Hey all! :)
On this poll you all gave me a definate answer on what you wanted to hear! That is..... CHRISTMAS! :)
First of all I cant believe that its already Christmas time! Yet alone the 22nd of December! Crazy! Life just seems to be flying by us isnt it?! This year Christmas in my family is going to be a little different :) Unfortunately i work the 24th, 25th and 27th from 8-4:30pm :( but after that i get to be with my family :) I will be going to Christmas mass with my family on the 24th, then going home to have dinner, just the 6 of us and opening all of our presents :) Then on Christmas day we are hosting my mom's family. So they will be over during the day and then we will eat when i get home :) I CANT WAIT! :)
For me Christmas is more that what it is portrayed. I find myself reaching closer and closer to the true meaning of Christmas instead of all of the gifts. Writing about this makes me think of something that i wrote last year around Christmas time... i sent it in as a letter to the editor and thought nothing of it, until my mom told me that i was in the paper :) Super cool! Here it is.....
I'm not sure what it is but it seems to be something about the holidays that makes me sad. I get so excited for the holidays to come and i cant wait to spend time with my family and i just want everything to be so perfect. But to me it always seem to fall short... and its really tough. Dont get me wrong i love my family dearly, i guess its just sometimes i wish i could have the best Christmas ever.
And I know i sound really selfish because there are people that are really struggling during these times and it just breaks my heart to think that some young child might not be able to feel that joy for what Christmas is. Maybe those families have something to do with the way i am feeling. I try to be the best person i can be and make everyone happy and want to see people smile, but i guess i am setting myself up for failure. Everyone deserves to be happy.
As a person i would really like to see a happy child on Christmas. Someone who has never experienced Christmas before to feel that joy. Jesus Christ is born in a Manger! That is the real miracle of Christmas. I see so many people who only think about the material things of Christmas but really in the end its about 4 people : Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and God. How much of a miracle the conception and the birth were its something i just cant wrap my mind around. So many people have tried to prove this who birth of Jesus wrong but the thing is THEY CANT! Its such a miracle!
I'm sorry i have rambled on and on. I guess its tough feeling this way. I want to feel that joy but it hard for me to just feel it when others don't. And when others don't realize what Christmas actually is. All they see are the presents and materialistic things. Please have a Merry Christmas and please think about what i have to say. You can make a difference in other people's lives, be the one to have them feel that joy.
Please comment i would like to know your thoughts. They comments would really help me. :D
With Hope,
Ashley
Thanks all! :) Hope you enjoy it! :)
God Bless,
Ashley
Please vote on my newest poll!
December 22, 2009
December 18, 2009
Tobies, Stories, Buick, Mad Libs, Pride and Prejudice, Lift Bridge, Sweet Condo... its Graduation weekend :)
Hey all! :)
I'm sitting at a nice black table, surrounded by 3 amazing women. While the wonderful men in my life are on the couch watching sports, I can hear the water trickiling from my sisters bath upstairs. Topics of conversation are changing constantly. I put down Pride and Predjudice and decided that my family is WAY more important (Thank you sparknotes!).
So today....
Right after school we packed up and headed for Duluth, MN for my dad's graduation from St. Scholastica :) Grandma Fran (My dad's mom) rode up with us :) we were pretty shmooshed together but it was cuddly! :) Both Judith and I fell asleep on mom in the middle seat. For dinner we stopped in Hinkley, MN at Tobies. My parents told us stories about how after their wedding they headed for Duluth for their honeymoon and theys stopped at Tobies, so it was really cool :) Then headed on our way to Duluth :)
Judith, Mom and I had fun playing Mad Lib's on my ipod touch :) Heard more stories and then got excited to see all of the lights! :) Took us awhile to find our condo but when we did we were absolutely amazed! :) I will post pictures later, but to give you a visiual visit this web page, these are just the website's pictures i will post ours later when we get home :) http://www.beaconpointecondos.com/rentals-rates-floorplans.php
You walk in to where it says our room number, and you come to 3 more doors, 2 connect to the main aera with a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, 3 flatscreen tv's and a balcony. And the other door leads upstairs where there is a bedroom and a bathroom, couch, tv, and balcony. Grandma Fran gets a room in the main aera and Grandpa and Grandma Theisen get the other room in the main aera. Mom and dad get the bedroom upstairs, and we moved the couch matress along with the other matress upstairs in the "Penthouse". SO BEAUTIFUL! :) Feet away from the bottom of our condo is the shore of lake superior!
