Peppermint Tea Ponderings

At the moment, I am currently drinking a hot glass of peppermint tea (which my sweet roommate made me). I'm not a typical "tea drinker", but I am fond of this particular kind of tea. I have contracted a cold, which makes homework a big drag, and a nice cup of tea a pleasure. I just got finished watching the movie "Runaway Bride". I related to the character of Maggie. Maggie tried to be "the one" to many men, but in the end she realized that she didn't know who she was. She had dreams and aspirations that she had never acted on. In the end, she finds out "who she is" (as much as that sounds cliche). I find myself acting like everyone else at times. Trying to be what others want me to be, instead of what God has created me to be. God has given each of us unique talents, gifts, abilities, and strengths.
1 Corinthians 12:14-19 says:
"For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say,"Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, " that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body."
Just realizing that God has given us each different-unique talents is a blessing. We all can't be opera singers or Heisman trophy winners, but we can be the person that God has created us to be....and we can glorify Him with the gifts that He has blessed us with!

Peace,
Lisha

Choosing the Right Path

A little bit over a month ago, I heard a sermon on the narrow way. Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." The picture above is supposed to be a reminder of that truth. The person above is at a crossroads. They can choose the easy and wide road (which is symbolized by the concrete path) or they can choose to take the narrow road (which is symbolized by the leafy path). The narrow road is not easy, but it is so worth it! Luke 9:23 says, "And He (Jesus) was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." This is tough. I am so consumed in selfishness that this verse is hard to live out. It's a daily thing. Every day we must get our eyes focused on Christ. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this lost world. We are called to share the Good News of what Jesus has done for us. This is an amazing privilege, and so many times I see it as a task or duty, instead of a blessing. So my question for you is this: Which path are you on? If you're on the broad path, get off of it. It leads to destruction and death. Get on the narrow path. It leads to life.

~Lisha

I am a Victor not a Victim!

God has been convicting me recently of how I look at myself as a victim instead of a victor. When I see myself through the eyes of a victim, I see all the negative things about me and my life. I focus on the negatives, and form the "woe is me" attitude. Yes, of course there are hard days in my life, but that does not mean I should just give-in to this attitude.

So instead of a victim attitude, what type of attitude am I supposed to have?

I should be having a "victor" attitude. I am a victor through Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth, died on the cross for my and your sins, rose again the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of God! Because I have chosen to believe these things, and because I have asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of my life, I am a victor through Him! I can have peace knowing that my Redeemer lives inside me and will carry me through the tough times. He is my light in this dark world!

Hope this brings you encouragement today! Love you all!

-Alicia