SAY WHAT?!

Before you read this blog I want to say that I am just stating my honest opinion. I don't mean to offend anyone in anyway but I ask that you be open minded and honest with yourself. Thanks! :)

Person 1: We can't go to **** town because its late and ghetto in that area right now.
Person 2: Oh... ghetto? Are there a lot of "black" people there?
Person 1: Umm...No. I mean its dark outside and there are a lot of homeless people etc. in that area. It's not safe.
Person 2: Oh...

So... am currently taking a Racial and Ethnic Groups sociology class. I guess I have become more sensitive to racist or racial remarks. I couldn't help myself but to blog about it. :p
You see... God opened my eyes while I was in California to some prejudice ideas that I was raised up with. There is really no one to blame. I can't be upset with my parents and their unfortunate encounters with other racial groups, but I am going to be honest and say that I can't deny that fact that I WAS raised with some prejudice influences BUT I am blessed that God has shown (And really is still showing me) what it means to love ALL His people. WE are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. It doesn't matter what the color of our skin is, what we eat, how we smell, etc.
In my Soc. class I learned that biologically we are ALL the SAME!!! We are actually more biologically different among those who may "look" similar to us! Crazy! God is SO amazing! We were created in His image and I pray that as we make Him our Lord and Savior our actions would reflect Him!

Honestly I am tired of hearing racial/racist jokes. It hurts even more when I hear it from close friends and family, but I will not be discouraged because I know God is in the midst of all of this. He is good and sovereign. I know that through prayer and petition, the Lord hears me.

Question for YOU: What is holding you back from loving ALL of Gods people?

Prioritize!

I wanna get involved in everything but I have to remember to set my priorities and manage my time well especially as I face 16 credits this semester! :p This semester I feel like God keeps on bringing (Or maybe the devil idk hahaha I guess it just depends on how you look at it, distractions or motivations? :p) on more opportunities to be involved on campus and with the city. It's difficult to turn down some opportunities but I need to finish out my commitments of the school year well. Anyways....

School has been VERY good! Yes I have a lot of projects, Spanish homework, and reading...LOTS of reading...BUT I love it all! My professors are just amazing and I feel like I am taking in so much! So many things to think about. I feel like my brain has doubled in size from just one week of lecture. I am looking forward to all the projects and hard work that I will have to put forth this semester. I know the Lord is right by my side and this semester, much will be accomplished. I am thankful and great full that I have an opportunity to have a higher education. God is so good. :)

Invest...

Today at church the pastor preached about giving back to the city in a Godly manner. Everyone in the church was given money and asked to use  it wisely to invest into the city of Chicago. (Dang that was a lot of money! There were over 200 people in that room and every one got at least $3.00-100.00!)

I love my church. I won't lie. It is really big and at times I feel awkward when I am alone but in the mean time it fits me where I am at in my life. Anyways...
Pastor Jackson preached about the importance of being involved with the community and using the gifts and talents God has blessed us with to bless others. This is something that has been on my heart since I moved into the city. This is the very reason why I felt I needed to leave last summer to California. I try not to bubble myself on campus (which is VERY easy to do). I am always looking for an opportunity to serve the Lord outside of my comfort zone.
 I am blessed to start of the new year with a challenge and that is, to invest into the city God has blessed me with. Not everyone may see Chicago as a blessing and I do not blame them, but to me Chicago is an opportunity to grow spiritually and personally. So, how have I been investing my time into this great city?

Honestly I have been doing a terrible job. Part of this maybe that i'm not really in Chicago often and  find myself going back to Rockford home. Going back to Rockford home and staying in Chicago is always a struggle for me. Choosing where I want to be involved (ministry and non ministry) is a constant struggle. I guess I need to pick one place. Hahaha

I know Chicago is a place I wanna begin investing more time into. Part of me is scared and excited. Pray for me. :)

Question for YOU: Are YOU investing yourself into the city God has blessed you with?

2013...A New Year

So it has been awhile since I have blogged. After California everything went by so quickly. God was moving through my heart and I realized I no longer wanted to study science. Actually I knew I did not want to study science after the Spring semester of 2012 (before I left to Cali.) but the only problem was, what did I want to study then? Thankfully, God timing is always prefect. If I didn't struggle and submit to the Lord as much as I have had to this year, I know I would of continued down this path. Also what a blessing it was to find out about the brand new undergrad. program at my university in Public Health. I feel like this is something I could possibly study. It just happened to be that this program just opened up this past fall semester of 2012. Gods timing couldn't be any better. I am blessed and I have seen the Lords blessings through my failures and success. He is so good to me. As I enter this New Year, I hope that I will not dwell on my past failures, but be strengthened and renewed in the Lord. I have had the opportunity to make amazing Godly friends, and I have an amazing family who continues to strengthen and encourage me. God has given me wonderful opportunities that I would of never expected to serve Him and love others. I pray that this year I would remember that God is good no matter what. The verse on my blog site is the one I wish to focus on this year.  I pray that you to will be blessed by this verse and Gods love.