CHEERFULNESS, and sport

What is the use of exercise? What is the use of having fun? What is the point of being happy?

Quite a number of times recently I have been asked by my family, especially my dad, what is the matter? I say, nothing, why do you ask. Then they say, well, because you aren't smiling. To be honest, that makes me grumpy. I mean, can't I live a day without smiling? Do I have to smile just to make others happy? Maybe I do. Maybe my duty is to bring joy to others, just by smiling at them. One time I wasn't smiling because I was deep in thought, after the incident I thought some more about smiling and realized that if something like this is mentioned, then I must have been a very smily person in the past. I hope growing up doesn't ruin that for my family. When I don't smile, I notice that my family isn't quite as happy. So, perhaps, it is easier to just keep on smiling. What does God say about it though? Its not something I would have imagined trying to find references for-smiling. Proverbs 15 says that "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken." and that "a cheerful heart has a continual feast." I do not think anymore that it is so much about the act of smiling, as to where that smile comes from. A cheerful person is blessed, and is a blessing. I need to find joy in the Lord. When my heart is cheerful, then I do not need to worry about having to smile everyday because it will come naturally. And then? James 5 says, 'he who is cheerful is to sing praises'. Then that is what I shall do. My heart is glad, for all that I have been blessed with. I shall remember and let it flow out. I shall be a blessing to my family and friends as God has blessed me. Out of all new year resolutions (not that I make them) this has got to be the best.

As to having exercise, it keeps you healthy, happy and lets you sleep well. What other convincing does anyone need?!

The best way to get exercise is to play sport with a group. Many people will say that they are not sporty, but seriously, anybody can be part of a team of friends and be a defence in football or something by standing in the opponents way. Or just running after the ball when it goes off the field. Then you don't even have anyone chasing you and I  am sure it will be appreciated. We play touch rugby on Tuesday evenings. During summer time. While it is light. It is honestly, the best fun I have with these people. It is probably the only time I talk with some of them even. But it is GREAT. Last night only 8 other people turned up. It was a pity no one else came but this way you interact with absolutely everybody. The only things that are set in concrete are the general rules. And because most of the time we don't appoint a referee even those can be bent with a little persuasive talking. If you don't have something like this find some!!!

I know that this was all very random, and I apologize and hartily congratulate you reading this far. Thanks. If you only got past the first 2 paragraphs, and like me just skip to the end, then you probably had the best read. ^^ God bless you all.

PRAYER

Prayer is needed for all the countries, and governments on the Open Doors World Watch list. These are the countries in which you cannot be free to live as a Christian, without worry. I mean, we worry a little and we aren't even on the list, so how much more must the Christians there. So prayer is needed for the Christians to remain strong and for the governments to change their lands.

Prayer is needed also for the Christian Reformed of Mukachevo, Ukraine. They want to build a church building to worship in, but need funds. They are also a young church and so will need prayer as much as any other. Several of their members also have a project going called The Father's House. Prayer needed for that too.

These are general prayers. Maybe I shall post more personal ones later.

Wondering

How is it that really quiet days can be nice, and fun but then busy days are not? Isn't it meant to be that you get bored and upset on the quiet ones? I dunno, full of questions is what I am. Maybe a better title for my blog would be wondering instead of wandering. I chose wandering because I aim to let myself wander along in my thoughts here.
Today we were reading about how David was running away from his son. How is it that a man who kills a giant has to run away from his own son? It seems kind of odd. It also makes backsliding very terrible. David, who wrote those psalms, a man after God's own heart, not relying on God. I always thought that the great heroes of the faith only grew, not backslid. Nope, you can't even trust heroes.
Here's another why. Why is it that it takes so much motivation to finally start an email, but then as soon as your started the rest comes wizzing out of your fingers, or that when you start a cool project you are happy to start but can never find the time to finish? I do wonder. Sin maybe? I think so.

The first..

Whats the point of a blog? I dunno. Maybe, for some it is to keep track of their friends, or for their friends to keep track of them. Maybe it is the place to spill your heart out, though that doesn't sound like a good idea, not if anyone can see it! Or maybe it is to keep track of myself. I don't know, I haven't figured it out yet.
I was pretty silly to be honest. I start a blog without know why I am making, just that I want to and it might be good, I didn't know what to call it. I didn't have a clue, I have just gone and done it.

I think I wish that I did that more often. Not think too much about why I am doing something, that might be good, but just go ahead and do it. For example, I think that I might try to support orphans for God, and also the Mukachevo church in Ukraine. For the second one it is still easy, just staying in contact, talking about what maybe can be done. Orphans for God has a different thing though, they know roughly what they are doing. When I said I might be interested, I got fired back, ok, go get donations and raise awareness and most of all pray. No offence, but that worried me. Too much of a talker and not so much of a doer I think. Maybe that is why I get annoyed at my brother when he mucks around and doesn't DO.

Ok, so why should I DO anything? Really? Why should I waste my hard earned, needed in the future, money. I mean, why not keep it in the bank to pay off my student loan later? I mean, I offered my interest so I don't HAVE to do or give anything do I? But, my yes must remain a yes. So, can I get away with a maybe? I don't think so. Maybe I will memorize Romans. Maybe I will help the Mukachevo church build a new building. Maybe I will help the orphans for God helpers. Maybe I will serve God, when I maybe feel like it. That can't be my attitude.

I decided what I want to do with this blog. I want to try honor and glorify God through it. I will be able to look at the life that I write down (and it will be a lot of writing for such a boring life, and lots of reading!). I will look at the past and the present and think about the future, and hopefully all those who stumble across this blog will do the same, and we can glorify God for what he does. I will also use this blog to keep a track of my friend's blogs. Then those who come across mine can continue to those more purposeful ones and help with them too.