Shannon's Journal

This is Shannon's journal. I will use this to write down what's happening in my life, or what random thoughts I want to write down at a particular moment. The writing isn't fancy, the grammar isn't proper. Kinda like me. :)

Friday, May 2, 2008

Ramblings, Things the World Won't Tell You

Things that this world doesn’t tell you.

Words of the day: DESPITE and BECAUSE I will succeed despite the obstacles. I will fulfill my responsibilities despite the fact that I feel like crap. I will move on despite what holds me back. I will be kind despite how badly I've been treated. I will be positive, despite the negative. I will be proud of myself despite the bad things I've done. I will fulfill my purpose in life despite the trials placed before me.
I will succeed because I can. I will fulfill my responsibilities because I should. I will move on because I must. I will be kind because it's healing to others and myself. I will be positive because every day of life is a gift from God. I will be proud of myself because I'm doing things to be proud of. I will fulfill my purpose in life because it will honor God (and will give a big ol' rasberry to all the trials that have been set before me).

Word of the day: Self Esteem

Self Esteem is not something everyone should have. JOY esteem is something everyone should have, in that order. Jesus esteem, Others esteem, Yourself esteem. We are valuable because God loves us all. But we shouldn’t sit here and esteem ourselves above all else. God esteems you enough for the both of you—you should concentrate on loving God and others. Once you’ve done that, you will “feel” self worth. We don’t HAVE to work to gain God’s love, but we will do good BECAUSE we love him, if we are focusing on him and others, not on ourselves. It’s all quite a circular argument, but it WORKS—for our own peace and joy, and for God’s glory.

Happiness:
Happiness is not important or achievable. Contentedness, peace and joy, despite our circumstances is fully achievable. But we must learn it. We must have our soul immersed in God’s Word, and communication with God to move towards it.

Phil 4:4-13 are the most powerful words in the Bible in my life. WOW!!! WOW!!!
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 4:7 The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. 4:9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 4:10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 4:12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.