Day Two
Published by Twyla E. Brooks under on 11:08 PM
I owe you guys an apology for being way late on this. I'm hoping to be a bit more regular. The book only has 9 chapters, so hopefully I can get through it and post my thoughts here for you. :)
Chapter One - Part Two 09/19/11
Reading: Why Believe? Exploring the Honest Questions of Seekers by Greg Laurie
(Thought:) As I am reading further in the chapter Mr. Laurie talks about happiness. He quotes, "Philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, 'The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.'" Mr. Laurie also mentions that we always hear of people who are trying to "find themselves." I'll be the first to admit I've said that of myself. It was something I strove to do when I was sixteen & especially when I was seventeen. I felt like I was neither a teenager nor an adult. It was really discouraging because the more I tried to figure out who I was supposed to be, I felt lonelier and lonelier.
Mr. Laurie mentions that kind of mindset is contrary to what the Bible instructs us to do. He brings to light, "Jesus said, 'You need to lose yourself.'" Mr. Laurie then quotes Matthew 16:24-25, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
I believe this is figurative and literal especially when you think of how many martyrs have defended their faith and died rather than denying the Lord.
Thinking back on my personal search I wasn't happy and felt like I was on a treadmill--walking but never moving forward. Sometime during the year I finally gave up trying to "find myself". I went about my school, focused on God, worked on a mural project, and focused on graduating.
It wasn't until this summer that I realized I had changed, and I was happy. It wasn't a dramatic change, but it was noticeable to me and family at least. I had matured some and pushed the walls of my comfort zone out farther. I feel comfortable with who I've become now. I realize I will continue to change and grow without my interference, and I'm okay with that.
By giving my search, and myself, I found contentment.
Here's a picture I made on Picnik for my Tumblr account. It pretty much sums up my last bit there. :)
Isaiah 64:8, "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are the work of your hand."
~Twyla
Chapter One - Part Two 09/19/11
Reading: Why Believe? Exploring the Honest Questions of Seekers by Greg Laurie
(Thought:) As I am reading further in the chapter Mr. Laurie talks about happiness. He quotes, "Philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, 'The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.'" Mr. Laurie also mentions that we always hear of people who are trying to "find themselves." I'll be the first to admit I've said that of myself. It was something I strove to do when I was sixteen & especially when I was seventeen. I felt like I was neither a teenager nor an adult. It was really discouraging because the more I tried to figure out who I was supposed to be, I felt lonelier and lonelier.
Mr. Laurie mentions that kind of mindset is contrary to what the Bible instructs us to do. He brings to light, "Jesus said, 'You need to lose yourself.'" Mr. Laurie then quotes Matthew 16:24-25, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
I believe this is figurative and literal especially when you think of how many martyrs have defended their faith and died rather than denying the Lord.
Thinking back on my personal search I wasn't happy and felt like I was on a treadmill--walking but never moving forward. Sometime during the year I finally gave up trying to "find myself". I went about my school, focused on God, worked on a mural project, and focused on graduating.
It wasn't until this summer that I realized I had changed, and I was happy. It wasn't a dramatic change, but it was noticeable to me and family at least. I had matured some and pushed the walls of my comfort zone out farther. I feel comfortable with who I've become now. I realize I will continue to change and grow without my interference, and I'm okay with that.
Here's a picture I made on Picnik for my Tumblr account. It pretty much sums up my last bit there. :)
Isaiah 64:8, "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are the work of your hand."
~Twyla
