Monday, March 31, 2008

Random

I was going to tell everyone about my vacation that didn't turn out so well in a lot of words, but I will shorten it o these few sentences. Basically, I was sick most of the time with a bad cough and cold and we didn't go to Silver Dollar City. I am still sick now with a runny nose, strep throat, and it hurts when I cough because my throat is really scratchy. This isn't what I want to talk about though. My friend sent me this email forward that I got on one of those days that everyone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I wanted to post it here today to get everyone's opinion on it.

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it!

You say: "It's impossible"

God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired

"God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"

God says: I love you (John 3:16 John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"

God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figurethings out"

God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"

God says: You can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"

God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"

God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"

God says: I forgive you (I John 1:9 Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"

God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"

God says: Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"

God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"

God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Now isn't that something really nice to think about? We really do say some of the things that are above in the email forward. It's really cool how God has answers to even everyday things that happen even though Jesus walked on earth thousands of years ago. I added a new poll and everyone can vote if they want to. Also, check out Ian's polls. Ian, you are evil! Just kidding:) Thanks for reading and drop by a comment.

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Prayer Request

I am going on a trip to Branson with my family for my Spring Break. We will leave early in the morning tomorrow and be back on Friday night. I won't have access to the computer until Saturday. I just wanted to give everyone a heads up of what's happening. Also, please pray that the weather is really nice so we can go to the amusement park called Silver Dollar City on Thursday. I'll be able to reply to comments tonight but not the next day. So, please pray we have a good trip and travelling is safe. I'll miss you, everyone!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Monday, March 24, 2008

Pie

Why is there an apple pie picture on my blog? Well, some of you may know this and others may not that I left a comment on Ian's blog on his post "Beyond Our Realm Part 2: Time and Eternity." Well, I started talking about pie and I promised Araken I'd make him one. So. . . tada! Yes, I am feeling very random and insane. Enjoy the pie!

Yes, I am also going to pull a life lesson about this. About being random and fun, not apple pie:) I'm going to list some cool verses I found that say things about laughter. There really is a time for everything. God likes it when we laugh and enjoy His creations.

Ecclesisastes 3:4 (NLT)
A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Okay, I am finally done being random and insane. I hope you all enjoy the delicious pie. It took me over two minutes to go to Google Images and find this picture:) So did everyone have a great Easter? Enjoy the pie, everyone!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Easter

Yes, it is that time of year again. It is Easter, the holiday that people have turned into a time for little kids to get candy and their parents become angry at the dentist bill prices. Easter has been reduced to a mere time for when little kids stuff there faces with candy. We all know the Easter story when Jesus was killed on the cross and then rose again three days later. That is the true meaning of Easter. I wanted to wish everyone a happy Easter.

I wrote a poem after church today about Easter. I wanted to post it here today for everyone to read. Everyone likes to get candy on Easter, don't they? I know I do. . .:) Anyway, well here is the poem.

Easter

You died on the cross,
To make up for the world's loss,
Because of the world's sin,
You were buried and wrapped in linen,

Tears poured down,
Sorrow and sadness was abound,
Hearts were full of dismay,
Then you lived again in three days,

Because of us you died,
Yet now You still abide,
As soon as I opened my heart's door,
You came in and will stay forevermore.

So what did everyone think of that one? I don't really think it is the best poem I've ever written, but I think it gets the point of Easter across, doesn't it? Well, the milk poll will close soon so vote while you can! Thanks so much for reading and drop by a comment! Happy Easter, my friends in the YCF!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Jesus in the Courtroom

There is this email forward that I decided to post here today. It really makes me think about God's love. It is called the Jesus in the Courtroom forward. Here it is:

"After living a "decent" life my time on earth came to an end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.As I looked around I saw the prosecutor," he was a villainous looking gentleman who snarled as he stared at me, he definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my lawyer, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed very familiar to me.The corner door flew open and there appeared the judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. As He took his seat behind the bench He said "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other terrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke the further down in my seat I sank.I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own lawyer, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my representative who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I've done? Satan finished with a fury and said "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.

