Is It Time?

You never know when your life will end. Today i found out that on of my family friends passed away in February. We never really spoke of her condition, which was a type of cancer, but she was always prayed for. I didn't really know her personally but i knew that she was a studious and faithful daughter of God.

We all have our struggles in life. Her's was physical. Cancer. It's pretty unpredictable. You never know how much treatment you will need until you'll be 100% healed. She had to undergo many surgeries starting from November of 2009 until she passed away. She still fought through the good and bad news. She kept her eyes focused on God.

I admire her because she was being optimistic instead of a pessimist. She didn't shun God because of what He had sent her. She made every last second the best. We should always spend our time with family and friends memorable because you never know when it's your time to go.

TBA

confused? uncertain? I know I am. I don't know why I'm going through the things i'm going through. Why am i dealing with loneliness, why am i fighting these certain struggles and problems. It might be the same for you. That you're going through certain things may it be a broken family, cutting or other addictions. I know that i myself don't want to be struggling with this. I've struggled with temptations and sins for years now, and its frustrating that i haven't permanently become victorious. But while looking through stuff, deciding on what to talk about today, i decided to talk about Proverbs 16:4.

"The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble."

Everything we struggle with, everything that happens each day, good or bad, a pain or a celebration, the people we meet, all has a purpose.

During Earth Hour tonight, I got to sit down and chat with my parents. But to be honest, it felt more forced. But as time went on, we started to talk about family. There's this TV show on right now called "Who Do You Think You Are" and it explores celebrity guests as they travel around the world, discovering their family tree and the genealogy behind it, uncovering secrets, and surprises about the past. Talking to my mom about it, she talked about her mom, my grand mother, and how her grandmother (my great grandmother) was a single family. It was tonight where she realized that my grandmother was raised in a single-parent family, and how it applies to today. Hearing about the past, about what was and what came to be, it can be seen as God's plan. Im not exactly sure how it was apart of the plan, but for instance, my grandmother (raised in a single parent family) could chat with others who also are facing the same issues, and can provide comfort, and words to share with generations down the line. Decades ago, when my grandmother was raised, she probably didn't understand why she was alone, why she didn't have a dad, but its possible that generations later, she realizes that this is why.

Same goes for you and me. Why am i struggling with this, why is that apart of our lives. But there is a reason. There is a purpose. Don't give up. God has a plan for you, and if you give up, he cannot use you to your greatest potential.

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, POOF!

Its almost everyday, im upstairs and i hear my parents call "sik fann!" (let's eat!) and i think i've always been taking it for granted. That the food just magically appears on the table each time. Until today. They called it and i was thinking, about all the hard work and effort to get the food onto the plate and in my mouth. From bringing in the money to buy the food, driving to get it, picking it out, paying for it, storing it, seasoning it, washing it, cooking it, plating it and then finally eating it.

And this isnt a once in a month thing. Its not a once a week thing either. Its a 3 times a day thing. And i think its always been in the back of my mind, but i dont think i've fully realized how blessed we are. That we have family and parents that are willing to put their time, money and effort into getting the food on the table.

We have to continuously learn to be thankful. Of our family, or friends, but most important, of our Saviour. We definitely take things on this world for granted way too much. I also think being thankful keeps us grounded. It reminds us that someone greater has provided for us, and has loved us. That we, i guess you can say, are incapable, and that we're thankful to have someone be there for us. It reminds us that we cant do it alone.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner dont just magically appear on the table.

Be Thankful.

Shine.

Imagine yourself standing on the side of a window and watching the sunset.
As you watch the sun it starts to fade.

The light from the is like God that's inside of you.
Are you someone who's ashamed of your faith? Do you only show God's light at church then let it fade and push it a side at school?

We should always be shining God's light. If someone looked at us from afar they'll probably think that you're just another person. As children of God we have to shine and show others God's word. Jesus looked like a normal guy. His surface reflected the surroundings. He blended in. But in Matthew 17:1-2 he showed his friends the light inside. He went full out.

