The Answer to Prayer

Yet again, this is not a continuation of my testimony, unfortunately. But soon. I believe. Unless my teachers continue to bombard me with seemingly endless amounts of homework (that I still find time to procrastinate).

Anyways, I went to the doctor's today, and the strep test was NEGATIVE!!! Yay! I don't have strep. Thank You, God! I also found out that there's only a couple antibiotics I can't take with accutane, and the strep antibiotic is one I can actually take with accutane.

Following the feeling I had in my throat Saturday (which was what I usually feel before strep, like my throat is on the verge of hurting but wasn't really yet), it never got worse. I got a slight, very very slight runny nose, and my throat just stayed the same.

Thank you very much for praying for me! I truly do appreciate it. God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

A Prayer Request

This is not a continuation of my testimony, though that will soon come, don't worry. I just have a prayer request, and I'd really appreciate it if even one person in this blogger world prayed for me.

First of all, let me explain the situation. I have been taking this medacine called "Accutane" for about six weeks now for my acne problem. It is a four-to-six month process. While on it, my skin dries up alot, I lose the oils in it, and I become very sensitive to skin diseases and sunlight.

Another thing about this Accutane is that I can't take antibiotics with it, which is the main problem now. If I do, there's likely brain injury or possible death.

One of my really close friends just got strep throat. Unfortunately, I think I caught it as well. My mouth tastes like strep and my throat is beginning to hurt. The cure for strep is commonly antibiotics, but right now I can't take any, and Accutane doesn't leave my system for about one month after I stop taking it.

My prayer request is this: please pray that either one--I don't really have strep throat and am just extremely paranoid, two--my throat be completely healed and I not have strep anymore, or three--there is another cure for strep that doesn't involve antibiotics. I really don't want to get really sick. I don't want to miss school: it's too hard to make up. I don't want to infect other people. It's just a huge problem.

I know God knows what will happen. I know He has a solution. I know that I must trust that He loves me and that "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." But please pray for me still. God does listen to prayers, and He does answer them. Thank you. God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

My Testimony Part 2

Hello again. This is a continuation of my last post, and will likely not be very long either:

I started going to this church camp when I was six or seven. I was known as a "cadet" at camp then, which just infered that I was in elementary school at the time. The week often passed by with the same routine as the last year, with meals, chapel, and several different crazily fun activities. It was here at this camp on the floor of the chapel that I received the gift of the Holy Spirit and was able to speak in tongues...sometime either as a fourth or fifth grader. I may return to telling more about my cadet experiences later on in my testimony, but it's time to end about it now.

Pretty soon I was a "youth" or middle/high schooler at this camp. There was more flexibility in the schedule and competition between teams, but the one thing I tended to enjoy the most was the services. They were upbeat and lively most of the time, and whoever spoke was able to capture and hold my attention quite easily.

It was the year of 2002 that this camp milestone was constructed. I went to camp two weeks that year, first with my church and then so I could spend time with my friend Kristen I had met in previous years. That first week was great; it was altogether extremely awesome. One of the competitions I personally participated in was a brown-bag eating thing. There were paper bags labeled with point values ranging from 100 to 500 points, 100 being something easy to eat and 500 being something disgusting or hard to eat. Whoever had the beach ball when the music stopped would "get" to choose a bag. And, guess what, I was one of those who got to choose.

I said a quick prayer before choosing a bag. I didn't really want to have to chew anything because my teeth still didn't touch properly thanks to me getting my braces on just a month or two beforehand. I picked a 400 point bag. I sighed with relief when I saw it was in a bottle. Without truly reading the label, I opened it and chugged it as quickly as possible.

It was about the saltiest thing I had ever tasted. It turns out my drink had been of clam juice. My mouth was literally salty the rest of the week, no matter what I ate to try to cover it up.

That week was mostly fun and games for me. But in the back of my mind pressed one thought harder and harder. I felt a great urge to know one piece of the puzzle of my future, adult life. I wished to know something about my job, what I'd do, anything! I decided I wanted to ask God for a sign, like Gideon in the Bible. The problem was, what was I going to ask for as a sign? I pondered something like, "If my team wins, I'll be a missionary" or "If our teams tie I'll be something else." But those just didn't seem RIGHT. Strange thing is, I really did not want at all to be a missionary. Maybe it was because I hadn't been to a foriegn country ever before (besides Canada for a day when I was two) or don't really have that great of the social ability to communicate or work well with other people.

In the farthest part of my brain that was still reachable, sign language was tugging. I did not consciously consider this until the next week, but I am absolutley positive it was there.

I'll be continuing my testimony the next time I return to blogger...which may be tomorrow or even in a week. I don't know. Have a great week! Remember: God loves you and has a plan and purpose for your life. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

My Testimony

Hello people! I'm sorry that I haven't blogged in like forever. It truly has been too long. I've just been swamped with school work and stuff. I get tired all the time and sleep whenever I can. I have decided to post now, though, and I had an idea: why not share my testimony? I certainly won't complete it in this post...or the next...or maybe even the next. I don't know. But I'll start and hopefully end it eventually. Here we go:

My parents have both been Christians "all" their lives. My dad is actually a licenced minister. Their parents are Christians too. Actually, as far as I know everybody in my family (including extended) have been Christians for the majority of their lives. I was definately born into a Christian environment.

