Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Places I'd Like to See

I'm not the kind of girl who wants to travel all over the place. I haven't traveled much and I don't aspire to ..but there are a few places I would really like to see. So here they are, and don't forget to read BecKyle's list as well!

1. Ireland, anywhere in Ireland.

Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to go to Ireland, and I have always had this interest with it. 

2. Disneyland

Come on, who doesn't have this dream? 

3. Paris Opera House

So beautiful.

4. A Lantern Festival

That would be magical.

5. Milan, Italy

All images I've seen of this city are breathtaking.

6. Tower Bridge, London

Or anywhere in London...

7. Vatican City

Who wouldn't want to visit the city within the city?

8. Tuscany

Under the Tuscan Sun :) 

9. Scotland

If I can't go to Ireland, Scotland is my next best choice. 

10. A Castle or Palace

Completely non-specifically, I just want to see a castle. Maybe one like these...

Buuuuut most of all, this makes me excited for Heaven. If we cannot even begin to fathom what sorts of beauties there will be to behold, then these wondrous sights are just the beginning!

Melany's Musical Mondays: I Do Not Belong

I look around and I feel like things changed and I don't know why

Everyday that passes by I feel so far away

I can see in the distance, You have the rest of me

I put my trust in You as I look beyond today

Its all becoming clear

I do not belong in a world of broken pieces

I was meant to be in the arms of Your redemption

I am moving on to the place of Your perfection

'Cause I do not belong

When the world is behind me on the day that I breathe my last

In the face of eternity there's hope 'cause I believe

When I look to the heavens and the future that You hold

It makes it easier to see beyond today

Now I'm looking to the sky

'Cause I do not belong in a world of broken pieces

I was meant to be in the arms of Your redemption

I am moving on to the place of Your perfection

'Cause I do not belong

This world is not my home, I'm a stranger in this land

But I am not alone

When I do not belong in a world of broken pieces

I was meant to be in the arms of Your redemption

I am moving on to the place of Your perfection

'Cause I do not belong, no I do not belong, I do not belong

Happy Monday! :) This week I chose the song "I do not belong" by Kutless. They're a wonderful band just in case you're wondering...anyways, on to the song. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be "encouraging" and another would be "exciting". This song's central point is Heaven! It's the idea that when things get hard, it reminds us that this world is not our home! Jesus is a hope that cannot be destroyed, defeated, or demolished...and we will get to join him in that eternal paradise when we leave this world! Heck to the yes is what I say to that! 

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

The first line in the song reminds me of that verse. "I look around and I feel like things changed and I don't know why. Every day that passes by, I feel so far away." Throughout the development of the song, he realizes that he feels that way because he is longing for Heaven, and that his mind has been renewed by the grace of God..so his eyes are opened to things that he was blind to before. Have you ever been in that situation before? Well guess what? It's a good thing! As a Christian, you should hate sin. It should repulse you. Now how you deal with that is a different story, and dealt with wrongly it isn't positive, but when you start to recognize these things and they bother you, it is good. This song emphasizes that when that sort of thing happens it reminds us that this world is not our home. We do not belong. 

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Favorite Book Characters

I am a book worm, and happy to admit it :) seriously there are few activities I enjoy more than curling up with a book and a good cup (or five) of tea. So from my reading experiences, I have tried to narrow it down to 10 favorite characters. And remember, hop on over to BecKyle's post as well!

1. Jane Eyre

I absolutely love her story, and to pull out my favorite character it would be her. She is spunky and hilarious, yet humble and serving. Throughout a very twisted and unexpected life, she is a wonderful character.

2. Prince Athelbald

Much like Aslan in "The Chronicles of Narnia", Prince Athelbald represents Jesus. He comes from the story "Heartless", and it would not be even close to as lovely without such a well written role. The development of his character was interesting and well thought-out. Portraying patience, kindness, forgiveness, and love..Prince Athelbald is worthy of favor.

3. Melanie Wilkes 

My mom is a big fan of "Gone With the Wind", and I am as well. I was actually Scarlett O'Hara for Halloween... 

So it should come as no surprise that my name was inspired from the character Melanie. She is my favorite in the book for several reasons. A few of which are that she is very gentle, kind, and patient. 

