grow up.

This week is just not working out for me too well.
Not only do I have 4 exams tomorrow (all my classes), but I've been talking a friend through some personal issues and realizing that other "friends" have some other issues - they've gotten real good at being hypocrites.

But then I guess it's not just them is it? It's people in general. I can understand non-Christians being hypocrites though. I mean at least they're not supposed to be living for God and following Christ's example. The rest of us, though? We should be ashamed.
Yes, we. I include myself in that. Although I don't consider myself a hypocrite often (I try to be real with everyone) I screw up too. I've talked behind people's backs. I've said the wrong thing, done the wrong thing, thought the wrong thing. Who hasn't?

I'm sick of it though. I'm sick of people thinking they're so much better than everyone else. If you're sitting there thinking you are then shame on you. You might be doing your best and good for you if you are, but you're not perfect. And if you're so great then go do something for the world.

Seriously, people, can you just get over yourselves? You have just as many issues as the people you're tearing down. If you're planning on talking about someone, take it to them personally. Don't talk about them like they're not gonna find out, because they probably will. Word spreads. And those people you're talking about everyone with? What makes you think they're not doing the same thing to you. If they'll do it with you chances are they'll do it to you. So stop talking about people like a bunch of 4th graders and bring it to each other personally like adults. Stop tearing each other down like bullies and build each other up like Christians are supposed to.

what this week is about

"Be still and know that I am God."

Be still.

How hard is that? It's so hard for me to be still in a world that says there's no time to stop. I'm sure I'm not alone! I think the only time I'm still is when I'm sleeping. But even as I lie in bed I'm not still. Until the last minute I'm awake thoughts are running through my mind.

But what exactly does "still" mean anyway? I looked it up actually. It means: remaining in place or at rest; motionless; stationary. Can a person actually truely be still? I mean we're always thinking, always breathing, always moving. But I think God is saying, "dwell on me. Turn your thoughts to me. Turn your heart to me." He doesn't want us to completely stop in the true sense of the word. He wants us to stop everything that keeps us busy, that distracts us. He wants all of us, not just the small part of our brain that can concentrate on Him.

So this week is about being still for me. It's about walking in the fall air and breathing in the peace He gives, even if I'm hurrying to class. It's about turning off One Tree Hill for an hour and reading God's Word.

And it's about knowing that He's God. Knowing He never changes, that He is in control, that He will never leave. Knowing that He is huge, He created the universe, and He holds it all in His hand. And knowing that He is my father and He loves me more than I'll ever know.

It's about being still and knowing He is God.

let's do this philly

I've been changed by many things. God mostly, but there have been circumstances and people who have changed me, too. The most obvious right now is Matt.

Only two or three years ago I didn't care one bit about sports. Baseball was boring and I thought the Phillies sucked anyway so why even bother. Then I met Matt. Matt has more of a passion for Philadelphia sports than anyone I've ever met. I guess passions kinda flow over because he got me excited. I've been watching sports and enjoying them!

Right now it's the Phillies. We're so close to winning a world series. A WORLD SERIES!!! Do you know how exciting that is? Especially for Philly, who hasn't seen a championship in way too many years.

But we're gonna win this one. I have no doubt in my mind that the Phils will take the title of world champions this year...and I'm not missin that parade in Philly for anything!

Watch out Tampa! Philly's dangerous and you're certainly not on our good side!