Today I was flipping through the channels on the TV, not something I do very often. I stopped on ABC Family because a phrase on the screen caught my eye - "Roots Before Branches." It made me think (of course! What doesn't? :-)).
Anyway, thinking about family makes me happy, so why not? I love my family. They mean the world to me, and I couldn't thank them enough.
What really surprises me about this phrase is just how true it is. Last year I started emailing back and forth with my eldest brother, someone I had never met before. It might sound weird or crazy, but I immediately saw him as family. Not only because we he has half the same DNA as me, but because of how easy it was to talk to him. I wasn't worried about impressing him, I wasn't worried about him not liking me. All I was worried about was getting to know my half-brother.
It's funny how family can do that to you. No matter what happens, they're there. No matter how long you've known them, they're there. Friends (branches) are definitely important too, but you cant have branches without roots. Roots provide growth, and nutrients. In a sense, that's what family does, too.
I'm proud of my roots.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Feelin' Revived
So today I went to my old church for the first time in a very long time. I'm visiting the area, and was really excited to be able to see everyone again. I was also really happy to hear Travis (an old pal from Vespers) giving the sermon, and really liked what he had to say. I definitely agreed with everything he had to say.
Part of what he talked about was judging. Who are we to judge others? Christ loves everyone, even those who don't believe. How can we judge them differently? How can we look at someone walking down the street, see multiple tattoos, piercings, maybe even drugs, and judge that person? Does God judge him? No. God loves him. God has a place in Heaven for him, just like me and you. Is it right to judge him? Absolutely not. Do we? Always. We judge people whether we know it or not. We judge clothes, we judge decisions people make. Should we do this? Lets look to the bible for that answer.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judge. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2
Lets think about this. Here, in plain words, we are told "Do not judge." That's the apparent answer. These verses also tell us that if we do judge (which all humans do) we too are judged. Do we like that? I for one don't like being judged.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:3-5
I really love those verses. It makes complete sense. Sure, this man you see and judge may need help, but look at yourself. Do you sin? Yes. Is there ways you can help yourself before helping him? Definitely. You aren't perfect, just like he isn't.
Do we have any place to judge someone God loves so much?
Sometimes I forget to think about this, to look to what the bible says. Sometimes I judge others. Who doesn't? Sometimes it takes reminders from others, from God. Sometimes you need to take a step back in order realize that what you're doing is indeed wrong.
Thank you, God, for reminding me through Travis.
Part of what he talked about was judging. Who are we to judge others? Christ loves everyone, even those who don't believe. How can we judge them differently? How can we look at someone walking down the street, see multiple tattoos, piercings, maybe even drugs, and judge that person? Does God judge him? No. God loves him. God has a place in Heaven for him, just like me and you. Is it right to judge him? Absolutely not. Do we? Always. We judge people whether we know it or not. We judge clothes, we judge decisions people make. Should we do this? Lets look to the bible for that answer.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judge. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2
Lets think about this. Here, in plain words, we are told "Do not judge." That's the apparent answer. These verses also tell us that if we do judge (which all humans do) we too are judged. Do we like that? I for one don't like being judged.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:3-5
I really love those verses. It makes complete sense. Sure, this man you see and judge may need help, but look at yourself. Do you sin? Yes. Is there ways you can help yourself before helping him? Definitely. You aren't perfect, just like he isn't.
Do we have any place to judge someone God loves so much?
Sometimes I forget to think about this, to look to what the bible says. Sometimes I judge others. Who doesn't? Sometimes it takes reminders from others, from God. Sometimes you need to take a step back in order realize that what you're doing is indeed wrong.
Thank you, God, for reminding me through Travis.
Alone on Christmas
I feel you here, as the snow flies by
The fire crackles and songs of Christmas fill my mind
I hear songs of love, songs of joy,
A song my heart once sang.
The same song you taught me.
The night goes on, the stars are lost
The music seems to echo in this empty house
The walls, once vivid and bright,
now seem as dull as the snow.
Why did you have to leave?
The twinkle of the Christmas lights taunts me.
The glittering reminds me of you, your eyes.
So in love, so happy, so warm.
What did I do? What did I say?
It doesn't feel like Christmas anymore.
The fire is fading, the lights unplugged
Your pillow is cold, your hat no longer hanging
The music has stopped, leaving me alone
Christmas joy, Christmas cheer, Christmas sorrow this year.
It's just not Christmas without you here.
The fire crackles and songs of Christmas fill my mind
I hear songs of love, songs of joy,
A song my heart once sang.
The same song you taught me.
The night goes on, the stars are lost
The music seems to echo in this empty house
The walls, once vivid and bright,
now seem as dull as the snow.
Why did you have to leave?
The twinkle of the Christmas lights taunts me.
The glittering reminds me of you, your eyes.
So in love, so happy, so warm.
What did I do? What did I say?
It doesn't feel like Christmas anymore.
The fire is fading, the lights unplugged
Your pillow is cold, your hat no longer hanging
The music has stopped, leaving me alone
Christmas joy, Christmas cheer, Christmas sorrow this year.
It's just not Christmas without you here.
take me there...
Man, I love Rascal Flatts right now. Every time I listen to it, it just sort of floods me with emotions. It makes me miss Houghton and my friends. It makes me sing. It makes me happy. It's amazing how listening to one simple song can do that. I am definitely glad with this cd purchase!