4. Four :)

I could not resist listing this character in this position, for obvious reasons. Yes his name is literally Four, and he is actually climbing in popularity right now. The trilogy including "Divergent" "Insurgent" and "Allegiant" is where he comes from, and he is the male lead. I would be surprised to meet someone who did not love that character.

5. Betsie Ten Boom

She was indeed a character in a story, but she is also an actual person. She is Corrie Ten Boom's sister, and to sum her up in one word would be love. She loves Jesus intensely and that is evident. I want to be more like Betsie.

6. Mr. Darcy

Pride and Prejudice is an all time favorite of mine, so Mr. Darcy is like my favorite of my favorite concerning the realm of the story. Classics are wonderful and so is Mr. Darcy.

7. Severus Snape

Snape will "always" be my favorite..haha get it? Ah never mind :) He is generally hated because of his reputation for most of the books, but when you finally understand him, if you're anything like me, you will cry a river. Such a good storyline.

8. Roran Stronghammer

Somehow I could have grown up with a love of dragons and never read the "Eragon" series by Christopher Paolini...yeah I have no clue how. Buuuut I finally did as of recent, and out of the four, Roran is my favorite. I mean seriously the guy is a beast. 

9. Red

The book "Skin" by Ted Dekker is the most suspenseful book I've ever read. I love murder mysteries (if they are not too gruesome and tragic) because of the suspense and the puzzle-like storyline, and I was highly impressed by this book. It kept me on my toes and I could not figure it out for the life of me, the outcome was very interesting. Red is the murderer in the story, and of course I am not a fan of serial killers, but seriously the author did a fantastic job with writing this character, he is downright creepy.

10. Jay Gatsby

Last but definitely not least, Jay Gatsby. Need I say more? Nope I don't think I do. He's splendid. 

Having finally decided on 10, I'll probably decide others worthy in a few hours, buuut for the time being, here are my top ten :) don't forget to read Becky's as well! 

Melany's Musical Mondays: Our God Is In Control

Lately I have been searching for a solution to my blog. My problem is that I don't make time for myself to write unless I make it a priority, or hold myself accountable..obviously the solution is to do just that :) So I have decided to start a "Melany's Musical Mondays", so I force myself in a way to make time. Music is a big deal to me, and I have countless songs that I feel are worthy of mention, so it seemed fitting to choose a topic I am so passionate about. This week I will go over a song called "Our God is in Control". 

This is not how it should be,

This is not how it could be,

But this is how it is. 

And our God is in control.

This is not how it will be, 

When we finally will see

We'll see with our own eyes,

That He was always in control.

And we'll sing holy, holy, holy is our God

And we will finally, really understand what it means

And we'll sing holy, holy, holy is our God

While we're waiting for that day.

This is not where we planned to be,

when we started this journey.

But this is where we are.

And our God is in control.

Though this first taste is bitter,

there will be sweetness forever

When we finally taste and see, 

That our God is in control.

-"Our God is in Control" by Steven Curtis Chapman

This is not a fully complete account of the lyrics (I left out some repeated choruses and such) but you get the gist of it. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote this song for his album "Beauty Will Rise", a set of 12 songs he composed after his daughter Maria died. It is a fantastic album and I would recommend it to anyone. 

I chose this song because it's so raw. I am convinced it is relatable in some way, to anyone. "This is not how it should be" God listen, I know a better way, this one is wrong "this is not how it could be" I mean think about it, there's so many other possibilities... this really shouldn't be happening. Let me tell you how to change it. Ever have a conversation like that? Yeah I thought so. We try to bargain with God, or tell him how things really "should" be, instead of accepting his control and our utter powerlessness. Isaiah 45:7 "I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD who does all these things"

When you finally let go of the idea that you know better than God does, or that you somehow can control things instead of He...it is very freeing. Knowing that He has absolutely everything under control, even "calamity", is indescribably comforting...because guess what? God's got this. 

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Do I Really Need to Go to Church...?

Instead of coming up with ten reasons why one should, or should not go to church..I'm taking a different approach with this. With a question and answer format, I will visit some truths and myths about church going. Check out BecKyle's 10 as well!

