Friday, September 30, 2011
180: What Changed Their Minds... in Seconds?
Dreadful Checklist
Hi everyone, I want to share a note from a friend on Facebook for those of you who lack Facebook accounts! This note holds much wisdom!
I am unable to sleep tonight. I wish I was able to pin point exactly what is keeping me up. Gosh, it could be a number of things.....was it something that happened to me today? Maybe something I ate? Did I intentionally hurt the feelings of someone? Did I forget to fill up my car with gas? Hmmmm, maybe it was the story I read in the paper; about the father who threw his son overboard and justified it with “I was horse-playing!” It could very well be the fact that I have to wake up early in the morning to run, a list full of errands, that I really do not want to do. Or maybe the planning of my sister’s wedding is somewhat overwhelming and stressful. Maybe I have been too busy. Ok lets quickly run through the checklist…
Have I been taking time off in my day to pray? Well yes, of course. More than 5 times a day, at least. Ok phew. Check. That cannot be the problem.
Have I been reading Gods’ Word? Yes. Twenty chapters a day. Check check. Ok good, then that shouldn’t be the problem.
Have I been attending church regularly? Hmmm, well when I am able to, I try to make it. But I listen to sermons online , so that balances my church attendance out…right? Yes. Ok, Check.
Do I give my share of the tithes and offerings? I sure do, I make sure I give the biggest bill I have in my wallet. Hmmm, well on the days I bring my wallet to church… but yeah, I am going to give myself a Check.
Do I love my neighbors? Yes I do… very much so actually. Alrighty, Check Check Check.
I am obedient. I try respecting my parents as best as I can. I fast at least once a week…sometimes more. I keep the Sabbath holy(haven’t worked a Sunday in months now). I surround myself with good Christ-loving friends, whom encourage me. I care about the poor and needy, they are always in my prayers.
Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check.
Yep. Spiritual life is looking like it is in place. So why do I feel so empty? I live a good Christian life. I stay away from sin, actually as a matter of fact, I flee from it (2 timothy 2:22). Wow, do you see that? I just quoted Scripture. So what could be wrong??? Why is my heart heavy?
______________________________________________________________________
When did my walk with God become a mere checklist? When did my self-righteousness turn me into this hypocrite? Where did I being to comprehend the mercy and love of my God on the basis of my actions? Why have I become just like the Pharisee’s?
Maybe I do not place heavy burdens on the people. Nor do I seek the best seats in the synagogues. I have no intention of devouring widows’ houses. But I have something in common with them. I have heavily relied on a religious system that consists of traditions, special prayers and checklists.
Is that all my walk with God has become? Is that why I strive to be different then the world? Why my morals and standards are rather high? Is it merely the fact that I have this empty hole in my heart which is in need of being filled with a, self-created, self-assuring, thought; that something greater than I exists? So I keep filling my planner with works that ‘might’ make me good enough to enter the throne gates of Heaven? In all honesty, who is keeping track of my list along with me? Whom am I comparing my list of “deeds” to?
This is the shameful moment where I wish, truly, that I had forgotten to fill up my car. Sometimes when God humbles us… He really humbles us.
Forgive me Jesus!!! For You have been patient, awaiting for me to realize a valuable lesson. This relationship of Sinner and Savior has nothing to do with how good I can become. Nor does it have anything to do with how bad I am. I will never reach total perfection here on earth. I will sin and fall short of the glory of God day in, and day out. But regardless of how hard I strive and what I achieve, He is going to see a sinner whom is in desperate need of love. I am throwing away my religious system for something far better. A relationship with a God, who loves me! And it is HIS love… that compels me do the things I do.
I ask for you, my dearly beloved friend, to throw away your religion.
Blessings.
Liliya Petrovna Sidorchuk
http://indianfusion.aglasem.com/?attachment_id=12489
I am unable to sleep tonight. I wish I was able to pin point exactly what is keeping me up. Gosh, it could be a number of things.....was it something that happened to me today? Maybe something I ate? Did I intentionally hurt the feelings of someone? Did I forget to fill up my car with gas? Hmmmm, maybe it was the story I read in the paper; about the father who threw his son overboard and justified it with “I was horse-playing!” It could very well be the fact that I have to wake up early in the morning to run, a list full of errands, that I really do not want to do. Or maybe the planning of my sister’s wedding is somewhat overwhelming and stressful. Maybe I have been too busy. Ok lets quickly run through the checklist…
Have I been taking time off in my day to pray? Well yes, of course. More than 5 times a day, at least. Ok phew. Check. That cannot be the problem.
Have I been reading Gods’ Word? Yes. Twenty chapters a day. Check check. Ok good, then that shouldn’t be the problem.
