Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

When someone wrongs you, do something very terrible like burns down your house, and takes everything you have, you would find it very hard to forgive him. But if you are a very nice person, you may find it in your heart to forgive him.

But what if that someone is a person whom you’ve bestowed many favors, you pay for his lunch everyday, you help him whenever he is in need.  He burns your house down and takes everything you have, for no other reason than personal greed and lack of respect for you? Would you forgive him?

I wonder why we take rather lightly God’s forgiveness of our wrongdoings when we know ourselves how hard it is to forgive someone else?

In Isaiah, we often think God’s judgment of His people is harsh, yet in Isaiah 4 and many proclamations of Isaiah, God offers his forgiveness. Why should God forgive at all a people who is like the person who burns down your house and takes everything you have?

We should not think of God as an angry God who judges, but rather marvel at His mercy to forgive.

The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion
and cleanse Jerusalem of its bloodstains
with the hot breath of fiery judgment. ~ Isaiah 4:4

I didn’t see the movie Soul Surfer, but my friend lend me the book.

Bethany tells her true story of losing her arm in a shark attack while she was surfing, and how she came back to continue to pursue her dream as a professional surfer. Her story is very inspiration to remind us that no matter what you’ve lost, don’t give up on living. Have courage to overcome your fears, then discover and live out God’s plan for you.

She says, “Don’t put all your hope and faith into something that could suddenly and easily disappear. And honestly that’s almost anything. The only thing that will never go away, that will never fail you, is your faith in God…so I think this was God’s plan for me all along. I am not saying that God made the shark bite me. I think He knew it would happen, and He made a way for my life to be happy and meaningful in spite of it happening.” That’s good stuff, especially coming from a young girl.

I didn’t see the movie Soul Surfer, but my friend lend me the book.

Bethany tells her true story of losing her arm in a shark attack while she was surfing, and how she came back to continue to pursue her dream as a professional surfer. Her story is very inspiration to remind us that no matter what you’ve lost, don’t give up on living. Have courage to overcome your fears, then discover and live out God’s plan for you.

She says, “Don’t put all your hope and faith into something that could suddenly and easily disappear. And honestly that’s almost anything. The only thing that will never go away, that will never fail you, is your faith in God…so I think this was God’s plan for me all along. I am not saying that God made the shark bite me. I think He knew it would happen, and He made a way for my life to be happy and meaningful in spite of it happening.” That’s good stuff, especially coming from a young girl.

“The prevailing view in our culture is that as you close out your fortieth year or so, you enter a period of aging and decline. To pair age with growth seems to be contradiction in terms. This is a myth I refuse to believe, and I want to help you shatter it as well.” (p28)

“Along the way, I have come to the conclusion that the second half our lives should be the best half – that it can be, in fact, a personal renaissance.” (p26)

I’m reading Half Time by Bob Buford. Those two quotes resonant with me.

Being skinny

Filed under Generalby Joyful

Why is it that it’s considered impolite to call someone fat, yet, people think it’s perfectly fine to say to me, in a derogatory tone, “You’re so skinny!” I feel like responding with, “Thank you, and you’re so fat!”  How would they like that? Unless you are commenting on my skinniness as a compliment, that I look good being skinny, making an observation that I am skinny is as impolite as calling someone fat. But no one seems to think of it that way.

I am constantly being told that I’m skinny. Would you go around and tell fat people that they’re fat? And when they make the comment about me being skinny, they never seriously ask me how I stay so slim. No one has ever asked me for advice. No one ever asked me for the best weight loss pills or what kind of diet is best.

I’ve never taken weight loss pills. I have good eating habits, I don’t snack, I stop eating when I’m 80% full. Yes, I am skinny. Please stop telling me that.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

“I am celebrating 80 years as a Christian this year!”

She didn’t look a day over 70. Her face was radiant with joy, she sang the hymns with gusto, and spoke with clarity giving glory to God.

I haven’t seen too many models of older people who live with a purpose. I’ve mostly seen depressed seniors, with no meaningful work to do, simply living out their days.

That lady at Bible Study Fellowship sharing day today inspired me, that I too can live life with enthusiasm for God, and to live to serve others.

Isaiah 3

Filed under Bible, Isaiahby Joyful

Isaiah 3:  The pride and glory of men will fall

As long as we think we can handle things and solve our own problems, we won’t allow God into our lives. Pride keeps God away.

Without God, we will fail, no matter how good we think we are.

Instead of fragrance there will be a stench;
instead of a sash, a rope;
instead of well-dressed hair, baldness;
instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;
instead of beauty, branding.

Continuing in Isaiah:

We live as if we’re in control of our lives, we live selfishly, we ignore God, we set up idols to rule us, as if there is no judgement day of reckoning, but there is.

Judah was warned.

We are warned too, that the Day of the Lord will come. Then where will our idols be?

Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they? – Is 2:22

In studying Isaiah chapter 1 and worship, I was thinking that sometimes church can get in the way of true worship.

I love “church” and all that we do at church, but I’m not sure I love it because it’s worship or I love it because it’s comfortable and enjoyable. I can’t help but think that perhaps the “stuff” we do isn’t quite hitting what God wants for His church.

Read more of “Church and true worship”