Friday, February 25, 2011

What are you writing?

What is your story?
I'm stuck. I'll admit it. I've been putting off this essay assignment for 2 weeks now, and it definitely isn't going away. I think my professor knows that, because he added another essay and a craft response of 500 words due in a few weeks, after spring break. So now, instead of one essay, I pretty much have 3. Lovely.
Normally, writing comes easily to me. Clearly, I like to write, considering I have this blog to share with anyone and everyone. Something will come to mind and I'll just say it - sometimes this is good, most of the time it's bad. With this essay though, I'm stuck.
Here's the thing. The deal with this class is, you have to write 3 essays. Easy enough, over the course of a semester. But - and there's always a but - you have to revise each one so that you have 3 drafts per essay. That's about 30-40+ pages of writing. I've already turned in this first essay once, and let me tell you, that one was rough. I had it finished, until my USB decided to play peek-a-boo and lose it. So, I had to start over and write it all over again, only this time, I had a fever. Nice, I know. It's strange though. I know what I want to say, and I have my ideas down on the paper. I just have to reword and rewrite some things. It's so hard though. It's like I just don't know what to say. I was so frustrated the other day that I just wanted someone to write it for me, even though I couldn't. Besides, the paper wouldn't have the same effect. It's supposed to be an essay about me. My own story.
I receive a devotional email called "Girlfriends in God" every morning. This morning, one paragraph stuck out to me and made me think of my essay:
"It has been estimated that most people speak enough words in one week to fill a large book of 500 pages which, in the average lifetime, would amount to somewhere around 3000 volumes or 1,500,000 pages."
Now that is a ridiculous number of pages to write. I'm thinking 3 or 4 pages is tough - try 1,500,000!
That wasn't all the devotional had to say about the subject though. It posed an important question:
What kind of story are you writing with your words?
Pretty deep for 8 AM, don't you think?
But honestly, what kind of stories are we writing? Are we writing ones of lives being led for Christ, helping others to grow stronger and ourselves closer in God? Or are we writing what would be a best seller today, full of drama, parties, lust, and sin? It's a good question to ask ourselves.
Your NR challenge for this post is a tricky one. Truly ask yourself, what story am I writing? Am I writing one that God would want to read with a smile? Or one that would displease the most important person in your life, Jesus?
I don't know about you guys, but I have some writing to do.
Are you in?

-Kimber.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Perfect Gentleman.

1 Corinthians 13.
Well, Valentine's Day has come and gone for yet another year. According to my Facebook newsfeed, everyone's reaction to the day was different. Those with a "significant other" spent the day either with that person, or enjoyed gifts or other things from the person if they couldn't see them. I personally was part of a scheme for my friend that was plotted by her boyfriend who couldn't see her. (I gave her Zombieland at a specific time according to my instructions, which in all actuality doesn't seem that romantic...but hey, to each his own.) However, to those without a special someone in their life, it was a holiday for a different reason. I think someone described it as "National Single Person's Day," which I found entertaining.
Some people take this holiday to an extreme, with an overabundance of candy, stuffed animals, and mushy cards which perfectly proclaim their undying love. Others see it as another day where they're reminded that they're alone and feel unloved. To those that feel this way, this post is for you.
You see, as you're sitting there debating whether or not to buy yourself a box of chocolates (I bought myself chocolate yesterday) or watering the bouquet of carnations from your Grandmother and ignoring the note that asked why you aren't married and giving her great grandchildren (I really hope this doesn't happen to anyone and if it does, I'm here for you.), you may not realize it but you actually have a Valentine. This Valentine is greater than anyone that you've ever had, or will have. He loves you endlessly, and instead of flowers that will die in a few days, or a card with a mushy greeting, or candy hearts that taste like chalk, he gave you the greatest gift that you'll ever receive - the gift of eternal life with Him.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." - John 3:16.
This is probably the most known Bible verse. I'd bet if you would ask someone to name a verse, this would be one of the first ones they would say. It's iconic not only because it makes a great kid's song for Sunday School (fact.), but it packs a double punch - it tells you how you can gain eternal life, and it tells you that God gave the ultimate act of love for us.
However, this act of love from God isn't just a once-a-year present for Valentine's Day. This act of love is available to you 24/7, every day of the year. God longs to have a relationship with you. He's the perfect gentleman - He won't come in unless we ask Him to.
Your NR challenge for this post is just to sit back and realize that you have the world's best Valentine at your doorstep. He's there with the best gift you could or will ever be offered, and it's up to you if you want to accept it. Then, when you do this, realize that He isn't a once-a-year deal or date. He's there everyday, wanting a relationship with you and wanting to talk to you.
Are you in?

- Kimber.