Humility (Part one)

Humility (or being humbled) is where you are below someone, acting somewhat like a servant, ready to help with the little tasks God want you to do. *The word humus came from the Greek word meaning dirt, so basically being humbled means to be below someone.* That is from the amazing book Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends. I recommend anyone, yes, even if you are best friends with your siblings, to read it. 

The world has a different view than us Christians. They don't want to be BELOW people. They want to be ABOVE everyone which is impossible. Only God can fill that place. Imagine this, a pyramid of people, stacked on top of one another standing. The people at the bottom don't look very comfortable, with shoes jabbing into their shoulders. The people up top are beaming, and pleased with themselves looking down upon evryone else. What if the unhappy people at the bottom go for a mad scramble to the top. What happens then? The pyramid tumbles, and everybody falls. It fails. That would happen to our world if we didn't have humble people. THE WORLD NEEDS HUMBLE PEOPLE!!! Now, imagine the people at the bottom, beaming, along with the people up top, even though they are uncomfortable. Pleased to support people, even though they are the lowest. The pyramid stays up and SUCCESS!! That is our world with a stable ground! What the world doesn't realize, is that being humble gets you to the top! Not the bottom. God has a plan for you, but being humble, is a part of the plan... a HUGE part of it!!

I was thinking. Why do we use humiliation, to descride embarassment? So I decided to search it on Google, and the first thing that came up was this defintion:“Humiliation is the abasement of pride, which creates mortification or leads to a state of being humbled or reduced to lowliness or submission.”  Humiliation is basically, when you're prideful and say or do something, that brings you down, makes you humbled. It embarrasses you. It is like me standing up saying, "I am an awesome big sister, the best ever," and I was bragging about it. Than Danielle comes up  and starts to list my faults in front of everyone. I would be made humbled.  (Sorry, I know it isn't a very good example, but do you get my point?) It doesn't mean that this is the Christian way to be humbled. To be humbled like a Christian is to act lower than other people, but do it with a good, happy, serving heart, and to do it because you love God, and not for praise!
           Matthew 6 1-3 says, "Be careful not to practice your righteosness in front of other to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. " So this verse says, that God will reward you for the things you think no one knows about. He has seen you and is pleased. Showing off will not make you happy, just prideful. Just remember, God will be proud and delighted in you, his servant! There are some things, that you can't help people notcing your good acts. As long as you aren't bragging or making a huge deal of it! Everyone has done that at times, though. Also, just a thought,What do you think of other people who brag? Do you want to be like them? What do you think of people who are humble in secret?

            When I went to Peter Sarpy Elementary School, we did single file lines to get from one place to another. I remember always wanting to be the first in line. Everyone wants to be up front. So imagine the world as a single file line. The rockstars, VIP'S, and actors/ millionares are up front. The Christians are in the back. Some may be trying to get up to the front, and some are content with where they are. The Christians that are trying to get up front, end up totally neglecting the Christians in back, wanting to look great to the world, in the front of the line. All of the sudden, when we get to heaven, the line is turned around! The people in the back, are now up front, and the people up front are now in the back! This is what will happen. Like Matthew 20:16 says, "So the last will be first and the first will be last".

 

A Dwindling Light

Sitting by the fire

Watching the flames grow higher and higher

 With this great light I cannot see

The small candle that is dwindling

By my side it stays

Long day after long day

So intrigued, fascinated at the flames

I do not see how I've turned away

Yet through this time, the fire grows dark

Bringing forth a great test, a test of the heart

And when the fire has blown away

The dwindling light is here to stay

It guides me through the cruel darkness of night

And at this time is even more bright

Then the fire that had lead me astray

This dwindling light had shown me the one way

And is here to stay forever and ever

One thing I know is that I will never

Turn my back on this dwindling light

With that I would now trust with my life

A Christmas Story: A Poem I Wrote

The Christmas Story

Once upon a time, there was a rich, spoiled girl,

Who had among her, many diamonds and pearls,

Whenever she asked for something, it was there,

yet with all her wealth, she had no kindness to spare

she didn't realize it yet, but she was on a search,

for something of a bigger, better worth,

something that gold and silver can't buy,

she didn't realize it, until another girl caught her eye,

the girl she saw shone as brightly as the sun

a quality that comes from only the attitude of God's son,

she served her heart with kindness and joy

the rich girl decided, her, she wanted to employ,

so she went over to her, with a nasty smirk,

saying, "At my palace, you will work"

