NIPTO, Day 365

Today marks 1 year of NIPTO posts.
Tomorrow... I don't think I'm going to blog. I'll probably go to bed feeling like I forgot to do something, but oh well! haha.
I'll still blog pretty much every day. But if there are days that I'll be up until past 10:30 blogging IF I blog... nope. Not gonna do it. (Even if it's for the kids.)

My day today was as follows: School, more school, classes, come home, find out I don't have to babysit, watch Glee from last night, talked to Kate a bit, read her blogs to Mom, ate dinner, got ready for dance, went to dance, danced for 2 hours, came home on CRAZY roads, changed into comfy clothes, and now I'm blogging and listening to Brandon's talk from 2 weeks ago.

NIPTO time.
2 Timothy 1:15-18
¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

Everyone deserted him. How sad would that be??? To have everyone in an entire province desert you. Including these two people. 

That would be... lonely.

 ¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. ¹⁷ On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.

Even after being deserted by a whooooole bunch of people, Paul asks that God would show mercy to Onesiphorous. He was a person who supported Paul and was refreshing to be around. He wasn't ashamed of Paul's chains. He was far from ashamed! He searched for Paul when he was in Rome until he found him! That's devotion. And definitely not shame.

¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Paul asked God to show him mercy because of the ways that he helped Paul in Ephesus. Good for Onesiphrous. (That's a mouthful of a name! haha)

And that's all for tonight. I think I'm going to eat a brownie and start an old episode of Chuck (I'll watch the new one during lunch tomorrow! :] Can't wait!)

Bye blog readers. Love y'all.

NIPTO, Day 364

Tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my one year "blogoversary" or something like that.
Tonight is the Super Bowl. I'm rooting for the Green Bay Packers. The score is currently (JUST SCORED!) 14-0 Packers. (I'll post updated scores throughout the game/this post with little parenthesis. Packers-Steelers. Yup.)

Today was pretty crazy. Got up&got ready. Went to church. Church was music practice, 1st service music, sunday school, going upstairs briefly and then going back down because we didn't sing a last song, hanging out between services, second service music, "State of the Church Address," and that was CHURCH. Then I talked to Nicolee for a while (which was really fun! I haven't seen her in forever). Then it was time for our "Soup-er Bowl" party. So we had lunch (Broccoli cheese&French Onion). And then we had a discussion about a couple of the beattitudes. Good stuff.
Then I came home, for half an hour, and left for SUPER Sunday at The620. We hung out and ate (pizza) and played a Super Bowl Trivia game (which we tied) and then had a karaoke-off. Sam and I sang for our team and we won! Oh yeahhhhhh (that was a Vector "OH yeahhhhhh," in case you were wondering). Then Brandon talked. And I videotaped it. Hannah, remind me to send that to you or something. And zen we cleaned up and listened to "The Joy of Being Lovesick" by Cory Asbury. And now I'm home watching the Commercial Breaks. The Dorito commercials have been the best so far.
And now I'm going to do NIPTO. And then finish my homework. (I have to finish writing a paragraph answer to a question. No biggie!)

2 Timothy 1:6-14
⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.


Because of Timothy's faith, Paul wanted to remind him keep the gift of God in him alive. (14-3 haha) The Spirit that God gives to us doesn't make us afraid. It gives us power, love, and self-discipline. One of my "who I am in Christ" statements is something to the effect of "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." And I like that. A sound mind. 




⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.


We shouldn't be ashamed of God. And Paul is telling Timothy not to be ashamed that Paul is a prisoner because of his faith. Instead he invited him (and us!) to join with him in suffering for the gospel. Suffering by the power of God.  




⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.


God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He didn't do this because of anything that we did, but because he has his own purpose and he has grace for us. The grace given to us is was in Jesus before the beginning of time. But now it's been revealed through Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.




 ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

THAT is the gospel that we were called to share and teach. That's why Paul was suffering. But his suffering wasn't a cause for shame because he knows who he believed in and he was convinced that he was able to guard what was entrusted to him. Go Paul!