So far we are having a great time! :) Grandma and Grandpa Thiesen made it here which is such a blessing! :)
Hoping the weekend can only get better! :) Commencement is tomorrow! :) I am so proud my daddy! :) Cant wait! :) Signing off to go to bed! :)
God Bless,
Ashley :)
Dear Lord-
As I look toward the future
Bright hope conducts this prayer,
For I know the plans You have for me
Were wrought with divine care.
Holy Spirit, lead me.
Let me run at your command,
Yet be still and know that You are God
When trouble's close at hand.
Your Word will be a lamp for me,
A guide to light my way,
A solid place to set my feet,
A compass when I stray.
May I live my life to praise You,
Not for fortune, nor for fame,
May everything I say and do
Bring glory to your name.
May my eyes stay fixed upon You
As I seek the way that's pure,
Tasting your love and goodness
Sleeping and rising secure.
Planted by your living streams
I'll delight in all your ways,
Hidden by your sheltering wings
With new mercies for each day.
Even in a dangerous land
When storms threaten to destroy,
At the cross I'll stand upon the Rock
My Strength, my Hope, my Joy.
Dear Lord, show me your favor,
At all times keep me blessed,
May your face ever shine upon me,
With peace and perfect rest.
Amen.
I'm sitting at a nice black table, surrounded by 3 amazing women. While the wonderful men in my life are on the couch watching sports, I can hear the water trickiling from my sisters bath upstairs. Topics of conversation are changing constantly. I put down Pride and Predjudice and decided that my family is WAY more important (Thank you sparknotes!).
So today....
Right after school we packed up and headed for Duluth, MN for my dad's graduation from St. Scholastica :) Grandma Fran (My dad's mom) rode up with us :) we were pretty shmooshed together but it was cuddly! :) Both Judith and I fell asleep on mom in the middle seat. For dinner we stopped in Hinkley, MN at Tobies. My parents told us stories about how after their wedding they headed for Duluth for their honeymoon and theys stopped at Tobies, so it was really cool :) Then headed on our way to Duluth :)
Judith, Mom and I had fun playing Mad Lib's on my ipod touch :) Heard more stories and then got excited to see all of the lights! :) Took us awhile to find our condo but when we did we were absolutely amazed! :) I will post pictures later, but to give you a visiual visit this web page, these are just the website's pictures i will post ours later when we get home :) http://www.beaconpointecondos.com/rentals-rates-floorplans.php
You walk in to where it says our room number, and you come to 3 more doors, 2 connect to the main aera with a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, 3 flatscreen tv's and a balcony. And the other door leads upstairs where there is a bedroom and a bathroom, couch, tv, and balcony. Grandma Fran gets a room in the main aera and Grandpa and Grandma Theisen get the other room in the main aera. Mom and dad get the bedroom upstairs, and we moved the couch matress along with the other matress upstairs in the "Penthouse". SO BEAUTIFUL! :) Feet away from the bottom of our condo is the shore of lake superior!
So far we are having a great time! :) Grandma and Grandpa Thiesen made it here which is such a blessing! :)
Hoping the weekend can only get better! :) Commencement is tomorrow! :) I am so proud my daddy! :) Cant wait! :) Signing off to go to bed! :)
God Bless,
Ashley :)
Dear Lord-
As I look toward the future
Bright hope conducts this prayer,
For I know the plans You have for me
Were wrought with divine care.
Holy Spirit, lead me.
Let me run at your command,
Yet be still and know that You are God
When trouble's close at hand.
Your Word will be a lamp for me,
A guide to light my way,
A solid place to set my feet,
A compass when I stray.
May I live my life to praise You,
Not for fortune, nor for fame,
May everything I say and do
Bring glory to your name.
May my eyes stay fixed upon You
As I seek the way that's pure,
Tasting your love and goodness
Sleeping and rising secure.
Planted by your living streams
I'll delight in all your ways,
Hidden by your sheltering wings
With new mercies for each day.
Even in a dangerous land
When storms threaten to destroy,
At the cross I'll stand upon the Rock
My Strength, my Hope, my Joy.
Dear Lord, show me your favor,
At all times keep me blessed,
May your face ever shine upon me,
With peace and perfect rest.
Amen.
December 16, 2009
Why So Negative?
Hey All! :)
Alright so diving right in here...
