On the first date, tell them you follow Jesus and want the best for your life and relationships and that you plan on abstaining from sex until marriage…it works like a freakin’ charm!!!
Seeing People As A Story October 10, 2008
So I have been reading “The Relationship Principles of Jesus” by Tom Holladay, a pastor from Saddleback Church in Lake Forrest CA.
I have been learning about how to love like Jesus and value relationships as they shoud be, the way Jesus did.
Confession…one of the more recent chapters I have read is about judging others. It teaches that we are not to be the judge of others, God is the only true and just judge. Well, let me tell ya…sometimes I feel like I am 24/7 in the world of like American Idol where anyone who steps in my path is just asking for it! And sometimes you think by the way people dress or act that maybe they are!
I can be cold in my thoughts toward a stranger on the street by automatically judging them in anyway…clothing, language, presentation…oh i am good..or bad really! So, today I was at the gym and I am not sure how or why this happened but I saw a woman running and instead of a quick “innocent” judgement, I thought to myself…hmmm…she has a story.
It was really a great way to help me from making an unfair, unkind judgement to take a second and see her as a story. So now, if I see someone who is rude or angry…something made them that way…they have a story….and maybe I can take a second and have compassion for them rather than just write them off.
I think if we remember to see everyone as a story it will help us be less critical and quick to judge!
Hopefully I can remove my head from my rear end long enough to make this a habit! Otherwise…just don’t wear or do anything stupid around me…youre just asking for it! Just kidding… 
Today I met God July 15, 2008
At the risk of seeming hypocritical…
Current mood: 
impressed
I don’t claim to be anywhere near perfect or your ideal Christian girl but I know I try my best. (most of the time)
Lately I have felt a pull to come “back to center” I guess you could say and try to reevaluate what is important to me.
To me, life is a series of ups and downs…I want to try and make my life full of more up and less down!
Within the last few days I have been begging God to reveal Himself to me and help me see Him, hear Him. I have never truly sought this with everything I am.
I asked for something very specific last night almost expecting to be let down I think. Almost like a test. The difference in this test was how pure and honest my request and heart were.
Today, for the first time in my life, I sought and He was completely and utterly faithful. Now, I know it is only the first time because I have never truly pursued, not because He ever left me.
I experienced my own God today. Not faith I borrowed from my parents or riding on someone elses wings…today was just me and God. That was a pretty amazing experience.
Now lets see if I can manage to accomplish this again without taking 25 years!!! Ugh!
Love Them Like Jesus May 20, 2008
Have you tried this? It’s hard! I mean maybe a cute cuddly puppy…but people! Some people just suck, ya know. Grrrrr, love them too?
I feel like I am in Jesus bootcamp. Everytime I conquer something radical….oh what d’ya know…here is something even way more unbelievable. wow. That God, he sure knows how to let you be tested.
But guess what…I’m one tough chick. So I am suiting up with my armor and am sitting peacefully. I feel like the Isrealites walking around Jericho and screaming like idiots, waiting for the walls to fall. But hey…those huge walls crumbled because they obeyed.
So here I am! Walking…walking…walking around Jericho. I’ll yell, scream and sound my trumpets too! I might look like a nut but, eh whatever. (OK, Veggietale song break… “keep walking, but you cant knock down our walls…keep walking, your brains are very small!” Gotta love little French speaking peas.)
I will walk to for 7 days, 77 days, even 7 years. Whatever the Lord says. I am ready.
Finding Peace Within A Storm May 20, 2008
The last week has had the potential to be a devastating storm for me. It has been amazing to me how God can provide a strong sense of peace to you if you draw near and follow Him.
I have not always been as close to Him as I should have been throughout my life and I think becasue of that I have witnessed His truly infinate grace and mercy. I feel His protection over me and the sense of knowing I am safe and secure eventhough my world is crumbling before me.
I feel grateful because although I will never be perfect I have been learning to draw closer to the Lord, even through my mistakes. I feel like He is providing protection for me because He sees the desires and intentions of my heart.
This is an amazing place to be. My circumstances have never been more devastating and hurtful, however, I have peace. Just a truly amazing experience.
