I DIDN'T CHOOSE THE ZOE LIFE, THE ZOE LIFE CHOSE ME: GOD CHOSE ME

I am currently in utter disbelief. I would just like to know how some people's minds actually work.

I have been dis-serviced. I have been humble, hardworking, and respectful. But what has that got me?

It would be immature to verbalize what my personal situation is. But the truth is, it doesn't matter. Infinite situations can be applied, and what we should take away, and how we should handle the given situation is always the same: With the love of Christ.

I'll tell you the truth, that that is the last thing I want to do. It's the last thing anyone of us wants to do when we have been served unjustly. But there is no other way to handle it if you want to truly say you were in the right at the end of the day.

We have all been dis-serviced by this world in some way. We feel we have given our honest effort, but the world says it isn't good enough, and despite our best efforts, and whether or not we deserve it, we are put down.

It happens all the time. Mostly with people. Life seems to be a never ending game of trying to please people in order to earn a spot in this world. So that YOU too can be respected. But what happens when you aren't enough?

There has to come a time when you have to realize that you will never be enough for anything. It's true. None of us are good enough for this world. But you know what's good enough for us?

God.

We need to sift through the crap. Does it really matter if you don't fit in? Does it really matter that someone will always be the better choice over you here? You have to answer no.

ZOE: Greek for life; more specifically:of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypo static "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature

We are not called to live this life in the world. And it will never matter what you achieve here except what you achieve for the kingdom of heaven.

You can't be all about this world life. You have to be all about the Zoe life. God chose it for you.

So let go of what you think is necessary anger, and whatever reasoning you have to justify it, because it doesn't matter. It doesn't.

Remember that God is good enough for us and that that is all we need.

Much love, Ally

What Christians actually think about Gay marriage

Today I've gone over and over in my head thinking about how I really feel about our country's decision to legalize same sex marriage. Here is what I've come up with.

On behalf of all misrepresented Christians,
I recognize God loves everyone. I recognize that God put laws in place for us. I recognize that I am not perfect.

Because I am a Christian, believing based off the bibles teachings, I do not agree with same sex unions.

All sins are equal. Only God can judge.

Love and accept people no matter what.

Love is a gift, and love is for everyone. Just because I don't believe in romantic relationships between people of the same sex, does not mean I do not support loving one another. There is nothing wrong with loving another human being.

There is always room in your heart to love more. Christ died for us all, so Christians please remember that we are called on to strive to love like God and Jesus loves us. If you choose to ostracize same sex couples, you aren't fighting for God's cause.

God allows us to have free will. America has chosen to give more freedom.

Don't feel threatened by the world. God is the almighty. And always remember to check yourself before you decide to check others. Actually, leave the checking up to our Father.

God supports free will. I support free will.

I love ALL of God's people.

LGBT..LMNOP? Take a look at this

I'd like to address gays and lesbians in this post.

Alright, so here's the deal guys. As a christian I will tell you that I think that a homosexual lifestyle is wrong. That's it. I don't really need to elaborate on that, except for maybe telling you why I think that, and that's because God says so in the bible. But I'd like to tell you other thoughts that I have about it in general.

Politically the US has had conflicting arguments about legalization of gay marriage. Why should it or should not be legal? Ultimately it's up for the court to decide, but here's what I think. I think it should be legal. (Oh man, christian radar here, what is this girl saying?!) Listen. As a nation we are given certain rights. The right to practice our own religions for example. And as long as it's not hurting anyone, then why is it an issue? Now as far as my christian readers are concerned I'm guessing that this is a weak argument for you. Well here is my main one, and the one that I think justifies it altogether. 

God gave us free will. Everyday we are given the choice to walk the right path, or the wrong path. God doesn't stand in the way as we decide to watch our guilty pleasure show. Sure, we know it's wrong, but we continue to do it. Homosexuals should have that same right. This should never have become a political battle in the first place. This is a personal choice that will be made with or without legal approval. 

Secondly, why do we think we should have the power to judge what other people are doing? God is the only person who should be able to have any say in this kind of matter. As Christians we are called to love everyone. That means loving me despite my desire to watch a show like Reign; which by the way is a really sexed up drama about Mary Queen of Scots. AND this means loving others despite their decision to be sexually attracted to the same sex. 

Again, I don't agree with homosexuality; but who am I to judge? I am a sinner too. I voluntarily expose my eyes and ears to my favorite show every Thursday night; homosexuals voluntarily expose themselves to, well, homosexuality. Someday, God will call me onto the mat, and them to the mat as well. I just hope that when God asks me if I treated my neighbors the way I wanted to be treated, that I can say I did the best I could. Also, I really hope I don't get called out because I had been trying to do HIS job. Free will people. We all have it. Let's accept that everyone has it and learn to just show the love of God to one another while we work on our own sins instead of pointing out others.