We all have our negative moments correct?? Those days where things dont seem to be going our way and everything is just plain horrible right? Im with ya on that one! Man I definately have those days and everyone does.
But there is a point where its excess.....
I have a person who is now constantly texting me about how bad her life is and always being negative. Always having to pull me into things and she is always complaining to me. Nothing can ever be good or good enough. It has been driving me nuts! I cant figure out what to say anymore to her so sometimes I just dont respond. I mean this is constant and its like the world is out to get her by the way she is acting and telling me these things. Now dont get me wrong I do love helping people.. but man this is stretching it!
I understand that life gets hard and tough but petty things week after week? I am not trying to be mean at all I just really need to vent because this really sucks and im frusturated..
Life can be crazy, hectic and stressful, but in times like that (even though its tough) PRAISE GOD! Cry out to him! Be with him! While typing this I am reminded of a Saint that my youth minister Kym was telling me about and I am absolutely in awe of this man! This is Saint Maximillian Kolbe :)
Here is his story.......
"During the Second World War he provided shelter to refugees from Greater Poland, including 2,000 Jews whom he hid from Nazi persecution in his friary in Niepokalanów. He was also active as a radio amateur, with Polish call letters SP3RN, vilifying Nazi activities through his reports.
On 17 February 1941 he was arrested by the German Gestapo and imprisoned in the Pawiak prison, and on May 28 he was transferred to Auschwitz as prisoner #16670.
In July 1941 a man from Kolbe's barracks vanished, prompting SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Fritzsch, the deputy camp commander, to pick 10 men from the same barracks to be starved to death in Block 13[9] (notorious for torture), in order to deter further escape attempts[10](the man who had disappeared was later found drowned in the camp latrine). One of the selected men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, lamenting his family, and Kolbe volunteered to take his place.
During the time in the cell he led the men in songs and prayer. After three weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe and three others were still alive. He encouraged others that they would soon be with Mary in heaven. Each time the guards checked on him he was standing or kneeling in the middle of the cell and looking calmly at those who entered, while the others lay moaning and complaining, on the ground around him. He was killed with an injection of carbolic acid. Some who were present at the injection say that he raised his left arm and calmly waited for the injection. But he did not die immediately. He gave it to God and he was able to stay alive for a longer period of time while he was praying. Then eventually he died.[11] His remains were cremated on the Assumption of Mary (August, 15)."
Kolbe's life was strongly influenced by a childhood vision of the Virgin Mary that he later described:
What a powerful man of prayer that through all of that torture, agony and pain he praised God and lead others toward him!
So im going to leave you with that.... please dont feel like I am being mean about the person who is always negative. Thats just whats going on right now, and I am taking it as an opportunity to teach through it.
Thanks! Comment and Vote! :) 2 days left!
God Bless,
Ashley
Saint Maxamillion Kolbe :)
Alright so diving right in here...
We all have our negative moments correct?? Those days where things dont seem to be going our way and everything is just plain horrible right? Im with ya on that one! Man I definately have those days and everyone does.
But there is a point where its excess.....
I have a person who is now constantly texting me about how bad her life is and always being negative. Always having to pull me into things and she is always complaining to me. Nothing can ever be good or good enough. It has been driving me nuts! I cant figure out what to say anymore to her so sometimes I just dont respond. I mean this is constant and its like the world is out to get her by the way she is acting and telling me these things. Now dont get me wrong I do love helping people.. but man this is stretching it!
I understand that life gets hard and tough but petty things week after week? I am not trying to be mean at all I just really need to vent because this really sucks and im frusturated..
Life can be crazy, hectic and stressful, but in times like that (even though its tough) PRAISE GOD! Cry out to him! Be with him! While typing this I am reminded of a Saint that my youth minister Kym was telling me about and I am absolutely in awe of this man! This is Saint Maximillian Kolbe :)
Here is his story.......
"During the Second World War he provided shelter to refugees from Greater Poland, including 2,000 Jews whom he hid from Nazi persecution in his friary in Niepokalanów. He was also active as a radio amateur, with Polish call letters SP3RN, vilifying Nazi activities through his reports.
On 17 February 1941 he was arrested by the German Gestapo and imprisoned in the Pawiak prison, and on May 28 he was transferred to Auschwitz as prisoner #16670.
In July 1941 a man from Kolbe's barracks vanished, prompting SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Fritzsch, the deputy camp commander, to pick 10 men from the same barracks to be starved to death in Block 13[9] (notorious for torture), in order to deter further escape attempts[10](the man who had disappeared was later found drowned in the camp latrine). One of the selected men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, lamenting his family, and Kolbe volunteered to take his place.