 ¹³ What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

What's written should be kept as a pattern of teaching: teach with faith and love in Christ Jesus. We should guard what was deposited in us (God's word? the ability to share God's word?). We're to guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit. Who lives in us. BOO YAH!

Yeah. I'm done for now. The score is still 14-3. (packers-steelers) Yeah. I'm done. Homework time...

NIPTO, Day 363

Haayy (is for horses!).

I took a practice ACT. That I would very much like to forget. Thenn the Karen girls came over. And we ate lunch, played spoons a bit, went sledding. I love sledding. It's so much fun! Then I came in and helped Mom&Eh Ler with a couple of math problems.
We watched Coraline soon after that and then Skyped with Hannah for a bit. And by a bit I mean 30 minutes. Or 40. And then everyone left. Then I made brownies and did dishes. And listened to The Civil Wars. Then Mom&Dad got home and we at dinner (grilled cheese with left over Donotos pizza). Now we're watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. WEIRD. Strange strange movie.
But it seems good... so far.

NIPTO? Yeahhh.

2 Timothy 1:1-5

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

Paul was an apostle (who wrote the last letter to Timothy. This is his second letter to Timothy). He was keeping with the promise of life, that is to say, Jesus, in writing this.

 ² To Timothy, my dear son:

   Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul's letters to fellow brothers/sisters in Christ always seem to start with grace, mercy, and peace from God. When reading this we need to be filled with grace, mercy, and peace. And that'll come from God.

 ³ I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.


When Paul would remember Timothy, he would thank God. God was who he served. And who his ancestors served. And he could thank God for Timothy with a clear conscience. Paul wanted to see Timothy so he could be joyful. Seeing/being with other brothers and sisters is cause for great joy.




⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.


When praying for Timothy, Paul would remember his faith. The faith that Timothy's grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. Paul was convinced/persuaded that Timothy had that faith as well.




Good stuff.
I'm going to sign off and keep watching this... strange movie. 
We're doing music in the morning and after Church is our Soup-er Bowl Sunday... and after that is the 620. Tomorrow should be a busy day. After all that stuff is the actual Super Bowl... during which I'll do homework (I'll try to finish my homework before the game starts) and watch commercials. 
Yup.
I'm OUT.
Peace.

NIPTO, Day 362

Haiii.

Today was... kind of uneventful.
Did school. Worked on my shtuff for lit class. Babysat (more on that in a bit). Came home and finished my book. Ate dinner. Took a shower. Watched Center Stage (AMAZING dancing!). And now I'm watching "What Would You Do." So interesting to see what people do in different situations. Yeah.

Okay. Babysitting. So yesterday N said that he would read for 30 minutes when he got home. He wanted to play and agreed quickly. I should've gotten it in writing ;)
When he got home, he automatically (almost the first words out of his mouth!) asked if he still had to read. Uhhh yeah. You said you would. So that got... a little crazyish. He eventually stormed off to his room and I sat against the basement door (where he wanted to go) and read my book. He came down 20 minutes later and said he had read for half an hour. Uhhhh you've barely been home for half an hour. Read for 10 more minutes. At least. I almost made him read for 15 more. He called me a mean babysitter and told me that he was going to tell his mom that he didn't want me to be his babysitter any more. He's said that before. I'm not too worried about it. Especially since when his mom got home, she told him that he shouldn't argue about reading with me. *hmf*!
So that was the craziness for today.

*yawn*
I should finish this up and go to bed. I have to take a practice ACT (with writing, probably) in the morning. yippee??  Yeahhh......
A'ight.
NIPTO.

1 Timothy 6:17-21

 ¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Those who currently have money shouldn't be arrogant with it or  put their hope in their money. Money is uncertain. Your hope should be in God. God provides everything for us, including our entertainment!

¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

People who have money should do good with their money and should be generous and willing to share. When people are generous with their money, they build up their treasure in heaven. When you're generous you're able to take hold of life that is truly life. 

 ²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

   Grace be with you all.

We need to guard what's been entrusted to us. We turn away from the godless things and false knowledge. 

Grace be with you all.
'Night.

NIPTO, Day 361

I am 5 days away from my 1 year anniversary of blogging daily. Uhhhh wow. I have no idea how I did that.
Katie asked me on Sunday if I was going to keep blogging every day after my year was up... and I haven't decided yet. I feel like my day will almost be incomplete without blogging. But my posts will probably be boring from now on ;)
Although I might like, post more pictures and stuff. If I would get around to taking pictures and stuff.

Today was interesting. I did school in the midst of 3 children (Z, D,&E) and eventually put E to sleep. She is ahhhhdorable.
Ate lunch... finished school stuff. Read blogs. Looked at scholarships. If you're ever underwhelmed with life (HAHAHA funny, right?), just look at scholarships. It'll get you OVERwhelmed in a short amount of time.
Babysat. Managed to get N to agree to read for 30 minutes tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. I'll be sure to report back to y'all.
Ate dinner. Tried to get music on my phone in the freezing cold basement. Succeeded at getting music on my phone in the freezing cold basement. And now I'm listening to the new The Civil Wars album (Barton Hollow). And it's fantastick. Yes. FANTASTICK. Go buy it. It's $7.99 at iTunes&AmazonMP3 right now. AWESOME!

SO yeah. Mom's at her Bible study and dad just fixed the lamp that's inbetween the couch and chair. (For Kate&Hannah/anyone else who has ever come to our house and struggled with using this lamp: The little knob-y thing on the base of the lamp doesn't do anything and you don't have to worry about bumping it any more! Hurrah!)

And now back to your regularly scheduled NIPTO:

1 Timothy 6:11-16
¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.


As men (and women!) of God, we need to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. These are the attributes we should be focused on. 6 things. (There are more, I'm sure... but 6 right here.)




¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.


This is a fight. And we need to fight the good fight. On the right side. We should embrace the eternal life that we were called to when we confessed our sins. FIGHT. We're in a war. Spiritually. (Grammatically. Ecumenically. HA. But being serious...) We have to fight this war every single day of our lives. If we're not aware of it, we'll get pulled over to the wrong side and start fighting for the wrong things. 




¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.


God charged Timothy to keep these commands until Jesus came back. Aka for his entire life time. But God will bring the coming of Jesus in his own time. God. God who is the blessed and only ruler. He's the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. He's immortal and lives in a light that we can't even approach. No one has seen him or can see him. All honor goes to him. Forever. 
A-men.


I'm signing out for the night, once again.
G'bye!

NIPTO, Day 360

Haiiiii.

Today was boring. I did school. And that's really about it. I watched about a gabazillion episodes of 10 Things I Hate About You. But that's about it. Ate dinner.
Boring. Really. Nothing interesting happened. School was canceled b/c of the snow/ice. Crazy.

So... NIPTO? Yeah.

1 Timothy 6:2b-10
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

These things that have been talked about in the last 5 chapters of 1 Timothy are the things that the church should teach. If people (churches) teach otherwise and doesn't agree with what Jesus taught, and what is generally considered godly teaching, then the person teaching is thick-skulled and doesn't understand anything. They're more interested in arguments and friction between people. 

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

If one can be godly and have contentment, that's a great gain. We didn't bring anything into the world and we can't take anything out of it. So if we have food and clothes, we can be content. We don't need anything more than that.


⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.


People whose only desire is to get rich just fall into temptation and are trapped by their desires... desires that lead people to destruction and ruin. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. My mom just read a quote and it was great. "A wise man should have money in his head but not his heart" (Jonathan Swift). People who are excited to get money have strayed from their faith and brought grief on themselves. So... don't love money, but be smart with it. Because all we really need is food and clothing.

