I wrote this little poem thing tonight. I got the inspiration from being at a basketball game the other night. Every few words I heard were swear words. I was so sick of it... I'm sick of just standing there, pretending I don't hear them, too scared to stand up to the upper classmen. I'm so sick of it.... And then those dirty jokes.... don't even get me started on that. I'm not saying that I don't laugh at them, because I often do, but I'm ready to do something about it. I don't know what yet, but I'm praying. So I wrote this poem to kind of express my thoughts. I hope it makes you think :D.
Chain Reaction
Why do you use those foul words? Who else do you need to impress?
Do they make you look "cool"? Do you need them to "fit in"?
What type of people are you trying to attract?
Or is it just habit, to swear at someone and make them feel degraded?
These words... do you even know what they mean?
It what way are they making your life better? Can't you see? Don't you realize?
You already are special in my eyes. There is no need to impress. No need to act like someone else.
Just be who you are, and I'll love you the same.
Those dirty jokes that "everyone" laughs at.
What makes them so funny?
What would happen if you decided not to laugh at the class "nerd" for once?
Would people stare? Or maybe laugh at you?
Well maybe, possibly.
Or would your rebellion stir a thought in their brain?
Maybe they would agree with you.
"Those jokes really aren't funny at all," is what they would think
And then suddenly the rebellion of 1, is a rebellion of 2
And then
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 people are standing be your side!!
All that, just because you didn't laugh at a joke.
What if you suddenly stopped using those swear words?
Could it work the same?
Would people's eyes finally come out of the fog of lies that say,
"These words will make you more popular, cooler, more "fly", you'll have more "fun" if you say them...."
So there you go again.
Those foul words stop coming out of your lips.
They are no longer in your mind.
And then suddenly the rebellion of 10, is a rebellion of 11
And then
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 people are at your side!!
Do you think the same rebellion would work with the World?
Lets say those 20 people each go into the world.
They rebel; go against the norm.
They do their best to live their lives for God, and for God alone.
They are so on fire for God, that you know just by looking at them that they love Jesus.
And let's say people start noticing they're different, and they want to be apart of this "difference" that they have
And suddenly the rebellion of 20, becomes a rebellion of 30
And then
40
50
60
70
80
90
100 people are by their sides
I call this the "Chain Reaction"
All it takes is one. One person to give a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement. One person to not laugh at the "unpopular kid". One person to stop swearing.
All it takes is one person to go against the norm, and then others will follow.
This is the Chain Reaction.
All it takes is one.
Will you be that one?
- Mallory
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Job 34-35
This is a very short post. I read Job 34-35 this morning. Basically Job is saying that he is right, and that God is wrong and unjust.... can u picture saying that you are right, over God? I do this all the time. Reading this passage kind of made me think, "Arguing with God? What was I thinking?" I tend to think that my plans are better than God's plans, but that is because I can't see the whole picture.
This is just a part of Job's conversation with Elihu (his friend).
Elihu says:
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?
Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
Far be it from God to do evil,
from the Almighty to do wrong. 11 He repays everyone for what they have done;
he brings on them what their conduct deserves. 12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
that the Almighty would pervert justice.
- Mallory
This is just a part of Job's conversation with Elihu (his friend).
Elihu says:
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?
Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
Far be it from God to do evil,
from the Almighty to do wrong. 11 He repays everyone for what they have done;
he brings on them what their conduct deserves. 12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
that the Almighty would pervert justice.
This is reminding us that God is just, and we can't say that we are right, and God is wrong. Think about how foolish that is... I know I do this quite often, and I find it quite embarrassing to think about. It is kind of like arguing with a doctor on the best way to perform a surgery, when you are a plumber. They have more knowledge than you by far on how to perform a surgery. And if we were to argue with God, we would be arguing with a sinless, perfect, incredible, indescribable, almighty God of the universe. I bet you could just picture how that would turn out...;)
I don't know if any of this makes sense, but I hope it does ;). I'm just kind of rambling here ;).
That pretty much sums up my thoughts for the moment...
- Mallory
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Two Towers
So this is a little story that I wrote today. Enjoy!