During the time in the cell he led the men in songs and prayer. After three weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe and three others were still alive. He encouraged others that they would soon be with Mary in heaven. Each time the guards checked on him he was standing or kneeling in the middle of the cell and looking calmly at those who entered, while the others lay moaning and complaining, on the ground around him. He was killed with an injection of carbolic acid. Some who were present at the injection say that he raised his left arm and calmly waited for the injection. But he did not die immediately. He gave it to God and he was able to stay alive for a longer period of time while he was praying. Then eventually he died.[11] His remains were cremated on the Assumption of Mary (August, 15)."
Kolbe's life was strongly influenced by a childhood vision of the Virgin Mary that he later described:
"That night, I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both."[7]
What a powerful man of prayer that through all of that torture, agony and pain he praised God and lead others toward him!
So im going to leave you with that.... please dont feel like I am being mean about the person who is always negative. Thats just whats going on right now, and I am taking it as an opportunity to teach through it.
Thanks! Comment and Vote! :) 2 days left!
God Bless,
Ashley
Saint Maxamillion Kolbe :)
December 7, 2009
High School
Hey all! :)
On my poll on the left side of this box you guys voted! :) Thanks so much please keep it up! :) Record amounts of voting! :) So by only 2 points the topic.....High School, won.
So here we go!
Ok so I can be the first one to tell you that high school has its perks and its definate downfalls. So to give you a clearer picture on my values, I am going to list the perks and the downfalls of high school for me right here for you....
Perks
-Friends
-Education
-Meeting new people
-Clubs
-Music
-Great role models (Teachers)
-New knowledge
-Homecoming!
-Spirit days
Downfalls
-Cheating
-Swearing
-Drugs
-Alchol
-Sex
-Drama
-Cliques(Not too many but they are still there)
-Non Acceptance
So you can clearly see the difference of the two lists huh?!
A common misconception that is put out there is that "high school is the best time of your life!"-----totally incorrect! It definately has not been the best time of my life. And dont get me wrong, I dont HATE high school. I love having the time with my friends and spending time with them etc I LOVE THAT! Its just the fact that I feel that people define their lives by high school. And if you do that, your not going to go any where!
I know im totally preaching to the choir right here!
Ok moving away from that part of it and into something else about High School.
As a high school student we are SUPER STRESSED! Its insane! I really treasure the nights that I can relax, when that rarely happens. We all have so much going on that I feel that we hardly have any time for the important things in life to be completely honest.
Ok guys im gonna be completely honest right here.... this is SOOO tough for me to write! I have no idea what to say, and how to express my opinions! Ahhh im going to try again with this statement and then leave it at that.....
High school has its good and its bad. For me I do not feel accepted by many people. Thats what High school seems to be about is fitting in or making fun of those who dont. This is why high school is so tough for me to write about.
Honest? YES.
Please comment! Feedback would be great! :)
I will put up a new poll as well about what you would like to hear about next. Please vote, you can vote multiple times :)
God Bless,
Ashley
On my poll on the left side of this box you guys voted! :) Thanks so much please keep it up! :) Record amounts of voting! :) So by only 2 points the topic.....High School, won.
So here we go!
Ok so I can be the first one to tell you that high school has its perks and its definate downfalls. So to give you a clearer picture on my values, I am going to list the perks and the downfalls of high school for me right here for you....
Perks
-Friends
-Education
-Meeting new people
-Clubs
-Music
-Great role models (Teachers)
-New knowledge
-Homecoming!
-Spirit days
Downfalls
-Cheating
-Swearing
-Drugs
-Alchol
-Sex
-Drama
-Cliques(Not too many but they are still there)
-Non Acceptance
So you can clearly see the difference of the two lists huh?!
A common misconception that is put out there is that "high school is the best time of your life!"-----totally incorrect! It definately has not been the best time of my life. And dont get me wrong, I dont HATE high school. I love having the time with my friends and spending time with them etc I LOVE THAT! Its just the fact that I feel that people define their lives by high school. And if you do that, your not going to go any where!
I know im totally preaching to the choir right here!
Ok moving away from that part of it and into something else about High School.
As a high school student we are SUPER STRESSED! Its insane! I really treasure the nights that I can relax, when that rarely happens. We all have so much going on that I feel that we hardly have any time for the important things in life to be completely honest.
