Being awesome...

Hello, my wonderful friends :) I've been so busy lately and completely out of ideas as to what to write about. As per usual, doubt is my biggest enemy, so pray for me, because I pray for you all the time!! I love being a christian. As C.S. Lewis said:

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

It's like having both a strong ship to get me places, and a bright beacon to show me the way. There are few things in life that are as sure and steadfast as God's church. His law and love never change, they are always there- connected (for sure) but also beautifully independent of one another. If we truly love God, we do as he asks (like when you truly love a person- you do anything for them no matter how hard it might be). But even when we don't, He still loves and forgives us. It's such a simple thing. His laws are so concrete and unchanging... The world tries to convince us of otherwise, of course. The world wants us to view God as a bendy reed that will sway and change with our likes and dislikes. The world wants us to view God as a submissive motherly figure that will come at our command and do exactly as we ask. But that is such a broken view, and we lose so much when we think of Him and treat Him  those ways.

The Father is the perfect way to picture God, because what does the father do? He instructs, he reprimands, he ALWAYS loves, and he ALWAYS protects. He is not someone to be called upon to suit your fancy, and, as head of the household, his station demands a certain amount of fear, and large amount of respect. Fathers are constant, they never change. The way they feel about your outfit today is the same way they'll feel about it tomorrow no matter that Italian Vogue has to say about the subject. The same is true with God. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So often, people view Christianity as being outdated. Like is needs to be modernized or something, but, to me at least, that dosen't make any sense whatsoever. God never changes, so why should His church?

The world will run off and change around and try to keep you interested with all it's pleasures and lies but (and I know I'm not alone in this), I don't want that. You know how when you put an outfit together you ask yourself "Is this OK for what I'm going to?" and before you say something or act you (I hope) ask yourself whether or not it's OK for where you are and who you're with? Know what I mean? The trends of style and conduct change so often in society that you are always left to wonder what's appropriate. Well I'm glad God's not like that. I'm glad that He is totally separate and above the changing times. I'm glad that no matter what, when I give of myself to others- no matter how they receive it- God is totally OK with it. I'm glad that every time I speak in defense of someone who can't defend themselves- even though it might not be very well accepted- God is pleased with it.

Because He never changes, neither does my code of conduct. Something that wasn't OK with God 12,345,678,656,789,234,523 years ago, still isn't OK with me. I love being a Christian, because all my decisions are basically made for me. The world wants us to see that as being a very oppressive frame of mind, but I think it's the kind of thinking that sets us free :) with God doing all the decision-making, I can focus on loving Him, loving my neighbor and being generally awesome. And defiantly I don't see anything oppressive about being awesome.

I hope you guys are having a great summer!! You are all beautiful and you inspire me!! Much love :)

Keep it real,
Emily

P.S.
I'm reading a book by Jane Austen right now called Mansfield Park, and I think it's affecting my writing. I'm sorry if it's a little bit formal for a while, "you write the way you read" I always say!

Where you at?

Hello there :] I graduated this past Sunday and I feel like God (sitting in the driver's seat) is FLOORING IT! Grad parties and bonfires and just plain hanging out... I feel like if I don't go to every party or I skip out on a game of cards, that I'll miss something really important. After a week of "making memories," I realize that, as great as swimming and bike rides and late-night-talks are, MeTime is far more important. I'm going away to college, and when I think about it- I am completely unprepared. I don't mean that I don't have my books or pens or things like that. I mean emotionally and intellectually. I hardly know myself at all!

If I run out of money and I can't eat, will I ask a friend for food or act like everything is OK and end up really sick?

What do I do if I need my Dad to proof-read a paper (my Dad ALWAYS proof reads for me) and he's 400 miles away? Will I break down? Will I get so homesick that I quit school?

When I apply for summer internships in the city, how will I handle living completely on my own?

My biggest fear is (sorry for the cliche) that I'll write a check my butt can't cash. My parents built me tough, and I know I can handle anything with God's help, but I also need to spend more time learning my emotional and intellectual limits, and I think you should too. In the summer, it's easy to make you life a whirlwind of activity. I know how it feels, you just can't keep still! You want to be talking or running around or seeing movies- I get it. But spend a little but of time in prayer, asking God to help you know yourself. You may not feel any different, but He's working in you when you don't know it. Also, ask the Holy Spirit for help in ever decision that you make. Be like putty in His hands and he'll form you into something great :]

Keep it real,

Emily

Here's your cheesy video clip of the day :] I've been in a Hercules mood lately, I think he's my new favorite Disney hero.