When it was His turn, my lawyer first asked if he might approach the bench. The judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking I was able to see Him now in his full splendor and majesty. Now I realized why he seemed so familiar, this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.He stopped at the bench and softly said to the judge "Hi Dad" and then He turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And yes the wages of sins is death and this man deserves to be punished". Jesus took a deep breath and turned to his Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted me as his Savior, so he is mine." My Lord continued with "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from me. Satan still does not understand yet, this man is not to be given justice but rather mercy." As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at his Father and replied "There is nothing else that needs to be done, I've done it all".

The Judge lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel down and the following words bellowed from his lips- "This man is free -the penalty for him has already been paid in full, case dismissed." As my Lord led me away I could hear Satan ranting and raving "I won't give up, I'll win the next one."

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to me and asked me to represent them has received the same verdict as you...Paid in Full." In this world of terrible hurt, pain, suffering, and extreme self centered focus, to the exclusion of everyone and everything else, there are times when logic, thought,discussion, etc., do nothing. It is in these times I have learned that I have only one place to turn to ease the pain."

Wow, that is amazing, isn't it? It is so true beyond words that enter my mind. All I can do is nod in awe and thank my KIng for His love. Everyone check out my profile! I updated some things on it that are better. I also mentioned the YCF in it, too! Well, that's all for now and don't forget to vote on my milk poll! Thanks for reading and please drop by a comment, too!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Thursday, March 20, 2008

New Poetry

I was digging through some old notebooks of mine and found this poem I wrote about a year ago. I decided to post it here since I had nothing else to post about. By the way, Shelby, did you have an awesome birthday? Everyone in the YCF certainly hopes so! I will ask the all important question of birthdays. What did you get as a gift? Just kidding:) Anyway, about the poem, it is untitled but I wanted to post it here. Let me all know what you think of it.

A heart sings, wounded and forlorn,
A heart has been broken and torn,
He knows every single fear,
He wipes away every single tear,

He loves you more than you know,
He will do anything to show,
You how much He adores you,
He can cleanse your heart anew,

You will never be forsaken or alone,
He wishes that you would have known,
That you are more precious than any jewel,
Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool,


He wants to rush by your side,
His love comes in a large tide,
He cares for every sparrow in the sky,
Think about how much He cares for you.


So what did everyone think of that? Has everyone seen the random new poll on the sideboard? Yes, I was very hyper that one day. Don't ask. . . Let me know what you think about the poem! And everyone who didn't wish Shelby a happy birthday go ahead and do it now!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Monday, March 17, 2008

Happy Birthday, Shelby!

Today is a very special day because it is my dear friend Shelby Marie's birthday! Happy fourteenth birthday, Shelby! I think it is so neat that you were born on St. Patrick's Day. I have another friend who's birthday is today. By the way, are you Irish? It would be really cool if you were Irish and born on St. Patrick's Day.

I just wanted to say to you, Shelby, that you are an incredible friend. You are gifted in poetry and have a wonderful heart for the Lord. You have a great personality that makes you really unique in a good way. God has blessed me with you because you are a totally awesome friend. I don't know what I'd do without the YCF and it's members. I really hope you have a great birthday today. I know you deserve it.

I also wrote you a poem. It's a short one, but I tried to put a lot of thought into it. I hope you like it. I'm sorry that it couldn't be longer, but I tried my best. Everything else I thought of either sounded too contrived or too cheesy.

Shelby Marie

Shelby Marie is a true friend to lean on in times of confusion,
She does not rest until her mission from God is already done,
God blessed me with her presence as a great, true friend,
And I know she will stick around with me until the very end.