So, I'm not so sure where to go from here. I'm a nursing student, yay! But my passion is in writing. I can't get enough of it. I don't know what to do, really. Or where to go to school. Currently enrolled in LSSU, but I r
eally miss my friends. I'm debating going to school with them. Maybe not for another year, but I do miss the area more than anything right now. I just wish I had an easy button for this situation - family, or friends? Hometown, or new town? It's hard. Part of my heart belongs to my family, but the other part to friends. I'm being torn in two. Yes, making new friends would be easy. But are they the same friends I stayed up with on numerous school nights? Are they the friends I had silly arguements with? Are they the one's I'm completely comfortable with? No. Those friends, my true friends, are in Houghton. Nobody can replace them, just like nobody can replace my family. I don't know what to do.
I just wish someone would take me there - to where I need to be. Where I belong. I want to be taken to that place that I'll call home for the rest of my life. Where work and raise a family. Where my friends will always be there. I'm waiting. :)
So, I'm not so sure where to go from here. I'm a nursing student, yay! But my passion is in writing. I can't get enough of it. I don't know what to do, really. Or where to go to school. Currently enrolled in LSSU, but I r
eally miss my friends. I'm debating going to school with them. Maybe not for another year, but I do miss the area more than anything right now. I just wish I had an easy button for this situation - family, or friends? Hometown, or new town? It's hard. Part of my heart belongs to my family, but the other part to friends. I'm being torn in two. Yes, making new friends would be easy. But are they the same friends I stayed up with on numerous school nights? Are they the friends I had silly arguements with? Are they the one's I'm completely comfortable with? No. Those friends, my true friends, are in Houghton. Nobody can replace them, just like nobody can replace my family. I don't know what to do.
I just wish someone would take me there - to where I need to be. Where I belong. I want to be taken to that place that I'll call home for the rest of my life. Where work and raise a family. Where my friends will always be there. I'm waiting. :)
Just Don't Let Go
Probably one of the greatest things to do on a laid back day is go to a local music store. Actually, any place that sells CDs, really. Why is this so great? Well, if you have enough money to purchase a CD, I recommend buying something you've never heard of. Sure, you might not like it - but what if you do? What if you discover that you enjoy a new genre of music? If you don't like it, you can always sell it online, or give it to a friend.
Today I did just that, granted I had to leave the country to do it. The closest music store is in another country - who would have thought? Anyway, at this store, CD Plus, they had a wide variety of EVERYTHING. So, after searching through every CD with Brenda, we decided that "Make it Blur" by June looked really snazzy. IT IS! I have never heard of this band, or anything about them. However, after one listen I was completely in love. I totally recommend them, and buying other random CDs.
"You are not alone, so hold onand don't let go. You are not alone, I see a course you can't control. I can feel your face in front of me. Please don't let this get the best of me and I'll lay back down cause we're coming home tonight. California has its time but it's always keeping you from my side." - "Just Don't Let Go" by June
Today I did just that, granted I had to leave the country to do it. The closest music store is in another country - who would have thought? Anyway, at this store, CD Plus, they had a wide variety of EVERYTHING. So, after searching through every CD with Brenda, we decided that "Make it Blur" by June looked really snazzy. IT IS! I have never heard of this band, or anything about them. However, after one listen I was completely in love. I totally recommend them, and buying other random CDs.
"You are not alone, so hold onand don't let go. You are not alone, I see a course you can't control. I can feel your face in front of me. Please don't let this get the best of me and I'll lay back down cause we're coming home tonight. California has its time but it's always keeping you from my side." - "Just Don't Let Go" by June
More Time
Do you ever just wish there was more time in the world? More time to lay in bed all day, to stay up all night. More time to just lay on the beach and listen to the waves (yes, it's pathetic, I know). More time to tell someone you love them?
I certainly wish there was more time for everything. I wish I had had more time with my dad; I wish I had more time to blog! I haven't actually written a blog in a long time. But, with a new laptop, a new city, comes a new opportunity to blog. I can't wait to get into it!
First off, I definitely moved away from college. If you were to ask me a year ago where home was, I would definitely have a quick answer of Houghton. I never thought that in a year that answer would change so many times. I finally feel settled here in Sault Ste Marie, but I'm still trying to get into the swing of things, really. I guess that goes along with needed, or wanting, more time.
Everyone wants more time at one point or another, but for now I'll try to make the most of the time I'm given. And that includes time to sleep :)
I certainly wish there was more time for everything. I wish I had had more time with my dad; I wish I had more time to blog! I haven't actually written a blog in a long time. But, with a new laptop, a new city, comes a new opportunity to blog. I can't wait to get into it!
First off, I definitely moved away from college. If you were to ask me a year ago where home was, I would definitely have a quick answer of Houghton. I never thought that in a year that answer would change so many times. I finally feel settled here in Sault Ste Marie, but I'm still trying to get into the swing of things, really. I guess that goes along with needed, or wanting, more time.
Everyone wants more time at one point or another, but for now I'll try to make the most of the time I'm given. And that includes time to sleep :)
Once Again...
Well, I've decided to make a new blog. Why? Well, my old blog was wonderful, I loved it! But it also had a lot of things that don't really make sense now. A lot of things that I don't want to keep.
I want this blog to be more personal, more deep, than what movie I saw last weeked, or what I'm doing after school. I want it to be me.
It was hard to get that feeling with my old blog. Sure, I could delete the old posts that I don't want. I could change it completely. But making a new one just kind of seemed like a fresh start. You may notice a few of the same posts, though...
I want this blog to be more personal, more deep, than what movie I saw last weeked, or what I'm doing after school. I want it to be me.
It was hard to get that feeling with my old blog. Sure, I could delete the old posts that I don't want. I could change it completely. But making a new one just kind of seemed like a fresh start. You may notice a few of the same posts, though...
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