I was outside exploring my backyard one day, when I saw a path start to appear out of no where. It formed gradually, as if by magic. I became curious and followed this path of stone. It led me into a mist of fog. I turned around for a moment to look back, but the fog made it impossible to see anything behind me. So, I kept walking. I walked for a while, and came to a place where the path split in two. One path was a radiant white, the other a wicked black. There was a sign next to each path. The sign next to the radiant white path read "To see things that are pleasing in the eyes of the King, you must follow this path and the doorbell you must ring." The sign next to the other read "To see things pleasing to the one of the night, you must follow this path, not the path of light."
So, I decided to follow the path of radiant light first. As a walked, I saw a bunch of my good Christian friends outside. They were talking and playing and having a wonderful time. "Hello!" they all said in unison. "Welcome to the Tower of all things good!" "Thank you", I said. "And just how do I get in?" I asked. They all pointed me to a large door at the front of a huge, majestic tower. I noticed that it had my name written on it, as if the tower belonged to me. I slowly walked up to it, and rang the doorbell. The door opened, and I stepped inside. The door shut slowly behind me.
The inside of the tower is indescribable! The floors were made of white marble. The walls were polished beautifully. I walked into the center of the giant room. There were many doors, all with different names. I decided to look in the room titled "Friends" first. I walked up to the door, and it opened without me even touching it. I was a little startled, but entered the room anyway. Inside were all of my good friends that I've ever made. There were my youth group friends, my school friends, and my very closest friends. They all came up to me and hugged me, and told me how happy they were that I was here. Some of these friends I hadn't seen in a long time. I talked with each one of them, asking how things were going, and why they were here. They said "We are here because we were the friends you had a good impact on. Next door are your friends that worship the King."
So, I went next door and had a great time visiting all my Christian friends. The door after that read "People you shared with about the King". I did not want to open this door, for I knew the number was small. I started to walk away, but the door opened by itself again, almost as if telling me I "had" to go inside. I decided not to skip another door again. I entered the room, and saw a very small group of people that I had shared with throughout the years. They were all reading their Bible, and discussing it with each other. I didn't want to disturb them, so I quietly left the room. The door shut behind me. I sat down in front of the door and began to cry a little, for the number of people in that room wasn't enough. I'm not going to tell you how many people were actually in there, because it is irrelevant to you. While I was sitting, another door opened. It was titled "compliments." I opened the door and I suddenly began to hear voices, but I never saw anyone. The voices were repeating good things that friends have said about me. I immediately dried my tears, and felt happy once again. I left the room and eventually visited all the other rooms.
After I was finished, I saw a long staircase. I decided to see where it led. I walked up and up the stairs. As I walked, I noticed pictures on the wall. Some were of me, some of my family, and some of my friends. There were pictures I drew on the walls, stories I've written, assignments I've done. This is crazy, I thought to myself. I eventually got to the top of the stairs, and came to many more doors. These doors were different, however. Their titles were blank. I walked up to each door and tried to open it, but they all were locked. I then saw a sign that read "These are the doors of things yet to come. No one but the King may open them."
Realizing that I had explored the whole tower, I went downstairs again. I opened the big door, and went back outside. My friends were still there, having a great time. They watched me closely as I walked to the place where the paths split. The sign next to the wicked black path read "To see things pleasing to the one of the night, you must follow this path, not the path of light." Curiosity came over me again, and I followed the path to the wicked black tower. When I came to the front of the tower, I saw that my friends were no longer there, like they were at the other tower. The weather here was stormy and gloomy. There was no sunlight. I ran to the front door, hoping to get out of the rain. I knocked, it opened, and I hurried inside. The inside of this tower was pitch black. I couldn't see a thing. I then remembered that I had my cell phone with me, and used it as a light to see where I was going. The first door read "People I have Made Fun Of." I walked inside a saw a bunch of people, crying and angry. The very sad thing was that even my closest friends and family were in there, crying because of things I have said to them. This room was too much, so I quickly left. The next room was titled "Gossip." I entered the room. It was empty except for the sound of my voice, talking horribly about other people, even people I loved! I moved on to the other rooms. They were titled "Lies", "Hatred", "Lust", "Jealousy", "Unclean Thoughts".
