C-H-R-Y-Salis

This past weekend I went on something called Chrysalis. It's a retreat weekend put on by The Upper Room. If you ever get the chance to go on it or the Walk To Emmaus (adult version), DO IT. As much as I hate sounding cliche, it will change your life. I've always struggled with allowing myself to believe that I am loved by God and others. The Lord used Chrysalis to remove that from my life. For the first time in years, I am actually becoming okay with the idea of people loving me. A quote from one of the speakers has been stuck in my mind for the last couple of days. He said, "There is always more grace than there is sin." I've spent the last couple of years convincing myself that I was too much of a sinner for God to even care about me, but I am now left without an argument. The love of Christ is transforming, I finally understand that. I watched long-standing grudges melt away and walls around countless hearts crumble to ground this weekend. I also realized just how blessed I am to have the mentors in my life that I do. God's plan is so beautiful and mysterious, it's incredible. I met some fantastic young ladies who I know have got my back and am praying for me. If there is anything I can still bring myself to doubt, it is that anyone who attends a Chrysalis weekend will be disappointed. My thoughts are still swimming around, so when they make it to shore I'll write a little more. Ta ta for now. Fly with Christ.

Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus

I recently came across a video of a guy named Jeff Bethke called "Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus". He hit the nail on the head. I think it's really cool because he's talking about how Jesus was just Jesus, not Jesus the Jew or Jesus the Republican. He was just Jesus. He came to put an end to death and he did. He loves us regardless of the messes we create. I think that's the real message of the Gospel. Hesus came, He loved, He paid, He rose. It is finished.

I've been watching some of his other videos too and I really like his testimony. He's not afraid to be messy and let God take care of him. I think it's great. It's sort of long, but I think it's worth listening to. He's got a lot of good things to say.

*Neither of these videos are mine. Both are on Jeff Bethke's youtube account along with several others. :-)http://www.youtube.com/user/bball1989?feature=watch

Just another day in paradise

I don't have a lot of time today, but I need to get this out as a reminder to myself in the future.

Today I didn't understand most of what my Latin teacher told us. While it is a little frustrating, it didn't completely control my day. My friend, Alex, was in Afghanistan for 8 months, and today I got to see him for the first time. Words can't really describe how happy that made me. But has excited as I am, it hasn't blocked out my difficult time in Latin. I'm missing friends in far off places, but I feel okay because I know I'll see them again someday. I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Don't sweat the small stuff, Maggie. You're going to be okay. There's always tomorrow." And isn't that the truth, there's always tomorrow. So here's to comfort and faith and a little perserverance. Those are the ingredients that make life sweet.

Quotes for the new year

I haven't posted since last year! I had those whole two weeks off and didn't come up with a single thing for the blog, FAIL. But then again, that's not really what I needed to be focusing on around the time of Jesus' birth, now is it? So let's see, what's new? Recently I've been trying to come up with ways to add a little pizazz to my room. The walls are pretty much the same as they were when we moved 6 years ago. They could use a little flavor. I think I've decided to put up quotes that mean something to me or are just down right inspirational. Here's some of my favorites so far.

"You may write me down in history
with your bitter, twisted lies
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I rise." - Maya Angelou

"My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but oy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can some things. That which I need to do, by the grace of God, I will do."

"Pain is weakness leaving the body."

"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting." - Henry David Thoreau