Life Gave Me Lemonade

Besides from being something nice to drink on a hot summer day, I have realized that I can explain my whole theology using lemonade. Start with a lemon. Would you like to eat it? If not, why not? Because it is sour? But let's say this is all you have for nourishment. Life gave you lemons. Well, what do you do when life gives you lemons? Simple: you make lemonade. This is actually not simple. How do you make lemonade? You could start with a glass; now peel and squeeze your lemon. Would you like to drink this? Is this not just as bad as eating the lemon? Maybe, if you pour some water over your lemon juice, it will be less sour. Even now, your "lemonade" is pretty sour. Life sucks, huh? No matter how hard you try to better yourself, everything still tastes sour. Maybe, you just have the wrong attitude about it. Maybe, lemons aren't actually so bad, and you should be thankful for what you have (even though you hate it). Try this. You can put on an act, pretending to like lemons, but you still feel unsatisfied, even if no one else cares to look past their own lemons and see your misery. You yearn for someone to understand. Maybe it just doesn't matter. What if you killed yourself? Why would that be wrong? It is understandable that you would not want to live a life of lemons. What is the point, anyway? Maybe you won't kill yourself because you can't even come up with enough motivation to end it all. Why even pretend? Shout out to the world your bitterness. There can't possibly be a God because, if there were, there would also be such a thing as lemonade, which is really just an idea in your head that would be neat if it were true. But, what if there is a God after all? What is missing in your attempt at making lemonade? Realize now that all you really wanted was some sugar. You've tried lots of sweeteners, but they have never been quite satisfactory. Assuming sugar does exist, however, where is it? What does it look like? You don't even understand the meaning of the word. How could you? God is the sugar. When you hear the truth about Christ --that he died on a cross so that you could have a relationship with God the Father despite any wrongdoing that came from the bitterness of a life of lemons -- and you accept this, asking Jesus Christ to come into your life, you receive the Holy Spirit. You are now one with God. Now you not only have sugar, but you are overflowing with sugar, so that no effort is needed to mix lemonade. It appears to those living in lemons that you are content to eat straight lemons, when you are actually living in lemonade. Some will call you a fake because they know there are others who pretend to enjoy lemons, but you can finally reach the point where you crave the flavor. The fact is, life either gives you lemons, or it gives you lemonade. If you are reading this right now, life is offering you lemonade. You can continue with lemons, but now you know how easy it is. All you have to do is ask. This is the reason behind suffering. People work too hard at trying to end (or at least to reduce) suffering. What they never seem to realize is that there is only one thing they need to do. True Christians do not suffer. It was not hard for Jesus to choose to live the life he lived and to die on a cross. God is love, and love is God. The two are inseparable. When one is living a life of lemonade, one truly loves, so good deeds come as naturally as breathing. You don't need to prove to anyone your validity as a Christian; God knows your heart, and that's all that matters. God's desires become your desires, so the world turns in your favor for as long as you shall live, and it can only get better from here. Life gave me lemonade!