We have to be like Jesus and always be shining our light to our friends, family, relatives, etc.

Thanks!

Philippians 1:3 says, "I thank my God every time I remember you."

This verse is a verse that is engraved on a ring that i have matching with my friends. Although i don't see them anymore, i still need to thank God for them. Without them, i wouldn't be who i am today.

I feel like many people take their friends, family, relatives, etc. for granted. They don't thank them for what they've done. We often don't say anything because we may be lazy. Laziness shouldn't get in the way of a few words.

Friends are those who stick to us when we're in the worst conditions.
Family, we may not like our family but there's no way we can change it. We'll always have the same parents, siblings, and have the same birth order. They know you inside and out. They've seen you every step of the way. I gotta admit that i can be really dry to my family. They might've frustrated me or it was just because i was in a bad mood.

A simple "Thanks!" can make someone smile. I learned that from my mission's trip to Kenya. Stepping into a country that is completely opposite from Canada was just a slap in the face. I realized that some of them don't have a family to go home to.
We have to thank God for everything. JESUS. Food. Friends. Shelter. Family. School. EVERYTHING. He's given us so much more than we deserve.

We must thank God for everyone who's entered our lives. We may not like them but God put them in your life for a reason.

One simple word can make someone's day. Just say it. Thanks.

personal blended juice.

Regrets are a part of life, yes? If i could go back in time, these would be the regrets i’d like to change.

Dating Someone at the age of 12. What the heck was I thinking? It was a horrible decision, not only was it a failure, ha, i dont even know if you can even call it a relationship, there was nothing. Just shy kids trying something out that had a 100% fail rate. Thinking through it, it was such a stupid move. Reflecting on it, ive come to realize, why would you date so young? even in high school, what are you reasons? Dating has two results, marriage or break up. So dating at an age like that… are you planning on getting married? if not, then you’re just setting up a time bomb that’ll break two hearts at once. And after going through it, there were more regrets that came like a chain reaction. I personally just dont see the point if you dont think/plan on making it last. But it doesnt really matter now cause my love life is currently on hold.

As Christians, i think we can just put our trust and faith in Him to know that he'll provide the perfect spouse in our life, or to not provide one. Maybe we're meant to be single for our life, whats important is that we are adoring and glorifying God in our actions, words, AND our relationships. I think its also important to think about what you're looking for in your partner. I think that the love for Christ is extremely important. I heard from a marriage thing once, if you draw a triangle, God is at the top, and Husband and Wife are on the bottom. If you are both working towards God individually and or together, you two will also get closer to each other.

Family. I’ve been thinking about this a LOT lately, especially since i feel like God is calling me towards family this year. Im kinda ashamed about this. Im sure you’ve read before that my relationship with them arent the best. I see EVERYONE and they have the greatest families, oh so knit and tight, and im thinking my own, about everything, from how we communicate to how we interact, i regret not spending and investing time in them. I wasted 17 years not building up my relationship with them. And sometimes i think to myself, its a lost cause. I cant get it back, its done, next year im leaving for university, and then for 4 years i’ll be gone, and then wow, i’ll be 21 and who knows what’ll happen then. I look at myself and my family, and im in shock, what have i done, i cant believe i failed myself and my family. Its probably one of my bigger struggles right now, and i just dont know what to do about it. Like the other night, we were “discussing” for an hour or so because we were trying to resolve a conflict, and by the end of it all, i think to myself, we still dont fully understand each, it seems like it, but we’re totally on different channels. It may be the culture/generation difference, but i dont know. i just dont know what to do next. It just seems impossible to revive.

This is hard to work with everyday. Family is extremely important. Like it says in the bible, obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Sometimes i question God why i was placed in this family, why do i have this mom, this dad, and this brother? What are you trying to tell me? I personally dont think we really mesh at all... but thats how it is and that was apart of God's plan. Can i ask that you pray for me about this, i really dont know what to do, i have 9 more months with them before i leave, and then who knows what'll happen after that.

