REpent

When you hear the word "Repent" what do you think of? I think of asking for forgiveness of a wrongdoing or sin.

In Greek "Repent" means to "Change how you think and live"

God's Word tells us in Acts 3:19 (NIV) to "Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord"

In other words God is telling us to Change our mindset.

Change how you think.

Change how you live your life.

Change and turn to God.

In Eugene Peterson's the Message Remix, Acts 3:19 says: "Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour showers of blessing to refresh you,"

REpent: Change your mindset and thinking and turn to God!

REspond

REspond

Respond: verb; to react to something or someone; to say or do something in reply

When we respond to people or circumstances we are performing an action, we are doing something. The way we respond is so important!

God teaches us in Micah 6:8

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

When we REspond to circumstances (sports, games, school) and people (teachers, parents, friends, coaches) that may seem wrong to us, we need to ACT JUSTLY. In other words we need to do the right thing, act fairly, and be respectful.

We also need to LOVE MERCY. We need to freely give love and compassion even when it is difficult. When that kid in your class will not quit poking you and you are annoyed out of your skin, REspond in Love Mercy. When that coach benches you from a game you have prepared and practiced hard for, REspond in love and forgiveness.

WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD. REspond to praise with a humble attitude. Don't try to take all the credit for what God is working through you. The Spotlight should be pointing on What God did, not Who God used to do it.

REspond: Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with our God!

What Prize Are You Aiming For?

The past few weeks I was campaigning for Senior Class Vice President at my high school, Forest. I put so much time and effort into my campaign. I worked really hard because it was an opportunity that I really wanted. I felt that if I was Vice President for my senior year, then I would be able to make a difference on my high school campus and that I would be able to put my "mark" on Forest High School. In the end I lost the campaign. I was really disappointed because this was something I had worked so hard for and something I really wanted to experience and be a part of.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14 NIV

This verse kept playing over and over in my head last Monday when they announced the Senior Class officers for 2010/2011 school year. I kept saying but I pressed forward to this goal so hard and so confident, why didn't I win my prize? Isn't this a golden opportunity for me to tell Forest High School that we have Hope in Jesus? Why didn't I succeed?

But as these questions kept hitting me left and right, God began to show me the answer. His prize that He wanted me to win was not the position of Vice President. God wanted me to step out of my comfort zone. His prize for me to win was learning to be confident in myself through my hard work and determination. He wanted me to learn that winning is not just gaining a position or a tangible prize but it is gaining a new perspective on confidence and my life as a student at Forest High School.

Running for a class office is definitely not what I usually would do with my time. But I decided to try it and step out of my circle and put myself out there. I met so many awesome people that I would never have met if I hadn't taken that leap into the unknown.

I pressed on toward the goal and came up with an unexpected prize. I gained a new confidence in myself and as a bonus I made some really cool friends! God works in mysterious ways (:

Organic Love

"Love comes on its own schedule. It's inconvenient and organic, and that's what makes it real."
- Robin Jones Gunn

God has mapped out Love's schedule for each and every one of us. It may seem inconvenient and organic when it first knocks on your door but God will give you the peace and hope to navigate His love map for your life. Be open to His plan for your life and let your love be Inconvenient, Organic, and Real <3

It's My Life

For my AP Language class we needed to create a Public Service Annoucement to promote an issue that we strongly believe in. I decided to promote Pro-Life in my PSA. But instead of just creating a standard commercial supporting Pro-Life, I decided to share my personal story about Life with everyone (:

KT Pro Life PSA from Church of Hope on Vimeo.

Dancing in the Rain

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it is about learning to Dance IN the Rain"

God created us to live life to the fullest for His glory so don't hide from life. Don't wait for the storm to pass, dance in the storm. Learn through the storm. You cant let difficult times in your life control you! Use those hard times to learn and grow. Instead of waiting the storm out, Live through it! Dance IN the Rain
<3

I <3 Gator Football

I love going to football games. But more specifically I love going to Gator football games. Gainesville is always a sea of orange and blue on game day as fans gather to cheer Gator Nation to victory!