Quick Overview… May 18, 2008
I have been traveling pretty much nonstop for about 3 weeks and primarily without my computer so I have a lot to say but not enough time to write so here goes a lot of completely random thought I want to purge…
Church…kinda miffed (but trying to have compassion) by the people who get angered or annoyed when our Pastor preaches anything to do with money. Thoughts: do you know how often Jesus used finances in his teachings?…a lot! …also, black and white…how do you expect the church doors to stay open people? Does our Pastor drive a Benz and flash a Rolex? Thankfully the answer in no. Have some faith in the staff we trust our faith to. Seriously. ITs easy to take, take, take when you are in church…try giving.
Vegas-Got my traveling juices flowing again. I forgot how much I love traveling and getting out to do new things! I am already trying to figure out where and when I go get out again.
People-I have met some interesting people in my travels. Something else I miss. People are such a unique study. How they got to where they are and where they hope to go. I could sit for hours on end in a real and honest conversation with almost anyone. I have enjoyed my new friends.
Kids-Every day I am happy to say I fall more and more in love with them. It took me a long time to adjust to the role as mother but now it is just me and I love it. Everyday my son says the cookiest, pure things that just crack me up! And my daughter is every bit of the words pure, joy and sweet all wrapped up in one.
Family-had a rough week or so with some medical scares. There arent many in our family so when it happens it is tough but also so cool to watch everyone come together like a finely tuned machine! I love them and am glad everyone is ok.
God-Words leave me. Simply wonderful. I will never comprehend the love and mercy.
Work-Inspired to get things going again and get the creative juices flowing.
The Adventure Called Me-Happy. Don’t get me wrong, lots of hard times and sad moments but I am actively trying to better my life and get back to the fun-loving, joyous Carla.
Quote of The Day March 4, 2008
Will to My Mom: “Grandma. Do something funny.”
Will during prayers at night: “Dear Jesus, thank you my food and eat Aaryn Marie’s candy. Amen.”
Not For The Weak March 3, 2008
So this is something I rarely talk about anymore. But I am at a point where I question my beliefs in this matter. Tell me what you think.
I have a dear friend whom I have known longer than anyone else in my life besides my family. We played as kids, planned our weddings to out favorite New Kid On The Block, and planned raising our babies together someday.
Well sometime in her teens she took a turn for the worse. She went from the all American Girl next door to a troubled girl who found identity in bad people. She quickly deteriorated and fell harder and faster ever day. Her parents tried desperately to step in and did everything in their power to save her but it was too late. She had made up her mind.
She wasnt out of her teens when she got pregnant with her daughter. She tried cleaning up but it never took. She continued to barely get by and make bad decisions. A couple of years later she found herself pregnant again. By then she was even worse. When her son was 4 months of age she basically asked her mom if she could watch her kids for the night which turned into forever.
Almost 3 years have gone by since that night. She has hit an all time low. She is in jail, again and I am sure it will not be her last. Unfortunatley jail is probably the best place she could be considering the alternatives would be walking the street corner with a pimp.
I never would have thought I would even know anybody with a story like this and this is my best friend. She has done countless terrible things to her family as well as mine. Countless fake attempts to get get clean only to realize she never had any real intentions and it would rip us apart.
I recently received an update on her and it got me thinking about how I feel about her. Last I saw her I was dropping her off at a help center saying good riddance. She had done me and my family wrong one last time and was not going to be made a fool of again. She walked away unaffected.
It breaks my heart that my friend doesnt care that she is hurting me. (Not to even mention her own children and family) It makes me feel like I am not worth anything to her. Like our dreams we planned as kids were just a game. She was my maid of honor but I guess I will never get to be hers like we had planned. I feel abandoned. And the worst part is what she chose over me…a pimp who beats her and random men who abuse her and friends who could never care for her like I do.
I just have a little guilt setting in because I don’t know how to forgive over and over. Iknow I need to but i am confused what to do after that. I have written her off and have made that overly clear to her. On the other hand I still have that deep desire to see her come around and clean up. I wonder if I am doing the right thing. Is this tough love or just being mean?
Her poor parents are getting roped into another upsetting facade as we speak. Now that she is in jail again she starts calling home. (Keep in mind this is the ONLY time they hear from her) Of course she found Jesus…for the 28th time and wants to get her act together. Bull.
Have any of you dealt with stuff like this? Would you continue letting her come back only to probably hurt you again?
