Was Slavery an Accident?

I was reading Acts and I came across this verse and it said " Your descendants will be strangers in a country and not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years". Acts 7:6 I'm not saying slavery was a good thing. I coundn't imagine having to go through the things enslaved Africans went through. And the consequences of slavery are evident...even today. But this isn't the first time I've felt like slavery wasn't an accident. Maybe God mad it happen for His glory. I just don't think it was a coincidence that this verse basically describes slavery. They were strangers in a country that wasn't their own...they were enslaved and mistreated...for 400 years! I don't think this was a coincidence. And I guess it worked in God's favor because many of the slves converted to christianity. It just wansn't the best of circumstances. Comment if you think I'm wrong.

In Christ,
Friend of God

Interpretation

My friend's little sister asked me to participate in this online bible study post on facebook, so I did willingly. But I was surprised that in my opinion that the topic was so surfacy. The question asked if it was wrong to judge someone by their outward appearance. And the topic was Modesty. My first thought was duh! Of course you shouldn't judge a person by their outward appearance. That tells you nothing. But then I thought she's like a sophomore in high school that made a facebook bible group. She's really seeking after God's face. What seems elementary for me may be groundbreaking for her. This is actually a great feat. But it also reminded me of how much I have grown over the past year. Another thing I noticed while participating in the bible study was the misinterpretation of the bible ....and by christians! You would think that we would be the ones to get it right.lol. Not so. I feel like my friends misinterpreted every bible verse she quoted, and I was astonished. I used to think she was such a holy person and here she was missing the bigger picture. God doesn't really care about what we wear on our bodies. He wants us to put forth good works and bear good fruit! I really don't think God would be angry if I got a tattoo if I stayed trued to His word and kept all His commands. Lots of people reference the Old Testament when discussing tattoo's but that was COMPLETELY different. In those days they were cutting their skin for idols. In this time a tattoo is hardly cutting of the skin and I don't think anyone who wanted a tattoo would be interested in cutting their skin. We get tattoos as a way of self expression, and I believe that can be a beautiful thing. Yes I believe my body is a temple, but I don't think by getting a tattoo 'm desecrating it in any way. What if I got a tat of Galatians 1:10 on my wrist? I feel like everything is cool as long as you check it with God first. Ask for His opinion.




In Christ,
Friend of God

I'm Back!

Whew! That was scary. Satan had me for a while. Before I thought I understood satan's tactics but I feel like I have lived through them over this past week. Even though I was depressed it feels good to know satan has to try harder to contain me. And I just get stronger through the process. Its funny because one of my close friends was going through the same thing I was. We were both on Jesus high's and then we fell into a depression. Its crazy because she's in a different continent, yet were are fighting the same spiritual battles.


So, Tammy Smith an amazing example of Christ and a speaker was talking about how we judge other during one of her sessions. And she said we not only judge them by how they look but how they come off. So we are easily thrown off by someones cockiness, beauty or intimidation. But you can never tell what's going on inside of a person. I know of a time when I sent one of my friends an facebook message and she didn't reply back, I was thrown off because I thought I spit some serious Jesus fire in that message. Turns out she didn't even get the message. I assumed the worst when I should have been assuming the best.

In Christ,
Friend of God

Losing Faith

The past few days haven't been good. I feel like I'm losing faith in my family and even in my own efforts. I'm just ready to give up right about now. I feel like I'm helping lots of people out and no one is helping me. I guess I need to stop, because no one ever did anything for Jesus. I guess I'm getting depressed. I feeling really sad and angry all the time, so I don't know if that's normal for people who feel depressed. I should probably evalutate what I'm doing now that I wasn't doing before. Because I was so hopeful last week and this week its gone...well actually Tuesday was a really good day. I don't know. I hope I can overcome this. I guess it could be a spiritual attack, but I'm so angry and I want to exert violence. During times like this I really wonder if God knew what He was doing when He chose me.

In Christ,
Friend of God

There always a way out

So sometimes...we'll alot of times it can be hard to do the right thing. Today I was having a argument with a family member that I shouldn't have been having. I knew better than to argue. But for some reason I kept on talking until I go so upset. I officially done. I used to hold grudges alot and that's what started to happen. I had begun to cut myself off emotionally. And I'm really good at doing this...unfortunately. It's like my heart just got harder...bit by bit. And I said to myself I wouldn't talk to her anymore, I was just going to ignore her. But I knew that wasn't the right thing to do, but I was hurt. How could she treat me this way when I had always been there for her? I was always looking out for her and I never asked for anything in return. Then God began to tell me she's acting the way she should. She doesn't submit to God. She doesn't seek his face...she's being used by satan to do his work and she doesn't even know it. And then I just felt torn and worn down. Why is it always up to me? But the truth is God always provides away out. I was ready to cut her off and I thought to myself" if she apologizes I guess I would forgive her, but she would never do that" and the next thing you know....she apologizes. That's totally Jesus! He always provides away out. I couldn't stay angry and bitter after she said sorry. I was like" okay Jesus, you got me". So just remember that. There's always a way you can please God.
In Christ,
Friend of God

Is that what love is?

