Christians Are Like Dogs

So it has certainly been quite some time sine I last posted. I finally got around to writing this piece. 
The idea behind is that Christians are like dogs. As you read this think of the dog as being a Christian. 

I was not wanted. I was abandoned. I was left to struggle through life and fend for myself.
Then I was found. I was found by the most loving and caring being.

My name is Fido. I am a dog. A mutt. An outcast. But my Master loves me. He thinks I am beautiful and precious. He thinks I am worth His love and affection. I love spending time with Him. I love just being in His presence. I love Him loving me. It makes me just wag my tail when He gives me hugs and kisses. And I love the fact that He thinks I am worth His time and effort to train.
I am not perfect. I am not always obedient. In fact there are times when I don't even make the effort to be obedient. I don't always listen. I don't always come when He calls me. I don't always sit when I am told. I know He will reward me when I do listen, so why don't I? Why do I think what I want to do is better than His commands?
Sometimes, I will be napping and taking it easy when He calls me to come to Him. Do I want to go? Not really. That requires giving up my rest time. I want to have some time for myself. But right now He is calling me. And He keeps calling me. I decide to go to Him. What do I find He has for me? Meat! Something for me to really chew and grow on. Something really special for me. I am so glad that I listened.
Now don't let my name fool you. I am not entirely faithful towards my Master. I kinda have this 'other love'. This other desire. Something I just can't let go of. And that is running away. I find the door open and I just have to race through. A taste of my life before I was brought here. And something about running through the streets calls to me and begs me to come. And so I leave my Master's side. And I run off. I know I shouldn't do this. I know I shouldn't leave Him. But I do. And I feel completely torn. Part of me wants to race through the streets of the world. Entertaining my desires. And thrills at this "pleasure". And part of me longs to answer my Master's call. To return to His side. To my home beside Him. To my shelter and my comfort. Where I can rest at His feet and sleep in His shadow. My resting place. Where I know true joy in the arms of One who loves me no matter what. Running wild does not fill me with utter joy as does resting at my Master's feet. And yet I still pursue it.
Don't I know that running rampant through the streets could kill? That I could get ran over? Yes, I know this. So, why do I still run? It is safe in my home with my Master. Nothing to kill me.
When I return, my Master does not scold me. He takes me into His arms and rejoices over my return. Why did I think I would be happy running loose? This is where I belong!!!! And He loves me!!!! He is completely elated in my return. Whatever could replace this joy I feel in knowing He cares so much for me??? I LOVE BEING LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I am growing better in resisting temptations. Sometimes, I'll find the door to outside wide open and yet I don't leave. I'll sit there and long to go outside. But I don't cave. Someday, I shan't even notice the door open. And I cannot wait for that time.
How can it be possible for two sides to reside in one being? How can I listen to my Master more consistently and immediately? How do I become a better Dog?

ENGAGED!!!!!!! :D

At church on May 23rd, 2010 I discovered that I was engaged. It actually registered in my brain that I was to be a bride. A bride!!!!!!!!! 
I was ecstatic when I found out this. I had been waiting for that 'perfect guy'. Mr. Right. I felt like I was going to end up being an old maid because I hadn't found a guy and was about to turn 18. I hadn't realized that I'd had Him all along. 
Or rather, He had me. He loves me!!! He loves me sooo much!!!!!!!! :) I am to be His bride!!!!!!!! 
Can you imagine how happy I was??? I started telling a few friends and whenever I did, I knew my face was split in a huge grin. 
Now you're probably wondering "Who is this absolutely AMAZING no-one-COMPARES Prince?" I'll give you a hint. My Prince loves me so much that He gave His LIFE for me. He actually gave His life for me (don't worry, He's okay.) 
If you've figured out who it is, good job! It is Χριστός. Christ. Messiah. The Lord Jesus Himself. The Prince of Peace. The Ultimate Prince Charming. I am called to be His bride. You are called to be His bride. You are engaged to Him. Is that not just absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! 
I no longer have to hunt for Mr. Right because I already have Him. Someday I might have a 'love allegory', a representation of the relationship between The Bridegroom and myself. But I don't have to look or hunt or wait that guy. "Dance with God- He'll let the right man cut in." 
Not long after I discovered this 'engagement', I wrote a poem about it. 


