This is something I wrote at the end of Janruary...

Full of expectation and high hopes, we start the year off with a bang.
New sofa, new friends, new school-just think of all the opportunity!
But after a while, the scratchy wool, drama and homework get to us, and we focus on our circumstances which changes opportunity to drudgery.

Stuck in life's "Sick Cycle Carousel" (in the words of Lifehouse's song of that name) we beg to get off. Yet the carousel man smiles and says in a re-assuring voice, "Just hold on, it'll be alright! trust me!" At first this makes us scream even louder. Angry that the carousel man would dare defy the customer's wishes. But after 5 rounds on the carousel our voices are hoarse and he keeps saying the same thing: "Hold on. Trust Me. Look around-it isn't as scary as you thought! Trust me."

Finally we decide to trust him. We take our eyes off the whirling ride for a moment and see to our amazement a beautiful nature park outside of the carousel. We feel more comfortable and free by shifting our perspective.

 Suddenly it is not a "Sick Cycle Carousel" anymore. Yes, you get a little dizzy, and sore from sitting on that peeling painted pinto, but there's a beautiful park to look at, and a smiling, gentle carousel operator who knows what he's talking about.

Explanation to the analogy: Jesus is the Carousel man, and the carousel is our life.
we get sick of life sometimes because it isn't going the way we want it too. Grades don't come easily. Friends disagree. Bedrooms need to be cleaned (and, in the example of the carousel, it goes too fast, our bottoms get sore), etc, etc, etc. But, when you trust God that he is working in every circumstance for good, you can take your eyes off of your problems and enjoy the world around you to the fullest.

Scripture: check out Matt 6: 25-34 and Romans 8:28 for more about perspective and trust.

Media: a video of Lifehouse singing "Sick Cycle Carousel"

There is a huge controversy about Harry Potter. I know some Christians feel convicted that they should not take part in the Harry Potter phenomenon, so if you don't want to read this devo you don't have to. because I am going to quote part of the latest book, and even though it is not a dark part, or where they say spells, it's still Harry Potter. and I am full aware that that's going to bug someone. But I believe I have a reason to post an exerpt of Harry Potter on a devotional part. I found a passage that reminded me of a Christian's relationship with God. so, pray about it. if you want to read it go ahead. God's not going to hurt you for reading this, but it's up to you.
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Ok this is in chapter 18. Harry is sad because he is believing the lies that Rita Skeeter (a crooked reporter) wrote about Albus Dumbledore (a good wizard, who was a mentor to Harry, and he died last year.).Harry's pretty angry because Rita wrote stories Harry never knew about Dumbledore, stories that contradict the nature of the Dumbledore he knew. Hermione (Harry's good friend) is trying to keep Harry from getting angry, and to point him to the truth.

"'Harry, I think the real reason you're so angry is that Dumbledore never told you any of this himself.'

'Maybe I am! Harry bellowed, and he flung his arms over his head, hardly knowing whether he was trying to hold in his anger or protect himself from the weight of his own disillusionment.

'look what he asked from me, Hermione! Risk your life, Harry! And again! And again! And don't expect me to explain everything, just trust me blindly, trust that I know what I'm doing, trust me even though I don't trust you! Never the whole truth! Never!’

            His voice cracked with the strain, and they stood looking at each other in the whiteness and the emptiness, and Harry felt they were as insignificant as insects beneath that wide sky.

‘He loved you,’ Hermione whispered, ‘I know he loved you.’

Harry dropped his arms.

‘I don’t know who he loved, Hermione, but it was never me. This isn’t love, look at the mess he’s left me in…

thanks for the tea. I’ll finish the watch. You get back in the warm.’

She hesitated, but recognized the dismissal. She picked up the book and then walked back past him into the tent, but as she did so, she brushed his head lightly with her hand. He closed his eyes at her touch, and he hated himself for wishing that what she said was true: that Dumbledore had really cared.”

sometimes God seems like he loves making our lives miserable. We feel like we're closer than brothers, then something happens and all of a sudden it's as if he's gone.We feel he's asked us to do something, and when we go out and do it, and it seems like he isn't there; theres so much for us to figure out on our own. Then we find out someone else is trying the same exact thing as us, and they're succedeing. or, they have all of a sudden gotten closer to God and are enjoying a rock solid relationship that never seems to wobble.
 The thing is, God IS here all the time. At times he asks us to do "impossible" things-impossible in our eyes but everything is possible with him.-and we are sick of being told what to do. But, like Hermione reminded Harry, God loves us. He gave you whatever test you're going through so you would become stronger and come out better then you are now. He loves you. He really does! If you still don't believe me, if the consequences in your life are screaming that God hates you, ask him if he does. listen long and hard. Ask him for a sign. Chances are, sooner or later, he'll give you one, and chances are, he'll blow you away with the amount of love he has for you.
If you are still skeptical, comment or message me. I have been struggling for years with the concept of God loving me. and it turns out you either believe it and he does, or don't and he isn't real. because God IS love. that's who he is! you can't accept one part of Jesus and not the other! it doesn't work that way!
what it boils down to is, is God is who he says he is? or is he not?
you need to determine that for yourself.