100 More Things to Think About

1. The inability to explain away an attraction is the first sign of falling in love.
2. Everything is wonderful.
3. Saying a cute little prayer and getting dunked in a pool of water does not give you a relationship with Christ.
4. Never listen to your heart! Instead, listen to the Spirit of Truth that whispers to your heart.
5. The best investment you can make in your future is a close relationship with God.
6. Not believing in Truth doesn't make it any less real.
7. To those who believe you should be on your best behavior in church: A hospital is the best place to be sick.
8. The only way to be remarkable is to accept that you're not.
9. It is not your actions but the reasoning behind them that makes what you do valuable.
10. How can I be serious about anything when I am so full of joy that everything is play?
11. I am in love with God and dancing -- in that order.
12. How silly is it that I should be upset at mere trivialities when I am so blessed?
13. Don't make plans; life is more exciting that way.
14. Would you like to know how to be happy with anything? Stop making comparisons.
15. I don't think I ever really change my mind; I only make realizations on what it always has been -- what I think and why I think that way.
16. I know I won't make the same mistake my parents made because of the way I am. I am more likely to fall in love with an entire person than his phony act to impress me. I am not impressed as much by what other people are impressed by. Everyone can show off strengths, but there aren't many ready to admit faults. I feel affection for those I can really see and understand.
17. Humans, no matter how rough or hopeless, all have a deep inner hope that keeps them alive and, when awakened, can transform them from the inside out.
18. The only difference between night and day is the world's perspective.
19. A kind smile opens more doors than anything else.
20. "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars!"-Les Brown Shooting for the moon is great, but I have more fun with stars.
21. A dim room is light to those who haven't seen the sun. After staring into the sun, everything else is dark.
22. Those who fear death are never really born.
23. You must fall before you can fly.
24. It is good to not feel.
25. Now that I think about it, I realize it is my perspective that has changed more than anything else.
26. What a mistake it is to wish for the past! When looking back at missed opportunities, people fail to see the ones right in front of them, only creating more regret for themselves.
27. Keep your superior tone in check. You disable God's kingdom when you forget what it was like to be human.
28. If you go through life expecting nothing, you will smile at everything merely because something is there.
29. Life is like a puzzle. No matter how small or unattractive a single piece may be, when removed, the whole picture is ruined. Therefore, everything is important.
30. If you wish to be more than human, you must seek out truth and accept it when you find it.
31. Remember everything, but dwell on nothing.
32. It is better to marry for logic than for feelings that can disappear as quickly as they appeared.
33. I am really free! I can hang on to worldly things, but I don't have to. It's okay to let go.
34. Our spiritual eyes are closed right now. If this is what we see with our eyes closed, just imagine what we'll see when they open!
35. Wherever I am is where I'm supposed to be.
36. Life is a game. You must accept the hand you're dealt and make your plays from there. You may enjoy life or complain about it -- the choice is yours. I'm just glad I get to play.
37. I know God is going to win in the end, so I don't have to live like I don't know.
38. Ends do NOT justify means.
39. If I am really doing the very best I can do, what does it matter if I fail on someone else's terms?
40. What right have I to say whether an event is right or wrong?
41. You will be laughing at what you cry over now in the future.
42. Negative words dampen spirits and make bad situations worse.
43. I can't stand hypocrisy -- especially in myself.
44. Beware the voice of "Why not?" -- It has power to enable and destroy life.
45. I refuse to grow up.
46. No one is really black or white.
47. Here is something I have trouble with: I like volunteering; it gives me a special inner boast. However, when I am in trouble, it makes me upset that others attempt to help me. I don't want to be someone else's charity case, even though I do charity work all the time. I feel like I should be giving more than receiving, but, when I refuse help from those willing to give it, I cheat them out of that boast. So, in a way, I give when I thankfully receive. As you should give to whoever asks, so you should also accept service from whoever offers.
48. If I were to tell you that the heart digests food, the brain pumps blood, and the stomach is the nerve-center for the rest of the body; you would ridicule my idea because it is ridiculous. Now, if you just happened to ridicule another idea that turned out to be right, would that make my idea any less ridiculous?
49. I common human mistake is the tendency to make complicated things simplified and simple things complex.
50. I suggest we do things backwards: children teach adults.
51. To those who believe nothing with a will to live should be eaten: I think we should all just lie around and wait to die.
52. When you are saved, you become God.
53. Schools teach that you should be a free thinker, as long as you're thinking MY way.
54. I am entitled to nothing.
55. Never let a guy know exactly how much you like him.
56. The ignorant are easily manipulated.
57. Christ came to cause a separation between the people of and in this world. He is not PC and does not want everyone to "just get along". It's time to fight for what is right!
58. You should always love people before liking them.
59. I can't see your spirit.
60. Girls, focus on being beautiful in God's eyes.
61. We can twist what has been twisted to evil back to good.
62. When you realize how meaningless everything is, don't let it discourage you. Instead, think of how thankful you should be for everything you have. None of it is necessary; it is all a gift given to you by God merely for your enjoyment. Maybe he cares about that.
63. You have never met a mere mortal.
64. If you lose everything, it doesn't matter -- unless you've abandoned God.
65. Crying for yourself is useless. No one else is crying for you. No one else cares. This isn't changing anything. Now get up and DO something!
66. When you hear God's voice calling you, chase it until you can't possibly run anymore. Ignoring who you are will make you suicidal.
67. Think of others before yourself. This is the closest you can ever get to happiness.
68. Smiles are another form of tears.
69. As long as there is a government, people are going to be dissatisfied with it. The only other choice is anarchy.
70. As long as you are on Earth, I know this for sure: Nothing ever gets better.
71. Relative truth is no truth at all.
72. Our society is completely dependent upon "losers".
73. If nothing else, AP classes teach students the necessary skill of failing with grace.
74. There is nothing more sexually attractive than talent.
75. True love is forever.
76. Material prayers are like asking your Heavenly Father for a pony. You can ask all you want; you're probably not going to get it.
77. God is more concerned with your moral character than your immediate happiness.
78. I would rather be despised than ignored.
79. People judge you based on who they are.
80. I believe the key to success now is to stop thinking. Just allow yourself to be totally brainwashed, soaking up only thoughts others have made up for you, and you will be an all-A's student.
81. Why don't you kill yourself? What is it you're living for?
82. Everyone is equally religious.
83. Fear is a demon. To listen is to sin.
84. I call you blind because you don't see the obvious, but this is not the case. You're not blind; your eyes are closed. I would like to warn you before you open them that what you see will break your heart. To not open them, however, will produce at least a million times greater agony.
85. Hell is nothing.
86. Do you want to know how to make a difference? Stop putting yourself out there. When you are alone, the lonely will see you and gravitate toward you. Once you have befriended the friendless, your words will be worth so much more. Stop acting and get real! Don't do what you're supposed to do, but what you want to do.
87. Lazy days depress me. I don't like that my vacation is all about me. Even if I need the rest, I lack a sense of purpose when I'm enjoying the relaxation. I suppose I'm ambiguous that way. When I am active, I get tired and crave a vacation. When I am on vacation, I feel worthless because I am less active.
88. Life is long. Sex can wait.
89. God did not make somebody for everybody, but he made everybody for himself.
90. The short happy moments of life are not enough to justify all the pain if this is all there is.
91. I want to have children so I can feel important.
92. To those who believe science and religion should never mix: How can close-mindedness increase reason or faith? A person who fears to dig deeper into a subject because a few previously held beliefs may be challenged is obviously not interested in any sort of truth.
93. If I were to bake a batch of cookies, and you were to attempt to figure out my secret recipe, your knowledge of how I made the cookies would not change the fact that I was the one who baked the cookies.
94. I do not have enough faith to be an atheist.
95. The search for meaning in itself is meaningless. Life's purpose, then, must either be learned or innate.
96. It is great to be commended for your efforts, but keep in mind that paper tears.
97. I am the stupidest idiot because that is what I see when I look in the mirror. This must be true because I cannot change my mind.
98. I don't want life to be meaningless! I know that it isn't, but the feeling that it is never goes away. My life consists of constant passion, constant joy, and constant depression. I fear nothing and I weep about nothing except this one, inarticulate, never ending longing. This is who I am.
99. The wise confess their idiocy; the foolish profess their intelligence.
100. You can't make lemonade without sugar.