A'ight. I'm off for the night. Going to chillax and watch some American Idol and maybe go to bed early. I might have a *gasp* normal day tomorrow!

Adios! (And Happy Chinese New Years Eve! haha)

NIPTO, Day 359

Hi.

Today was a "snow day." Meaning that we didn't have Urban Vision. But I did school. And watched THE MOST AWESOME episode of Chuck during lunch. And did a bit more school. And read half a book. Then I helped Kayt scrape off her car. Too much ice! If I get up, I'll grab my camera and put some pictures up. Then we managed to get to Target and got some coffee. It was deeeeeelishus and we got to catch up. And I got gum! YAY! hahaha.
Then we went back to Kayt's house and perused a photography website that has awesome Senior pictures. And we were like, WOAH, we're getting our senior pictures done this summer/fall! Craazy. So we did that for a LONG time. And I creeped on a couple people on facebook. Hahahaha.
I came home around 8 and ate dinner (quiche) and dessert (chocolate pudding) and watched Chuck. Again. And now I'm blogging. And yeah. School's already canceled for tomorrow... so no Spanish class for moi... I mean mi! haha.
NIPTO? Sure.

1 Timothy 6:1-2
¹ All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.


All who are oppressed should still consider their masters worthy of respect. If slaves respect their masters, God's name won't be slandered. 




² Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.


Slaves who have Christian masters shouldn't disrespect their masters because they're Christians. That's actually kind of weird that slaves would disrespect their masters because they were Christians... but yeah. Anyways... Slaves should serve their masters better because their masters are believers as well and the masters are concerned about their slaves and are "devoted to" their wellbeing. 




Yup. That's it for tonight.
I think I'm going to read a book while Mom blogs and then I shall prolly go to bed. Probably should just go to bed now. haha
byeeee

NIPTO, Day 358

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
I'm tired. That was more of a "inside-voice-drawn-out-scream"
Today was longgggg. Stayed up too late last night. (More about that tomorrow. Maybe. If I have time. Which if it snows as much as it's supposed to, I will.) Got up around 7:15 this morning. Got ready. Went to school. Did school. Ate lunch. Went to classes. Came home. Caught up on blogs that I didn't read during breakfast (which would've made me late) or during study hall (which is slightly irresponsible). Babysat. Did some more blog catching up. Ate dinner. Got ready for dance. Drove to dance. Practiced the jazz dance about 7 times. Did modern stuff. Came home. Heard that tonight was THE BEST CHUCK EVER. But it didn't record. So I'm not watching it. But I will watch it tomorrow during lunch. And I'm looking forward to it!

Yeah. I'm planning on sleeeeping tomorrow. Especially if we don't have Urban Vision... I kind of hope we do, but I dunno.

A'ight. NIPTO.
1 Timothy 5:17-25

¹⁷ The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

The elders in the church who are in charge of the talking? They deserve double what they get. More than that! They have the "grunt work" of the church.

¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”

Pastors should get what they deserve for working. They deserve their pay.

 ¹⁹ Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. ²⁰ But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.

Accusations against elders shouldn't be brought to light unless it's brought by two or three witnesses. If an elder is sinning, they should be reproved in front of everyone as an example. 

²¹ I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

 ²² Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

These instructions are to be kept without favoritism. Nothing should be done out of favoritism. I wonder how much stuff in this world is done out of favoritism. I'm guessing a lot. 

Don't be quick to "lay hands" on someone. And definitely don't share in other peoples' sins. We're to keep ourselves pure. 

 ²³ Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

 ²⁴ The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.²⁵ In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

A little wine never hurt anyone... the operative word being little. Yes. 

Some sins are obvious. Other sins leave trails... of some sort... behind them. Destruction? Hurt? Who knows. Good deeds are obvious as well. And even good deeds that aren't obvious will someday be brought into the light. Yup yup.

A'ight. Imma hit the sack.
I'll post about WinterJam tomorrow. Hopefully. According to Dad: "It's like spitting ice balls from heaven." Sweet. Ha.

