Impact

I think that everyone has felt, at some point in their lives, the feeling of being small and insignificant. At least, I know I have. Feeling that if you were to suddenly vanish from the planet or if you never had existed, nothing would be much different than it is now. Or maybe you look at a huge problem personal or global and think Well I'm just me. How can I even start to fix this? Basically feeling just very unable to leave any impact or influence. I know how depressing it can be when you feel this way. 

But that's just not how life works.

Remember the last time someone did something small that made your day? Maybe someone complimented you. Maybe someone shared their food, stayed up late texting you, or even just smiled at you. Even though it was something small, it made you feel really really great didn't it? And you probably thought about it for awhile. Yet it might not even have been a big deal for the other person. See, even though it was something small for them to do, it made a big impact on you.

 The older I get, the more I have understood the power of influence. Just a small comment or action from someone can make my day-or break it. Conversely, I distinctly remember one of my good friends (who, at the time, was a cancer patient) telling me how encouraging my instagram account was to her. That was a moment where I realized that I am unintentionally making an impact on everyone who reads my Instagram feed. 

Listen. If there's one thing you need to understand, it's that:

Every thought

Every word

Every action

Every post

Is going to make an impact-positive or negative-on every single person who sees or hears it. Why do you think the Bible is constantly talking about watching our words and actions? If they didn't make a difference, it wouldn't matter. But the fact is, they do make a difference. A huge difference. Even your thoughts make a difference, because thoughts become words and actions. Every single part of you makes an impact. 

So my question to you is: what kind of impact are you making? I'm definitely not going to throw stones-I've made terrible impacts on people before. I've said things I regret and I've done things I regret. But I don't let that hold me back. I want to impact people positively, to encourage and inspire them. So my challenges to you are:

Take Every Thought Captive

We take every thought captive to obey Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:5

We can't keep unkind or destructive thoughts from coming into work, however, we can't control what we do with those thoughts. We have a choice: we can either hold on to the thoughts and allow them to influence our words and our actions, or we can take the thought captive, say no, and pray for God to fill our hearts with love for Him and for others. Yes, we are going to fail, we are going to have days we say and do things that we regret, but God will cover us with grace-not only to be forgiven but also to live the way He has called us to live.

Speak Life

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. -Proverbs 25:11

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life. -Proverbs 10:11

We also must be careful in our words. The only way to do this is to truly think before we speak. We have to be aware of our words and how they might impact those around us. We must use our words to build up, and not to bruise. The truth is: words hurt. We have all been hurt by words. So let our words be gracious, and let them serve to help others rather then hurt them. 

Live and Love

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth. -1 John 3:18

You know that person who always claims to be a good friend but never truly acts like it? This is along the lines of what John is talking about in this verse. It doesn't matter what our words say, but the true test of what we think is in our actions. Words can lie, but actions rarely do. Well we can fake many other things, our actions will make our hearts clear. The only way to truly live as a follower of Christ is to be a follower of Christ from the heart. A heart in love with Jesus and totally abandoned to Him will desire to honor Him in every area of life. So pray that He would give you the grace and strength to live in a way that honors Him 

 and shows abundant love to others.

Remember that everything you do has impact.

Someone is always watching.

Live to honor Him-live to impact others for Him.

Love to live. Live to love.

-Amy Carmichal

Things That are Bringing Me Joy

I love to find joy in the simple things. Yesterday and today, I felt so content and joyful that I wanted to tell the world why, and encourage others to also find joy in the little, ordinary things. So here are some reasons I'm joyful today:

1. My New Wall Decor

It inspires me every time I look at it. (Yes, I am aware that it is missing a word and I do see the irony, but I'm going to fix it ASAP!). 

2. Recital is in One Week

As I write this I am icing a strained/pulled muscle, but I will push through this week! God has blessed me so much with amazing teachers who believe in me, incredibly talented dancers who inspire me, and a love for dance that keeps me going. 

3. Crazy Love

This book has been recommended to me a thousand times. I bought it around the beginning of the year and planned to read it...and then forgot about it. Just getting into it and I LOVE it.

4. Micah 1:3-4

For behold, The Lord is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth, And the mountains will melt under Him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before fire, like waters poured down a steep place. It's not the kind of verse you'd crochet on a pillow, but I loved it's display of His majesty.

5. My New Slipper Socks 

I don't want to ever take them off. Ever. Is it silly that something so small increases my joy ever so slightly? 

6. I'm Scheduled for Worship

Some Sunday mornings (especially at the beginning of recital week when I want to rest) I'm not the most excited about getting up and going, but worship is one of my favorite things. Helping lead the church in worship is adds a little more joy!

7. All Sons and Daughters

Besides the insane musical talent, there is so much amazing Biblical truth woven into every one of their songs. They truly make we want to praise Him!

8. My...Teddy Bears

I'm 17, but my stuffed animals still stay in my bed. Is that weird? 

Well most of these were pretty silly, but I wasn't trying to be crazy! I honestly feel that the smallest things bring me joy! Where do you find joy? ❤️

There are two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other as though everything is a miracle. -Unknown

Is Maleficent Glorifying Evil?

(SPOILER ALERT)

I just saw Maleficent this afternoon with a friend, and I was excited. I grew up on Disney movies and even now in my late teens I still really enjoy Disney. But I was also intrigued because of several Christian articles I had read accusing Maleficent of glossing over, condoning, and even promoting evil, as the villain of the 1959 animated classic "Sleeping Beauty" is given a softer side. So I was ready to see the movie and weigh in to see if these critics were right.

After watching the movie, thinking of the context of the original, I don't think that these authors were right about Disney trying to promote or perhaps lighten evil. For two main reasons:

For one, the movie changes the entire plot of the original Sleeping Beauty. It is clear that the original Maleficent was pure evil-complete with a bird named Diablo (Spanish for devil), and controls the forces of evil/hell. If Disney had held to the same storyline but attempted to add a tragic past to Malaficent's life, that would be different. But because they changed the story, they were free to change the characters as well (as they did quite liberally). 

Secondly, In the original story, Maleficent was evil personified. But in the new movie, Maleficent is a fairy who was betrayed and in her grief and fury became evil. But when the princess Aurora's joy melted her heart, she desperately tried to reverse her actions, but they could not be undone. Then she suffered the terrible consequences of her deeds, and finally is redeemed and repents and turns back from the way she was before. To me, it seems the story is not about justifying the chatacter's downfall, but is actually a story centered around the redemption of Maleficent.

When I watched Maleficent, I was struck by the amazing cinematography and acting, but mainly by the brilliant way they changed the story. I thought it was very well done. You don't have to go see it, but don't avoid it if you fear it is condoning Maleficent's evil behavior. It is a story of redemption, pure and simple.