Looking Back Over 2015

New Years....a time where people reflect on the past year and look forward to the future year by making resolutions on how to be a better person as a whole! (Though people rarely complete them!)

I guess it's my turn!

This year has been one of my craziest years! It's been up and down, side to side, stretched, and pulled! Parts of it have been amazing and other parts have not! I have had spiritual highs and spiritual lows! I have had amazing relationships and I have had terrible ones! I have had expectations met and my expectations destroyed! Believe me, it's been a crazy year!

The things I have learned from this year are, however, the most important.

I have learned that every relationship is either a blessing or a chance to learn. I have had a couple dangerous and bad relationships, mostly at the beginning of the year, and have learned that I tend to settle for relationships too quickly before really thinking them through! But, I have had some AMAZING relationships this year and learned that real love is worth fighting for!

I have learned that even in the rain and storms the sun still shines. Our trials suck, but it is in the valleys that we truly depend on Christ and see him work! It just makes us appreciate how great He is in the good, easy times!

Since I tend to plan my life out, I learned that my plan and way of doing things isn't always the best or smartest! Sometimes people have more wisdom than I do and can point me to where I should be going! God definitely sees the big picture, while we only see the little part we are working on!

Family is the most important thing (after God, obviously...pretty sure it goes without saying). These people are blood....well some of my family is.....anyway.....they will be there for you no matter how much you mess up and how badly you treat them! While boyfriends/girlfriends, friends, and mentors will move in and out of your life, family will always be there! Even if you give up on them, they will NEVER give up on you...even if you beg them to! (Been there done that! Trust me they are in it for the long haul no matter how much you beg!)



Relationships are hard! Whether it be your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, friends, or boyfriend/girlfriends, they are all hard! While they are all extremely important, they require a ton of work and are hard! Two sinners interacting....yep it's hard to think about the other person more than yourself!

Remembering that living for the future is better than just in the present. Present happiness wont be the best, look to further God's kingdom...that is the ultimate goal! Yes, the present if fun and exciting, but the future is even better!!!!

Well...those are the highlights! There are so much more, but I could't possibly fit them all!

Good luck on those New Year's resolutions! I pray that this will be the year that you actually complete them!

With Love,
 From....
~Cait

Lovin When I Don't Wanna

Awhile ago, I wrote a post about loving when it's hard....(you can read it here...http://catydidgirl.blogspot.com/2015/06/loving-when-its-hard.html) but what about those times when you just straight out don't want to love them and plain hate them (maybe hate is too strong of a word...or maybe not..)???

Be honest with yourself...I think we all have a person that we just down right refuse to love!

Don't worry....I'm not judging you!! Trust me!! I have people in my life that I just hate!! This post is as much for me as it is for you!!



Whether this person gave you reason to hate them or you just flat out want to hate them, it doesn't matter! It doesn't matter who they are, or why do have this level of dislike for them, you just do, and you kind of want to!

I uh, hate to break it to you though, (myself included) that this 'emotion' (ha, you got that right!!) towards this human being (are they even human?) is sin...(darn it!!) Yeah, God says to love everybody (maybe this person won't count, maybe, just maybe there will be a legitimate reason for me to be allowed to hate them...please!!)



Nope!!! God says in the Ten Commandments, to love your neighbor as much as yourself. Unless you completely despise and hate yourself, which I'm pretty sure you don't, since we are selfish human beings, who sometimes love ourselves too much...you have to love this person (it's okay, get red in the face, scream, and throw the nearest object next to you across the room...I did that already!)

I don't want to love the person I detest either! They have done so much to bother me and torment me...( I may have twisted their words a little bit, but hey, it's probably what they mean...right?)

However, if we are truly followers of Christ, we should desire to do what is right and love this person. But sometimes, I honestly, really, really, don't want to, despite what God says!!!

But here are somethings that help me take a step in the right direction.

1) Start viewing them as human beings with a soul: I know that sounds weird, but I think it's true!! Sometime when we hate somebody our emotions get in the way and we unconsciously (or consciously) view them monster-like and think that every word they say or everything they do is pure evil (maybe a bit of an exaggeration).

If none of you feel this way then...I'm going to delete this blog, shut my laptop, and personally admit myself to a psychiatric hospital because I clearly need help!!

If you do feel the same way, then GREAT!!! Well... okay maybe not great...but hey, at least I'm not crazy!

In all seriousness, when you start looking at this person and viewing them as a person with a soul and as someone who could either be going to heaven or hell, it creates a tenderness and compassion towards that person!

