Applying what I learned...

SOooo: For Philosophy, I am reading parts of C. S. Lewis as a Philosopher: Truth, Goodness and Beauty, and one chapter/essay in it talks about Lewis’ suggestions for dealing with emotional doubt of faith. Reading this chapter I have learned that he was a bit ahead of his time with his suggestions for getting rid of the doubt...he said we must realize the importance of our emotions – they are fickle and change like the wind. Then he says we must practice the disciplines of our faith daily – read the Bible, pray, worship with others, and review Christian doctrines. Then the person who wrote that chapter [Gary Habermas I think…] compares Lewis’ remedy with that of a psychologist that was published in the 1950’s [about 10ish years after Lewis’] and his remedy for ridding oneself of emotional doubt [or of the lies we tell ourselves/believe about ourselves] is to identify the lie, get rid of it, and replace it with truth – which is basically the same as Lewis’ suggestion.
ANYWAY I just realized [at lunchtime] that all I have gone through this morning, making me feel icky and unlike a good student and not worthy and not pretty and not "up to par" and tired and everything else, is kindof like God's saying, so Anna, what are you gonna do with what you've just learned?Because right now I really feel like crap. But I know that I can’t focus on my FEELings. I have to focus on the TRUTH, on what GOD says about me – not what I say about me. Which is in SCRIPTURE.
And what HE, the KING OF KINGS, my MIGHTY WARRIOR, my LOVING FATHER says about me is:
1. Christ is my righteousness – 1 Corinthians 1:30
2. I am not to put confidence in my flesh – Philippians 3:3
3. My inner self is of great worth in God’s sight – 1 Peter 3:3-4
4. My prayers are heard AND answered by the Almighty God – Psalm 116:1-2
5. I can hide in my Father – Psalm 32:7a
6. He loves me so much that He died for me– John 3:16
7. He loves me enough to call me His child, and to make me more and more like Him every day – 1 John 3:1-2
8. I am swallowed in His grace – 2 Corinthians 12:9
9. He is helping me and holding my hand – Isaiah 41:13
10. He will renew my strength – Isaiah 40: 30-31
AND I could go on, and on. But I have to leave to go volunteer in a few minutes…and reminding myself of these 10 things has sufficiently brightened my afternoon. J I just need to keep them always in view!

Snorkeling is one of the most enjoyable, interesting things I have ever done in my life. The beautiful, intricate creations of our Creator-God can be seen so clear and uniquely underwater, I think - there are sooo many different types of fish and underwater plants! The 2 times I’ve been astounded me, I hope do be able to do it many times more..especially in water as clear as this. If you haven't been, I highly suggest it :)

- photo source: http://bitterbrightside.tumblr.com/post/1721914711

I am the Bread of Life.

Dave Edwards spoke in Convo today, so I was pretty excited, bc he's done revivals before at my church back home. And what he said hit home.
I really, I mean really should be studying science right now but I wanted to post this on here bc it's been forrrrever since I've posted on here. And what I'm about to post is decent stuff.
Mark 8:14-21
14The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
In the 13 verses before this, Jesus fed teh 4,000, and in 2 chapters before that, He fed the 5,000. So there was bread left over. And the disciples only managed to bring one loaf on the boat with them. [I easily get distracted and forget things too]. Then when Jesus tried to talk to them about some serious things, all they could think about was how there was barely any bread for all of them. All they could worry about was the loaf bread and not having enough, when Jesus had just a few hours ago multiplied seven loaves into 4,000. They were not adding Him into their equation -- Worry is when we try to figure out our own problems without factoring in the help of God. [direct quote there from Dave]. This is so true, I'm a bit of a worrier myself so I experience this a good bit :/. Dave also said Don't worry about bread when the Bread of Life is in the boat with you. The disciples could only see 2 feet in front of them. Yet I am no different in my own life -- God is right here with me but I still worry about things that I need- how I'm gonna complete all this schoolwork on time [not a prob if I would not procrastinate], where money will come from, giving a presentation, safety in travel, the list could go on. Yet He is RIGHT HERE. I have no need to worry, just to give it all to Him. I must simply remember this fact --- and I encourage you too as well.

Just read this book [The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis] for my children’s literature class. And I love it. Absolutely love it. ALways have loved the Narnia series. and Lewis himself. I love the way he writes, as if he and you were sitting by the fire having a cup of tea, and you were the only person in his audience. So personal and warm. And the imagery in this book, in each of the books. Ahhh I just love it. :) PS can’t wait for the latest movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, to come out December 10th, 2010. :D