How you spend your time = who you become

I've realized recently that the more I spend time with different people, the more I become like them. I learn things, lots of things. Some good, some bad, some just preferences, but either way I change all the time. I think that's the essence of who we are as human beings. The first people who influence you are your parents. They shape you in a way no other people can. Then you gradually begin to change, you start to challenge them and yourself to be different, to grow, and hopefully to allow God to mold you His way. But even if you've surrendered yourself to Him molding you there are still physical choices you have to make to stay in obedience to that. The biggest one is your choice of friends. If you want Him to change your heart and shape it to be like His you have to choose friends who are also seeking after Him. Thier hearts longing for the Spirit will draw yours to Christ also and you will be encouraged and uplifted, even on the worst of days. Like I was tonight...I had such a wonderful day yesterday but all my happiness couldn't get me through todays crisis. Yet, somehow, I was able to go to a crazy movie and just laugh witht two dear friends. Yes, when the movie ended my heart remembered my troubles, but the laughter has made me feel better and somehow the light has begun to creep back in.

Please pray for Dad because of his heart. We all need the Lord's wisdom right now. We also could use a lot of peace. I don't really want to put any more info up just because I don't like the internet, but you can call me if you want more details on how to pray. Thank you so much!

The seen and the unseen

There are so many things in life that we can see, yet there is no clear definition for them. On the other hand, there are many unseen things that we as believers have no doubt about. I see it as a simple element of human nature, but kind of backwards. Usually we would like to put our trust in those things that we CAN see, but what if they are not reliable? I think this realization, the realization that we can't trust these visible objects, is what has brought us to our knees before an unseen God. As a believer I find it much easier to have "blind" faith than to seek out the issues. To some extent this complete trust is good, but it can also be taken too far. God gave us amazing minds that He intended for us to use to seek Him and study His words. It seems I am rambling, but I have just been thinking a lot about spiritual warfare. I had one specific instance in my life where I was very confused, but in a moment my dad identified my problem as an attack of the enemy and clarity immediately covered the situation. Problem solved! All I had to do was realize that I was warring not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities. It is kind of an odd feeling to know that there are spiritual beings all around us, and not just there, but actively fighting a battle. We have a choice to either engage in this battle, or to ignore its existence. It is easy to forget this reality, but it seems that God never fails to remind us when we need to remember the most. Thank you for allowing me to sort out my thoughts. I hope you can make some sense of them :)