Peace out,

NIPTO, Day 357

Heyooooo! I'm blogging "early" today because I'm expecting to be gone until very late tonight. Why? Because I'm going to WINTER JAM! I'm pumped! David Crowder*Band is going to be there, along with Kutless, RED, KJ-52, Francisca Battistelli, and Newsboys. And Chris August and Chris Sligh. Whew. LOTS of bands and I'm missing 3. WOW. Yeah. Lots of bands. But I'm super excited! =D

Church was good this morning. As was small group. I like those people! And Jeremiah taught me a "useless life skill." What is that? Putting gum wrappers on a notebook! hahaha.

NIPTO? Yeah.
1 Timothy 5:9-16

 ⁹ No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Apparently there was a list. Of widows. But a widow couldn't be put on the list unless she was over 60 and had been faithful to her husband and was known for bringing up her children well, showing hospitality, washing the feet of other Christians and helping those in need. 

 ¹¹ As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. ¹² Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. ¹³Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.

Younger women who were widowed have the natural instinct to get married again. When that desire overcomes their dedication to Christ, they bring judgement on themselves because they broke their first pledge to their first husband. When younger women are widowed they become idle and busybodies who talk nonsense. Huh.

¹⁴ So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. ¹⁵ Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

 ¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Younger widows were encouraged to remarry and have children and to manage their homes. Some women turned to follow Satan because they weren't helped and didn't have the "busy-ness" factor to keep them from sinning.
If a Christian woman has a widow or multiple widows in her care, she should help them and not foist them on the church. Why shouldn't they be put in the care of the church? Because the church is helping those widows who are in great need. 

Tada! That's your lesson on widows today... haha.

I think I'm going to finish an episode of Chuck that I started watching yesterday and then I might pack my bag for school tomorrow so I can sleep in a little bit longer in the morning... sounds good!
Adios mis lectores!

NIPTO, Day 356

Wow. Today was... short. I've been awake for less than 12 hours. I started my day at 11 o'clock. After 11 hours of sleep. I ate breakfast and then Dad and I worked on almost all of the ACT stuff. I went up to my room and listened to some music and wrote a little bit... then I came down stairs and "surfed the 'net" for a while. Mom and Dad got home from their walk, and Mom asked if I wanted to go see a movie. And I said "yes, I would like to see a movie." But it wasn't that simple. But Dad and I ended up going to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 3-D. It was good. I love that movie. Especially the end. And there is one quote (by Reepicheep) that is one of my favorites. And I'll share it with you now :) "We have nothing if not belief." Yeah. I like that one. After the movie I took a shower and then we ate dinner and watched Fame, which I throughly enjoyed. And I just spent too much time watching Big Bang Theory clips on YouTube. So funny!

NIPTO! 1 Timothy 5:1-10 ¹ Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

This addresses how we're supposed to address others. An older man should be treated as if he were your father. Younger men should be treated as brothers. Older women should be treated as your mother and younger women as sisters. Good rules to go by.

 ³ Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

This is all about widows and how they're to be treated. Widows who are truly in need should be given proper recognition. If a widow has family, they should put "their religion" into practice and take care of her. That's what is pleasing to God and is what he wants.

⁵ The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. ⁶ But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

A widow who has no family should put her hope in God and should ask him day and night for his help.

A widow who lives for pleasure isn't truly alive, even if she's alive.

⁷ Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸ Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

These were to be given to the people as instructions so that they wouldn't be to blame. Anyone who doesn't help and provide for their relatives, especially those in their own household has denied their faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Harsh. But not really. If you don't take care of your family, how can you be expected to take care of anyone else that's considered "family"? 

That's all for tonight. Church in the morning and WinterJam in the afternoon/evening! Should be a blast! (I'm pumped to see David Crowder*Band in concert! 's gonna be fantastic! :)

G'night!