The girl stared at her, her face looking amused,

"I'm sorry," she said, "I think you're confused

I have to stay here, my father is sick,

If I left to your palace, the results would be tragic,”

The rich girl had no sympathy, you could see it in her eyes,

she glared and her, and gave her a reply,

"I want you at my palace, and I want you there now!

so be there tomorrow, and maybe I'll allow,

you to visit you father, once a while,"

She had on her face, a sick, cruel smile,

and continued on saying her mean threat, "And if you refuse,

what would happen to you would not be good news,"

The nice girl, knew that the other was a person of power,

that she could make you miserable, in less than an hour

so the next day at the palace, the kind girl was there,

hoping, she's left her dad, with great care,

the rich girl said, “Come and sit by this Christmas tree,

from you I want to hear a Christmas story”

the nice girl took a deep breath and said

“Okay, here it goes, I'll go right ahead

Jesus was born in a manger fast asleep

Laying next to the horses and sheep

Mary and Joseph looked at him in awe

That little baby was a king that they saw

And all through the night a bright star shone

To show three wise men where to go

Bringing each a gift of myrrh, frankincense, and gold

For the newborn king to behold

An angel came during the night

And said to Joseph "Do not fright

But go to Egypt, and stay there and hide

For baby Jesus, King Herod has spied"

The rich girl questioned "What? Who is this guy?

what is this all about a bright star in the sky,

I want to know how, and I want to know why!"

The nice girl smiled, and then replied,

"Well, Jesus, our king, he had no pride,

He layed his life down at this earth,

and showed everybody how to find our life's worth

he was tortured when he died,

and although he was a king,he made a great sacrifice

to us, people who don't deserve his grace

but not only that, he loves us, he accepts us, and to us, he embraces

So please, follow me in my fellowship with Jesus,

He is somebody who will come and lead us

And take of us, the sheep of his pasture,

your life with gold and riches, will all pass, your

life with Jesus will always last!"

The rich girl thought, she thought with care

and finally said, "You said He will always be there

and that He loves us, and for us he would even die

I think maybe I'll give it a try,

right now, you shouldn't be here!

Go to your father, and to him be near,

what you have shown me during this time,

shows that my whole entire life has been a crime,

Do you think He'll accept me, do you think he loves me?

I have been so wrong, maybe if I plea

He'll take me to be, His beloved child,

do you think he'll accept me, or say I am too wild?"

The nice girl said without hesitation,

“Yes, He loves you, and even this entire sinful nation

the sins that you've committed he'll forgive

and you, my friend will always live

Just bow your head down, and give him a prayer,

My friend, trust me, he's already there!"

With that she left to see her father

leaving the rich girl, alone and unbothered,

the next day when she saw her, she was bright as the sun,

and the nice girl could tell, what Jesus had done.

No Season Like Winter

Advancing forward in a white wonderland, I take in the glistening, beauty of the snow. Mystifying, detailed flurries finish working their way to the ground, clinging onto my hat and coat. The fresh, untouched snow radiates, like twinkling stars contrasting the darkness of night. Pale and dove-gray, overcasting clouds hover over my head, as the last few snowflakes drift to the heavy blanket of snow. The sound of carolers break the silence, their outstanding voices carrying on in the air. After listening to them, I casually stroll inside, smelling a welcoming, peppermint and chocolate aroma, while peeling off my winter gear. Accepting a cup of steaming hot chocolate, I plop down beside our glowing Christmas tree, thinking, there is no season like winter!

The King of the House

I write these descriptive paprgraphs in my Write Shop class, and I wanted to put them on my blog so I can store them all together and be able to look back at all of them...

