Are You A Christian

I have been wondering for the past few years, what defines a Christian. How do you know if you are right with God? And do you think it is the business of others to question where you are with your Faith? Do you ever feel uneasy? unsure? Do you know if you and God are on the same page?

I ask these questions because I have been to so many different churches over the past ten years due to my fathers position as regional minister, and there are many ways you see things. You see the elders complain about how ungrateful the youth are, you see the youth complain about how they are being treated like babies, you see the pastor trying to prevent another shooting in his community, you see a small church with so much power, try to keep youth out of trouble, you see a growing church with lots of people that want to succeed, and grow to love God, you see youth do different events, youth leaders trying to keep youth on track, and you wonder, why do youth decide to leave the church? What is it about church that has our youth saying, "See ya later?" Have churches lost sight of what the real issue may be?
I know the church I go to is a very old fashioned church and the member are mostly between the ages of 4-16, and than 40+. it's a huge concern because the older folk are dying off, while the young people have no respect yet they act like they are bored. It's great to see them in church, but how do we get them to be excited? It's not easy at all, requires a lot of work, patience, prayer, and hope because without either, nothing really gets done on its own. I just want to know if churches are setting youth up to fail, without really giving them a chance, if churches these days are just faking it to make it? Or if churches really do want a stronger generation? I have a lot of reading to do, research, and praying, but I am interested in feedback from anyone religious, non religious, regardless of your back ground, faith, I want to know.

Signed:
GyftedArtyst

Five Things

Tonight in Psychology class, my professor asked us to write down five things each that both men and women want in each other, generally. Than after, he wanted us to label g or b for girl or boy, and our A #, and we gave them in to him. He read all of the papers, and basically stated that research says different about what we want...We are programmed, mentally to want a tall dark and handsome guy, great job, goal oriented, does not live at home, already done school has a car, you know where I am going with this. However, society has deemed, those with only some qualities...Let me not forget that if he is too short, he is deemed weak and unworthy, have we really lost sense of what we were taught? Do we no longer think practical just material? He also has to be rich...
Some women thought that the guy should want an independent woman, but guys want a woman that they can spoil rotten, but still has some sort of life of her own. I lost track a bit...Let me back up...Society has us thinking that short guys cannot make us happy..We all watched Girlfriends, the popular comedy/drama that was canceled a while back, (still hoping and praying that it comes back. It was like the black Sex & The City) Tony Childs, was almost robbed, and a guy, short guy named Todd came to her rescue. She fell in love with him, even though he was short, they made it work.
I myself am still going through changes and understanding that when picking a partner, you need someone that will be able to help you in life, instead of hurt you. If the person is strong, passionate, patient, loves kids, goes to church,very active, etc.  Than what is holding you back? Maybe he has no car, but is saving up to buy one that will last...So we pass? Don't be silly ladies.. Men who have too much money, have a great job that they love more than you, spend more time in the mirror than you...Yeah, he is def a keeper. He won't stay with you, maybe for the sex, if it's good...Anyway..
I challenge my followers to ask themselves what they look for in a partner?
Men, be honest with yourselves, women, same to you. You do not have to respond, but think of this as a tiny assignment if you read this. What top five things do you think men want in women, and vice versa? Life partner, loving, sense of humor? Smart/educated, intellect, experienced, well traveled, family oriented, ambitious?
What do you think are the top five things?
Just for fun but we spent almost 45 minutes doing this in class. And of course I paid attention, it was interesting how we think one way, but do another, trained one way, but grow up with minds of our own and begin to discover what matters.
I'm a practical girl, and have grown up understanding that less is more, and I appreciate hard work because it proves results. Of course nothing comes easy, but we will make it. Just have faith, know yourself through God, and everything else falls into place. Do not get me wrong, if a man told me he wanted to take care of me, (It's his job anyway to take care of you, etc, etc...) But remind him that you want to be able to do your own thing too, without feeling controlled, or underestimated.
Lots of love

Signed:
GyftedArtyst

Slow & Steady

So I have been job hunting since February, figuring out what I love, and telling myself to be open, honest, and try smiling more. I do not smile enough, even if it is at a total stranger. I have lots to be thankful for, yet I walk around with a gloomy face...And my results are not changing because I am not changing. So when you know something is wrong, what do you do? Sit and keep doing wrong, or you get up and make a difference? Get up off the couch, instead of thinking the job will come to you, go to the job and tell them how great you are. Give the company a reason to hire you, show them your skills. We undervalue ourselves because we feel as if we are not doing enough, yet we are some of the most promising young adults out there. We have surgeons in the making, nurses from all backgrounds, IT specialists from all over, Engineers from all over in different fields, artists who are trying to keep the creative world alive, how can we say that we are lazy? We just need to be taught the right things in order to succeed. Tell us what is necessary, not what you are paid to tell us. I have been jobless for months, applying, have only had maybe 6 interviews in 8 months, there are days when I say, "God, why are you making me suffer?" But what he is trying to do is teach me a lesson...Ive still yet to figure out what the lesson is, but I know that I will find out very soon. Aggressiveness is important with jobs because if we do not go for what we want, someone else will. Stop watching and ACTION!!!!! We want the truth, not lies, stop feeding us garbage and than getting mad when we don't use it. Garbage is useless so give us something worth selling. We have an incredibly strong generation of leaders who are making change all over the world, so look at it from this point of few, it will happen one day, but just because it is not today or tomorrow, does not mean you should give up on us everday. Push us to succeed, encourage us, help us, don't let us fail, make sure we strive!!!!!

Signed:
GyftedArtyst

HowDoYouDecide

When I was younger, I used to use my heart a lot to make choices. However, as I got older, using my heart made it difficult to keep friends because I was always "really nice" and stopped being rational about the types of friend I should have. I have always been the "nice type"but sometimes being too nice all the time does not get us very far, only hurt. So when I left high school I decided to use my head instead of my heart. I can only put my heart through so much...Not to be all sad and sappy, but its true, why put our hearts through so much if we know that they can really only handle so much? Now, I am realizing that using both your head and your heart is important because you need to ensure that whom you are friends with will both benefit and encourage and educate you, while using your head reminds you to be practical and honest to make sure the friendship stays what it should be. Right, strong, and faith based. If you pick a friend who will steer you the wrong way, enjoy getting back on track, it is not easy, but it is possible, but be prepared for some tears.

How do you decide who to be friends with? Do you use your heart, your head, or both?
What has worked better for you?

Signed:
GyftedArtyst