An Undivided Heart

    Commitments are hard to make.  They're even hard to keep.  Some people avoid marriage commitments by changing their vows for "As long as we both shall live" to "As long as we both shall love."  It's a way out for them in case marriage gets too tough.
    It seems as if individuals just don't want to be committed anymore. People’s commitments are only as strong as their feelings.  When their feelings change, their commitments change, too.  But the problem is because feelings always change.  Have you ever had someone disown you for no reason?  How did it make you feel?  Perhaps you might have even wondered if I saw that person, what would I say?
   My paternal father and mother were never married, but ended their relationship when I was two.  My father was very abusive to my mother.  I may have been two, but some things you don't forget.
    Forgiveness is one of God's most wonderful attributes. I had to forgive my father it wasn't easy but I did it three years ago.  Not only did I forgive him, but also his mother (my grandmother) because in my mind I thought it was wrong of her to disown her granddaughter just because the parents were not getting alone.  Which it probably was, but that was not for me to judge. I had to continue to pray.
    I received a call last night saying that my father is sick, and the doctor's aren't sure if he will make it.  Not only that but my father is scared to sleep at night because he is afraid to die, and that if he wakes up; he may not wake up in heaven.  Due to all of the things that he had done in his lifetime.  Immediately, I started praying and I am still praying.  Please pray with me.
   Being truly committed to someone means you hang in there even when the feelings leave.  This should also describe the commitment you have with God.  When you feel close to him, it's easy to stay committed.  But you also need to remain committed when you don't feel like it.  David reaffirmed his commitment to the Lord in Psalms 86 saying, "No god is like you,O Lord" (verse 8).  "You alone are God" (Verse 10), and "I will honor you forever" (Verse 12). 
    How do you need to reaffirm your commitment to God today?  It is by being more committed to your church? My father is a deacon and he is afraid of dying. Or spending more time in prayer? I would choose prayer!  Maybe it's even making a sacrifice and getting rid of that sin you enjoy.
   Hell is real!!!  It is a terrible place of torment, most thinking people should be interested in what they can do to avoid going there. Psalm 86:3 tells us that God's mercy is great and that he had rescued David from hell.  God not only judges those who sin, he also offers a way to escape punishment.  Following Christ is our hope.

Girls of 6A @ DBU

Me, Alexia, and Ore

At first when I realized I had to room with five other girls, I was blown away.  Having one roommate was enough.  The great thing about all of my roommates is that we all love God, and that is important.  The roommate that I share a room with is Ore, we have a blast.  When I decided to move in I realized she didn’t have a television, and neither did I.  We both then came to the conclusion that our father’s thought it would be best for us not to have one, and to focus on our school work.  Thank God for YouTube..:)  So when my dad calls the apartment phone, it would be great if my roommate would say, “she is studying. Instead of she’s at the gym.” Just kidding!!  Loool… Being in college has it’s pro’s and con’s.

I had to really ask God to help me because living on a college campus was something I never wanted to do.  I heard someone say if you ever want to make God laugh; tell Him your plans.  He has the authority to change your life. Like it or not you have to deal with it.  I had my life mapped out; I told the Lord what I was going to do and how I was going to do it. RIGHT!  He took that map and trashed it, every plan on the map was destroyed! The good thing is the experience.  I use to go to bed early, but not anymore. Also, I didn’t know that I wake up in the middle of the night and ask my roommate is she okay. Loool…She says I sleep talk, but just because I don’t remember what I said that night, doesn’t mean that I sleep talk. Or does it?  It is good to learn about her culture, she is from Nigeria and so I’ve heard a lot of great things. Also she knows about my life and how I grew up. All I can say is college are the best years of a student’s life so we should make best of them.  

Ruth, Rachel, Ore, Me, Akevia,&Alexia

Priorities of the Heart

    One day I sat in the library and flipped through a book on careers.  I wondered:  What interest me?  The options seemed limitless. Teachers often encouraged me to go into teaching.  My late mother supported me in anything as long as I received my degree.  Some friends even suggested counseling.  All of the options were inviting.  I looked up and down the list and thought:  What is best for me?

    College students often choose careers based on interest and values.  People who love the outdoors often choose jobs that allow them to spend time outside.  My brother enjoys building things and such, and he is a welder.  Others love to travel and choose positions that send them to exotic places.  (my enjoyment) Others want to help people and choose from a wide variety of careers that allow them to help others.

    What about you?  What do you want in a job?  What’s the importance to you?  Location, people, or money?  What you decide will tell you a lot about your priorities.  Your values will often shape which direction your life will head. 

    Solomon was someone with proper values and priorities.

    When God asked how he would like to be blessed, King Solomon revealed his priorities-and his love for God. When such things as riches, possessions, honor, power and a long life were made available to him. King Solomon chose wisdom and knowledge instead, "On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, Ask! What shall I give you? And Solomon said to God: You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.  Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:7-10). Because King Solomon’s heart was in the right place, so were his priorities. 

    As I examine my life I look to see what is important.  I check my calendar to see where a majority of my time goes.  Writing out my priorities gives me a clearer perspective.  If anything seems out of place, I write out the action and make plans to correct the problem.

One IS The Loneliest Number

    How can one feel lonely when there are a billion people on earth?  Yet, many do. Are you one?  People pull away from indviduals for various numbers of reasons.  Maybe you have hurt me and I pulled away from you because my emotions felt as if they have been run over by a bulldozer.  Some say “stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”  I have news for you, words DO hurt.  One may have been hurt emotionally or socially, it seems safer to get away.  In fact, I for one, have been hurt by family and friends.  It got to the point where I am learning to be alone now.  It doesn’t mean that I don’t love them or don’t want to be around them, I just speak and say less.

    You know by now I love the book of Psalms.  David knew about discouragement.  He felt secluded, reclusive, and lost.  But he knew he couldn’t pull himself back together, so he asked God to lead him to a place of safety-“to the rock.” Psalm 61:2 says, “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”  It was impossible for David to make it alone; he knew that God would hear him. Not only that, but, David remembered God’s strength-NOT HIS OWN-would get him through these tough times.  The same goes for you and I.  When you feel lonely or overwhelmed, call on God to help you.  I’ve done it lots of times.  Tell Him whatever is on your mind.  Let him pull you back together.   

    Pray about it                                                                 

Lord, help me remember that you are the source of my security and strength during the times I’m lonely and discouraged.  Thank you for never leaving me all alone.