I don't remember much in regards to Christianity in the first few years of my life except for the fact I went to Church all the time. I know I accepted Christ between the ages of 5 and 7, for I am positive I was not a Christian younger than five and I was a Christian when I was eight. I've been one ever since, steadily growing and learning and maturing along the way.

One huge part of my Christian growth was concentrated on going to a wonderful church camp for a really long time: every summer for at least one week and sometimes multiple times, for my dad worked there over the summer. It was at this place a definate milestone was placed in my Christian walk.

Sorry I won't continue on in this post, but I have other things I must do. I hope you have a wonderful continuation of the Thanksgiving weekend. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
†God Bless†
Bria

Daily Verse

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

Endurance-we need it to survive as people and as Christians. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

P.S. - a prayer request: I have a friend, her name is Alyssa, who doesn't yet know the Lord, and I have been given a repeated amount of time in one of my classes to witness to her. I have, actually, and she seems interested and attentive. Please pray that God will give me the words to speak to her to help her understand and that she will be receptive and want to know God. Please pray for her salvation. Thanks a bunch.

The Tree

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7,8

†God Bless†
Bria

Verse

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

†God Bless†
Bria

Colossians 1:16

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

"For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels--everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16 (MSG)

†God Bless†
Bria

Do not be Anxious

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7

You have no idea how much I needed that verse today. It was actually a part of my daily Bible reading. I had heard the verses before, and had actually memorized verse 6, but I don't remember verse 7 very much, and I needed to hear it. You see, I have a six-week long project that was assigned five weeks ago and I just now realized that I haven't really done anything for it. So I'm stressed. Actually, right before starting to work on the project today I felt nudged to do my daily Bible reading, so I did. And I read these verses. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

2 Timothy 3:16,17

"All Scripture is God­breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16,17

†God Bless†
Bria

The Verse of the Day: Joy, Prayer, Thanks

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This verse, if fact, was actually not a part of my daily Bible reading suprisingly. It was a part of a daily devotional I signed up to recieve by email. It caught my attention because of something that happened in my life today:

During lunch, a guy (let's call him Eugene) had his bookbag stolen. Eugene is one of my friends, I first met him on the bus on the first day of school. When I found out, by being told by someone else, that his bookbag had been stolen, I was utterly shocked. The first thought that entered my mind was "How?" It just did not make sense to me, at all. How does your bookbag get stolen when it's right next to you? Well, I said a quick prayer about Eugene finding his bookbag and returned to talking with some of my friends. About ten minutes later, the same person told me that Eugene had finally found his bookbag in the trash can of the restroom. I was immediatly relieved, but then was told that his expensive graphing calculator was missing from his bookbag. I was shocked again.

Being in his next class, I was "privledged" to witness some of his first reactions. We did a lab, and I felt nudged (not physically, but spiritually, by God) to sit at his table. I did, and I'm glad I did too. I was able to offer some comfort, and by the end of class he was smiling again. I quoted a verse for him, one of my favorite actually, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

He rode the bus, but unfortunately others on the bus started laughing and making fun of the situation when he told them about it. I tried to intervene, but am not sure that I accomplished anything. The reason that that verse caught my eye while reading the email devotionals is because I wish now that I would have told Eugene that verse too. I have it memorized, and I believe it could have helped. Maybe I'll remember tomorrow.

Ok, closing statements, because this post is getting a little long. "Be joyful always." That statement sounds at least for me almost impossible. Always joyful? It's like "No way!" But, then again, happiness and joyfulness are not the same thing. Happiness is based on the circumstance. Joy is based on the knowledge that there is a Heaven and that we as Christians will be there someday.

"Pray continually." That's pretty hard too, though for me prayer often does seem easier than being joyful. Continually? That's all the time! I know I certainly don't do that, but I've realized that the more I pray during the day, the better my day is and the more happy I am with my circumstances. I also realize that as I pray more, it becomes easier and easier to pray just a little more each day.

"Give thanks in all circumstances." Wow. Thanks in everything? This is also difficult. What is there to be thankful for with losing a calculator? Well, I remember telling Eugene to look at the bright side, and he responds with a smile, "At least I'm still alive!" But I guess there's more than that. Maybe in losing a calculator, you can be thankful for the time that you did have the calculator, or even be thankful that you ever had enough money to own a calculator.