My True Prince


I used to dream of my Prince Charming
Handsome and brave and manners disarming
He'd come rescue me and sweep me off my feet
And then to the Wedding Chapel we'd retreat
What girl doesn't want to have all this?
Don't all girls dream of 'Ever After' bliss?
I tell you truly, Oh, Bride of Christ
Our true Prince Charming was sacrificed
A virgin donkey was His noble steed
His rescue was most loving indeed
We are engaged to the Prince of Peace
And His love for us will never cease
Though times we feel like not loving Him
His love will always be over the brim
Our "Ever After" will be in Heaven 
The Bride of Christ forever, amen
Someday I might have a "love allegory" 
Until then I choose to live for His Glory.


















Unfortunately, in the time that has passed since May 23rd, the excitement has worn off. 
I pray that I will rediscover this revelation and that my excitement may be renewed. 

Be Attitudes vs. Don't Attitudes

The Be Attitudes (Beatitudes) "Attitudes that ought to be!"*

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble) for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.*
2. Blessed are those who mourn (for their sins, know that they have done wrong) for they will be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. 
5. Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called Sons of God.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for their righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

Don't Attitudes

1. Cursed are the prideful for theirs is the Kingdom of Hell.*
2. Cursed are those who rejoice in their sins for they will be ashamed.
3. Cursed are the insolent for they will lose everything.
4. Cursed are those who reject righteousness for they will not be satisfied.
5. Cursed are the unforgiving for they will not be forgiven. 
6. Cursed are the immoral for they will be separated from God forever.
7. Cursed are those who stir up strife for they will be called the Spawn of the Devil.
8. Cursed are those who persecute the righteous for theirs is the Kingdom of Hell.

*These actually are quotes from my old pastor. He shared these first ones (and the quote) and it got me trying to rephrase the rest of them...during the rest of his sermon actually. 

Actor

I have been in a number of drama productions and I have learned that a good actor always stays in character when on stage, but a great actor can stay in character even when backstage. 
It's certainly easy enough to act when onstage, but who would want to act offstage??? Offstage is where you relax. You don't have hundreds of people staring at you. You don't have lights glaring down upon you. You're free from that character. 
But when you can stay in character backstage it helps you totally grasp the character onstage. When you completely adopt a role, you and that role become inseparable. The part becomes your identity. You'll find it hard not to act like that character. Your friends might wonder what happened to you. 
I'm not a great actor. As soon as I step off that stage I'm back to myself. Back to being Laura Grace "Aloysius" Marchbank. And I have heard time and again my director saying "Don't leave character as soon as you step off the stage." And yet when I'm back amongst my friends I don't want to act my part around them. I don't want to be the snob, or the nagging wife, or the innocent little girl anymore. I want to be ME. And this desire to be ME backstage is inhibiting me from fully adopting my character onstage. I cannot portray my part well without letting that part be my identity.
Are we like this as Christians? Do we only play the part of a Christian at church? Do we fully adopt the role? Do we leave character as soon as we're out off church? Is that all Christianity is to us? A character? Do we not want to be the Christian around our friends? Do we not let that character become our identity? Do we feel like we have to be that role at church? Do we feel like people are watching us at church? Do we feel like we have to make them believe we are that part? Do we feel like we're under the spotlight at church? What about at home? At work? At school? Why do we feel like we don't have to be a Christian there? Do we feel like our friends will wonder what happened to us? Is this how it is with me?
Is this how it is with you? Ask yourself. 
My prayer is not that God will help me be a better actor onstage and offstage, but that He will help me be a better Christian at church and in my daily life. I pray that He will help me fully grasp my role as a Christian. I pray that I will desire to be a Christian "offstage", when not at church, when at home, when at work. I pray that He will not let me leave character. I pray that I will listen to my Ultimate Director.
I pray this for you too. Don't be a Christian at church only. Completely adopt your role. Let it become your identity. 

Introduction

So obviously I have decided to start a blog. I am going to be sharing analogies that I have come up with, and just "whoa" moments from my devotions with God, and also some really cool "coincidences" between the bible and our world and just some other cool stuff.
My goal is to share something really cool every so often.
My prayer is that God will give me the words to say.
Tomorrow I will start posting.