I hope you liked it, Shelby! I hope that you have an awesome birthday full of blessings from God. Again, it sounds like it's from a greeting card, doesn't it? Oh, well. Happy Birthday, Shelby! We love you!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Friday, March 14, 2008

Praying Hands

Many people may have seen this painting before, but do they know the story behind it? Albrecht Durer was a young boy that had an urge to paint and become an artist. He could not during his childhood because there was a large family but little money. He then was sent off to an expensive art school. He roomed with an old man who also had the urge to become a painter. They went to the same school together, and they also soon figured out their was no way they could work full time jobs and continue their studies. So, the old man said to Durer that one of them should work full time to take care of both of them while the other one becomes an artist. Then, when the one person finishes school and becomes famous, he could support the other so he could go through school The old man chose himself to be the one who works. Durer went through school, and, indeed, became famous and wealthy. The old man had done various jobs with his hands that was hard labor. When the old man tried to hold a paint brush, her could not paint because the hard work and made is hands rough and unable to paint. Durer was distraught by this news and walked into his friend's room one day and saw him praying by the bedside. He had an idea to paint the beautiful sight that lie before him. "Praying Hands" is now Durer's most popular painting even 450 years later.

Wow, what an inspirational story, don't you think? That is a perfect story that shows the will of sacrifice for another. What do you guys think of this awesome story? Isn't it awesome? I read it recently in my literature class and thought it would be perfect for me to share. By the way, Shelby's birthday is in three days!
God bless you!
Sapphira Adi

Thursday, March 13, 2008

False Christianity

Dcf, one of our fellow members in the YCF, recently made a blog post entitled "A Christian Who is Hurt." The story is on His blog of what I'm going to be posting about today. Many people claim they are Christians yet they seem to be very prejudice about certain things like homosexuality. That is a sin, yes, but that does not mean you go around making signs saying God hates those people. He does not! God loves everyone, but he hates the sin. Jesus died on the cross so our sin could be taken away, and so we would not have to suffer because of it.

Galations 2:6-7 (NLT)

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself from the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News, but it it is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled to those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

That verse above reminded me of those people from that so-called "church" who twisted God's Words when He said He hates sin. I firmly believe that Jesus died came to the earth, died on the cross for us, and then rose again three days later. Jesus did this for us because He loves us and did not want us to go to hell because "the wages of sin is death."

John 3:16 (NLT)

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

To break it all down, God loves everyone, but He hates sin. That "church" should not have gone to that funeral with all those signs. Jesus' love s for everyone no matter your race, your family background, you beliefs, or the deeds you have done. God is there for everyone, and He waits for everyone to call upon His name. Did I mention that God loves everyone? As Ian said, this is the YCF's first "battle." I wonder if we won. By the way, Shelby's birthday is in four days! Yay!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Unicorns

Everyone used to believe in unicorns when they were younger, right? Or at least I did. Now, we say that they never existed. But how awesome would it be if they did? Would you guys think I was crazy if I told you they did exist? Some of you guys may be rolling your eyes already, but hear what I have to say to all of you people reading this. Don't think unicorns were real? Check out these KJV verses.

Numbers 23:22
God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

Numbers 24:8
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

Deuteronomy 33:17a
His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns

Job 39:9-10
Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

Psalm 22:21
Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

Psalm 29:6
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

Psalm 92:10
But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

Isaiah 34:7
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

I had to use a King James Version of the Bible because all the other versions changed the word unicorn with ox. It sounds like that by these verses a unicorn had a horn, they had an untamed nature, and they were also strong. No one knows for sure if they were the horse like creatures with shimmery horns. Isn't it amazing what the Bible can tell us? What do guys think of these verses? Did you think unicorns might have once existed even if you didn't have proof? What do you think now? Thanks for reading and please comment!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Angels Cry

Since Araken has been talking about angels a lot, I wanted to post a song on here about angels and God written by a cool Christian band called Everlife. I have a few of their songs on my mp3 player. The lyrics to the song are totally awesome. I thought you all might wanted to read them. The song is one of my favorites.

