A Change is Gonna Come...

Soo... back to my list of the re-evolution of Ari!

#2: Stop PROCRASTINATING!!!!
Okay, so I admit it, I am a CHRONIC procrastinator. And I really need to stop because it is affecting me in all aspects of my life (school, work, personal). But loving, supportive people, do not fear: I have already begun working on reorganizing my life to ensure that I do not fall back into my old habits again! Starting with Google Calendar!! [Gmail is amazing!] So I have already laid out my plans in calendar form, so I know how to plan my schedule accordingly. When new tasks arise, I will strive to immediately place it on my Google calendar, and I will make sure I am reminded by email enough times so that I can get the job(s) done in a timely manner! I am already working on a lot for next semester, and I need to make sure I am fully prepared to handle the tasks that I am given.

Pray for me!

Love and Happy Thoughts...
-Ari

I Write Changes, not Resolutions.

Isn't Christ amazing? Well in case you don't know it, He really is. And I definitely don't make His job easy. I don't study like I should, I jump the gun pretty often when it comes to relationships (sorry guys, but I do). I admit what my good friend and line sister Thomya always says: "Arielle, you are doing THE MOST!"

Can you blame me though? I want the most out of life, and I hate waiting around idly for things to just happen. And while I'm not saying throw all plans out the window and live life free as a bird - I am a suffering planaholic - I need to take those plans and align them with God's purpose for my life. Because He's the one ordering my steps anyway!

And since you may already know my stance on making resolutions for the new year, or using context clues now know that I pretty much don't believe in them, I am writing changes instead. So for the next few entries, I will be giving my brand spanking new 2009 update of the "soul waxing" I am praying that God will help me fulfill in His own time. Now it might not all get accomplished in just one year, but unlike Resolutions, I won't feel like a failure if I don't come through in the 365 days allotted next year. And instead of waiting until the ball drops in Times Square, I'm starting NOW:

1. Give up the driver's seat to God.

It all starts with my focus on life. The line (above) sounds cliche, like it belongs in a typical pastoral sermon, but it's true! I need to stop trying to take control of a life that should simply be in His hands. I am so impatient sometimes!

...To be continued later (I have a finals review)...

Much love, peace, and happiness.

-Arie

Love Re-invented.

So I fell in love. And then I fell out. I know, I sound like yet another nauseating Hollywood script flop that spent more dollars on the so-called A-list actors hired to play the pitiful lead roles than the money it got from viewers in the box office (think Gigli, Glitter... AHH! i Just called my self a real life J-Lo.. sick). But, it's true. And now all I feel is guilt for ever letting my guard down, because I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. Even God was screaming at me through the sound of my dad reciting scripture: "Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." [Proverbs 4:23] And now, here I am, after going against not only my own gut instinct, but the instincts of just about everyone I considered close to me. I pushed away the people who meant the most to me due to pride and I have nothing to show for it, except a messed up relationship that wasn't even grounded in the first place. I SHOULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING! I don't think I'm silly or naive. But blinded? Well, maybe... ehh.. well the point is, now I feel jilted.

So what's a jilted 19-year old, chemical engineering student, Christian woman, to do? Ha, and here I'd thought you'd NEVER ask! Well, I'm reinventing love. Sounds easy, right? Hahaha. And, for all of you people in love and in solid relationships, hear me out -- I'm not reinventing love in general, but what the definition of love is for myself. And I'm not sure what it means just yet. So for now, I'm focused on finding that meaning in and of itself and what it is to me. And for all of my Sisters (and Brothers) out there who may feel jilted, or rather may not have anything at all and is wondering where their Mister/Miss Right is, remember the words of Christ (because that's what I'm holding on to) : "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths" [Proverbs 3:5-6]. If you trust in Him first, then everything else will fall into its place.

And in that place, my four lettered word will be re-invented. And to all those I hurt along this discovery road, I apologize.

-Ari.Maria-

Let's not lose sight of the REAL Savior

So, congratulations Barack Obama, you've won the election and you are now the next President of the United States. True, I'm glad because I voted for you, but I beg of you - please don't let people put all their trust in YOU! Instead direct them towards the true savior and giver of hope and peace - Jesus Christ!