"For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." So, it's God's will for us to be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. It's because he knows the outcome of this. He knows our lives will be better overall. He knows everything. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Verse of the Day

Ok. I relize that I have not really been posting very often, and that even that is an understatement. I just haven't had time. I continue to procrastinate everything, even posting this. So I've decided to try to put on one post a day, even if the post is just a verse I thought interesting or uplifting or something like that. This verse (or verses maybe) will probably come from my daily Bible reading, but it might not. I may comment, but I might not. It just depends. I'm not sure what exactly it depends on, but I don't need to so I guess that's ok. My verse for today:

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1

I think really what this is saying is that God can and does hear us and can and does save us. He's not hindered, as we are. I know that I myself am not able to help some people who need help, because their on the other side of the world or I don't have anything that could actually help them. I can pray, but that still would not be me saving them, it would be God. Also, the hearing part. I know that I often have trouble hearing people who want to talk to me, even if they are right in front or right behind me. Actually, even today I recall an example of this. I was selling candy for a fundraiser, and twice, in different parts of the day, people have had to ask me for candy two or three times before I even realized they were there. I was distracted. Someone else had to point them out to me. But, you see, God doesn't need someone else to show Him that we're praying to Him. He knows it instantly, and can hear everyone at once. His ear's not heavy, or as the Message version would put it "God's ears are not stopped up." God is good all the time, and all the time He is good.

†God Bless†

Bria

Influence

Lately I have begun to realize what a great impact other people have on the way I act, both to them and to other people. For example, say there's a person named Beryal (not a real person by the way) at my school. I know that Beryal exists, she sits near me in at least one class, but I don't know her. I have relatively no opinion about her at all. Then, one of my friends says something similar to, "I find Beryal annoying." Suddenly I begin to be affected by it. The next time I see Beryal, I find myself almost naturally finding her annoying, without having any intention of having that thought and no reason to think that way except for the fact that a friend told me that she was annoying. Words are powerful. Actions are powerful. Often I wish that I was not affected in such ways by other people. But I don't believe I have ever been able to feel what it's like to not be influenced by another person. That might not be that great either. I believe there's a reason for this influence "problem." It works the other way too. When I see someone doing something good or saying something good about another person, I seem to be affected by that too. I begin to view the person as nice and want to know them better. I want to be able to do the good thing that the other person is doing and help others in that way.

I have now come to realize just how great an influence I might have on other people. This is all the more reason to be a good example. To strive to follow Jesus's example, who is really the only person I should ever strive to be like. I know that I can never be as great as Jesus, that it's impossible, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't try to get as close as I can. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Marriage

I'm so excited! My cousin just got engaged! It hasn't even been like half of a day yet! Yay! I'm so happy for them! I can't believe that I get to share in this experience. She goes to school three hours away and was visiting with her "dating partner/boyfriend." He is so great. He has a personality similar to mine, one that likes things organized and enjoys thinking alot about different things. My cousin is like just the opposite. She is all active and outgoing, repeatedly arriving places late and enjoying talking to people. Not that I don't enjoy talking to people, it's just that talking to people drains my energy and it requires effort.

Well, this huge event in the life of my cousin caused me to stop and think. I wonder if such a day will ever happen to me. I know it's a long way away. I also know God knows if that day will take place, and if it will, exactly when and where and with who. I don't know. I have no idea, really. But I'm glad God knows. I'm glad God has a plan. If He didn't, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my cousin's excitement so much. I would be more worried about me and my future. That would be so selfish. I'm glad that I can look at this day as a source of expectancy. I can remember the joy and excitement, and know that someday, if it be God's will, this will also happen to me. I'm willing to wait. I have a "true love waits" ring on my left hand. It's my purity ring. I plan to keep it there on my left hand until the day, if it ever takes place, that it is replaced with and engagement ring. Only if it be God's will. My life is completely in His hands. For all I know, I could die tomorrow. For all I know, I could live for another 100 years. I'm glad that God knows what will happen and I don't have to worry. I can trust in Him.

He knows what the future will bring, and chooses which parts of the future to reveal to me now and what to save until later. He knows when I'm ready. One piece He has shown me, roughly two years and two months ago, was that in some way, shape, or form I will someday use sign language as a part of my job. I don't know how yet, but this is one part of God's plan for my life that He has shown me. I am glad for that. I know a lot of signs already, and sign while worshiping in church. It makes the worship real to me, I can see what I'm really saying. I have to consentrate on the words and what they mean in order to sign, in a way this fights against the part of my brain that wishes to drift off while singing the words.

God is good. He has a plan. I am really glad that he does. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

School

I have not posted for quite a long while. You see, I eventually completed the summer projects I recieved from my school (two days before school started actually), and then I started school. Between everything happening, I sorta forgot almost entirely about blogger.

You know, I like my "new" school. I like my classes, I like my teachers, I like who is in my classes, I like who is in my lunch periods...basically the only thing I tend to dislike is the homework that is automatically attached to school. God orchestrated it so perfectly. He knew who to put as my teachers, He knew what electives I should get, and I am so glad that is true. I was sure that I was going to be happy with school because God's in charge. I also knew that if there was some thing about school that I didn't like, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). I know God has everything planned out for me and He knows what is going to happen. I am willing to be content with that. I am content with that. I don't have to know what's going to happen.