NIPTO, Day 355

Hai.
How are y'all doing today?
I'm pretty good. Tired, as always. But then again, it's late.
Today I got up and did school. Ate lunch and watched an episode of Chuck from the 2nd season (Sarah's high school reunion! hah)
Did more school. Babysat. Came home. Relaxed?/facebooked or whatever. Ate dinner. Babysat some more. Ate DELISHUS chocolate cake that Jason made. Talked to Chris&Rosie about Pushing Daises and other tv shows of the wonderful variety.
And now I'm blogging. Because it's late. And I haven't blogged yet today. Obviously.
And please go look at this. It's the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Oh my goodness. I can't wait to show it to Mom tomorrow.
Tomorrow...ahhhhh tomorrow. I'm going to sleep for as long as I want to/can. And then I'm going to go over ACT stuff with Dad. Then I'm going to go sledding in the back yard. And then, hopefully, I will get coffee with Kaytee! She says she has stuff (good stuff!) to tell me. And it has to do with God. Sooooo I'm excited. I hope it works out.
And so I can get more sleep, I'm going to "NIPTO" and then sleep!

1 Timothy 4:11-16

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Ahhhhhh. One of my favorite verses. Verse 12. But not to forget verse 11. These things in this letter/chapter are the things that we need to command and teach. But when you do that, don't let people look down on you because you're young. Set an example for them in your speech, how you conduct yourself, in your love, your faith, and your purity. I have a note-card that I got at my very first (quote illegal unquote) LT (2007). It has verse 12 on it, and on the other side it says "Though you are young, look to God in all things, and He will use you in tremendous ways." The guys from Grace Point gave it to me. It's currently in Blue Like Jazz as my bookmark. But what it says is true. If we look to God, he will use us as examples for what his people should look and act like. 

¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Until Paul came, he wanted them to devote themselves to reading the Bible publicly. And to preach and teach. He was telling Timothy to not neglect the gift that was given to him through a prophecy when the elders laid their hands on him. It would be a shame to neglect such a powerful gift.

 ¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

We need to be diligent in what we do. We need to devote ourselves to things so that our progress will be evident to others. Paul told Timothy to watch his life and doctrine closely. When people know you're a Christian, they're going to watch you like a hawk. If we persevere in our life and doctrine, people could be saved by observing and wanting what we have. It's not just for personal growth, it's for the salvation of others.

Wow. Lots of good stuff. I'm going to go to bed now.
G'night!

NIPTO, Day 354

Hi.
I don't feel like blogging right now.
I don't feel like doing much of anything right now.

Last night: I watched American Idol and read As You Wish. Which I finished today while babysitting. 304 pages. 20 hours. 1 book. (Really about 11 hours because I slept for 9 hours. And I also did all my school work. So. Yeah.)
Then I went to bed. And woke up. And got ready. Did some school. Ate lunch (and read). Did more school. Read more. Babysat. Came home. Talked to Kayt some. Generally relaxed. Ate dinner. Went over ACT stuff some. Watched American Idol. And now I'm watching The Office and blogging.

1 Timothy 4:6-10
⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.


If you point out the attributes and truths of God, then you will be a good "carrier" of Jesus.  Especially if you're "well fed" on truth and good teaching. 




⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.


We shouldn't have anything to do with myths or wives' tales. We need to train ourselves to be godly. Godliness has value for everything. It has promise for our current life and for life to come. That's trustworthy and deserves to be accepted.




¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.


We labor and strive because we have hope in God. Who is alive. He's our savior. He's the savior of all people, especially those who believe in him.






I'm going to finish watching The Office and go to bed.
G'night.

NIPTO, Day 353

Heyo.
I'm extremely tired today.