1. Do I really need to go to church...to be saved?
No. A big, fat, honking, NO. The church didn't die for you (neither did baptism or good works) and it is not what saves you. Maybe God used the church as an instrument for your salvation, but the church itself is not where salvation lies. Church doesn't save you...and Jesus does. Romans 10:9 "because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved"

2. Do I really need to go to church...to glorify God?
Yes and no. Glorifying God is not exclusively done in "church-going". You can actually glorify God in all that you do. More explained in my post, Happiness Is..., my point is that we should not put glorifying God into a box. It is, and can be done in far more situations than such. As John Piper said, "God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him."

3.Do I really need to go to church...to worship?
No you do not. Worship is not just music. Much alike the concept of glorifying God in everyday life, so should you worship Him. He deserves it a whole lot more than just 10 minutes on Sunday morning during music. Now church definitely is and can be a means of worship, but it's not the only one.

4. Do I really need to go to church...to witness to others?
I say yes, and here's why. Witnessing, or being an example of Jesus, is an all the time constant thing. You don't have to be preaching at someone to show them Jesus, it can and frequently happens simply through an example. Maybe someone wondering what is different about you, or how they can have it. So going to church plays into that because to be an example of Jesus, you need things such as encouragement, fellowship, and to have a relationship with him. A good church helps bring about such things.

5. Do I really need to go to church...to be a good person?  
Before even answering this one, we should take a step back. Romans 3:9-18 says "What then? Are we Jews any better off? Not at all. For we have already charged that all , both Jews and Greeks, are under sin. As it is written 'None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.' 'Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.' 'The venom of asps is under their lips.' 'Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.' 'Their feet are swift to shed blood; and in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.' 'There is no fear of God before their eyes.'" If you didn't get the point, that passage is saying that we aren't good. We can't be good, and trying would be of no use. We need Jesus, and there's no way around that.

6. Do I really need to go to church...to grow?
Yes. Growing requires several things that the church provides. You cannot obtain a mature faith on your own, God is the one who does that, and he often works through the church. How can you grow without an example of someone who is where you want to be? In other words, it is important to involve yourself with other Christians if you want to grow.

7. Do I really need to go to church...to maintain my salvation? 
If you are truly asking this question, I am about to give you potentially one of the most comforting things you'll ever hear. You can do nothing for your salvation. I'm serious. You cannot earn it (#5, we could never obtain anything that requires perfection) and you cannot do anything to keep it. It is by God's mercy and grace alone that you even know what that word means, and because of that, you can rest in the fact that it's not up to us. You cannot loose your salvation. If you look at yourself honestly and recognize your sin, you'll understand that. If we could loose it, we would. John 10: 26 "But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." If you are saved, that is that. You cannot out-sin God's grace, and you can't mess up more than He can fix...you.are.His.

8. Do I really need to go to church...to edify others?
"Edify: to instruct or benefit, morally or spiritually, to uplift." This one is huge. Christians should be unified, working together as one...and how can you do that if you do not encourage and help one another?

9. Do I really need to go to church...to change myself?
My answer for this one depends on what you really mean. If you mean "will church change me?" then the answer is no. But if you mean "can attending church help change me? or provide me with things to assist that change?" then absolutely yes. Much alike #6, grow, change, whatever you would like to call it, you need a lot of the help that comes from church. Now of course God can do incredible things, and any way that He would like to-I am not saying that He needs you to go to church for these things. He doesn't need you at all, for anything. But He wants you, and that's the cool part.

10. Do I really need to go to church...to serve?
Church is not the only place you should serve (after all, if nobody served anyone outside of church, servitude would be dead), but it is a crucial place for it. How would you know what serving is or what it means without the church? Of course you see it elsewhere, but it would be like seeing people eating kale everywhere you went. You have no idea that it is kale, or why in the world anyone would eat it, but you see it nonetheless. And then one day, at this place, somebody explains it all to you, and you understand why, and how wonderful it truly is. (I don't like kale, I just use it for example because its a superfood). You keep going to that place to learn more about it and see people do it, because it only makes sense, and it helps you. Of course serving others isn't like eating kale, but hopefully that brought about clarification. The church trains you on servitude.

And don't forget to hop on over to BecKyle's post and read hers!