Again...a step in the right direction!

2) Stop twisting their words and actions!!! I know it's hard to break old habits, but really, it only strengthens your hate and feeds the emotion!

3) Put yourself in their shoes: A classic, might I add!!

4) Let it go: Right now I'm singing that song...and since you can't hear me...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MK7qz13bU
You can thank me later!!!



Stopping this emotion won't happen over night, it will take LOTS of prayer, dedication, and patience! But trust me, it will be worth it! Hating someone is so straining and is a weight on your shoulders!



So there you are! it won't be easy, but with God's help you can do it!! We will all be trying to love the people we hat together! And dare I say...we might actually like them??? Who knows!!

Love you all!!!
Good Luck!!
~Cait

What is Our Purpose in Life?

What is our purpose in life?



That is the million dollar question...one that people have been asking themselves for centuries! Philosophers and teachers have been arguing and debating this one question coming up with many different answers!



So what is our purpose here? We have to be breathing for a reason...right?? I sure hope so!

Is it to have the coolest job? Have the most money? Have many fans and friends? Have the best kids? Or is it to find true love?

Is our purpose in life to have great success???



Many people believe that success is our sole purpose in life! Wow....I would definitely be failing in life then...just saying!!

But once you get to the end of your life does money, love, jobs, house, etc really matter?

As believers we live for something so, so much more!

We live for Christ!!

Which, can I just say, is the greatest honor given to mankind?!?

God created us in the very beginning of time to glorify and praise Him!

We live for something greater than ourselves! Sure, we think that we are pretty great and that living for ourselves wouldn't be so bad, but it is so pointless!!!

Can you take success, money, fame, friends, and family with you once to die? We would like to think we could...but we can't!

So glorifying God is the number one purpose of life!!

It honestly just makes sense that we should worship and glorify the very being that created and brought us to life!!!!

Spreading the gospel to unbelievers is another one of our purposes in life!!



God commanded us to share the gospel!!! And why wouldn't we want to??

If you know something exciting and it has drastically changed your life don't you want to share it with everyone?? Sure!! It is something exciting and important to you and you just want everyone else to share in the excitement!!
For example...you found your soul-mate...the love of your life!!! You are so excited and happy that you just want everyone else around you happy too... so you try to match up your friends and make them happy!!!

How is that any different than wanting to share God's love and redemption story with everyone around? Except for the fact that a person's eternal salvation is on the line, while match-making friends isn't!!

Our purpose in life is to glorify God and share the gospel!!! Not too hard right?? Hahaha... if only our own selfish desires didn't get in the way... right?

Listening to Understand

I LOVE to talk! Trust me! It's one of my best qualities!! I rarely am at a loss of what to talk about! Rarely!!

While my strong point is talking, my weak point is listening! During a conversation I have noticed that I tend to tune the other person out and start thinking about what I'm going to say next.

I saw this quote yesterday and thought it worded this problem perfectly!!

Here it is....

"The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply."
-Gabriel Garcia Marquiz



I so often listen to reply and don't take the time to really hear what that other person is saying. It makes me wonder, am I really caring and loving that person by tuning them out and selfishly trying to determine what I'm going to say next? No, of course not!!! What I'm doing is completely selfish and unloving!!

Now, having thought out replies is a good thing and is a wise move, however, focusing on what the other person is ACTUALLY saying can help in having an intelligent comeback and lead to a very thoughtful conversation.



You can learn a lot about people when you actually listen to them and hear what they have to say!

Now, the hardest part is actually listening to understand not to just reply.

The action part is way harder than just recognizing the problem!!
This is the part that I still struggle with!

So I think that once you recognize that you struggle with listening, you can move onto spending time in prayer, asking God to help you overcome this struggle, because we obviously can't do it by ourselves! I think we also need to start changing our thinking- it's not about how many words we can get into a conversation, it's about what you can learn from a conversation or how you can encourage this other person!

Some people just want a listening ear! They don't always want someone to try to insert their opinions or solutions, but someone who will encourage them and just hear and understand them! So start thinking about it that way! Start telling yourself that this person really needs someone to just listen not talk!!


Not to mention, your relationships are guaranteed to be strengthened just by listening to understand, because...

1) You are putting someone else's needs above your own.

and.....

2) You are actually hearing their likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams, struggles, etc!

You can learn a lot about someone just by talking to them!

I know I didn't have an actual solution for you guys, I'm still trying to figure it out myself! But I hope, f nothing else you can know that you aren't the only one who struggles with this!

