Continuing the OutREACH!

It is almost the end to my first semester of college. Before it all started I didn't know what to expect. Was I going to like it... Was I going to be able to do all the work.. Was i going to be able to achieve in making my parents proud by acknowledging what i have leaned and applying it to my life? I think that the answer to all if these questions are positive ones. Yes. I love college(especially because of where I am at). It has been a struggle, but i got all of my work done. And i have grown so much in my education.
One thing that has really stuck out in me is what i an doing right now. Typing this blog out. in my composition class we were challenged to use the Internet as a tool for witnessing. And to get out of our daily routines of how we use the web.
Using technology as a tool to witness in the name of Christ is great!
Social networking is huge in our society today, We have the Internet on our phone's on our iPod's we might carry computers around with us everywhere we go. Or so many of us get on our computer at least once a day if not more for a lot of others.
In my class we used:Facebook, blogs, Amazon, Wikipedia, National and Local news sites to post our messages on.
It really made me think of all of the people who use these site on a regular basis and they do not even know who the Christ is. He is my great and powerful BEST friend that I want to share with the world. He is everything that anyone could ever hope to have in a well working relationship. Because his foundation is pure love, accountability, and hope for a better (eternal) life with him.
But how can we God's chosen people show everyone this great friend? It's so hard, because a lot of them just do not want to listen o what you have to say. But whatever the circumstances, i am just going to have to put my self out there whether I look silly or not. But I want to continue using the web as a great tool for Christ. How though? By what I have learned and already practiced this semester.

Wikipedia...

Wikipedia is surly a site that can be beneficial by the information that you read or not. Because so many people just right articles about topics that they think they know about and their facts are not correct.
I normally do not use Wikipeda because I never thought that it was a reliable source. So many people have false statements in there piece of writing. But you can verify that the article that you are reading is true by researching it more. Or looking at the resources that are listed.
It is not my #1 choice for informational research. But then again there still is some information that can be beneficial to what you are researching.

TWLOHA

To Write Love On Her Arms is a non-profit organization that strives to give hope to the hopeless, power to the powerless, and a voice to those who think they are mute.

This group all started because some friends had a vision for a girl by the name of Renee. She was caught up in drugs, alcohol, cutting, depression, and loneliness. The friends counseled her in Christ's name and decided to sell t-shirts that would help with the funds they needed for Renee to attend a rehabilitation center.

The mission is still up and running. They sell T-shirts and other merchandise to help others who are struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

Today is a day of awareness. TWLOHA challenged many to write love on their own arms so that there might be chance that people will ask about it. They do days like this a few times a year. They also have different events that are hosted by them or that they are involved with.

TWLOHA has helped so many (mainly young) people in this generation all because one group of friends made a decision to act!

Shocked Then Shot

On November 6th, 2009 one of the popular business buildings in the greater downtown area was attacked. All of the people in the building had a sudden and violent blow or impact. If non of them were in horrible terror then I am not quite sure everything is okay with them. Imagining how bloodcurdling being in that situation must have been is difficult.

There is so much evil in this world. And many people are out there without Jesus. As scary as it is and how pressure like this sounds we need to be a light and invest our time in others before they go out and bomb the world. I breaks my heart to see these people through there life away like that. And my heart also breaks for the people that were involved or some out effected by these actions and circumstances.

My Dad works in a building downtown. So when I first hared the news about the shooting. I was scared that it was my daddy's building. Thankfully God protected him and his colleagues. So they were safe. But the whole situation is still very real and eye opening.

There are people that are violent and cruel and we need to keep an eye on these jokers.

Pray for safety and also pray that if put into a situation like this one that you will be able to act with a sane mind and heart.

How to define the best..

What website is the best?

I honestly do not know which would be the best. We have so many resources on the internet and trying to determine which has the highest quality or is most excellent is difficult. Resource wise Google is most defiantly on the top of the list. Because it helps to find what you are looking for. But then again you can't fully find what you are looking for without furthering your search and going to the site that best fits your goal.

Everyone has different opinions to what is best for them and what they enjoy the most. So this question to me has multiple answers. It just depends on what you would like to do on the computer at that moment.

Facebook: One of he biggest social networking tools.

Why do you use Facebook? There are a number of reasons why with website is used. One of the main points why people probably use it is, because everyone else has one. Am I right? No one wants to be out of the loop. I didn't. That is why I have had one for the past 2-3yrs. (Wow, I did not realize how long I've actually had one) So that is sorta the gist of why people HAVE one. But why do we all USE one? Personally, I enjoy communicating with people. People who are in my everyday life and people who are on the opposite sides of the country or world (my one friend is in Spain right now!) that I do not ever get the chance to see face to face. You are able to see what is going on in your friend(s) lives which is fun (and not in a stalker way of course). I love socializing! It is one of my favorite things to do. People tell me all the time that I'm a social butterfly. But I can't help it I love people!!

Yes, Facebook is very time consuming if you do not use it wisely. I have wasted many dumb and late hours on this site because I was looking at some one's pictures or talking with them about really nothing of great importance. People can get addicted to this just like anything else. But in my mind it isn't a complete waste of time. If you use it in the honorable way then I think it's just another way of communication.

Is Christianity being threatened?

Yes, sadly. But if you really think about it, Christianity is always being threatened by Satan himself. Specifically a big issue is media. Media can be used as a great success in evangelizing or it can end up being used as sinful actions.

There are so many televangelist out there and to me church isn't staying at home watching church for an hour and be done with it. We ARE the church, the bride of Christ, and we should fellowship together, encouraging one another, and reach out into our world as one body. That's my personal opinion about televangelist kind of shows. But if people can not get out of their comfort zone of just sitting on their couch. Then something is wrong. And yes I know that there are people who have gotten to know Christ through this type of outreach. So I do not want this to sound like I am bashing this ministry. Because that is the last thing that I would want to do.