One problem that I've encountered at school is Science Olympiad. I was on the varsity team in my school last year, and the team did really well: we actually made it to Nationals. The middle school is allowed to bring back five ninth graders to participate on their team again. One of the problems is that our coach left the school because he wanted to go to college some more while still teaching, and he found a great job at another school. He was one of the main reasons alot of us were participating in Science Olympiad at all. Now the people in charge don't necessarily really know what their doing: they haven't done it before. There is no one to really decide who is going to be on the team this year. I want to be one of those who goes back, but one of my best friends isn't sure and is really stressed about it. Another of the want-to-go-back people is trying to pressure a certain five people to go back. It is just a huge, confusing, mess. We need a miracle. We need God's help.

I've been praying about this situation, and when I see the group of five again, I will propose praying together. This will be tough for me I think. I tend to become really nervous when praying outloud while others are listening. It also doesn't help that I've never prayed with this group before. I need God's help. I need courage. I want everything in Science Olympiad to work out. I don't want a horribly catastrophic event to happen. But only God can prevent one from happening. I need His help. I need His guidence.

If you are reading this, will you please pray about this Science Olympiad thing? I am becoming stressed with it even whe in shouldn't. God will work it out. I know He will. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Procrastination

The reason that I haven't been posting much lately is because of these three summer homework assignments I recieved that have taken a huge chunk of my last couple of weeks of summer. I put these off as long as I possibly could. That's how I seem to do every important assignment.

I seem to procrastinate on everything. It's as if I enjoy what I'm doing if I know I'm procrastinating something else. I know that I try to create as many excuses as I can to avoid assignments that I don't want to do.

So far, my procratinating has not led to many penalties except for a few days during school where I was extremely tired and could not concentrate. My grades don't seem to be affected at all, I seem to recieve A's even on assignments that are assigned a month before the due date that I choose to complete the last night. I've spent a few nights doing homework straight from getting home from school to 3 AM in the morning.

No matter how many times I send my self consistant emails that say "DON'T PROCRASTINATE," no matter how many times I tell myself I won't next time, no matter how many times I stay up working on procrastinated assignments, no matter what I try, I continue. I don't want this bad habit to last the rest of my life.

One thing that I haven't done is pray consistintly about it. I do sometimes, mostly while procrastinating, but not consistantly. I believe that this can be the solution. I won't provide a back-up solution for myself, because I don't believe I'll need one. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Siblings

At WOW JAM, at total of 558 people got saved in three days! Isn't that just amazing! It was so great.

Just tonight I realized something that I had ignored for a while. I just recently finished "The Fred Factor" by Mark Sanborn. It was a good book, though in some ways it didn't apply to me because of how I don't yet have a job and am just now starting high school. It talked about doing the extrordinary in every aspect of life and going above and beyond the call of duty. I've also been doing my daily Bible reading in the morning instead of in the middle or at the end of the day. In some ways, just changing the time that I read has seemed to cause my days to go by more smoothly and with less arguements. Maybe it's because I can remember things from the morning better than I can from the previous night.

But that is not what I meant to focus this post on. Today, I decided to conduct a "experiment" on the reaction of my sister (the middle child, a little more than 2 years younger than I am). You see, she has appeared to have analyzed "do to others what you would have them do to you" into "If my sister does something mean to me, I have the right to do the same thing mean back to her." I decided to see if she analyzed it to mean "if my sister does something nice to me, I am in debt to that sister and must therefore do something even nicer to her." I did a few somewhat new acts of kindness towards her, and guess what happened? She treated me very nicely for the rest of the day instead of appearing angry whenever she saw me.

I have decided to try to apply the "being nice with acts of kindness" feature in every way I can. Maybe then people will respond with kindness, and my life will be even more full of joy than it already is. I wonder what the world would be like if people were just always nice to other people. It would certainly be a much better place. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

WOW JAM

The WOW JAM last night was really great.  I enjoyed it alot.  I was able to help out with little kid games and eventually took control of a skeeball-type game.  I extrememly enjoyed encouraging the people and seeing their faces lit up when a golfball they threw went into a hole.  I also liked seeing them smile when they realized that they recieved candy even if no balls went in any of the holes.  Many people came back four or five times. Some laughed at the way I snapped my fingers and made them into a thumbs-up sign after they scored a goal. I just felt so happy. At the night service so many people raised their hands to accept Christ. It was amazing.

I really do enjoy WOW JAM. It is in the inner part of my city, so we only have to travel around thirty minutes to reach any one of the locations. I look forward to the WOW JAM that takes place tonight. It will take place at a different neighborhood this time. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Guideposts For Teens

Approximately eleven hours after writing my last post, it appears that www.gp4teens.com was changed into www.guidepostssweet16mag.com.  You see, the editors of the magazine changed the name of the magazine and the entire outlook as well.  Instead of having a magazine for both guys and girls, they changed it so that it was specifically targeted towards girls.  I personally dislike the change.  Because of the change of the magazine, it seems as though they decided to delete the "old" website and replace it with a "new" website.  I wish that they hadn't of done this, but I don't have a say in what they decide to do.