Letting Go. If you read the last post on the blobfish site, you wouldve read about this one friend i have. I’ve been trying to build a strong friendship with them for the past 6-7 years. Its been a long time, and i wouldnt give up. I’d be constantly praying for it to work out, but i’ve always felt like it was a one way thing. I feel like im working so hard at it, and they just decide to be inactive and just non-responsive. Its frustrating but i just kept hacking away at it. This friend is also so unpredictable, sometimes they’re a happy as a bird and just yay-oh-the-world-is-great with you and the next thing you know it, they’re just out of it, and just.. like a rock sitting at the bottom of the ocean. But finally, after 7 years (i know right!) i’ve finally learnt to let go and move on. I told myself that ive done my part, and its just their turn, im waiting for them to take the initiative. I dont know if they’ve realized what i’ve done, but even though im letting go, i just want them to know one thing. The past few years was “lets be best friends and get through everything together! yay!” but now its “yah know what, do what you like, but even though im giving up, doesnt mean i wont be there for you.”

Trusting in God. im learning to do this everyday. I remember during those 7 years, i would trust and constantly be praying for opportunities for the friendship to grow stronger, i was literally praying everyday for years. Wild eh. Even now, that i've moved on, im still praying that they'll remember that im here, and that even though we'll go our separate paths, that it wont affect our friendship or either of our walks with God. Im praying for my friend constantly, and i wish the best for them.

Going through the post again, i wonder why God gave these to me, am i to learn something from this? And what would it be? What is he trying to tell me? Whats the bigger picture? Trusting in God, Let Go[d].

At War?

The Same Spirit at Work

Jon Walker

“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18 NIV)

A time long ago and in a land far away, I found myself frustrated one day with a co-worker. Actually, frustrated is a mild word because, as my sweet southern aunts might say, I perceived this co-worker as contrary.

Just to be clear: I’m no choirboy, either.

In a Cold War sense, there were fights and quarrels between us, both wanting something, but neither one of us able to get it. Jesus’ brother, James, says this sort of conflict is evidence of ungodly desires (James 4:1–2). I realized that at the core of my frustration was our inability to get along, even though “the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed within us, jealously longs for us to be faithful” (James 4:5 NLT).

This is what God whispered into my ear: “The same Spirit at work in you is the same Spirit at work in him.”

Did you catch that? The same Spirit at work in you is the same Spirit at work in him.

Is there another believer with whom you have trouble getting along? Remember, the same Spirit at work in you is the same Spirit at work in him or her.

This year, what will you do to try and bring peace between you and this person?

Conflicts, we're always in them. Whether it may be with family, with friends, with yourself. They can be small conflicts over who's the pick up the phone or big conflicts that can cause destructive consequences. According to this devotional, it states that when these conflicts arise, it is evidence of ungodly desires. This does make sense. Whenever we're in conflict we have a desire for something, something for us to go our way. For instance, when the phone rings and you're arguing with someone else to pick it up, you yourself dont want to move, you want keep on doing what you wanna do. Its just you you you you. These are not godly desires. The passage (James 4) speaks about dealing with worldly things, within the scripture it even says "flirting with the world" God is a jealous lover, he wants you to be faithful, so when we "fight" with others, there are no godly desires present, and becomes something God isnt pleased with.

This is an interesting line. “The same Spirit at work in you is the same Spirit at work in him.” The same people you have conflicts with have the same spirit as you. What does that even mean. Thinking about it, here's my stab. Like we're somehow all connected? What do you think? comment below.

Are you in conflict with anyone? Are your desires aligned with Christ's? Or are they selfish desires? Are you "at war"? How are you going to re-establish that peace with them?

this was a more difficult one to understand,

Jason