Ok guys im gonna be completely honest right here.... this is SOOO tough for me to write! I have no idea what to say, and how to express my opinions! Ahhh im going to try again with this statement and then leave it at that.....
High school has its good and its bad. For me I do not feel accepted by many people. Thats what High school seems to be about is fitting in or making fun of those who dont. This is why high school is so tough for me to write about.
Honest? YES.
Please comment! Feedback would be great! :)
I will put up a new poll as well about what you would like to hear about next. Please vote, you can vote multiple times :)
God Bless,
Ashley
December 2, 2009
Wake Up To God's Word! Social Experiment Chapter 1
Hey all! :)
Alrighty like I told you guys a few blogs back that my youth minister Kym, and I are doing a social experiment! We are both reading the same book, and blogging about our assigned chapters on here :) Its a way to see Kym's take on the book, Kym being a Wife, mother, youth minister, catholic! and so much more! And me being a catholic, being a junior in high school and still learning as I go:) You can visit Kym's blog by clicking -----> KYM alright so here we go! :)
Our first book that we will be blogging about is "Wake Up to God's Word" By Mary H. Reaman :)
Chapter 1 (my job! :))) haha)
So far this book is really interesting and cool to depict and figure out! In Chapter 1 the author is talking about the Israelites being slaves under Pharoah, and their journey to freedom. What I thought about while reading that part is how we are all slaves to the devil and to sin. This was something that was surrounding the Israelites, just like how sin, temptation, evil, greed, lust, dishonesty, and jealousy surround us on a daily basis.
"Though the idea of freedom must have sounded promising to the Israelites, they had to know it would cost something of them to gain it." (6) Does that sound like our lives today?? Now when it said cost I thought... what?? But then once I re-read it I realized that its not the cost that we think of in our lives today, but the "cost" of giving our lives to follow the Lord. That is what will lead us out of that sin, slavery and evil, and into that Freedom that we recieve following the Lord. Like it says in the book, Jesus set off on a journey and invited/told others to follow him on that path. The journey being freedom. This journey that the book talks about is not easy! It is helping us to grow, to learn and to live it out. That takes a lot! What stuck out to me in the beginning of this chapter is the fact that they refered to this journey as a "Transformation". Because turning away from that slavery and running to God, is a transformation, of your heart, mind, soul and whole being! :) This freedom may seem out of reach but, when you decide to take that step, it can only get closer!
Next in the chapter the book references a Cherokee Tradition Story of Two Wolves..
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Isnt that so true!?? The evil wolf being the devil and the beautiful wolf being the Lord. :) How relevant is that!
Some Key Points that I read and noticed were:
-Put on the Mind Of Christ
-For a better understanding of the word, dig deeper into scripture
-Ponder Jesus' call for us to be free
-Acknowledge that inside of us we have the capacity for both good and evil.
-When we are free from our selfish desires we move way from our "Ego"
-Become who God wants us to be
-Ger rid of the "Ego"
-Ego is an emotional response, but dont be locked down by it. Dont see yourself as a victium to it, live up to your full potential and overcome it.
-"The blueprint for dysfunction is something that every human carries within" (11)
- In the story of the Israelites the "ego" is represented by Pharoah, and his control over them.
-The "ego" is the "opponent" trying to distract and sabotage us. Also known as Satan, and Lucifer.
-Unleash Christ's consciousness and be truly free!
-Spread that freedom to the WORLD!
-God's word is within us, spread it! :)
-The living water is within our grasp!
All this "ego" is trying to do is to take us away from God and what we should be following and turn us in a different direction.
At the end of the chapter it gives you four things to do...
1. DEFINE and IDENTIFY what exactly your ego is. Sit quietly for 10 mins observe your thoughts as they come to you and do not resist them. Simply watch them. Do this for 10 to 20 mins in the morning and before you go to bed. This helps you determine what your ego is.
2. CONTEMPLATION-- Memorize this line... "Hear, O Israel, The LORD is our God, the Lord alone" Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Recite this line as often as you can. Contemplate and consider how your life journey is like the Israelites under Pharoh's rule.
3. PRAYER-- Pray that God will open you up to hearing his word in all the ways you can see it. Through people, actions, and so many more! :)
4. ACTION OF LOVING KINDNESS-- Look for someone who you think displays Christ's conciousness, Drop them a note or an email letting them know you noticed their compassion.