I am sorry for this (though I don't really know why). I sorta feel guilty, though I don't think that there was any way for me to know that they were erasing the old site.  I wonder why I feel guilty for something that was not "my fault" and beyond my control.

Tonight, tomorrow, and the next day I get to participate in this thing called WOW JAM (Winning Our World through Jesus And Music).  My church, along with many others, is going into the inner city where we volunteer to do many things for the poor people there (ex. hair cuts, bike repair, free food, nail and face painting, rocking babies, doing games for the young kids).  I helped out with the little kid games last year.  Near the end they give out big prizes (bikes, CD players, boom boxes).  Then the speaker presents the gospel message (frequently throughout the time we're helping the people, the guy in charge has everyone raise their hand and repeat after him: "I am special because God made me.").  Last year, there were over 1,000 salvations in the three-day period.  It was really an awesome experince.  Then, on Sunday, they have this baptism service at the local YMCA where many of the people who were just saved were baptized.  I'm glad that I get to participate again this year.  God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Back from Music Camp

I have to admit: Music Camp was a really great experience.  I enjoyed almost every aspect.  I believe that I did become a better viola player, which is really inevitable when required to play over four hours every day for a week.  The concert afterwards was really great, and I really did enjoy playing the music (though after even one more day, I would have been absolutely sick of both my viola and the music).   I believe that I did grow closer to my friend, and am extremely happy that we did not become enemies.  My social limit was stretched often at the camp, though I believe that it was a good thing.  I am gradually learning not to do some of the things that I now realize are just plain rude, and being away from most people that I know well helps that alot.  You see, I can't really be tempted to hurt my sisters if my sisters are over one and a half hours away.

One place that I have been spending a lot of time at on the internet is http://www.gp4teens.com/forum/forums.asp  It is a group of discussion boards on various subjects and many are very interesting.  I especailly enjoy the "Debate Place."  Though I haven't commented on anything or even created a post there for a while, it still interests me.  I recommend it to anyone who enjoys argueing with others in a somewhat controlled somewhat Christain environment.

I know that I didn't really expand on anything today or comment on really any happenings, but I can't really think of any right now.  I have a question:  Does anyone reading this know of any good books on defending Christianity?  If so, please name in a comment.  Thanks!  God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Gone to Music Camp

For the next week, I will be away at music camp. Right after returning, my family will leave for a bike trip. This means that I may not post another post until possibly the 27th.

At this camp, I hope that I will be able to improve more as a viola player. I will be rooming with one of my best friends, so I'm praying that we grow closer as friends and don't become enemies after rooming for five nights. Another thing I would like is to somewhat improve my social ability. I've been told by one person that I have the social ability of a sixth grader. Everyone else I've told about that agrees with her. It may be somewhat related to how I was homeschooled from Kintergarten to third grade (not trying to offend anyone else who's been homeschooled, just talking about my experience) and then was an outcast in school from fourth to fifth grade. As a result of going to a small, 240 person school, I was finally able to create good friends and for the first time socially "grow." You know, it could possibly be a good thing to have a supposid "underdeveloped" ability in social matters. I don't know. I've learned a couple things while talking to someone about socail matters:

If you think someone's ignoring you, it doesn't give you the right to ignore them. They might actually think that you're trying to ignore them in the first place.

View people as a prioity to your time, while in a group don't charge down ahead as fast as you can so that you don't "waste" your own time talking to people.

These are a couple things that sometimes I tend to do without really realizing it. I really love others pointing out my faults to me, because how can I fix them without first knowing what they are? I may at first feel slightly depressed after learning more negative aspects about myself, but after recovering the knowledge does help me realize how to really be a better Christian. Continuing to read the Bible and treat it as a mirror helps too. I'm glad that God gave us relationships with others and His Word. Otherwise, I think life would be basically boring. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

Time is Ticking Away

Sorry for not creating a post for so long. I've been kinda busy. You see, my future high school decided to give too much summer homework, and I finally stopped procrastinating starting on it, hence less time to post. I've also just sorta forgot to post. Again, sorry for delaying posting.

I have realized something lately: my life is passing by as fast as it always has whether or not I choose to notice that it is. I noticed this after realizing that next election year, I will be voting for president (or am old enough to at least). I view that as a very scary thought. It's not that I don't want to be 18, it's that when I turn 18, I can no longer go back to being younger than 18. I can no longer be viewed as a high schooler. I can no longer just be a student in school. That causes me to want to enjoy my time in high school and not treat it as something I want to end, though I still may take that point of view sometimes while attempting to complete homework. I need to choose to appreaciate the time that God has given me on this earth. One song that just happened to come to mind as I write this is "Next Five Minutes" by Steven Curtis Chapman. The lyrics are below:

I can reminisce about the already
I can worry and fret about the not yet
but when it all comes down I know it really
really all comes down to the right now
So right now...