I was tired of seeing all the bad things I've done, so I ran up the staircase. I ran and ran and ran, until I got to the top. Again, all of the doors were untitled and locked. The sign read "These are the doors of things yet to come. No one but the King may open them." I checked the doors once again, but noticed this time that there was one with a title. It read "Sin." I checked the door and it was unlocked. I went inside. There was a huge calendar on the wall. It looked like it covered my whole life. Marked on the calendar, was each time I ever denied God, didn't stand up for Him, didn't listen to what he said, and disobeyed His laws, or any other sin I had committed. It was so horrifying. I can't even describe to you the feeling it gave me. I sat down and just cried out to God. "Lord, if it is your will, take all this away from me. I've seen enough. I understand now what your trying to tell me."
And at those words, everything around me began to crumble. I sat there, praying to God, asking for forgiveness. As the tower walls came down, and the staircase crumbled, nothing touched me. Not even a spec of dust. After the tower was destroyed, I finally looked up, and saw a man. He was glowing, and holding the calendar from the room of "Sin." He was crossing out every sin that I had ever committed with His blood. I watched Him, unable to take my eyes off what was happening. He finally crossed off the last sin. He walked over to me and said, "Come, child. It is finished. You have seen enough." Just when I was going to try to say thank you for what he did for me, he vanished, just as quickly as he had come. So I just said a simple prayer, not knowing what else to say. "Thank you, Lord." And at that I was back in my backyard as before, but I was back as a whole new person.
Luke 7:48
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 3:28
Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter,
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
- Mallory
I was outside exploring my backyard one day, when I saw a path start to appear out of no where. It formed gradually, as if by magic. I became curious and followed this path of stone. It led me into a mist of fog. I turned around for a moment to look back, but the fog made it impossible to see anything behind me. So, I kept walking. I walked for a while, and came to a place where the path split in two. One path was a radiant white, the other a wicked black. There was a sign next to each path. The sign next to the radiant white path read "To see things that are pleasing in the eyes of the King, you must follow this path and the doorbell you must ring." The sign next to the other read "To see things pleasing to the one of the night, you must follow this path, not the path of light."
So, I decided to follow the path of radiant light first. As a walked, I saw a bunch of my good Christian friends outside. They were talking and playing and having a wonderful time. "Hello!" they all said in unison. "Welcome to the Tower of all things good!" "Thank you", I said. "And just how do I get in?" I asked. They all pointed me to a large door at the front of a huge, majestic tower. I noticed that it had my name written on it, as if the tower belonged to me. I slowly walked up to it, and rang the doorbell. The door opened, and I stepped inside. The door shut slowly behind me.
The inside of the tower is indescribable! The floors were made of white marble. The walls were polished beautifully. I walked into the center of the giant room. There were many doors, all with different names. I decided to look in the room titled "Friends" first. I walked up to the door, and it opened without me even touching it. I was a little startled, but entered the room anyway. Inside were all of my good friends that I've ever made. There were my youth group friends, my school friends, and my very closest friends. They all came up to me and hugged me, and told me how happy they were that I was here. Some of these friends I hadn't seen in a long time. I talked with each one of them, asking how things were going, and why they were here. They said "We are here because we were the friends you had a good impact on. Next door are your friends that worship the King."
So, I went next door and had a great time visiting all my Christian friends. The door after that read "People you shared with about the King". I did not want to open this door, for I knew the number was small. I started to walk away, but the door opened by itself again, almost as if telling me I "had" to go inside. I decided not to skip another door again. I entered the room, and saw a very small group of people that I had shared with throughout the years. They were all reading their Bible, and discussing it with each other. I didn't want to disturb them, so I quietly left the room. The door shut behind me. I sat down in front of the door and began to cry a little, for the number of people in that room wasn't enough. I'm not going to tell you how many people were actually in there, because it is irrelevant to you. While I was sitting, another door opened. It was titled "compliments." I opened the door and I suddenly began to hear voices, but I never saw anyone. The voices were repeating good things that friends have said about me. I immediately dried my tears, and felt happy once again. I left the room and eventually visited all the other rooms.