Yesterday I went to Urban Vision. Sat in the gym and read/prepared for my ballet class. (Last minute, right? Yeah. I know.) Ate dinner, delicious chicken and rice stuff. Helped a few people with homework (at the same time). Got ready for ballet. Went up to the "studio" of sorts (which will be getting mirrors soon! YAY!). Stretched some. Practiced my fuette turns (I think that's how that's spelled. Probably not). Then a couple of the girls came up and we cleaned out their LOCKERS! Yes, they all have lockers. I'll take some pictures next week and put them up... hopefully the mirrors will be up by then!
Then we had class, which went really well. Michelle is a huuuuge help! I love having her around to help me... it makes things much easier!
After class I went to my dance classes. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Then I came home, at a piece of cake, got sucked into the internet and didn't get pulled out until almost 11. Then I went to bed.

Got up this morning. Got ready. Went to Spanish class.  Caught up on the blogs that I didn't have time to catch up on before I left. Did my work. Ate lunch. Did physics during Mom's class. Packed up. Went to the lib-a-rary. Finished physics for the day. Looked at some books. Picked a couple out. Checked out. Came home. Put grocery stuff away. Relaaaaxed. It was nice. Listened to Dave Ramsey some. Talked to Katie some (Oh the funny stories! :) And now it's almost time for dinner.
So I'mma peace out until dinner (quiche!) is over.

Ahhhhh dinner was yummy!
After dinner I did some SAT Question of the Day questions. And took some kind of personalty whatchamacallit for college majors. Annnd now I'm going to finish my blog. Then I'm going to watch American Idol. And then I'm going to go to bed and sleep for a very long time. (Hallelujah, amen.)

NIPTO.
1 Timothy 4:1-5

 ¹ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Unfortunately, some people will abandon their faith. They'll follow other religions... things that are taught by demons. 

Other religions aren't things to be taken lightly. They're taught by demons. Uh. Wow.
It makes me think of Safely Home when Li Quan takes Ben to a Tibetan temple and the priests are basically possessed. It's creepy. But true, nonetheless. 

² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

The teachings by demons come from liars who don't have a clear conscience because it's been seared with an iron. The teachings forbid things that God created to be received with thanksgiving by people who know and believe the truth. 

⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Everything that God created is good. Nothing should be rejected if it's received with thanksgiving. I mean, why would you do that? And anyways, it's consecrated by the word of God. What he creates is consecrated. Set apart. 

Good stuff.
I'm going to relax... have my cake and eat it too. Literally!
Adios!

NIPTO, Day 352

Heyo!

I'm trying to get everything done before I leave for Urban Vision/Tornado Tuesday (UV, Ballet, DanceX2) and blogging is on that list... sooooo. Yes. Here I am.
I woke up late-ish today. Did school. The norm. Watched Chuck during lunch. CRAZY. But that's all I'm going to say. I'm looking forward to next Tuesday afternoon when I can watch the next episode!
Good episode.

Not a whole lot has happened since I last posted... the dog was just barking in her sleep. And her legs were twitching. Funny stuff haha. Mom just got back from her walk (because it's actually WARM(ish) outside! hah as warm as it can get in January!)

Soooo NIPTO? Yeah.

1 Timothy 3:14-16
 ¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.


Paul was writing to them so that they would know how to behave in church. There was a huge possibility that Paul would be delayed... he was an outspoken Christian, and jail was... normalish for him. Bummer of a way to be delayed, but not if it's in the name of Christ, I guess!




¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

   He appeared in the flesh,
   was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
   was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
   was taken up in glory.

The mystery of God is great. God himself appeared in flesh as Jesus. He was justified by the Holy Spirit. He was seen by angles and preached among the nations. He was... believed on in the world? Not sure what that means exactly. He was taken up into heaven in glory. The mystery is great, but it's been revealed to those who believe in Christ.



EEEK. That's how I feel right now. I have to go get ready to leave and somehow figure out music for ballet. Procrastination at its finest! ha...
Until tomorrow...
Au revoir!