I'm living the next five minutes
like these are my last five minutes
'cause I know the next five minutes
may be all I have
and after the nextr five minutes
turn into the last five minutes
I'm taking the next five minutes
and starting all over again
starting all over again

every moment God is giving is precious
every heartbeat, every breath I take
we'll never have them back once they've left us
there will never be anohter right now
so right now... [back to chorus]

this is the day
this is the hour
this is the moment the Lord has made

That song really makes me want to live for right now, to live for today, and not worry about what will take place tomorrow, for tomorrow will be a new day. I need to accept each moment as a moment that God has given me. Now I know that it won't be easy, but that doesn't mean that it's impossible. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Human Nature...Will It Ever Change?

I realized something when I was playing Monopoly with my dad and my two younger sisters (not too much younger, one's 2 years and 3 and a half months younger, the other 4 years and 2 and a half months younger). We had just "bought" all of the properties and only I had a monopoly, so my dad was proposing numerous trades so that people other than myself could actually have monopolies in order to make the game more interesting. Each proposal would benefit everybody, but neither of my sisters wanted whatever trade they made to benefit the other. They wanted to have the best cards and their sibling to have the worst or no cards. There were several proposals that could have easily caused both of them to have some of the best cards possible, but neither of them seemed to be able to imagine helping the other in any way. It was just against what they wanted.

This is human nature. To be selfish and not look out for the needs of others. I know both my sisters are Christians (and just sometimes don't act that way). Imagine what could be going on in the minds of those who are non-Christians. It's amazing what humans are capable of doing. If only there was another way. If only we could just love each other. If only.... I don't think there's any benefit to asking the "if only." It just leads to discouragement. It can cause a person to momentarily live in a world that is of the imagination. It's not beneficial. Sin definately isn't benefical either.

Just a closing thought to leave you with: If you're not growing, you're dying. Both in the spiritual sense and business sense. As a Christian, if you refuse not to move the pressure of the world around you will make you go backwards. We as Christians can't be complacent and hope that the world will change to match our lifestyles. We need to be spiritual warriors, and fight our natural human nature.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Why Do Good Times Have To End?

Over just the past month, so many good things have come to a final and complete end. The first being my time at my small middle school. There are some people who I went to school with for three years that I will never have the opportunity to see again. Another good time that ended was the church camp. It was so awesome there, but that too had to come to a close. Yet another was the Arizona trip. I was able to see people I hadn't seen for 2 years (or like 1 year and 11 months) and view the Grand Canyon for the first time in my life. Yet another took place just recently. I helped out at VBS at my church. It was so fun just to help out. I felt useful and important because the kids I helped always seemed to want to copy me in craft and sit next to me in service. I had a great time. But that too had to come to an end, just like all good things. Why do good times have to come to an end? If they didn't, I think that they wouldn't be good anymore. One way to prevent good times from ever ending is too refuse to have good times at all in the first place. But that is definately not the best solution. One verse that sorta applies to this is found in Proverbs 14:13: "Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and joy may end in grief." I guess that could possibly be talking about how even when a person is happy, they could not be looking forward to the end of the happy time. It could also be referring to being dissappointed about the good time ending after it ends. I'm not exactly sure. Is it really worth it to worry about the end? I don't think so. I believe that it is better to enjoy the good time while it is taking place with the knowledge that it will end and then when it ends choose something else to look forward to. Well, it is something that I can continue to think about. Good times are a good thing, and I don't think I should be dissappointed that some of them have ended. I still have many more to look forward to. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Long Time No Post

Wow! It has been a while since my last post. I've just been a little busy. Arizona was absolutely awesome! I mean it. The Grand Canyon is really big. If you haven't been there before, please don't call it just a big ditch in the ground, 'cause it seems much more than that. I have been thinking a lot lately about "weird" and "strange." In my opinion, everyone (including me) is both strange and weird. Just fyi, according to www.dictionary.com, "weird" means "Of a strikingly odd or unusual character; strange" and "strange" means "differing from the normal." No one is really truly "normal" 'cause everyone's unique. No two people are really all that similar. I think it's amazing how God created us so that no two people are alike: everyone's different. I'm glad of that. It allows us to learn. I am a really inquisitive person. I seem to ask way to many questions. But when people tell me that, I usually ask, "How many questions is too many questions?" I'm not asking that to annoy, but to discover, to find out something that I don't already know. One person I know enjoys characterizing different people's approaches to life. They say that my outlook on life is that it's a "problem to be solved." I don't necessarily 100% agree with that, but I do agree. I actually really enjoy math. It is usually my favorite subject. I am blathering on and on and on. That is not necessarily a bad thing. It could be a good thing. I'm not sure what else to say right now, so I'll post this post and write another one later. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Arizona, Here I Come!

