The Parable of the Sower

This is one of my favorite Parables:

When Jesus told the above story to the crowd, 

His Disciples asked "What does it mean?"

(see Luke 8: 12-15)

His answer was something like this:

The Seeds are the Word of God.   We receive God's word from reading the bible, 

going to church, talking to other Christians, etc.   How we Grow in His Word depends on how we "plant" the "seeds" of God's Word into our hearts.

Like the 1st group of seeds that fell on the path and were trampled and consumed by birds, sometimes the Word of God is heard by people, but the devil comes and steals God's word so people do not understand and will not be saved.

Like the 2nd Group of Seeds that fell to the hard earth unable to make roots, God's Word is heard by some people who get very excited about the word, but they don't grow deeper in their understanding of God's word and when life becomes difficult, they fall away from Him.

Like the 3rd Group of seeds that fell to the earth, made roots and grew but then were over taken by the weeds,  these are the people who hear  His word but don't allow God to take control of their lives, they let their desires to lead them (they worship other idols---money, fame, beauty, etc) and these other idols choke the Word of God from them.

Like the 4th Group of seeds, some will hear His Word and allow God to control their lives.  They worship and follow God and grow big and strong in His Word and spread His Word to others.  They "bear fruit" by serving God.  

How do you Grow in the Lord?  It may be immersing yourself in the Bible, other Christian books, listening to Christian music and socializing with other Christians so that you grow in Him. 

When you are ready to "bear fruit" and spread His word, this can be done in many ways.  God will guide you when you are ready.   Some people like to just go out there and talk about God.  For me (and some of you) it is through blogging that I share God's word.  For others it may be inviting friends to your church, Sunday school or youth group.    

I pray that all of us are like this 4th group....I pray you let the Word of God grow strong in your heart, take root and thrive.  Never stop learning about Him and when you grow stronger in Him, begin to spread His word in a way that God puts into your heart.

Passion Flower on Animal Jam

I see from my AJ Friends' blogs that the new item this week is

The Passion Flower

It is called a "Passion" flower not having to do with Romance,

but having to do with the "Passion of Christ"

which is the last week of Christ's Life

clipped from another website:

According to Wikipedia.com and Brighthub.com, the description of its association is as follows:

The unusual shape of the flowers has led to the plant being associated in Christian symbolism with the passion of Jesus; the three stigmas representing the three nails used to nail Jesus to the cross, the ovary and its stalk represent the chalice of the Last Supper, the five anthers represent the five wounds, the corona represents the crown of thorns, the ten 'petals' (actually five petals and five sepals) the apostles (save Judas the traitor and Peter the denyer); the old leaves also represent the hands of those who persecuted Him, the young leaves are the point of the lance used to stab Him, and the tendrils the whips of those who beat Him.

I thought that was pretty interesting, hope you do too!



True Peace in Your Life

I know alot of us, as we become teens, get very stressed.  There is so much out there that stresses us!  School, friends, our parents, bad influences and sometimes we even stress ourselves.  It is a lot of pressure being a kid / teen!  

But The Bible Offers us a Way to Find True Peace in our Hearts:

Adapted from: http://carm.org/christianity/sermons/philippians-46-9-true-peace-your-life

Peace of mind is something that we all want.  We all want to be able to rest, to not have to worry, to feel free to enjoy life, family, friends, work, church, hobbies, entertainment, etc.  We want to be able to enjoy ourselves and not be burdened down with worries that rob us of vigor, life, and purpose.

Sometimes when we can't find peace of mind, we get depressed.  We often get angry and lash out at God or someone else near to you.

What do you do to get peace?  I mean real peace in your life.  Where do you start?  What do you do?

Well, the best place to start is with God.

Philippians 4:6-9,

"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.  8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.  9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you." (NIV)

1. God wants you to have true peace by having you not worry - about anything (act of thinking)
   1. Worry is sin.  It means you are not trusting in God.
   2. God doesn't want you to worry because worry means you do not trust God, that you are not taking Him fully at His word.   God has been providing for you all along - look at the cross.
2. God wants you to have true peace by praying - about everything (act of doing)
   1. All things in your life are of concern to God---The big and the small: where to move, who to marry, what job to get, even your hobbies, and leisure times.
   2. The peace that God gives you will guard your minds.
   3. The peace that God gives you will strengthen you.
   4. In the presence of God there is peace.
3. God wants you to have true peace by meditating on what is holy (act of thinking)
   1. Your minds have been set free from slavery to sin.
      1. Romans 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; (NIV)
   2. God wants you to fill your heart with what is good.
      1. Phil. 4:8, "whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent worthy of praise.  Let your mind dwell on these things." (NASB)
      2. Meditate on the Word of God so that you might be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
4. God wants you to have true peace by putting into practice what you have learned. (act of doing)
   1. He wants you to...
      1. trust Him for everything
      2. pray to Him for anything
      3. meditate on what is holy
         1. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. (NIV)

Conclusion

These things are written to you so that the God of peace will be with you.  Not simply peace... but the God of peace will be with you.  Ultimately this is about God dwelling with you.  He wants you to be holy, pure, right.  Will you trust Him and not worry?  Will you pray about everything in your life? Will you meditate on the Word of God?  And finally, will you practice, will you do, what God calls you to do?

Haters and Bullies

My Good Friend, Jammie263 posted this on her Blog:

And it really got me thinking.

I think that it is really, very true of Bullies and Haters.

I Think God has created a space in each of us, in our the Heart of Our Souls

(Not our physical hearts)

And He really wants you to fill that Space with Him

But you have to Invite Him in.

I think too many kids start filling that hole with sadness and meaness

and it grows into hate for themselves and others.

That is really, really sad.

And makes me Sad for the Haters in Bullies

If you know a Hater or Bully, Pray for them.

Pray that they see the Light of the Holy Spirit 

and take Him into that space

which will push out the darkness and fill that person with joy

This Guy Inspires Me!

I hope he inspires you as well!

So many of us would turn our backs on God if we were born this way,

But Not Nick.

But Nick Sees God's Blessings and Spreads God's word.

Will you use what God has given you to Share God's Love with Others?