major. College is tough. There are so many options available. There are so many roads and paths to take. Which opportunity do I pursue? What do I want to do for the rest of my life? These are just some of the many stressful, struggling questions that I and most college students face. The ultimate decision is mine, but I feel like I am getting no where with that decision. I know I should not worry because God will provide and knows my future, but seriously, college is not cheap.

I only have one more year left until I absolutely need to declare my major. So, what do I do? This summer, I have been doing research on three different majors that interest me: Scientific and Technical Communication, Journalism, and Mathematics. They all seem like really good fits for me. I like both writing and math. These subjects are what come easy to me and what I am good at.

Picking a major should be about following your heart, achieving your goals and dreams, and exploring a passion. Picking a major is not about the money. You should not worry about how much money you will make after college in your career. Pick a major that you enjoy because the career you choose will be there for the next 20-30 years. Do something you love and is worthwhile to you.

90% of Americans hate their jobs. In fact, most heart attacks occur on Monday morning between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. because adults have to wake up, start their week, and do something they hate doing. Money is important, but it is not everything. When considering a major, journal or ponder about this for awhile: if money did not exist, what would you enjoy doing for free? You know that you picked the right career path when you realize your passion. Everyone has unique talents, abilities, gifts, and skills (T.A.G.S.). Everybody uses their T.A.G.S. (a term used by Jermaine Davis, a very popular college motivational speaker) in different ways. Some people have the skills to be teachers, even though pay is not that good. Some have talents to be doctors, lawyers, writers, and architects. Others have abilities to be secretaries, police officers, or engineers.

If you pick a major you are really interested in, you will enjoy your time in school a lot more. Classes will be more exciting, challenging, and worth your time. You may be only in college for four or five years, but you will have a career for the next thirty or forty years. Be a part of the 10% of Americans who love what they are doing.

Once you pick a major, life does not get any easier. Some majors are harder than others. You have to work for your major and be determined so you can fulfill your dreams and goals. With college, comes sacrifice. A rule of thumb in college is that every hour you are in class, you should expect to spend two to three hours outside of class studying and doing homework. If you want to receive an A, you have to study more than than two hours. You must learn how to manage your time. Manage your time around classes and not around other activities or events.

You must have a vision of where you want to go. Helen Keller once said, "What's worse than being blind, is when you have sight, but no vision." Make a plan and stick by it. Your vision is a road map inside of your brain that tells you in what direction you are going in. Make goals and dreams for yourself, so you can have something to achieve and look forward to in the future. The time and effort you put into learning about something you love now will determine how well you can use your talents, abilities, gifts, and skills in a future career you will enjoy.

How I find blogging/writing ideas

If you have read through many of the blog posts on this website, you probably notice that I write about a wide variety of crazy, random, and interesting topics. I have noticed that too. I have written about everything from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to a story about my cat.

So, how do I find ideas to write about? Honestly, about 90% of the time I really do not know where an idea came from. Sometimes, I will grab a pen and paper, and I will not stop writing. I will just write whatever is on my mind. I go to the park, my room, or wherever it is quiet and begin writing down my thoughts, ideas, opinions, values, and beliefs.

Other times, my ideas come from specific sources of inspiration. If you have a hard time trying to write a paper, a blog post, or a note, listen to the lyrics carefully to some of your favorite songs. There are plenty of songs out there that have hidden, deep meanings that you can uncover with your writing. Sharing my thoughts about topics from songs has inspired me, and I hope they inspire anyone who reads them. Some of the songs and artists/bands that have inspired my writing are "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood, "Daylight is Coming" by Remedy Drive, "The Old Rugged Cross," and even my own piano composition, "Still With Me."

Taking clips from movies is another source of inspiration. Films have powerful messages. If they did not have meaning, no one would watch them or even make them. Everybody likes movies. Everyone has different values, beliefs, and thoughts about movies. When you walk into the theater and view a movie, each person leaves the auditorium with just a slightly different impression and understanding of the movie. I use popular movies like "Invictus," "The Blind Side," and "August Rush" as starting points for my writing when I get writer's block because one comment about a movie can start a chain of responses from multiple points of view. More important, films help discover something about yourself, especially if you can somehow relate to the film. Even though films are part of the virtual world, they can tell you some deeper meaning about life and the world around you with the messages they portray.

Another good source of inspiration for my writing is to find things in my life that might be symbolic of some idea, concept, lesson, or meaning. Symbols are all around us, especially in nature. Take a walk, and you can think of many symbols because the meanings of symbols are personal and vary from person to person. For example, climbing a mountain to me is symbolic of the difficulties, troubles, and suffering we all face in life. I think of moving a mountain to be symbolic of being able to do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me (miracles do happen). Start with any object or item here on earth, and begin writing from there.