Praying for you guys!!

Love,
Cait

Behind The Line Of Fire

**Warning...this post is not a light-hearted one!!**

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12

Here are some facts about persecution....

Each month:
-322 Christians are killed for their faith
-214 Churches and Christian properties are destroyed
-772 Forms of violence are committed against Christians (such as beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests, and forced marriages) 

(opendoorsusa.com)

So, from these statistics...I think we can gather that Christian persecution still exists today!

No, it is not just an old biblical thing.

The thing that really sparked the idea for this post actually happened about a month an a half ago! Oh well, I needed time to really think and pray about this one!


Well...my wonderful grandmother, knowing how much I love the World War 2 era and any kind of spy...thing, took me to a presentation about Female spies during WWII! It was amazing!
I got to hear about all of these strong women, dedicated to their country and their mission!
I think I aspire to be like them after hearing some of their stories!

What really hit me was the fact that these women carried out their mission to the very end! Even if it meant having to sacrifice their life!

I was just so inspired by that! The fact that they kept going, even if their cover was blown!

I was thinking about this in relation to my own life...How does what they did apply to me? Right now...in the 21st century....for a 17 year old...or for anyone for that matter!

Well...I began to think....this could really relate to persecution!

I began to think of all the people in the various countries being held in prison, tortured, and the such, all because they refuse to denounce Jesus Christ as their Savior and turn their back on Him! They are the true heroes in my opinion!

They are there, never swaying from what they believe in, fighting the good fight! These Christians are dedicating their life to sharing the Gospel.

I have read stories of persecuted Christians that actually witness to their persecutors! They are that in love with Jesus that they want EVERYONE to know about His love, and grace!

We all face some kind f persecution in one way or another! Sure, in America we are not publicly persecuted, but we can be in little ways!

So what can we do with our persecutions?

Well we can start by praying for faith and perseverance just like our brothers and sisters in the other countries!
Christ will give us strength to get through anything! No matter the struggle!

What can we do about our brothers and sisters that are getting tortured and imprisoned for their beliefs?  

There is this amazing website called Voice of the Martyrs that is helping these people in tangible ways! Not to mention they give you personal things that you can pray for!

http://www.persecution.com/

Well that's it folks! Sorry for taking so long to get this out!! I kept rewriting it because it never sounded right! So...here is the 4th Edition!!

Love,
Cait

What Has Happened to Community?

I know, I know! I said that my next post would be about missions and my mission trip experiences, but....................................

I got distracted!

It happens a lot....maybe I have ADD.....see there it goes again!

Oh boy...

Okay, well, I have been thinking about this lately with the Baltimore Riots happening and all that.

I asked myself..."Why did this happen? What started this?" Yes I know...

Ferguson happened

and then

Freddie Gray happened

but I'm trying to think deeper! What is the underlying problem here?

Now....I was hesitant to write this post due to the controversy of this particular subject, but I just shrugged my shoulders and said "Ehhh, who cares?" I'm a rebel like that!

Anyway, the underlying problem....what is it?

I had a discussion with some of my family members recently and kinda answered my question.

The underlying problem is (I think, in my limited 17 years of observation)

The church.

I know! A shock! We Christians are supposed to be the ones who promote peace and help people!

We are the GODLY people! We don't start these kind of things!

Or do we?

Jesus talks a lot about community and loving each other.

For example:

Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Mark 12:31
"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Last one;

Romans 13:10
"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

But honestly...

We as a church body are pretty bad at this.

We are not in our community like we should be! We focus so much on the structure of the building, the 'ministries', the various activities that are provided for church people and their 'friends', but you don't see people outside of the church in their community! Sure, you do sometimes, but it isn't common.

Maybe the actual 'church' building is a hindrance for us...maybe we go there on Sundays, and for that one activity that you do weekly, etc.

Maybe we shouldn't even have a building! Okay that might be taking it a little far, but the point is that I think we get so wrapped up in the building and the various ministries that we forget the people outside of those walls! 

I work for a secular nonprofit that does almost exactly what we should be doing!

They are out there providing for people's needs and truly loving on people. People feel safe as soon as they walk through those doors! There are workers that go out into the community just helping out a family that lost a loved one, or a family that just had a baby, or even just a listening ear!

Why don't we do that?

It is the church's job to be providing for people's needs, both physical and spiritual, but why is that not happening?

Why are these secular programs and the government having to step up and do that?

I mean, the government is setting up all this welfare stuff to 'help' people with poverty.

