Baptism: Action vs Words or Action with Words

On my journey with Christ, I have met different people who don't believe Baptism is a requirement. They view it as only symbolic, but not necessary, as long as you have confessed aloud or in your heart. This has never sat well with me because baptism has always been apart of my church life and culture.

Why would Jesus get baptized if we only needed to confess (speak) our allegiance? He's literally the son of God, and serves as an example for us in the world. Why would John be baptizing followers, if it wasn't just as important?

After reading and analyzing, I know that actions and words are connected and important. Aren't actions greater than words when it comes to people and loyalty? You can say something, but not really mean it. You can say you are Christian, but not live it. So for me, Confessing Christ as our Lord and Savior is just as important as performing the action of Baptism. Because again, when it comes to people, actions are always greater than words. 

In 1 Peter 3:21, It talks about how the water saved only eight people in the days of Noah, and that this water"...symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. 

This also reminded me of John 13:23. "Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them. "

This is one example that shows that action is important when it comes to God. Ultimately, as people we perform what we feel. If you love someone, you show it. 

That's why to me, actually getting baptized is important. Saying or Confessing is one step, and Performing is another. So, why not go get dunked. I think it's an awesome experience. 

Lisa

p.s. This is completely open for discussion. If you have any comments please leave them below. 

Hello Again, and Life After Graduation :0

Wow!

Long time no see...or write. It has been an interesting year, and I have finally graduated from college. I have a few experiences to share, like my summer internship, and a new journey about looking for a job. I really want to find something I like! I can't just be satisfied with the usual 8 hour work day unless I really enjoy it. I want to do something different all the time, travel, and just live free. Hopefully I can find something I like.

I figured I would start a mini series about life after graduation, and have started by making a video about it. I have decided to  record the journey. So, the first part of it is called. "The Search". I'll post it below if you're interested.

With love,

Lisa

Give Journaling a Shot

For the past month, I have started something new. Journaling. There was no specific reason, I just had the urge to do it this summer. I gave it a try around the middle of August, and have discovered a few benefits of doing so.

1) Its Euphoric. It releases tension. The first day I wrote in my new journal, I guess I wasn't having the best of days. But, as soon as I finished writing, I had a feeling of peace. Like my mind had just gone through a catharsis. 

2) Emotional Self-Discovery. Sometimes people don't know what emotions they are experiencing. Meaning, sometimes you have no idea what exactly you are feeling, and why you feel that way. Writing your thoughts out can help you discover what those feelings are. And, once that happens, you will feel better because you can understand the situation better.

3) You can see how much you have changed. Maybe you have tried journaling before. Have you ever looked back at an old one? What was your personality like? What did you like and dislike? What habits did you have? Have you improved yourself or accomplished past goals? Have you been stagnant? Keeping a journal allows you to look back, and see how much you've changed, or stayed the same.

4) You discover the deeper parts of yourself. When you write, you may surprise yourself. Are you someone who keeps things bottled up? Do you even notice if you do? There are so many layers to each of us. and writing thoughts, feelings, and your experiences, can help you discover those layers. You may be more complex than you think, or a lot more simple!

5) It tells your story. A diary or journal is a place where you can let everything and anything out. You may even find yourself afraid to write those things down. But, it tells the story of your life. A story those around you may or may not ever know. Its an untold one, where you can look back and say "Wow!" This is my life.

6) Good mental health. Mental health is soooo important. Writing things down, and not keeping this bottled up, is a good way to have good mental health. 

So, Why not give journaling a try. There are so many different kinds. Writing ones, art ones, and scrapbook like ones. Here is a video that I thought was both inspiring and nostalgic in a way. 

Anyway until next time,

Lisa

College Survival: Making friends, loneliness, and losing friends.

Hello everyone! Today I have a different sort of post. In this part of my College Survival series I made a video. School is about to start up again, and I think these are great tips for someone just entering a new campus. So if you are interested, check it out.

Feel free to comment about any suggestions you have for this new time.

With love,

Lisa

What the Book of John teaches us

The Book of John teaches us many things, and here are a few of them that stood out to me. I recommend reading it if you feel led to, and hopefully it will amaze you. I have learned so much from this Book especially with the whole "study" portion of my woman's study bible! For example, did you know that John and Christ were 1st cousins?! That's so crazy, but makes a lot of sense when I think about it. Anyway moving on...