By far, my biggest and best ideas come from God's Word. His word is the absolute truth. Everything you need to know about life is in the Bible. Perhaps, I will read a passage, and I will not understand it. I do not like memorizing the facts in the Bible. When I read it, I seek the deeper meanings in the words because every single word in the Bible has a purpose for being there. So, when I do not understand something the first time I read it, I read it again and again. Sometimes, I begin writing about the passage I read because that usually helps me open up new doors of knowledge and understanding of what I just read. Writing about God's Word helps me to see the bigger picture in all the areas of my life. It helps me to see the better things ahead, and it helps me to see how I can be used for God's purpose. Opening up the Bible is not about how much I know. It is about how much I grow in my relationship with Jesus. I am very shy, and I do not like to share my opinion out loud, but rather, I can open up to people with my writing, which is generally more comfortable for me. Jesus Christ is my number one inspiration for writing and for trying to become a better writer.

Writing. Anyone can write. It is important in life no matter how good you are. Writing is not about trying to receive an A on a paper. It is not about trying to write up a speech, so you can pass history class. No. It is about sharing opinions, telling stories, reaching out to people, informing about the news around the world, communicating with loved ones, and much more. Writing a letter can make some one's day when that person receives it in the mail. For me, receiving a letter in the mail is much more special than receiving an e-mail message that arrives in less than thirty seconds. You do not have to be a best-selling author or a famous musician to write. All you need is some paper and a pen.

Savor the Moment

Another thing most people do not know about me is that I am a cat person. I have three cats, and they are all blue point Siamese. Blue point just means they have blue eyes. From oldest to youngest, their names are Jewel, Snobelle, and Whitey. I do like dogs, especially since I can go on walks with them, but overall, I love cats. Sometimes, I believe that this preference might have to do with my personality. I am a very emotional person who is very shy, reserved, and sensitive inside. I am not outgoing, but rather I like silence and quiet rooms where I can think and ponder about things. I like all three of my cats, but Snobelle is definitely my favorite. He sleeps on my bed at night. He is sitting right next to me as I write this too. Every time I get home from school, I see him waiting for me on top of my desk, up on the window ledge, sleeping on my bed, or pawing at the door. Snobelle is my special cat. He means a lot to me because he helps support me, and he gives me lots of love.

More important, what do most cats like more than anything else? Well, my cat, Snobelle, loves sunlight. He loves to sit on the window ledge to get warmth from the sun that is beaming through the glass. When I see him sleeping on my bed during the summer, he always finds a spot where there is sunlight. Sometimes, I will just watch him as he enters and leaves the light. Other times, I will sleep with him or pet him. I like spending time with my cat. Why do cats like sunlight so much? I thought about this, and then I realized something interesting. Cats, in a way, are just like humans. They like to "savor the moment" in the "sunlight."

What do I mean by this? For humans, the sunlight represents the good times in life. The times we are happy, joyful, and excited about things happening in our lives right now. When we step into the "sunlight," we feel good about ourselves. Maybe, it was a great day with a friend. Perhaps, you saw your grandpa yesterday right before he died. These are the moments we have to savor when they happen because we are bound to step out of the sunlight eventually. We do not stay in the sunlight for very long periods of time. We constantly enter in and out of it. When we step out, you may feel hopelessness, lost, confused, troubled, depressed, or in despair. Do not worry because better days are ahead of you. You will find the sunlight again no matter what you may be going through now. Life is short, so cherish the time you have on earth. Cherish the friends and family you have for support. Just make sure to savor the moment in the "sunlight." When life is good, be happy. No one knows when they will die. If you wake up tomorrow, it is a good day. Savor the moment because things on this earth are temporary. Nothing is forever and time goes by so fast. Be grateful. Do not spend time worrying because everything will be all right and okay. Savor the moment.

Savoring the moment in the sunlight reminds me of the song by Remedy Drive, "Daylight is Coming." We must hold on because daylight is coming. Darkness must precede the dawn, and hope can be lost in the midst of the black skies. In the dark, dreams become invinsible, but the morning will come and burn out the night. We must hold on to our faith because the future is bright. Trust in God because he sees better days for each of one us. I never really understood the meaning of this song until now. It is somewhat hard to understand because most of the song is metaphorical and not literal. However, it is a very good, inspiring, positive song.

For people who do not like cats, you probably found my cat story uninteresting and boring, but I hope the application to the story made sense and was inspiring because it was and still is inspiring to me. Basically, our moments in the sunlight are when we are at the top of the mountain, but we have to step out of the light and go back down the mountain in order to help others reach the light. When we go down into the valley, we will be persecuted, but not abandoned and crushed, but not destroyed. The valley tests our faith in Jesus Christ, so we can trust in him. Being in a right-standing relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in this life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.