After I was finished, I saw a long staircase. I decided to see where it led. I walked up and up the stairs. As I walked, I noticed pictures on the wall. Some were of me, some of my family, and some of my friends. There were pictures I drew on the walls, stories I've written, assignments I've done. This is crazy, I thought to myself. I eventually got to the top of the stairs, and came to many more doors. These doors were different, however. Their titles were blank. I walked up to each door and tried to open it, but they all were locked. I then saw a sign that read "These are the doors of things yet to come. No one but the King may open them."
Realizing that I had explored the whole tower, I went downstairs again. I opened the big door, and went back outside. My friends were still there, having a great time. They watched me closely as I walked to the place where the paths split. The sign next to the wicked black path read "To see things pleasing to the one of the night, you must follow this path, not the path of light." Curiosity came over me again, and I followed the path to the wicked black tower. When I came to the front of the tower, I saw that my friends were no longer there, like they were at the other tower. The weather here was stormy and gloomy. There was no sunlight. I ran to the front door, hoping to get out of the rain. I knocked, it opened, and I hurried inside. The inside of this tower was pitch black. I couldn't see a thing. I then remembered that I had my cell phone with me, and used it as a light to see where I was going. The first door read "People I have Made Fun Of." I walked inside a saw a bunch of people, crying and angry. The very sad thing was that even my closest friends and family were in there, crying because of things I have said to them. This room was too much, so I quickly left. The next room was titled "Gossip." I entered the room. It was empty except for the sound of my voice, talking horribly about other people, even people I loved! I moved on to the other rooms. They were titled "Lies", "Hatred", "Lust", "Jealousy", "Unclean Thoughts".
I was tired of seeing all the bad things I've done, so I ran up the staircase. I ran and ran and ran, until I got to the top. Again, all of the doors were untitled and locked. The sign read "These are the doors of things yet to come. No one but the King may open them." I checked the doors once again, but noticed this time that there was one with a title. It read "Sin." I checked the door and it was unlocked. I went inside. There was a huge calendar on the wall. It looked like it covered my whole life. Marked on the calendar, was each time I ever denied God, didn't stand up for Him, didn't listen to what he said, and disobeyed His laws, or any other sin I had committed. It was so horrifying. I can't even describe to you the feeling it gave me. I sat down and just cried out to God. "Lord, if it is your will, take all this away from me. I've seen enough. I understand now what your trying to tell me."
And at those words, everything around me began to crumble. I sat there, praying to God, asking for forgiveness. As the tower walls came down, and the staircase crumbled, nothing touched me. Not even a spec of dust. After the tower was destroyed, I finally looked up, and saw a man. He was glowing, and holding the calendar from the room of "Sin." He was crossing out every sin that I had ever committed with His blood. I watched Him, unable to take my eyes off what was happening. He finally crossed off the last sin. He walked over to me and said, "Come, child. It is finished. You have seen enough." Just when I was going to try to say thank you for what he did for me, he vanished, just as quickly as he had come. So I just said a simple prayer, not knowing what else to say. "Thank you, Lord." And at that I was back in my backyard as before, but I was back as a whole new person.
Luke 7:48
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 3:28
Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter,
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
- Mallory
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Purity. What is it?
What is the definition of purity anyway?
Purity |ˈpyoŏritē|nounfreedom from adulteration or contamination• freedom from immorality, esp. of a sexual nature : white is meant torepresent purity and innocence.
So many people don't even know the meaning of being pure anymore. It kind of has lost its meaning... I know of many girls that throw themselves at different guys, just for the satisfaction of having a boyfriend. I think that if they realized all of the consequences of not remaining pure, they wouldn't have done it.
Many people think of love and marriage like this:
"I'll stay with this person for a while, and when I don't love them anymore, I'll move on and find my 'true soul mate.' We'll even move in together, possibly get married, and when things start to slow down I'll break it off...."
THIS IS NOT HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE!!
Got created marriage as a permanent commitment and relationship. Ever heard of "Till death do us part?"
I've heard stories of people who didn't save themselves till marriage, and end up having regrets and feelings of guilt for their spouse. Wouldn't it be nice to know that your future husband/wife saved themselves, just for you?
My dad says he loves my mom more every day. Now, that is pretty cool I think.
So, purity. What is it?