NIPTO, Day 351

Hey everyone! It's once again LATE and I am once again tired. However, I'm not to the point of breaking down. Yet. Ha.
I had to get up toooo early today. I think I'll sleep in a little tiny bit tomorrow morning. Got ready... went to school... did school stuff... ate lunch(ish)... I feel like I didn't eat a whole lot and therefore almost "missed" a meal, and now I'm hungry. Anyways! Had Lit&SAT. Annnnd drove home... relaxed a bit... babysat... came home and relaxed a little tiny bit... ate dinner... paid Dad in back rubs for getting How To Train Your Dragon for me... got ready for dance... went to dance. Danced for 2 hours. Drove home. Ate a piece of cake. Listened to Owl City. PLEASE go here (the Owl City website) and listen to the song that comes on in the background (Peppermint Winter)... maybe I'll be nice and find it and embed it or something.
Here ya go!



Good, innit?
Yup. Now it's NIPTO time. (Sorry the font is little! I'm tired and don't feel like changing it! haha)
1 Timothy 3:8-13

⁸ In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

So yesterday, and the first verses of this chapter, are about leaders. And how they're supposed to act. This is the same, but for deacons. A little different. A little lower on the "totem pole" or whatever. Deacons should be worthy of respect. They should be sincere, not a drunkard, and not a swindler. If that's the right word. Which I think it is. Deacons are to hold onto the truth that is in the word of God with a clear conscience. They should be tested before put into leadership. If there's nothing against them, then they'll be allowed to serve as a deacon.

 ¹¹ In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

Women should also be worthy of respect. We shouldn't gossip or talk in a hurtful way. Women should be temperate and trustworthy in everything. The question I'm asking myself is "can I honestly (no pun intended) be trusted/trustworthy in everything?" Are there any areas that I'm not trustworthy in, I guess is what I'm asking too, kinda.

 ¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Deacons should be faithful to their spouse and should manage their offspring and household well. If you serve well, you'll gain "an excellent standing and great assurance" in your faith in Jesus. Serving gives assurance. But you want to serve for the right reasons. Right? Right.

A'ight people.

I'm off... [my rocker] to bed! 

I hope your day was lovely&splendid, etc, etc, etc!

Goodnight!

NIPTO, Day 350

You know how sometimes you get to that point at night where you have a headache and too much to do before you go to bed and you just want to cry? Yeah, well I'm at that point.
Here's a quick rundown of my day: Got up this morning and got ready. Went to church. Church went: band practice, 1st service worship, sunday school, last song, sunday school, 2nd service, talked to people, went to Kent, ate lunch with Hannah, drove home, relaxed a little bit, skyped with Katie for a long while, worked on some homework, ate a tiny bit, went to youth group (which was fantastic! And I recorded... yay! Even I want to listen to it again :). Cleaned up the youth room a bit, looked at some of BK's advertising stuff, came home, watched last week's Chuck, finished my homework, and here I am.

Alright. NIPTO.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
 ¹ Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.


Whoever wants to be a manager (overseer, deacon, pastor) wants to do a noble job. Simple, eh?




² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)


This person has to be an  honorable person. One who is above reproach, faithful to their spouse, controlled, welcoming, has the ability to teach, not a drunkard, is gentle, doesn't argue and doesn't love money. That is a HIGH standard. This person must also be able to manage their family well. He should "see that his children obey him" and he needs to do that in such a way as garners respect. If someone doesn't know how to take care of their immediate family, how can they take care of the extended family of God, that is, the church?




 ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.


This person should be a long-time Christian. If they aren't, they could easily become conceited, which, as heard in Pastor Mike's sermon today, is a legitimate concern. This person should also have a good reputation with people not from teh church so that they won't be disgraced. 






Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. That was a half scream half sigh of contentment. Well, not really contentment. Because my contacts are bothering me, I have a headache, and still need to take a shower along with getting completely ready for bed. 
Hello not getting 8 hours of sleep on a school night. How dare you keep me up late, homework... or something. 
I'm going to bed now. I'm having problems typing, which means I should definitely sleep.
G'night.



P.S. please excuse any spelling errors that I did not catch. Like I said, it's late.
Goodnight, again.