But isn't that our job? To help people, build relationships, and share the gospel?

Why don't we start doing what Christ told us to do! Stop being SO singly focused on what is happening INSIDE the building and start focusing on the people OUTSIDE of the building.


Well guys, this was kind of a harder post, a little less carefree! I just had that conversation and just felt like I needed to share!

Hope you guys enjoyed it! Love you all!!

~ Cait

The College Student's Nemesis

It's an omnipresent part of life. It can trigger the "fight-or-flight" response, which can cause hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to surge through the body.

Stress...a college student's nemesis!

 


As a college student, I struggle with stress every single day!

I'm constantly running through my mental and physical lists of everything I have to complete! It's exhausting!

I try to balance getting good grades, homework, social life, relationships, and work!

I've come to realize that I can't control the common stressors in my life.....but I can control how I react to them!

Instead of getting frustrated and taking my anger and frustration out on people and my poor punch bag ( yes, I do punch things when I'm upset) I can pause and reflect on the root problem here.

The root problem is that I'm not trusting these problems and things that are stressing me out to Christ!

I've been trying to get into the habit of speaking truth to myself in moments of overwhelming truth and I do this with some Bible verses that kind of speak about stress in some way, shape or form...

Here a couple:

James 1:2-4

"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I guess you could call some of my stressors, trials, but regardless I love this verse because I can either view my stressors as either a curse or a blessing! I can view this stressful time as a time where God is reminding me to totally surrender to Christ and rely on Him!

Psalms 94:19 

"19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Pretty much all I can say to this verse is AMEN!!!! 

Romans 8:6

"6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;"

By taking EVERY thought captive and truly analyzing it, we can determine whether truth is running through our minds or lies, planted there by the cunning devil. If we are listening to a lie we can quickly turn it around and speak truth. 

Now this verse or should I say... verses is a pretty cliche one for anxiety and stress, but I don't think we should discount it because there is truth dripping from the very words! 

Philippians 4:6-7

"6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Hmmm great words to ponder huh?

Now, how do we combat stress? I guess we talked about it a little, but I think we should look at a few tangible ways....

*DISCLAIMER: this is not a formula! These are things that work for me...this doesn't always work for everybody!*

 

- Learn how to say NO!!! If you are anything like me, saying 'no' is the hardest thing to do! I could have a ton going on, but if someone asks me to do something for them or to join something, I just can't say no! But saying no has prevented a lot of stress in my life! The more things you add to your life the higher your stress levels will go up! 

- Exercising!! Trust me! It really works! I'm not going to go into all the science behind it, but exercising releases the adrenaline hormone resulting in a much clearer head! When I'm starting to stress out about something the punch bag and the gym become my best friend! Punching the bag is much safer then punching someone else...right? Plus you can get a nice work out in! Hey! Stress can be good for something! 

-Cut somethings off your To Do list. Are there things that can wait until whenever you are less stressed? Cut them off! Save them for a less busier week! Or you could be like my best friend and get everything done BEFORE you get stressed so it is already done! Yeah she's crazy! 

- Plan things out! For all my visual friends out there...get a planner and plan out what you are going to do each day! The key is to ACTUALLY do it though! No procrastinating here, which leads me to the next point..

-DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!!!! I can not say this enough....

Procrastinating = A Ton Of STRESS. So just don't do it!

 

- Express your feelings. Don't bottle them up! Talk about it! Talking through the things that stress you out will not only give you a chance to process what you are thinking and feeling, but it will also allow someone to help you problem solve and come to a solution. 

- If all else fails....resort to chocolate! I can't personally tell you if this works because I don't like anything sweet! Least of all chocolate ( I know I'm weird...people tell me that ALL the time) But I know plenty of chocoholics and they say it works!

 
 Personally, I prefer chips and guacomole and some hot tea ( weird combination I know...don't judge)...that's my comfort food, but whatever works for you is good! Just looking at that picture makes me feel less stressed about whatever I'm stressed about! ( I don't even know what stresses me out sometimes!)

 

- I saved the BEST for last! This I know works for EVERYBODY! If you don't try any of those ideas, at least do this one! 

Prayer and being totally engrossed in God's word is KEY!! I can't stress how vital this is!! When you get up in the morning just spend like 5-10 minutes in prayer...it is a great start to the day! Whenever you start thinking you can't do something or feel like you just don't have the time, remember Philippians 4:13 " I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."

 Well guys...I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did writing it! Maybe I will write something fun and carefree soon! 

Love you guys! 
~Cait