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
- Mallory
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
An Important Discovery :)
So this is going to just be a short post. I'll get right to the point.
This year I've discovered a couple of pretty strong Christian friends. Some of which I didn't even know last year. I just want to thank God for bringing them into my life. It was just what I needed. I needed some more believers at school to keep me in check and lift me up when I needed it....and what do you know? I found some!!
So, thank you Lord. You always know just what I need.
- Mallory
This year I've discovered a couple of pretty strong Christian friends. Some of which I didn't even know last year. I just want to thank God for bringing them into my life. It was just what I needed. I needed some more believers at school to keep me in check and lift me up when I needed it....and what do you know? I found some!!
So, thank you Lord. You always know just what I need.
- Mallory
Monday, January 3, 2011
Just Catching Up with Things...
Wow. It has been a long time since I've written. Things have been kind of crazy the past few weeks with studying for semester tests, basketball, jazz band, etc. But, my semester tests went great, praise God!
In case any of you didn't notice, I redesigned my blog :D. Hope you like it! I plan on writing a lot more about the different books I read and music I listen to, so I decided to redesign it, just for something different.
I've really been enjoying Christmas break, and am reluctant to go to to school. Spending time with family at home is great. We traveled for Christmas for like the first time. We went to Ames and Des Moines. Most of the time we just go to grandparents' houses. We had lefse, my favorite spritz cookies, Ostakaka, and potato bologna. Nothing like good Swedish food :). Oh and I got a Kindle for Christmas :D. I'm pretty excited about that. It's a true reader's dream....
Speaking of reading....I'm reading a book right now called "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin. It is pretty good so far. The author of the book turns his skin black, and acts as a negro in the south, to fully experience the segregation issues. He then writes a book of his whole experience. It really is a sad thing to read though... realizing just how bad the African Americans were treated. It makes me thankful that I didn't grow up in that time period. So if you would like to have a better understanding of how African Americans were treated, I encourage you to read this book. There also is a movie made of it. I plan on watching it after I finish the book.
So for devotions today I read Job 32-33. I thought that verses 18-22 in chapter 32 were interesting.
- Mallory
In case any of you didn't notice, I redesigned my blog :D. Hope you like it! I plan on writing a lot more about the different books I read and music I listen to, so I decided to redesign it, just for something different.
I've really been enjoying Christmas break, and am reluctant to go to to school. Spending time with family at home is great. We traveled for Christmas for like the first time. We went to Ames and Des Moines. Most of the time we just go to grandparents' houses. We had lefse, my favorite spritz cookies, Ostakaka, and potato bologna. Nothing like good Swedish food :). Oh and I got a Kindle for Christmas :D. I'm pretty excited about that. It's a true reader's dream....
Speaking of reading....I'm reading a book right now called "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin. It is pretty good so far. The author of the book turns his skin black, and acts as a negro in the south, to fully experience the segregation issues. He then writes a book of his whole experience. It really is a sad thing to read though... realizing just how bad the African Americans were treated. It makes me thankful that I didn't grow up in that time period. So if you would like to have a better understanding of how African Americans were treated, I encourage you to read this book. There also is a movie made of it. I plan on watching it after I finish the book.
So for devotions today I read Job 32-33. I thought that verses 18-22 in chapter 32 were interesting.
18 For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me compels me; 19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst. 20 I must speak and find relief;
I must open my lips and reply. 21 I will show no partiality,
nor will I flatter anyone; 22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker would soon take me away.
and the spirit within me compels me; 19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst. 20 I must speak and find relief;
I must open my lips and reply. 21 I will show no partiality,
nor will I flatter anyone; 22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker would soon take me away.
That was Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite talking. I kind of interpreted these verses as if he was saying he was so excited and passionate about God, that he is "ready to burst" to talk about it. I don't know if that is what he means, but that is just how I think of it. I think that we should "be ready to burst" to talk about God as well. We should be so passionate about Him, that we just can't hold ourselves back from speaking. Sadly, this is not how many of us are, especially me.
Lord,
I want to be so excited about you that I just can't stop talking. Help me to be so passionate about you that I am like new wineskins ready to burst, just like Elihu.
- Mallory
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