 

Peering down the stairway in pride, my cat, Benny, appears to be the king of the house. Mint-green, and affectionate, my feline's eyes beg for attention and love. Whiskers swoop down off the fur ball's face and feel smooth, like fish line. Perched off Benny's head, a light pink reveals the inside of my cat's ears, and turn back to the slightest noise. Soft, padded paws lightly tap the ground when he stalks, barely making a noise. Atop ivory fur, charcoal spots look as if I sprinkled pepper all over them. Pridefully, my cat holds up his gold-flecked and ebony striped tail with dignity and confidence. An important part of my life, my cat is the last living being I see before I drift to sleep, and the first ball of loving fluff when I wake up.

Stop, Look and Love

Have you ever been so crazy busy you don't stop to think? And when you do, it's something about something exciting coming up? I do that. A lot. When it happens, I need to stop myself, and think about what really matters. I look around me. I see many little faces. I see a roof above my head. I see a pantry and fridge filled with food. I see two loving parents, and my best friend, Danielle. I see a bible, and a painting about love, and faithfulness above our piano. I see all these things and think I am lucky. I hear Mattthew's sweet little laugh, and Lisey's voice (that never stops). I look at Johanna's "things" she's always inventing. I hear Danielle laughing hysterically at something, and telling me all about it.  During this time love filles me up like a balloon. I need to keep that balloon of love filled up. I get tht love from Jesus, who has endless amounts of love that pours into me. Sometimes, my balloon pops too soon. Like let's ay during that moment, I realize Johanna is using MY paints to do her project. Or Danielle's laughing because of something she read in a book, and it really doesn't seem funny to me. Or Matthew and Alaina start fighting. That moment fades, and I start to get irritated. Sometimes I catch myself and only think about the good in the situation, like I am lucky I have paints, and a best friend, and a brother. I think of just how precious they are to me, and that balloon, it just fills right back up, and I smile, happy for my family. That feeling is the best ever.
All I have to do is stop, look, and love.

Prayers

"Dear God,
I thank you for this day. I thank you for my family. Please help my rash get better, and please help us have a baby brother, and ,um, a swimming pool in our backyard, and a doggy named Max.
In Jesus Name,
Amen"
~Matthew, age 3 (almost four)
This prayer, in some type or form, has been prayed almost every night at bible study. We had been hoping for about a year for some things, and a little less than a year for others, for a baby brother, a swimming pool in our backyard, and a dog (hasn't arrived yet)!
We have always wanted a boy, us, kids, for a brother, and my parents for a son. When Matthew came along, we were overjoyed. Then came another concern. A brother for Matthew! So then we got Elise, and after that, our family started bible study, and everyone remembered to pray for him, since other times sometimes my siblings and I forgot. Now, about a year later, my mom is big and pregnant, ready to have the baby BOY in about a month. How exciting!!!!!
Somehow, I go my mind set on having a swimming pool (not just those kiddie ones that Elise splashes around in, but a BIG one I would enjoy too!) in our backyard. I asked my parents, and of course, the answer was no. I was motivated and kept persistent to my plan to save up money, and ask for the pool for Christmas (this was during the summer, I think..... ?). 
My mom's friend Kelli decided to come and visit us, with her two kids. She was here during the swimming pool drama ( and I actually think that she started the idea). After she left, she called my mom, saying that prayer helps! Something she had been praying about ( and seemed inpossible to do), had happend, and she encouraged me with the idea, to pray for the pool! We had just started bible study, and I started a chain reaction when I decided to pray for it that night. I prayed, then Danielle, Johanna, and down the line, each of them praying for a pool.
Now let's fast forward in time. A year later I am sitting on this computer typing about how excited I am, to finally have the permission, to save up for the pool!!! Everybody has donated money to it (including Lisey) and we now have only forty dollars to go, to have a 10' x 30" pool in our backyard!! How exciting is that!!!
Many prayers are answered, if it's the right thing, at the right time. I won't even go into our new piano and violin! We are just waiting for a dog now!!! :)