Angels Cry

All the world is but a child screaming over all your words
No one hears your pain
They're way too busy for concern (oh)
And the days become weeks
And the months turn into years
You gotta know by now that only God sees all those tears (oh)

(chorus)
When you cry cause it hurts
It doesn't mean that you're not heard
Because aloud in heaven angels cry with you (oh)

When you shout about the way you feel
And the signs and lights that don't reveal
The true beginning of the end
You can make a line from here to mars
Of those with broken dreams and scars
There will never be a fix outside a Savior

(chorus)
When you cry cause it hurts
It doesn't mean that you're not heard
Because aloud in heaven angels cry with you (yeah oh)

Who can say they haven't know of
Hate or desire to retaliate
There must be someone someone we can blame
Oh but its hard to put the anger down
And hear from God without a sound
And find a place to heal the unforgiveness

When you break and you yell
And there's no one left to tell
You have the ears of heaven and His grace will come to you (come to you)

(chorus)
When you cry cause it hurts
It doesn't mean that you're not heard
Because aloud in heaven the angels cry with you.

So who else agrees that these lyrics totally rock? These lyrics are really helpful to me when at times when I feel lost and confused. God hears your cries. He knows how you feel. He feels your hurt. He is right there next to you all the time. Don't you all agree? Need I say more about what an awesome God that we have?

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi (Hebrews 13:5)

Monday, March 10, 2008

Dragons

I have not posted in so long! I have been really busy this week. Life never seems to be smooth sailing, huh? I don't have anything to post today, so I decided to post about dragons. There are some rockin' fantasy titles about dragons like Dragons in our Midst and the Dragon Keeper series. But the real question is were they real? There is a verse in Job 41 that fits the description of a dragon:

"Can you catch Leviathan with a hook or put a noose around its jaw? Can you tie it with a rope through the nose or pierce its jaw with a spike? Will it beg you for mercy or implore you for pity? Will it agree to work for you, to be your slave for life? 5 Can you make it a pet like a bird, or give it to your little girls to play with? Will merchants try to buy it to sell it in their shops? Will its hide be hurt by spears or its head by a harpoon? If you lay a hand on it you will certainly remember the battle that follows. You won’t try that again! No, it is useless to try to capture it. The hunter who attempts it will be knocked down. And since no one dares to disturb it, who then can stand up to me? Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine.“I want to emphasize Leviathan’s limbs and its enormous strength and graceful form. Who can strip off its hide, and who can penetrate its double layer of armor? Who could pry open its jaws? For its teeth are terrible! Its scales are like rows of shields tightly sealed together. They are so close together that no air can get between them. Each scale sticks tight to the next. They interlock and cannot be penetrated.“When it sneezes, it flashes light! Its eyes are like the red of dawn. Lightning leaps from its mouth; flames of fire flash out. Smoke streams from its nostrils like steam from a pot heated over burning rushes. Its breath would kindle coals, for flames shoot from its mouth.“The tremendous strength in Leviathan’s neck strikes terror wherever it goes. Its flesh is hard and firm and cannot be penetrated. Its heart is hard as rock, hard as a millstone. When it rises, the mighty are afraid, gripped by terror. No sword can stop it, no spear, dart, or javelin. Iron is nothing but straw to that creature,and bronze is like rotten wood. Arrows cannot make it flee. Stones shot from a sling are like bits of grass. Clubs are like a blade of grass, and it laughs at the swish of javelins. Its belly is covered with scales as sharp as glass. It plows up the ground as it drags through the mud. “Leviathan makes the water boil with its commotion. It stirs the depths like a pot of ointment. The water glistens in its wake, making the sea look white. Nothing on earth is its equal, no other creature so fearless. Of all the creatures, it is the proudest. It is the king of beasts.”

The Bible calls this creature the Leviathan, but it reminds me of a dragon in a lot of ways. To me, what is says in the Bible is all the proof I need to know this creature was real. What do you guys and girls think this creature was? It sure does remind me of a dragon because it speaks of fire-breathing, scales, and a lot more dragon-like characteristics. It sure does make you think, doesn't it?

Thanks for reading and please comment!

God bless you!

Sapphira Adi