I'll be posting more "sermon posts" later. I haven't had the time today to do any. I most likely won't be posting for at least another week, seeing as how I am taking a one-week vacation with my family to Arizona to go to a high school reunion and see the Grand Canyon and see cousins. I can't wait! I hope that it will be a fun vacation. I hope that it will provide an oppertunity for me to grow closer to my sisters. I want to stop bullying them, and this trip could possibly be the start of that. I'm praying, that's all I can really do. If you read this, please pray for me too. I'll appreciate it. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

The Third "Sermon" Post (spoken Tuesday morning)

Don't put cell phones in the microwave. It can cause a huge chemical fire.

Transformation: from water to wine, from one thing to another.

One of the biggest transformations: marriage.

Jesus's first miracle took place at a wedding.

John 2:1-11:
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[1]
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
9They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

In order to transform, you must first see the need.

Never give in to drinking alcohal.

Back then there was no water purification system.

In order to transform, you must be willing.

God has given us free will.

Jesus is in the business of transformation.

Transformation brings out the best in you.

It is possible to spend $14,000 on a bottle of wine.

Jesus's wine was probably better.

Miracles continue to happen today.

Set goals for the summer.

Prayer brings about a "radical" transformation.

Go back to school on fire for God.

It only takes one person to transform a school.

The Second "Sermon" Post (spoken Monday evening)

Solstice means to stand still.

Just like any other day, the longest day of the year ends eventually.

Friendships should not be the same.

As your relationship with God grows, your relationships with others grow.

The whole dicipline of life is to grow closer to God.

Nothing can come between a healthy relationship between father and daughter.

Friendship must be followed.

Luke 8:41-48:
41Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
43As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[1] but no one could heal her. 44She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."
46But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
47Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

The woman was in rags, weakened condition, place of total exaustion.

And all she wanted to do was find Jesus.

"Who touched Me?"
It was a strange question to ask.

The woman's emotion was probably a mix between shock, excitement, and disbelief.

There was also possibly fear.

She could have run and hide, but she didn't let fear overtake her.

Jesus gave her hope.

Friendship must pass fear.

Jesus decided to stop for one person.

She was the only one He ever called "Daughter."

Friendship must have faith.

Faith made the woman's dream take place.

Jesus fulfilled the woman's dream.

The First "Sermon" Post (spoken Monday morning)

I am going to give you my notes on the "sermon" that a man named Ezra Stanton gave this past Monday morning. I found it enjoyable, though I didn't record the "short stories" he chose to tell about his life.

"Sick" and "Dope" are positive.

It doesn't matter how big we get, there should never be room for ego.

We have an all-access pass to God.

We don't need an agent to come to Christ.

Luke 19:1-10:
"1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
9Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.""

It was just one conversation, one day, one road trip, one changed life.

Relevant magazine is "dope."

The taller you are, supposidly the more money you make according to some research project.

Was Zacchaeus a midget?

Did Zacchaeus want Jesus to see him?

Was he black and blue because of the crowd?

Jesus cared about despised, hated people.

Nobody like Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus gave everything he had, getting rid of his old life.

He wanted to make things right.

We as Christians need to give more than an exchange of words, an exchange of action.

There is a tendency to be "fake" Christians.

Life as a Christian needs to not just be what you say, but what you do.

God sees everything.

The sycamore tree's leaves are in the shape of a heart.

Today is another day.

What can I make out of today?

Have the mindset to impact other people today.

Don't take God for granted.

Use our all-access pass to Christ and God.

Do people have an all-access pass to me?

Back From Camp

My goodness, that was one of the most awesome experiences of my life! I had an absolute blast! Though it rained a great deal throughout the week, nothing could stop the joy and fun. I loved playing basketball, going to services, and just hanging out with new and old friends. I am a new person. I know so much more about God. I built old relationships and started new ones. I had an unforgettable, interesting, happy, enjoyable, and exciting time. I have learned so much. I got everything I wanted out of the camp experience and more. I wish that it could have gone on for another week, but sooner or later it still had to end. I took notes during the services, and in my next post I will type some or all of them up for your enjoyment and learning. God IS good all the time, and ALL the time God is good.

†God Bless†

Bria

Off to Camp

I won't be putting up another post 'till possibly the 18th or 19th. I'm going off to a church camp. I'm praying that God will make me a new person at that camp. I want to learn how to learn to know God. I want to learn how to learn to begin to understand God. I want to build relationships. I want to start new relationships. I want to have an unforgettable, interesting, happy, enjoyable and exciting time. I want to figure out a portion of why I'm me, of why I act so differently than so many other people in so many different ways. I want to find and know so many things, but I don't know how to accomplish that. I need God's help. As always, not my will, but God's be done. If He doesn't want me to learn anything on this trip, then I hope I don't. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. You know, that is SO true, so very true; for which I am very glad.