Found in Chapter 1
In the beginning, there was the Word. The Word was always there, but no one recognized it. Everything that has ever been made, would not have been made if not for the Word. Because everything was made through the Word. God spoke everything into existence during Genesis.

The Word is Christ, and he is the light that has always been here, and that still exists. Darkness has never, and will never overcome the light. Christ is the light of the world, though the world didn't recognize it. (world=people) So, the Word became flesh. He went to those that were his own (the Jews of that time), but they didn't receive Him. However, some did, and anyone who did, he gave the right to become children of God. Spiritually born of God. He came to save those who were in the world.

Here are some of the things of the Book of John that stand out to me. And also, some of the things that Christ teaches us.

"Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:3
       -This is talking about the acceptance of Christ and the Holy Spirit into our lives. We all make our own choices, but the first step to having Christ into our life, is to become born again-

"Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" John 3;5

Here Jesus (or Yeshua), was talking to Nicodemus a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was confused when he heard this, and wondered what it meant to be "born again". You cant just jump back into your mothers womb again can you, and she definitely wouldn't want you too. You're way to big! So, how do you do this? Well, pray. Say you would like to be born again, to be saved. When people get baptized, it represents this.

-God loved the world so much he gave up his one and only son.(ch. 4) He was tortured, stripped, and ridiculed so that the world's sins could be brought upon him. He was punished, so that his children would not be.

-There are those who will not accept the light, or hate it because they love the darkness and evil. They will stay away from the light because they fear that their deeds will be exposed. But, people who live by the truth and want to come into the light, know that everything they have done, and will do, is done in the sight of God. (Ch 4)

-anyone who hears the Word and believes it, has crossed over from death to life. Sin leads to death. but whoever believes, will not be judged, and will have eternal life.(ch 5)

-"The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent"John 6:29

Okay, Prophecy was a big part of this book. Past prophecies that were spoken of in the old testament, were fulfilled in this time to show that Jesus was the messiah.

Sometimes things happen, and we don't understand why. But there are for God's glory. For a later glory. (to get others to believe,etc.)

Jesus said that if you loved him you will follow his commands. As I was going through the Book of John, those commands were to Believe, Love one another ( as he loved-he constantly healed,served, and taught those around him) and loving one another will show others who his disciples are, To pray, and to Remain in Him (what are you focused on)

As I was writing this, I felt like I should stop because it really is important that others learn things for themselves. It is a process, and it is important to learn things at your own pace, and through God's timing.

There is so much more to this book, and I was surprised by how much I learned and loved it. It just shows how much Christ cares for us, and wants us to be united with Him and the Father. But, I'm going to stop here.(Thank you for reading this bit of teaser)

If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below.

With love,

Lisa

Life Update: Some news about something new

Hello everyone, I have something to tell you...

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I started a YouTube channel! I am actually really excited about this, and I have wanted one in the past, but never did it. I guess I just didn't have enough confidence in myself. However, after I saw a quote on Instagram that was completely rude to my life, I changed my mind and went for it.

But first I saw this one: "Stop fearing the worst possible scenario and simply believe the best"-Heather Lindsey-

After reading this, I really just felt the urge to go ahead and start a channel. Fear shouldn't hold us back from doing something that we really want to do. The whole point of this blog is to help me follow my passions, and I hope that anyone reading this will follow theirs as well. Follow the passions that are full of light, and maybe something amazing can happen.

The quote that completely disrespected me, and further pushed me into making a channel was this: "God doesn't give his anointing to lazy Christians"-David Wilkerson-

It struck me because I have had one lazy summer. But I do agree that it is not good to be idle.

If anyone is curious about my channel, and first YouTube video. You can check it out here. It might not appeal to everyone considering it's about hair and Senegalese twists but...yeah.

Anyway, thank you for reading

With love,

Lisa

P.s. My next post will be about the Book of John, and some of the things that Christ has taught us through it.

When I'm afraid

When I'm afraid, I pray. This happened to me tonight after I watched a YouTube video about Sandra Bland. I was literally afraid for my life that something like that could happen to me. That I would become someone's victim, and then be shown in a negative light, to make what happened seem justifiable. But then, I remembered this...

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

I will say of the Lord,

"He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare

and from deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart

You will not fear the terror of night

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.You will only observe

with your eyes 

and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, "The Lord is my refuge,"

and you make the Most High your dwelling

no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near you tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone .

You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

Because he loves me, "says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, 

for he acknowledges  my name. 

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, 

I will deliver him and honor him. 

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."