JESSICA [Marie]’s Neighbors

My Empire of Dirt

2008-10-06T18:03:55Z

I don't really have any creative way to start this post and have honestly sat here for a while trying to come up with a clever way to begin. However, despite much avail, I have nothing, so what you're reading is what you get. Of course, looking back at what I just wrote I actually have invented a start to this post, but you still have no idea what I plan to write about so I'll just get into it.

A few days ago I met with a person (whom will remain anonymous) to discuss some issues we were having. Like any male human being I knew going into this discussion that I was right, they were jacked up and that I was gracing them by even meeting them to discuss this matter. They actually didn't want to meet at all, but I didn't want to discuss the situation over text. I still think that problem solving that way is asinine. I met with them and we began to discuss the problems at hand and the more I let them talk and share their point of view I began to realize just how much of a jerk I'd been. I'm talking absolute cretin. What I had subconsciously done to this person was horrid. I mentally destroyed them and didn't even know it.

As they began to bring back situation after situation I began to remember what had happened for real, and not just what I had stored in my memory. I had blocked stuff out without even realizing it. I had a marred perspective of the truth. I wasn't being manipulated into thinking that and I wasn't being convinced that I was just wrong, I really began to understand what had happened. Now, these problems were not all my fault, but it was much less of a 50/50 problem and more of a 90/10 problem.

Something I've learned to do and am quite good at is turning off. I can completely shut down and disinvolve myself from any emotion that I feel. If I get upset about an ridiculous situation, I can choose to completely shut it out and forget about it. While this is a good trait to have, I've become so good at it that I completely shut people out of my life. If I've decided that I'm done with a conversation, I will shut the person out of it and forget it immediately. If I don't want to be somewhere anymore, no matter what the context, I will leave. I've been know to disappear from social gatherings numerous times. This is exactly what I did to this person on multiple occasions. I shut them out again and again and again and didn't even realize that I had done so. The worst part is I didn't even care that I had done so. In the past I would have brushed them off and shut them out again, but this time after I left I took some time to actually think about it. I concluded that I single handedly destroyed a friendship and scarred someone with zero remorse. I am Jack's twisted stomach.

Its only after realizing all of this that I see what a mistake I've made. I guess that's what generally happens though. The strange thing is that it took me this long to see. Six months. Why? Why did I have to destroy someone to realize that I was even doing it? I fully doubt that the person I'm referring to will ever read this post, and I honestly don't care if they do. This isn't a plea for their forgiveness or a understanding. This is me putting my thoughts on a page so I can come back and see and remember what I did. The never ending path of maturity is difficult and full of briars and snags. The only thing to do is bandage the wounds that I received and keep going. I someday hope I can rectify the whole thing, right now it looks grim, but as pessimistic as I usually am, I always have hope for people. I don't know why, but I do.

So to the person whom I wronged. I am truly sorry.

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The Lucifer Effect?

2008-10-06T01:06:19Z

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PRAYING THE PSALMS - 3

2008-10-04T23:27:53Z

Read Psalm 3

Thank You, O LORD, that You are a shield for me,
My glory and the one who lifts up my head.
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for You sustained me.
I will not be afraid for You have promised to hear when we pray.

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ENCOURAGEMENT

2008-10-04T14:51:29Z

ATTITUDE

Read Philippians 2

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 NIV

* * *

Paul continues his words of exhortation for unity in the church at Philippi. These new believers have trusted in Christ for their salvation and are growing in faith. He reminds them that they don’t have to do it in their own strength:

“...work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” he writes, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” (12b-16a)

* * *

Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your Spirit to help me to will and act according to Your purpose. Forgive me when I complain or argue, and give me the encouraging, uplifting words of life that will shine like stars in the darkness.

* * *

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

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ONE THING I ASK

2008-10-03T20:58:59Z

[70]

THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Read Psalm 27–28

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. Psalms 27:4

King David had a heart for God's house, which in his day was the Tabernacle. He wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God would not let him do it in his generation. David’s son, Solomon would be the one to carry out his plans, with materials his father had gathered together.(1 Kings 8:19) Today, the Lord's house is the Church, the Body of Christ, made up of believers who are themselves, the Temple His Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16–17)

The places where the Church meets, places of fellowship and worship, can be anywhere–in a home, a school or an elaborate building. The author of Hebrews warns, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

* * *

Lord, thank You for the privilege of meeting freely with other believers. May our love for Your Church be so genuine and obvious that our children and grandchildren, like David, will desire to dwell in Your house all the days of their lives.

* * *

At his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Psalm 27: 6b

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PRAYING THE PSALMS - 2

2008-10-03T20:39:13Z

Read Psalm 2

Lord, as the nations conspire against us and against You, I thank you that one day You will come back and take control. We take refuge in You, Bless us indeed.

Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Psalms 2:10-12 NKJV

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PRAYING THE PSALMS - 1

2008-10-02T14:24:20Z

Read Psalm 1

My delight is in your Word as I meditate on it. Let me be like the tree planted by water. May I yield fruit in Your time and season and not whither and grow dry. Bless my efforts and make them prosper. Thank you that you are watching over me.

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How to Unite in Diversity

2008-10-01T04:52:52Z

I watched the worst opening in history the other day! Heroes. TERRIBLE!!! I love the show, at least the first season. It was unique, it was "purple cow". For those of you who dont know why I keep referring to a purple cow is because of a book by Seth Godin called.... guess..... you got it, its "Purple Cow". it's main point is market something unique in a mass of bland products. I apply that to everything. My music, my photography, my movies, my everything. How can I make something thats already been done and is basically a product that everyone already has and make something that looks completely different. Anyways, thats the basis for my rant. Heroes was good for a season because it was unique. So in all, today I want to know how to make teamwork and connecting together pieces that normally wouldn't fit something... unique.

I've noticed something in people. People, including myself, don't like it when someone tells us to do something. No matter what it is. It's almost offensive in nature when they utter the words "hey do this" or "Its not your job to do this". Know what I'm saying? So I've noticed that because of this we tend to build up jealousy because of that one person. We start to break down in communication and in relation with the other people. One thing can cause separation in the group, all because of jealousy.

What if leadership was something that everyone could do AND make it work. Wouldn't that look chaotic? To have everyone in charge of everyone? It's IMPOSSIBLE.

So in this rambling, how do we unite people in their differences without causing a breakdown in communication? By letting them know that they are in charge.

Everyone in a team is important. So we shouldn't worry about who's boss. The deal is everyone needs everyone to make something happen. We all have a part in making the end result work.

So to make unity unique, lets all work together in making everyone know that they have an equal share in opportunity as us. No one in leadership is higher than the "bottom".

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GREEN PASTURES

2008-09-29T20:51:02Z

[69]

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

Read Psalms 23–25; John 10:11–18

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Psalm 23:1–3 NKJV

* * *

King David, a former sheep herder, knew all about tending flocks of sheep. Without a shepherd to follow, the lambs would wander into dangerous territory, falling down ravines or being attacked by wolves or lions. Jesus spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep–not as a hireling–but as one who owns His flock. He said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:14 NKJV)

* * *

Like sheep, we are prone to wander into precarious situations. Only when we fix our eyes on our Shepherd will we be safe and secure from Satan who loves to disrupt and destroy. Peter warns believers to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. “ (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)

* * *

Lord, I praise you for your leading and protection for our family and our church. With You as our Shepherd we can say with David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6 NKJV)

* * *

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4–5 NIV

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"Hey unfaithful, I will teach you to be stronger, to be stronger....

2008-09-26T14:49:56Z

...Hey ungraceful, I will teach you to forgive one another." --Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Will Escape by UO

Looking for a blog to boggle your mind? Get those wheels turning? Think things you may have never thought before? Well THIS is the blog for you...

So much can be said in a song. Songs are written, more often than not, to tell a story. This is the day this event happened, or I fell in love, or my love left me, or my friend died, or I wanted to died myself, etc. etc....But how amazing is it that every song can actually tell more than just ONE story...you can take a single line out of song and say, oh i don't know, write a whole blog about it....I tend to do that a lot...anyways...just a little schpeel about that...

I love Underoath. Some people say they're garbage because "scream" which isn't real music, some people say they're not Christian because they "scream" and other people say they're emo because they "scream." Well i say boo on all of you, their lyrics are amazing, they're extremely talented, and definitely individual.

To me, this song is written between two people, probably a person like me, and either a leader or a teacher of some sort, possibly an angel, or maybe even God himself. Either way, it teaches a good story. If a person is willing to learn, he can do anything. I've seen several blogs lately (from Jessica and Belinda) about unfaithfulness. Unfaithfulness to God is a struggle that every human being deals with at some point in his or her life. Sounds depressing right? Well here's where God comes in and saves the day, because He can do anything....If we're WILLING to learn He WILL teach us...He'll grow us up...He'll reveal things to us to enlighten and open up our minds...

We're all ungraceful at times. Try to think of this: How many times were you wrong today? How many times did somebody just completely upset you and make you angry? How many time did you forgive them? Now picture this....how many times did YOU wrong someone else? It doesn't even matter whether or not you were forgiven, because the fact of the matter is we tend to look at how we were wronged and don't even realize it sometimes when we wrong others. We should all seek forgiveness, and we should always, ALWAYS forgive.

A verse that's really been on my heart lately, that I'm committing and adding as a new "life verse" for myself:

John 15:12 (KJV) - "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

Jesus COMMANDED us to love one another...just go LOVE somebody, because, after all...life isn't about what I can do for myself, it's what I can do for others...right Pastor Lawrence?

God Bless you all, have a great weekend!

Zachary S. Low

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