Conclusion? I will not exclude myself from talking to others who choose to be this way. I won't turn up my nose and say I'm better than them. God doesn't do that to me. 

Comments?

Don't fit in? Don't worry

Guess who is the biggest outcast in history? Contrary to popular belief it isn't those people considered to be "nerds" or "scrubs" or even our so very adored government officials,however, the person who has been most cast away by society is Jesus Christ. This amazing statement isn't meant to make you feel like your struggles are not important or insignificant, however, quite the opposite. How? Because in knowing that Jesus shared our struggles we can learn to better appreciate him, and also appreciate that he has gone through this and therefore understands how our heart aches. Now I am hardly anyone to be giving advice on forming friendships, but what I can say is I know a little about what I would like my friends to be like, and I bet, no matter how different our backgrounds, that if I made a list of qualities I'd like to have in my friends and you did the same, our lists would not be so very different.
1. Kind
2. I'm comfortable around them
3. They make me a priority
4. Enjoy the same hobbies
5. Christian (so we aren't divided)
I like my list, but if I could sum it up into just about, say, I don't know, a perfect way, it would be everything that Jesus is. Of course Jesus is Jesus and cannot be replicated, but a good way to find good friends is to find qualities about them that you know Jesus would appreciate. Surround yourself with people you know won't lead you astray. This doesn't mean to stop interacting with those you know need the Lord...(let your light shine) But it means that you should spend most of your time with people you know will respect you and will share the most important thing in your life.
On a personal note, I am currently (or have been for awhile) praying for friends who hold these qualities to come into my life. If you are in the same boat as me and are shy about making friends, don't give up hope, you know God will fulfill all your all your needs in the meantime (if you let him), until he decides to bring somebody to you.

Suggestion: Read "Christy Miller" by Robin Jones Gunn
(Jones Gunn has an amazing story of friends that go through struggles together, all while holding God as their leader in their hearts) -I've read this series twice through

Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy

Everyday we are bombarded with what is sold to be "The Perfect Look" We recognize a "pretty" human being when we see one and inevitably, we compare ourselves to them. Personally, this is an everyday struggle for me. First I start with my eyes; a main insecurity. Why, look at how small they are! Oh my, and my neck-I'm practically related to giraffes. And slowly as I run out of larger flaws to pick on about myself, I pick on the minuscule. Have I noticed that tiny wrinkle on my forehead before?! Suddenly I've forgotten that God made me. By the way, isn't he like perfect or something? Yes, he is. So why wouldn't I think that his creation isn't beautiful the way it is? On one hand, the way the world influences how we physically view ourselves keeps us somewhat humble, but on the other hand; and I mean a much bigger hand (like God's) We end up mentally destroying our self image. Confidence is sexy, despite your physical features. And more importantly, a heart for God is drop dead gorgeous. Please remember that we are all God's creations.
Point two. If you are feeling insecure, don't pick apart somebody else. I'm guilty of this! Is my completion less clear than that persons? Well at least I don't have that big nose! Yeah, this is definitely what ugly actually looks like. So I hope your self esteem has taken a boost. Just remember that the perfect artist crafted your everything.

Who tells you what is true?

As I sit in my first year of college courses I am dumbfounded by the amount of bias that is being thrust upon me. I've lived a sheltered life, so it's sort of a slap in the face when my professor states something as fact when I know it is not. It's not really a big deal I guess, considering that I have the choice to ignore it and continue in my own beliefs; however, I still can't get over how much educators allow their personal opinions to interfere with the education of their students; the future leaders of the world. I think most young Americans take immense pride in the knowledge that we can be whomever we create ourselves to be, because of the freedoms we are inclined to have. I think this is a lie. Everyday we are influenced by something or the other, and to be honest, I am seriously starting to doubt my own person. Can I make myself who I choose to be? or is it inevitable to be shaped and molded by the opinions of others that are taught as truth?

This is what I know to be true. This is my only sense of self and of life. God is my creator and he is truth. While the world may tell lie after lie about how homosexuality is not a choice, or that sex outside of marriage is socially acceptable, I will not allow myself to become numb into accepting that.God has formed my opinions, and if there is ever a doubt about where I stand in my mind I will consult God's word for that answer.

I end with this final thought. A struggle for every christian is to watch the world set itself into hellish flames. We wish not to be tempted, we choose to turn a blind eye to the indignity of the world. Are we doing our job? It's the same as turning on only fox news and never exposing ourselves to CNN. We should be involving ourselves and shining our light, so that the world may be set on fire for God. As Christians we need to become more concerned with the lives of others instead of our own. After all, if we are pure and strive to storm the doors of evil with God at our side, who could stop us? We will always face temptation, but with a pure heart, God will always lead you to the straight path if you allow him.