What is Christianity about? There are so many answers out there, especially about what it is isn't. Here are some of the most popular ideas.

    It's not about rules.
    It's not about religion.
    It's about a relationship.
 
   That all sounds good. But, then it ends up not really being about a relationship... We are so focused on us, and how God feels about us. If we talked to our friends, or about them how we do about God, it would seem just a little strange.
   
    "This is my friend Alice, I love that she tells me that I'm great, and strong, and good."
    
    "Hey, Joey, remind me about how much you love me, and how strong I am."

    "I could listen to you telling me why you like me so much all day."

   We'd probably either have incredibly low self-esteem issues, or big ego issues if we constantly needed our relationship to be about us.
 
   When Jesus was on earth, He didn't go around, constantly telling people how they were good,  strong, and worthy. Instead he gave people hope, and something so much bigger than themselves to live for. Why do we now constantly focus on ourselves?

   Truth is, we're not strong, good or worthy. If we look at ourselves to fight depression, or low self esteem, or to find what's missing in our life - whatever we are fighting, it's never going to work.

   It might make us feel good for a while to hear flattery & good things about us, but at the end of the day we're still going to know a truth about us. We have sinful natures, we've all fallen and sinned, and we all deserve death. Hearing that we're good isn't going to change, only God can!

   Being a Christian doesn't mean finding out who we are. It means finding out who God is, and dying to self. 

   Paul says in Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. 

  Our lives aren't ours. It doesn't matter who we are, whether we're strong or weak. It doesn't matter what other people think about us. It matters who Christ is.
   It definitely can be hard to remember that in this world, where everything is about self-love, exalting self, and the power within ourselves. But the message of the Bible is so radically different than that. We have no special power within ourselves.

 For ye are dead, and you life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

  When Christ dwells in our hearts, we realize that everything we do, everything we are is because of Him. It isn't about us. The whole point of Christianity isn't that we are good, or the fact that we aren't good enough and we can't save ourselves. It isn't about pride, or false humility, loving ourselves, or hating ourselves. The point is that Jesus is good, and that's good news! He can give us His goodness, and make us like Him!

        But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14 

  Worship isn't about us. Who are we worshipping? God! What should we be seeking to glorify and show others with our lives? God!
 
  We have this amazing God, who created the entire universe, who is so loving, and powerful, and all knowing, and kind. Let's look above ourselves, and this dark world, to Him. By beholding, we become changed, and reflect His image.

  There's a beautiful hymn that sums it up perfectly. Here are just a few verses of the song - if you want to read the rest click here.

Not I, but Christ be honoured, loved, exalted.
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;
Not I, but Christ in every look and action.
Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.
Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord
Oh, to be lost in Thee.
Oh, that it may be no more I,
but Christ that lives in me.

Christ, only Christ, no idle word e'er falling.
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing.
Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found.
Not I, but Christ my every need supplying.
Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body.
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.
 Ada B. Whiddington 

 

 

   
       The US election - I'm sure you've all heard so much about this topic. You can't go anywhere without seeing articles, and opinions. Facebook, the news, Instagram... It has been the buzz, and honestly, it's an important thing. Before you start to groan, and click away, I want to make something clear. This article isn't going to be about the election. I'm not going to tell you my opinion on who won, or the issues brought up. This article is going to be about using your voice on what matters.
      There has been such outrage and noise lately. People saying that their lives are ruined, that the world is ending, people refusing to move on, etc. I'm sure you've heard it all. Laws are being broken, stores are being broken into, cars are being burned. People are angry, and unfortunately using violence.
      Just the other day I had a thought. (I mean obviously, I have lots of thoughts, but this one was blog worthy.) What if people were loud about more important things? What if they were angry about the important things? What if they put their effort - instead of burning cars and vandalizing things - to make a difference in the things that matter more?

     Every 29 seconds a child is sold into slavery. 

Every 15 seconds a child dies of starvation.

Every second 86 babies are killed. 

Every second someone commits suicide.  

       Where is the outrage about this? Where are the people protesting? Why isn't your social media filled with people trying to raise awareness to this? Why aren't people giving speeches about this? Why aren't people worried about this? 

        There are 45.6 million slaves worldwide today, and that number is rising by the minute. The average age of a child sold into the American sex trade is 12-14. 800,000 people are being trafficked across international borders every year, 80% of these are women, and 50% are under the age of 18.
        In the 1850s a slave cost 40,000 dollars in today's money. Today it costs 90 dollars to buy a slave. Slaves are involved in making your electronic devices, chocolate, coffee, clothing. Starbucks, Victoria's secret, Nestle, Hersheys, Kraft, Apple, Walmart, H&M, Forever 21, etc. They use slaves to make their products.
       How can you help? Here are a couple websites to get you started: walkfree.org freetheslaves.net slaveryfootprint.org enditmovement.com productsofslavery.org
        
       There are 17.8 million orphans worldwide. Many of these cannot get an education. Many more are starving. 
       How can you help? Sponsor a child, or learn more: worldvision.ca we.org
      
