False teachers...

One of my favorite past times is to watch the false teachers on the Christian TV stations and dissect their teachings and understand where they are going wrong. I know it's not the most positive of hobbies, but it's something that I find depressing yet fascinating all at the same time. Tonight I saw this guy on tv and the entire time, all he talked about was money and planting a "$1,000 seed" and how much God has blessed him and it was seriously 30 minutes of him talking about himself and how much money he had and how if people didn't give money to his ministry they were allowing Satan to have control of that part of their lives. I couldn't believe it! He then went on to say that not only did God want to give you financial blessings, but that you were to be healthy. Now, I've always heard about how teachers as part of the Faith Movement say that God wants you to be "healthy, wealthy, and wise" but I've never heard anyone blatantly come out in his teaching and cover all those things. The whole time he had his fancy little alligator skin Bible in his hands but never once did he open it and never once did he quote a scripture in its correct context. It breaks my heart to think that there are people who listen to him and feel that this is what God wants from them. They're truly being led astray. This life isn't about us, it's about Him and His glory. I just pray that those who hear these teachings and think they are truth would have their eyes opened and that those who teach this bad doctrine will repent and know the real God. There is so much more I could say with this little rant, but I guess I'll stop here.

An awesome prayer

Ok, so as I was studying today for my Girl's Bible study, I came across this prayer of a Quaker girl who was in her early 20's and I couldn't believe how much it echoed the cries of my heart:

Oh my Father! stretch out your all powerful arm in mercy and free me from the bonds of sin and death which hold me fast! You see that I am tired of trying to be good, that I don’t really try to resist the temptations of the evil one with all my might. And you know that my whole nature rebels against following you and serving you. But, oh Father! strengthen my feeble knees, put a new and holy faith in my heart and bring down my haughty nature to the very dust. You are my only refuge; therefore, listen, I pray you, to my prayer.
I am haughty and full of pride. I shrink from the suffering which I know is waiting for me. I look almost with disgust on the narrow, narrow path which I see lying out before me. I feel that I can never consent to become nothing for your name’s sake. But you, Oh Lord! are able to drive away all pride from every heart. Oh won’t you purify and wholly sanctify my heart and make me willing to become the very least of your servants that you may have all the glory and honor and praise for ever and ever world without end!
—Journal, 1849

Joy

Well, if you've been a Christian for any length of time, you have heard that little word that means oh so much: joy. I wish I could say that I have perfected the art of being joyful, but honestly when the conditions of life are less than what would be considered favorable, and you don't know what's going on or what the outcome of challenging situations may be, you soon come to realize that having joy isn't as easy as one would initially think. There have been a couple of situations that I've been going through and I find myself crying about them, whining about them, and yes, praying about them, but joy is far from one of the emotions I am feeling. Last Sunday I taught on how joy is a key part of having the love as the fruit of the Spirit in your life, that joy that comes from loving and trusting in God's sovereignty, that joy that can weather any storm, that joy that is purely for the purpose to bring God glory even in times of struggle. After teaching that lesson, it seems like God has continuously brought it again and again across my path that I am to "rejoice always". It's been in such a way that I couldn't ignore it if I tried. I need to get out of my pity parties, and truly start trusting in God and having joy always.

The purpose of Saturday mornings

Ok, so I have a confession to make, right now with the women of the staff here we're going through what it means to be a proverbs 31 woman and one thing that is standing out to me is how she rises early. Well, and here's my confession, I LOVE my sleep! I do, I'll admit that if I don't get 8 hours of sleep I'm just not a happy camper, and therefore I may never be that perfect woman, because I honestly believe that without this glorious thing we call sleep, I would be a useless individual. Anyways, all of this little rant is brought on by the fact that the staff here does not seem to have the same issue as I do with enjoying sleeping in and therefore every single day of the week, they are in the house working beginning at around 7ish. Now in my opinion, I truly think that next to "honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy" should be "and there is a second command like it, thou shalt not wake up before 8:30 on a Saturday morning". I think I'll have to put that in the KORV (Kelli O'Hea Revised Version).

My last night

Right now, it's 3:30 in the morning and I can't sleep. I'm packing up my room as I've seemed to put it off until now, I think in a way of trying to avoid it as long as possible. It's so weird seeing my room all packed up and how I've got boxes of stuff that I'm getting rid of. I can't believe this how real it's becoming.

36 hours and counting...

Ok, so I'm going to be totally and completely honest and tell you that right now I'm sitting here with tear stained eyes and a red bull can near by because I seriously have so much to do right now it's not even funny and I'm so overwhelmed. I have to admit, I also am feeling very alone right now just that there's nothing people can really do to help me even if I wanted them to. I've come to realize this is to be my own battle to fight and I'm just really in shock that in pretty much exactly 36 hours I'm going to be getting on a plane to leave for two years.

Goodbye to my boys

Well, today I said goobye to Mat and Chris as they headed off CCBC. I have to admit this has been the most difficult of the goodbyes so far. It's crazy to think they're embarking upon this new chapter of their lives much like I am. These boys have been the ones who I've always had a special bond with and I'm just so thankful that I've been able to see them and realize that there are some good guys out there, really good guys. I'm going to miss them so much, but I know God is going to use them greatly.