You see, I was psyched that the first time I got to use my privlege to vote was to put my voice into this historic election, where for the first time media's eye was on the young voters, the middle-class, and even the african-american population. Being black, and a college student, and having grown up in a middle-class household, I finally felt that my views were being heard! Finally some representation from someone who truly seemed to care about me [And not just Joe the Plumber either (ugh!)].

But all my joy did not rest in the belief that Barack Obama is going to be single-handedly responsible for saving the world and restoring hope and confidence to the American people in the government, but rather the fact that Jesus Christ is using President Elect Barack Obama, Vice-President Elect Joe Biden, and all other leaders in all levels of government to fulfill his purpose and complete the work he has begun on bringing the United States of America to where its destiny lies.

But most of all, I am filled with joy that God has always allowed things to happen for a reason. Even though I am glad with the news of history that was made with the election victory of Barack Obama, I am also glad that we had the experience of being led by President George W. Bush. Now some people have lost sight of the fact that we are to fully respect all of our leaders, but as Christians, we should live by the Word of God, and in his word he says "Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people". So with all due respect, I honor President Bush, after he truly gave his energy, time and thought, even amongst all the ridicule he received from people, media and even Christians, to see to it that America kept from going ary. And so should each of you.

So just as we are to respect President Bush in his last months as our nation's President, let us begin to bring Barack Obama, Joe Biden and all of his cabinet to the "throne of grace" and pray for his guidance and protection as he will lead us into our very unknown future. Whether you voted for Obama or not, it is your DUTY as a Christian to uphold our new leaders in prayer.

But even moreso, let us all realize that it is not Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Joe Biden, or Sarah Palin who can give us the salvation we need like the blood that Jesus Christ shed for our sins. God just gives us hope through the leaders he places in charge, and we are to respect all of God's key choices.

Let us NEVER lose sight of the REAL Savior.

"For the Change We Need", all we need is Christ the Lord.

I'll Forever Be Chasing After You

I'm a newbie to blogger, but am glad to be here. This blog is just a tool for me to reach people with my own experiences and realizations as I continue in my walk after Christ. So here is my first installment:



So, for those of you who have been even remotely around me in the last few weeks, you could have bet that a note in some shape or form was coming. For so long I've been running.. and still confused. See, my pastor said that as Christians, we run a neverending race. But what I failed to realize is that I shouldn't be running FROM anything, but TOWARDS a tangible end. And who am I running TOWARDS? Jesus.Tye Tribbett & God's Anointed (G.A.) sings a song called "Chasing After You (The Morning Song)". And here are some of the lyrics (I won't kill your time with the whole song, go look it up on imeem.com; its like 7 minutes of pure worship long). Chasing After You - Tye Tribbett



Each and everyday I will seek your face

My soul is crying out for more,

I want more of you

I won't be satisfied nor content of where I am

So I will apprehend till I've captured by what I'm after



And I will go from faith to faith

From glory to glory

And I'll forever be chasing after you

I'll be chasing after you



I will press towards the mark for the prize and

I won't faint theres one thing

I desire and thats what I'm going for

I cant continue life day by day

growing dry I need to be with you (Jesus)

I'll seek where you are


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So now, what does that mean for me, Arielle M. Benjamin? That today I'm marking myself with this note, that you all who know me will not know me the same way. Sure, I've been a Christian my whole life, and true, I grew up in the Church. But now the tables have turned, and instead of running away from all the pains and heartaches and struggles, and weariness that has fought to bring me down, I am CHASING after God's own heart.After being too scared to just JUMP INto my purpose, and God just stepping in and reminding me where I need to be, I finally REALIZE it. This is my epiphany.



Relationships can wait. Money making can wait. But Christ is necessary now.



In Phillippians 3 it says:

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."



So, of course I'm not all completely there yet. But now that I have direction, I can have hope that what I am going towards is what God has in store for my life. And now, I am putting aside the things that I thought could help me get through what I was running from, because everything behind me is under control.





I'll forever be chasing after You.