†God Bless†

Bria

Unexpected Days

You never know at the start of a day whether it's gonna turn out boring or interesting, happy or sad, unforgettable or forgettable, full of excitement or full of relaxation. There is no way possible, for which I am glad. It provides something to look forward to every day. Life sometimes seems so wonderful, and sometimes it doesn't. It all depends on so many factors. I try to take the viewpoint in FFH's "It's A Good Day." The chorus goes something like, "Say Hey! It's a Good Day! Even if things aren't going my way, Jesus is born and I am saved. So, say hey! It's a Good Day." Later on in the song it states, "We are all as happy as we make our minds up to be. I have just decided that nothing's gonna take this joy from me." It's hard to use that Point of View, expecially because it's not natural. Well...in case you were wondering today WAS a good day. It was a relaxing, interesting, and happy day that I probably won't remember. I'm glad that I have the chance to have days like this. It makes the exciting days that much more exciting. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

Retainer...grrrrrrr...

Ok. Now that the braces were off, I didn't expect to have to wear a clear plastic retainer 24-7 for a year. I guess I still want my almost "perfect" teeth to stay in the same place, but I wish that there was an easier way. Don't get me wrong, wearing a retainer is easy, but so far it hurts my teeth a little and is uncomfortable and has given me a lisp. I'm glad that I get to take it out to eat. I am a person prone to always get revenge. I know that it's ungodly, and that I shouldn't, but I still do. I get revenge against my sisters very frequently, and they always try to get me back. I get revenge on some of my friends too, and I think it's because I'm getting to know them better. I wish that I could get rid of this "habit," but I don't know how. I need help. Note: I don't want to get revenge on my orthodontist for the braces. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

School's Out

So. Now it's official. I'm not a middle-schooler anymore, but a "rising" high-schooler. School got out today, and I don't know yet whether I'm sad or happy about it. There are some people that I will never ever see again, and others I will see at my new school. I am changing. Not visibly, but mentally. I can't stop it. I seem to be drifting away from God. I read the Bible. I pray. What else can I do? What else is there to do? I need help, yet don't know where to find it. I'm going to a church camp next week, and I hope that I can find my answers there. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†

Bria

Braces Off...Birthday...No More School

I really shouldn't have worried about the braces. I got them off this morning without a problem. It didn't hurt. I asked a strong adult Christian I know (my dad, actually) about the "No More Worries" verses. From what I learned, I realize now that "tomorrow" truly means what is in the future and uncertain and "today" means the current moment. I'm glad that I have someone close at hand to turn to when I have biblical questions. I'm overjoyed about the fact that I'm 14 now. I really don't feel any different. I am still me. Still Bria. Still a Christian. Still a student. I can't believe school is out tomorrow. I don't want to leave my school! I know I can't stay, but it's still hard to leave the people of the school. I never fully appreciated all the great people at my school. One more of life's lessons: Appreciate what you have before it's gone. I wish I had realized that before about my school. I never realized until now what a treasure it is, and now I have to say "good-bye." You know...according to one website, "good-bye" actually originated from "God-be-with-you" and "God-bye." Well...I guess that's all for today. Hopefully more to come soon. God is good all the time, remember that, OK? He really is.

†God Bless†
Bria

No More Worries

There was no need for me to worry about the Science Olympiad Party. It was a huge blast and there were no pranks played. I was especially happy about the prank part. I have begun to wonder if I should ever really worry. I need to trust God with all of the aspects of my life. One verse that deals with worry is "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34) I am wondering whether this means that it's ok to worry about other things besides what is happening in the future, or if "tommorrow" could also mean "second period class" and "day" could mean "class." Another verse that deals with worry is "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6) I am somebody who always seems to worry about everything, but can't seem to just trust God. For example, I am planning on getting my braces off tomorrow morning, but am worrying about the orthodontist deciding to wait a month or two. I can't seem to "let go and let God." It's just so hard. I need to pray, yet I can't understand what God wants to say to me. I am glad that I at least know about God but still want to know Him more. I need His help for that.

†God Bless†
Bria

Science Olympiad Party

I am having some trouble with this Science Olympiad party. There is a few planned pranks and I am wondering if I should or should not take part in executing them. I need God's help, but I can't seem to hear Him. He just seems too distant. I have read his Word (the Bible) once the whole way through (last year). That definately doesn't mean I understood or remember the majority of it. I am again trying to read it this year, but I am treating it more like a chore than an opportunity to learn more about God. I hope the pranks won't be horrible. I'm glad that I have the friends that I do and hope that i don't lose any of them.

†God Bless†
Bria

No More School

You know, in some ways no more school is a very good thing. In others, it isn't. For example, getting out of school means going into summer. That is a good thing because it means no more homework (except for summer work). The bad thing is that we won't see some/most of the people at the school ever again. This year I leave my small school of 243 students to go to a large school of over 2,400 people! This is a scary prospect for me. I know that i need to trust God with this aspect of my life, but it is hard. I hope that the last three days of school i have will be full of many memories. God is good all the time, and all the time he is good.

†God Bless†
Bria

Today is Great

Life is really awesome now. It may not be so for now, but it is true now. I like rising to a new school but dislike leaving my old school.

CYL8R
†God Bless†
Bria