Standing up.

 Could you imagine if we, (as in everyone on the earth), gave up and fell onto the floor in hopelessness every single time we were faced with a challenge?

Well, that's basically what we do when we cave into temptation and sin. We decide it would just be easier to give in then to go through the "struggle" of standing up for ourselves.

It takes major courage to be able to look your friends in the eye and say "No."

No, I will not harm my body.

No, I will not ruin God's plan for my life for a moment of pleasure.
No.
No.
No.

*Side note* There is no just "trying" something. You don't get a practice round in life to see if something is worth it or not. Once you do something, it's done. Everything counts. "Trying" something is just an excuse to do something you think you'll never do again in your life. But what happens when you like it? Will you "try it" again? Anyway.. Back to my main point.

 Here's the thing. When you actually stand up for yourself, you SUCCEED.
 I mean, who doesn't like succeeding, am I right?

 You may not succeed in the world's eyes, but hey you aren't here to look good in man's eyes. You're here to shine through & show that you are a Child of God to those who are lost.

 God commands us in Deuteronomy 31:6 to "Be strong and of a good courage..." Therefore, when we aren't courageous, we are sinning. Because we aren't doing what we were commanded to do by God.

Now, what does the word "Courageous" mean exactly?
"Not being deterred by danger or pain."

So basically, it's knowing that when you run across gravel in bare feet, it's going to hurt. But you do it anyway because it will only hurt while you're running. Then when you're done running, you'll stand on the sidewalk looking out on the all the rocks you just came across and the pain you endured, and you'll feel accomplished. I promise.

With Love,
Maggie Ann.

 

My thoughts..

 My ideal society would be one that doesn't judge someone on their size, shape, or sense of style.

 A society that acted based on what God thinks, as opposed to what other people think.

 A place where hopeless romantics become hopeful romantics, willing to wait on the one that God has planned for them.  

 Where all girls see the natural beauty in themselves and don't seek other ways to "enhance" their bodies.

 A society where the word "Love" isn't thrown around based on current emotion, but rather only used when it's truly felt.

 A place where fellow Christians don't quarrel and cause division among one another over material things that won't matter.

 

    Just sharing some thoughts I have written in my journal. 

With love,

Maggie Ann.

  

 

Selfish Anger.

 You know that feeling you get, when you hear someone say something unkind about someone you love and you literally feel like you could explode with anger?

 It's not wrong to have that feeling. You are human, and you simply want to defend the people you care about. The sinning happens when you act on that feeling.

 James 1:19-20 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

 Ephesians 4:26 "Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath."

 That rush of anger you feel at first will not help any situation you are in. It's something called "selfish anger", because when you respond with that anger it's simply to get the satisfaction of knowing you "told that person off". You aren't really thinking about others and how it could make matters worse.

 When that feeling comes, count to 10. Pray. Then handle it in such a way that your light will still shine bright.

With Love,
Maggie Ann.

Speaking Your Mind.

 People these days, mainly teenagers, tend to think that the quality of "speaking your mind" is something good. Basically it's not caring about what you say, how you say it, or how it could affect and/or hurt someone.

 Colossians 3:17A says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..."

 Therefore, if you are a Christian, everything you say or do needs to be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus...". We are here on this earth as a representation of Christ, to be a light and shine to others so that they may see Him through us.

 Saying things without caring if it could hurt someone, or offend them is rude, and disrespectful to be quite frank. If you are a Christian, first impressions are everything. If I'm out in public somewhere, meeting someone for the first time, and the first thing I hear them say is something rude, or cutting down towards another person, I can tell you that the first thing that pops into my mind will certainly not be "Oh, they must be a Christian!". Get the picture?

 Think before you speak. Pray before you speak. Honor God in everything you say and do.

 With Love,
 Maggie Ann