Have I been attending church regularly? Hmmm, well when I am able to, I try to make it. But I listen to sermons online , so that balances my church attendance out…right? Yes. Ok, Check.
Do I give my share of the tithes and offerings? I sure do, I make sure I give the biggest bill I have in my wallet. Hmmm, well on the days I bring my wallet to church… but yeah, I am going to give myself a Check.
Do I love my neighbors? Yes I do… very much so actually. Alrighty, Check Check Check.
I am obedient. I try respecting my parents as best as I can. I fast at least once a week…sometimes more. I keep the Sabbath holy(haven’t worked a Sunday in months now). I surround myself with good Christ-loving friends, whom encourage me. I care about the poor and needy, they are always in my prayers.
Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check.
Yep. Spiritual life is looking like it is in place. So why do I feel so empty? I live a good Christian life. I stay away from sin, actually as a matter of fact, I flee from it (2 timothy 2:22). Wow, do you see that? I just quoted Scripture. So what could be wrong??? Why is my heart heavy?
______________________________________________________________________
When did my walk with God become a mere checklist? When did my self-righteousness turn me into this hypocrite? Where did I being to comprehend the mercy and love of my God on the basis of my actions? Why have I become just like the Pharisee’s?
Maybe I do not place heavy burdens on the people. Nor do I seek the best seats in the synagogues. I have no intention of devouring widows’ houses. But I have something in common with them. I have heavily relied on a religious system that consists of traditions, special prayers and checklists.
Is that all my walk with God has become? Is that why I strive to be different then the world? Why my morals and standards are rather high? Is it merely the fact that I have this empty hole in my heart which is in need of being filled with a, self-created, self-assuring, thought; that something greater than I exists? So I keep filling my planner with works that ‘might’ make me good enough to enter the throne gates of Heaven? In all honesty, who is keeping track of my list along with me? Whom am I comparing my list of “deeds” to?
This is the shameful moment where I wish, truly, that I had forgotten to fill up my car. Sometimes when God humbles us… He really humbles us.
Forgive me Jesus!!! For You have been patient, awaiting for me to realize a valuable lesson. This relationship of Sinner and Savior has nothing to do with how good I can become. Nor does it have anything to do with how bad I am. I will never reach total perfection here on earth. I will sin and fall short of the glory of God day in, and day out. But regardless of how hard I strive and what I achieve, He is going to see a sinner whom is in desperate need of love. I am throwing away my religious system for something far better. A relationship with a God, who loves me! And it is HIS love… that compels me do the things I do.
I ask for you, my dearly beloved friend, to throw away your religion.
Blessings.
Liliya Petrovna Sidorchuk
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip
Yesterday I made this for Coffee House and I was shocked to see how quickly it disappeared! I really should not have been shocked, because chicken wing dip always rocks... Here is the recipe!
As easy as 1, 2,3!
I used this website: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Wing-Dip/Detail.aspx
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot®)
- 1 cup Ranch-style salad dressing
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese and hot pepper sauce until well blended. Mix in the Ranch dressing, chicken and Cheddar cheese. Spread into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. If oil collects on the top, dab it off using a paper towel. Serve with tortilla chips.
I used this website: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Wing-Dip/Detail.aspx
If My People..
"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and
pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from
heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14
Photography props given all to Nelli Konavalchuk!
You may already know that this month as a youth we are focusing on prayer. I have been very blessed to hear amazing sermons about prayer so far in youth service! So what have you learned about prayer? What does prayer mean to you? How have you been effected by prayer? I'd like you for you to leave a comment about prayer, if you are willing! :)
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Life Continues
Hello friends! I need a break from my books, therefore I shall share the details of my life. Hence, the title of my blog: A Blog About Life :)
My books... So much fun. I actually love Bio lecture! My professor is really cool! And I get to spend an entire fifty minutes sitting next to Dasha and Mike. I'm looking forward to the Nursing Program with Dasha, we work together really well, with minimal distractions (usually I distract her somehow, but only once in a while). We are kinda nerds.
Here is Lesya and the "hot" picture. We sang a song on Friday at church and Lesya did a great job on piano, she's so talented!
I started this morning doing the hair of four wonderful ladies! It was a practice for the wedding coming up in November. These girls were wonderful :) Even though we ran about 20 minutes late from what I planned, they were so sweet! It was just fun to talk to them and be together for a few hours!
Here is Lera :)
Irina Y :) I LOVE the lighting of this picture! It accentuates her beauty.
Irina K! (in the corner, LOL)
Here is the back-- Elegant yet flirty!
It has been a good past few days!
Thanks for reading!
Here is Lesya and the "hot" picture. We sang a song on Friday at church and Lesya did a great job on piano, she's so talented!
It has been a good past few days!