        Did you know that many, many, abortions are done after screenings? Parents decide their children do not have a right to live, because they are girls, or because they have down syndrome. Less than 1% of all babies aborted were conceived in rape. Only 13% of Americans are African american, but they account for 37% of abortions. 80% of abortion clinics are situated in minority neighbourhoods.  Planned Parenthood was also caught selling baby-parts. More than 400 women have died from legal abortions since 1973.
     How can you help? Here's one way: https://savethestorks.com
      
      Many people don't realize how many people are hurting. 804,000 people commit suicide a year, this doesn't count the failed attempts. Did you know that men are more likely to commit suicide than women? Soldiers also have a very high suicide rate. Kind words, showing you care, getting these people mental help, can truly safe them. 
      Find more information here: save.org 

     My question is, why aren't people doing something about this? Why aren't they outraged at this? Why aren't they protesting? Things could actually change if we started speaking out. Imagine how much we could accomplish if we began to talk about more important things.  

Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

     I challenge you to speak words of life. Speak out for those who cannot for themselves. Make a change - where it is most needed. Don't waste your words. Focus your efforts on doing good. Instead of sharing articles that are mocking and ridiculing others, share articles that can change the world.

      
      Sincerely,
        Rachel   

Are you stressed out? With schoolwork, deadlines, and so many things do to around this time of year, it can get overwhelming. Also, while the weather gets colder, and the leaves fall from trees people begin to get sad, because they're missing the warm weather. For me, well, the cold never bothered me anyway. *ahem*sorry*not really*.
     Back to the topic! If you're worried, and stressed, and sick of feeling that way, this post is for you.

 We've all heard this question before. I'm going to call it 'The God Question'. It's the question that's very popular among atheists, and sometimes us Christians struggle with it too.

If God is real, why does he allow such suffering in this world? 

Why does He let children in Africa starve, and people be forced into slavery? 

Why does He allow soldiers and parents die?

       These are hard questions to answer, but one thing is sure. God isn't the 'evil' one, and death and sin certainly weren't part of His plan in the beginning.

      It's not His fault the children are starving. There's plenty enough food to go around on this planet, and plenty enough money too. Could God take the food and evenly distribute it, and make sure everyone had money? Yes. But God gives us free choice to do with it what we want.

     Think about it, if Bill Gates, the Kardashians or some other millionaire/billionaires had all their money taken away and an average living given to them, would they be happy? Of course not. They'd probably cry, and many people besides them would wonder why this would happen to them. What if that money was used to help the poor people? Would they still complain? Yes!

   Let's take a step back. Do you have a cellphone or computer? I do, and I certainly know that I use it more than I should. In fact, if the internet and technology were taken away from me, I would probably complain. Now, where are cell phones and computers made? Most are made in China, by slaves. Now if God took away your cell phone, would you be angry? If God took away all the products we used that are made by slavery would we be upset?

    If you couldn't ever eat chocolate or coffee again would you be upset? How about never being able to have diamonds or electronic devices? If any of these things was taken away from people today there would be an uproar, and probably many people would be upset at God. He would be blamed.

    So you see, it's not God's fault. He gave us free will to do as we please, and we've misused that power. The starving children in Africa could be fed and clothed, if only we'd not be so selfish. The 30,000,000 slaves around the world today could be freed if it weren't for us being so comfortable with the state of the world. If we actually cared and did something about it, maybe at the expense of our comfort, things would change.

     If there was no money made by wars, maybe there wouldn't be any more wars! If there hadn't been the original sin, there would be no death today. We are God's hands and feet on this world. He calls us to relieve suffering. We are supposed to bring peace and hope to this world. Unfortunately not all of us want to do this - thus through our free-will we bring more suffering to this world.

     No matter what God does for us here on earth, there will always be those who blame Him, and call Him an 'evil dictator'. If He freed the slaves, someone would complain about the loss of the products they'd made. If He gave food to the starving, someone would complain that we had less. If He took the money from those who are well-to-do, and gave it to those in need, someone would cry out against him. It's just easier to blame God, then to recognize that our sin has brought about ruin to this world. It's easier to blame God, then to do something about it.

   When we lose hope, we lose will. 

If we don't have hope, we won't move forward. 

We'll just sink deeper and deeper into suffering and darkness.

    
    But in the midst of all this suffering and pain - God offers us hope. He doesn't abandon us, He doesn't force us. He holds out His hand. He tells us it will be alright. He promises us eternal life, a home where there will be no pain, no death, no slavery, no starving children.

     His eyes are on the suffering, looking forward to the day when they can have answers, and He can wipe away their tears. One day the starving children will be in heaven. Their cries will be replaced by laughter. Their hunger will be replaced by fulfillment and health. There will be no slaves in heaven. They will be free, they will be at rest. Those who suffered in illness will no longer be weary. What God is offering us is hope.
   
     I'm looking forward to that day - but until then, I will be the feet and hands of God. I will bring hope, joy, and relief to those who need it here. Will you join me?

    Sincerely,
      Rachel