I'm a huge an of Charmed and even though its off the air I still get to watch it, because my sister has the episodes on DVD. So I think I have dissected Pheobe and Cole "love" down to infatuation, lust and adventure. I don't think they ever really loved each other. We'll maybe she loved him, and he admired her but I'm not completely convinced it was true love. I don't think they spent enough time together to love one another. There was never a definitive moment where you could say " that's why he/she loves him/her". It was like their love came out of nowhere. They were infatuated with each other for no apparent reason other than lust, and it was adventurous. Cole got a high because he was dating a Charmed One. Someone he was supposed to kill. And he researched her. He didn't even know Pheobe. Weird. But apparently it was true love after they slept together. I don't know...maybe I'm just over analyzing it. I feel like love should be more than that. It should be more than making out and having sex. I feel like God wants us to enjoy our partners and not just physically speaking. I want to be in a relationship where we can both get energized by seeing God's will be done. I want someone who will love me as a sister and Jesus enough to hold himself back from commenting on my body. I really feel like me and my boyfriend should be really good friends. And people say they want to be friends all the time, but I mean REAL friends. Like he's smelled your farts and you guys can have inside jokes and your'e cool with his friends. It not like you have be friends with his friends but you share mutual values.



Today the message at Church was about sex and might I say it was really uplifting. The pastor said in today's society we try to re-create God in our romantic relationships. We look for the other person to complete us. I feel like that is so true. Because today's society looks for the other person to be their everything. But the problem is that role is only fit for God, so you're going to be hurt when you ask so much of someone that doesn't even have control over their own life! So that's my Valentine's Day post.

I think I keep myself busy...

   So I don't start classes until March 1st and to keep myself busy I've been working on my nonprofit and entering business competitions. So I started a business called Total Professional Development and our mission is to professional develop the adults in Champaign County who don't have a college education. Champaign is in Illinois..two hours from Chicago. We haven't officially launched yet though. We're still working out the kinks. And by we I mean me and my partner. He's my bffl (best friend for life). I'm glad I'm doing business with a fellow believer and friend. It makes alot of the stresses easier.


So due to the fact that I'm a dropout and I technically don't have anything to do, some people think I'm lazy. Today my sister told me I did absolutely nothing today which isn't true. But I guess if I look at it from her point of view all I did was stay in the house. I can't wait till she opens her mind. Today I checked emails, caught up with friends at my old college and did some research on the business. I also did my devotion and listened to an online sermon. In addition to speaking with a director of a special program at my current community college about financial aid opportunities. And I just got off the phone with my business partner. I think I kept myself pretty busy today.

In Christ,
Friend of God

Why is it so hard?

So right now I'm an Accounting major but I feel like God is pulling me to go into Human Resources so the natural thing would be to switch my major to Human Resource Managemnt right? Wrong. It doesn't feel natural at all. At my previous college we were basically fed that if you weren't a Finance or Accounting major, you were nobody. Thats why its so hard for me not to go into Accounting. Its what I know. Why is it so hard to trust God? I mean to trust that He always knows whats right?


In Christ,
Friend of God

Don't Judge

I absolutely hate when other people are judged....especially when it comes to family? I mean how can you judge your family? Your family should hold the highest expectations for you. For some reason my cousin doesn't realize he has immeasurable potential to succeed, and because of that he makes really silly descions. And people in my family judge him but they aren't taking the time to see why he does the things he does. It just makes he upset to see that in my own family people can be so quick to judge. That's why I love the story of the prodigal son so much. If I ever have a son that squanders his fortune and comes home broke, I hope God can give me the strength to bless him beyond measure.



In Christ,
Friend of God

Transition

So this is a time of transition for me. Recently I become a college dropout...but not for too long, just a week and a half. I went from attending the esteemed University of Illinois College of Business to attending Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, NY. I went from being an RA in a private certified dorm with my own central air, balcony and dishwasher at hand to living in a basement with my mother and sister. I also went from being important to no one knowing my name. Many people would call this a serious downgrade. But the world is foolish. Because this is actually an upgrade. I went from loving Jesus when I had time to being a much more involved humble servant. Now I have the ability to evangelize because I actually free time.Go figure! I can be a very close example of the love of God to my mother and sister, I am alot more humble and I don't have the pressure of my reputation hanging over my head. So I would say its definitely an upgrade in Christ. I have had about a month and a half to get accustomed to the city again and get involved in a new church called Grace in Manhattan. I think its great,but it can be hard because I loved my old church. Go I-Life! But God has definalty changed me during this time. I will use this blog to record my experiences during this change and hopefully inspire believers to make a change in their life so they can be a better servant, or provoke nonbelievers to see what Jesus is all about.
In Christ,
Friend of God