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Untitled
I'm one week in... I've been waiting for college for what felt like decades. High school had a tendency to drag... things were slow, trust was limited, taking responsibility was rare, laziness abounded! But through those years I learned more about myself, my world and my God! I'm so thankful for the hard times, because without going through them, I'd be a different person today. I'm thankful for the teachers who cared, for the friends who were there every morning, and for the people and organizations who funded my scholarships! If I could rememeber one thing about high school it would be that you had two choices- to flow with the river, or swim against the stream. There is no in the middle... It's the same everywhere. Stand and be couragous for our Savior, or... not.
(I'm not really sure where this post is leading, I meant to discuss my college experience thus far, but I'll save that for later.)
So I'll leave on a note of encouragement: Stand! Be couragous; for the One who is in us is greater than he who is in this world! Nothing is impossible with God! Stay in Him, continue praying, and never forget to listen for the trumpet blast that will soon resound to call us home!
(I'm not really sure where this post is leading, I meant to discuss my college experience thus far, but I'll save that for later.)
So I'll leave on a note of encouragement: Stand! Be couragous; for the One who is in us is greater than he who is in this world! Nothing is impossible with God! Stay in Him, continue praying, and never forget to listen for the trumpet blast that will soon resound to call us home!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Life
I would like to share a personal diary entry with you, I believe I wrote it last year.
I drew a little speck (*) (I'm a visual person if you don't know) on the left of the entry; the top of the page says "birth" and on the bottom is "death", the speck is towards the top, but quickly falling down, signifying my and your short life.
birth
.
.
.
. I'm this tiny speck falling from the sky...
. What will I do with my short time here?
.* Use my energy to make who happy?
.
. 1.) You?
. 2.) Me?
. 3.) Others?
.
.
.
. give me wisdom.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
death
I drew a little speck (*) (I'm a visual person if you don't know) on the left of the entry; the top of the page says "birth" and on the bottom is "death", the speck is towards the top, but quickly falling down, signifying my and your short life.
birth
.
.
.
. I'm this tiny speck falling from the sky...
. What will I do with my short time here?
.* Use my energy to make who happy?
.
. 1.) You?
. 2.) Me?
. 3.) Others?
.
.
.
. give me wisdom.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
death
Lord Make Us Courageous
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged."
1 Chronicles 22:13
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Song for the Day
Hi there! I'm not going to get into how amazing my day has been, but it has been blessed because at every turn of this day I see God leading me! He is so good!
Have you ever listened to a song and sang along, not putting two cents into what you really are singing? Oy well I'll confess that I've done that more times than I can count. So today, I really listened to a song. Please read the words and let God talk to you through them:
Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me
Cause I'll never get by, living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that You want me
So I'll stand on Your truth and I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me.
To reach out with Your hands,
To look with Your eyes
To love with a love of a Savior
To feel with Your heart and to think with Your mind
(Hey you! Go back read it for real.)
The part that hits me is "How refreshing to know You don't need me, how amazing to find that You want me." What a courageous statement! It's the truth! As humans we tend to lean upon our own nature, thinking the world revolves around us. Or is that just me? But wait, God doesn't need me, I'm nothing compared to Him (literally). Now hit the breaks... He wants me anyway. It's so simple yet complicated, mere words cannot provide an explanation worthy enough. Dwell on this!
Update: I started college! My blog post numbers may seem to dwindle, but trust me, every day I have something to say, a new idea, a fresh revelation. Therefore, I am writing it all down so when I'm ready I could expand and make a post for that specific topic. In other words, I'm planning posts for the future on account of school delaying me a tad! God Bless :)
Have you ever listened to a song and sang along, not putting two cents into what you really are singing? Oy well I'll confess that I've done that more times than I can count. So today, I really listened to a song. Please read the words and let God talk to you through them:
Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me
Cause I'll never get by, living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that You want me
So I'll stand on Your truth and I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me.
To reach out with Your hands,
To look with Your eyes
To love with a love of a Savior
To feel with Your heart and to think with Your mind
(Hey you! Go back read it for real.)
The part that hits me is "How refreshing to know You don't need me, how amazing to find that You want me." What a courageous statement! It's the truth! As humans we tend to lean upon our own nature, thinking the world revolves around us. Or is that just me? But wait, God doesn't need me, I'm nothing compared to Him (literally). Now hit the breaks... He wants me anyway. It's so simple yet complicated, mere words cannot provide an explanation worthy enough. Dwell on this!
Update: I started college! My blog post numbers may seem to dwindle, but trust me, every day I have something to say, a new idea, a fresh revelation. Therefore, I am writing it all down so when I'm ready I could expand and make a post for that specific topic. In other words, I'm planning posts for the future on account of school delaying me a tad! God Bless :)
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