Just about every single one of us uses some type of technology daily. Weather it be our computer, phone, or iPod. These posession really take up a lot of our time. We don't fully realize it. But it does. So if we are using so much of our time on these things we should strive to use it for good.

Does Christian "stuff" help witness?

There are so many Christian items out there. But are they necessary?
One thing they sell is something I like to call money tracks. It's normally a $10.00 bill, folded up that you drop on the street. Then someone picks it up, unfold it, and on the inside it's different verses in it and tells then that they should basically turn before they burn. In my mind that doesn't show God's love. If I were in the person's shoe's I would probably rip it up and throw it away. We should be out there telling people about Jesus in ways that won't make anyone defensive or angry.
But then again they also sell some really cool items too. Most of their book selections have been a great susses, they also have great worship music, some of the movies are great too!

But in the end we have to really think about the people we are trying to witness to. We want them to strive to be more like Jesus then of the people of this sinful world.

Whats your daily routine?

Have you ever evaluated your time? Is your time well spent?

I realized that the #1 thing that I should be spending my time doing isn't in my schedule enough. And that is spending one on one time with my God. He deserves so much more than we give him. So then the question i ask myself is "How am I supposed to be a light of Jesus when I am not fueling myself with His word, conversations with Him and using my abilities to further his kingdom." Ministry is a mission a mission that can only be accomplished through God and His people.

So.. I'm going to change that!

..lets be patient.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."

psalms 119:9

This verse has a lot of meaning to me. Because ever since I was little my Dad would ask me all the time "How can a young man keep his way pure?" I learned to answer with: "By living according to your (God's) word. If we really do live according to God's word then our hearts will be pure. In our world today it is so very difficult to stay pure. Satan throws so many temptations at us, daily. But, there is so much power in his word. We just do not always choose to read and take in what is written for us. The awesome thing is, is the resources we have are right there in front of us!

"Asking For Help Isn't A Sign Of Weekness..." - Obama

In President Obama's back to school speech he told us (students) that "..at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world - and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities." We do take advantage of this country and the opportunities that we are given sometimes. God has blessed up with so many resources to educate ourselves more and more. We need to remember to thank Him for those blessings. But we can't just do it on our own. The President also said in his speech that "Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and learn something new." God put so many wonderful people in our lives to help us learn, grow, and mature. We need to strive to be willing to listen and take the advice that these people are giving to us. Weather is is your teacher, professor, parent, grandparent, sibling or friend.



President Barack Obama's Back To School Speech
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/)

Descriptive statement:
This is most certainly an example of the horrific fear and worry that people had during the Great Depression.

Truth statement:
Children lean on their parents for comfort.

Personal statement:
I'm thankful to God that I haven't had to go through something as cruel as this in my life.

Think Back To 9/11

Eight years ago four planes were hijacked by men with a mission. A mission with a fatal goal. About 3,000 people lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. Every news channel across the United States and most of the world were broadcasting live, from either: New York, Pennsylvania, or Washington D.C. A great amount of emotions fill the hearts of those everywhere. Emotions of fear, hurt, anger, and shock! The Twin Towers were falling unto the streets of Manhattan, NY because of two planes that crashed into the buildings. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon int he city of Arlington, VA .then the flight 93 was supposed to be headed for the White House but crashed into the fields of Shanksville, PA.

How can ones heart be so cold and cruel? Why would God let this happen? These are a few of the many questions people asked the day of 9/11. It's hard to understand things like this. My pastor once said "take this 44 oz. Quick Mart cup. All the knowledge that your brain can hold is in the cup. Now try to take all the water from the Pacific ocean and see if it all can fit into this 44 oz. cup. God's knowledge is so much larger than our own. We wouldn't be able to handle it if we knew everything that He did." God gave us free will. There is a time for everything: A time to mourn and then there is a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:4b.

On the anniversary of this sad tragedy I pray for all the families and friends who lost someone due to these horrific actions. I pray that they have or will soon hear the music so that they can dance and mourn no more.

Response To A Church Avertisment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIa9AaTgZRA
(Calvary church commercial)

Having an opinion about this is hard to conclude. Because I don't want to be cruel and ignorant to a group of people who are trying to advertise their church. But, I feel as if the over all commercial was a tad cheesy. The phrase "Why not throw yourself back into the warmth of worship?" I thought was just funny and not deeply moving. I definatly notice the pastors hair. It was rather poofy and that wind didn't help it at all. I wonder what a non-believer's comments would be to this video? Would they like the video? Would they laugh? Who really knows. Maybe I'll show it to a non-believer someday.

Using Technology To Wittness In The Name Of Christ

Blog #1
(Composition I)

Have you ever used the Internet to witness to someone?

Honestly I don't think that I ever have. Admitting to that lays on my heart the question.. Why? Why haven't I ever used something like the Internet as a tool to plant a seed or engage in a conversation that's uplifting to God? The answer to my own question is probably: laziness, selfishness, and not listening to the Holy Spirit. In a sence it's sinning. Since I don't have a story to tell, I hope and pray that if I get the oppritunity to be a witness I will let the Holy Spirit lead me 100%. Maybe soon I'll have a story to write about the awesome wonders of God. I can write all about God's story (because we are the story) but God is our author! Our Lord blessed us with technology so lets use it to further His kingdom! I'm going to write a prayer for all of us about useing what we have as a tool for Him:

God,

How awesome are you God that you have blessed us with these gift. Gift to be used as tools. I pray that we don't take advantage of them and that we use it for your golory and throne. Also, not just the gifts of technology and different ways of communication but our spiritual gifts as well. Thank you again God! Love you and praise you.

Amen.