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 

 

 

 


   Hello everyone! School is over, and summer is upon us, and here I am back to blogging. I have taken it upon myself to take the Sunshine Blogger Award tag, as found on a friend's blog - link below. It has been quite a while since I've done a tag, so this will be fun.

http://overthehillsthereisacottage.blogspot.ca/2017/04/its-another-day-of-sun-sunshine-blogger.html

Do you have any family heirlooms?
     There is a couple old tea-sets, but that's pretty much it. 


Opinion on Letterwriting?
   I love letter writing. Although I don't write letters very often, when I was younger I had a pen-pal and it was so fun. It seems as though you can receive as many messages or emails as you want, but nothing is quite so exciting as getting a letter. 
   So, if any of you would like to write letters, let me know. 

 Do you prefer tea, coffee or cocoa?
    Herbal tea. I don't drink coffee, and I know it will probably come as a shock to ya'll (as it does to most people) that I don't like chocolate.


What's your favourite children's story?
    Little House On The Prairie, was a favourite as a child, and any horse book.  

What movie or Period Drama ending really frustrated you? And how would you change it?
 
   Ooh. Christy - the series was a childhood favourite of mine. We all watched it as a family, and I loved all the characters, and the setting, and the plot. The ending was rather abrupt, and even though I haven't seen the sequel movies, I read some spoilers. 
    
     Here's my opinion. Neil McNeil was a nice enough guy. But he had a pretty fiery temper, he was rash, he was rude, and he was married. Ok, I understand that his wife left him, and Christy didn't know. But his wife came back, and they were doing pretty good! 
      David was so nice. He had his flaws, but he was always looking after Christy, and he waited for her for so long.
    
    If I had my choice of ending, I would've had Neil get back together with his wife, and David and Christy get together. End of rant.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

   Good question. We cannot tell the future, so I can't say for sure. But here are several possibilities. 
    I can imagine myself travelling, and maybe teaching in somewhere, and writing in the evenings. But I also feel a call to be teaching and doing mission work somewhere in India, Africa, or anywhere that there is a great need. 

 What makes you nostalgic?

   Lots of things. Reading a book that I read when I was little, or going through old things, or smelling something that reminds me of my childhood. Eating noodle soup, or sitting around the fireplace in the winter, with candles, or when the power is out. Pretty much anything can make me feel nostalgic. 


If you had to describe yourself as an animal, what would it be?
  Maybe something like a deer? Quiet, but attentive, most people might not even notice that I'm there, but I can be playful, and curious too. 

If a loved one was to serenade you, what song would you most like them to sing?
   If a loved one was to serenade me, I would turn bright red, and most likely be embarrassed for the rest of the evening, and make them promise to keep it a secret forever. 

If you could change your name to anything what would your new name be?
   I have actually thought about this a lot. My middle name is Martha, and I have never really liked it at all. So, I've wanted to change it. If I could change my first name it would probably be, Samantha, Emma, Sophie, or Josephine. 
  
  If I changed my middle name I would probably choose Anne, or maybe something that started with a R just for the fun of it, so my initials would be R.R.R.

What's your favourite biscuit to dunk?
   Peanut butter, in milk.

     I tag Rebecca at Amazing Adventures, Jess Dunlap, and whoever else would like to, to answer my questions! Please feel free to answer in the comments, or on your blog, whichever you would rather. 

    My Questions:
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Sunflowers or lilacs?
What is your favourite part of summer?
If you were able to do anything career/future wise, what would you do?
What is something on your bucket list?
If you had to describe yourself in five word, what would they be?
What is something that makes you happy?
How do you feel about talking on the phone?
Sweet, savoury, or sour?


  Have a great day, and enjoy your summer. Hopefully I will be posting a lot more now that school is over.

  Sincerely,
  Rachel R.
   

        Valentines day is just around the corner, and although I don't celebrate it, I thought it would be the perfect time to write this post. If I'm completely honest with you, I've been waiting for months to post this... So here we go!