This first chapter covers a lot! :) I strongly encourage you to follow along with Kym and I! :) This book is giving great tips to show us how to uncover God's word :)
If you have any questions please comment here or email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com :)
Dont forget to look for chapter 2 on Kym's blog coming soon!
Please comment here with that you think!:) Feedback would be amazing! :)
Thanks for reading and God Bless,
Ashley
Alrighty like I told you guys a few blogs back that my youth minister Kym, and I are doing a social experiment! We are both reading the same book, and blogging about our assigned chapters on here :) Its a way to see Kym's take on the book, Kym being a Wife, mother, youth minister, catholic! and so much more! And me being a catholic, being a junior in high school and still learning as I go:) You can visit Kym's blog by clicking -----> KYM alright so here we go! :)
Our first book that we will be blogging about is "Wake Up to God's Word" By Mary H. Reaman :)
Chapter 1 (my job! :))) haha)
So far this book is really interesting and cool to depict and figure out! In Chapter 1 the author is talking about the Israelites being slaves under Pharoah, and their journey to freedom. What I thought about while reading that part is how we are all slaves to the devil and to sin. This was something that was surrounding the Israelites, just like how sin, temptation, evil, greed, lust, dishonesty, and jealousy surround us on a daily basis.
"Though the idea of freedom must have sounded promising to the Israelites, they had to know it would cost something of them to gain it." (6) Does that sound like our lives today?? Now when it said cost I thought... what?? But then once I re-read it I realized that its not the cost that we think of in our lives today, but the "cost" of giving our lives to follow the Lord. That is what will lead us out of that sin, slavery and evil, and into that Freedom that we recieve following the Lord. Like it says in the book, Jesus set off on a journey and invited/told others to follow him on that path. The journey being freedom. This journey that the book talks about is not easy! It is helping us to grow, to learn and to live it out. That takes a lot! What stuck out to me in the beginning of this chapter is the fact that they refered to this journey as a "Transformation". Because turning away from that slavery and running to God, is a transformation, of your heart, mind, soul and whole being! :) This freedom may seem out of reach but, when you decide to take that step, it can only get closer!
Next in the chapter the book references a Cherokee Tradition Story of Two Wolves..
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Isnt that so true!?? The evil wolf being the devil and the beautiful wolf being the Lord. :) How relevant is that!
Some Key Points that I read and noticed were:
-Put on the Mind Of Christ
-For a better understanding of the word, dig deeper into scripture
-Ponder Jesus' call for us to be free
-Acknowledge that inside of us we have the capacity for both good and evil.
-When we are free from our selfish desires we move way from our "Ego"
-Become who God wants us to be
-Ger rid of the "Ego"
-Ego is an emotional response, but dont be locked down by it. Dont see yourself as a victium to it, live up to your full potential and overcome it.
-"The blueprint for dysfunction is something that every human carries within" (11)
- In the story of the Israelites the "ego" is represented by Pharoah, and his control over them.
-The "ego" is the "opponent" trying to distract and sabotage us. Also known as Satan, and Lucifer.
-Unleash Christ's consciousness and be truly free!
-Spread that freedom to the WORLD!
-God's word is within us, spread it! :)
-The living water is within our grasp!
All this "ego" is trying to do is to take us away from God and what we should be following and turn us in a different direction.
At the end of the chapter it gives you four things to do...
1. DEFINE and IDENTIFY what exactly your ego is. Sit quietly for 10 mins observe your thoughts as they come to you and do not resist them. Simply watch them. Do this for 10 to 20 mins in the morning and before you go to bed. This helps you determine what your ego is.
2. CONTEMPLATION-- Memorize this line... "Hear, O Israel, The LORD is our God, the Lord alone" Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Recite this line as often as you can. Contemplate and consider how your life journey is like the Israelites under Pharoh's rule.
3. PRAYER-- Pray that God will open you up to hearing his word in all the ways you can see it. Through people, actions, and so many more! :)
4. ACTION OF LOVING KINDNESS-- Look for someone who you think displays Christ's conciousness, Drop them a note or an email letting them know you noticed their compassion.
This first chapter covers a lot! :) I strongly encourage you to follow along with Kym and I! :) This book is giving great tips to show us how to uncover God's word :)
If you have any questions please comment here or email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com :)
Dont forget to look for chapter 2 on Kym's blog coming soon!
Please comment here with that you think!:) Feedback would be amazing! :)
Thanks for reading and God Bless,
Ashley
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