New Start

What makes us achieve pure happiness? What is it that drives us to wake up every single day? If you could wake up happy everyday would you? These and many other questions I have been asking myself for many years. What I think it all boils down to is, that we must find something that balances the bad or frustrating things in our lives with something positive. One of the greatest things someone can have in life is a PURPOSE!

Most people feel that what they are doing isn't important or doesn't contribute to the bigger picture when in actuality everyone is making a huge impact on the world daily. No matter what you do or who you are. You could be a construction worker, banker, consultant, chef, waitress, entrepreneur, or even a stay at home mom. See people criticize christians for being missionaries, or pastors. The thing is they are warriors for God. They are risking there lives to help save others. They are going out of the way just to help a few individuals.

The sad thing about missionaries is that they don't all have the funding to radically change and impact whether kids in other countries get to eat or not. See it is a proven fact that if everyone in america that went to church gave ONLY ten percent of what they earn, then it would amount to over one billion dollars. Having MORE than enough to feed every starving kid, cure every disease, or shelter the homeless. Let me ask you something... what is wrong with that picture?

Is it our right to ridicule and criticize families that are risking all that they have to make a difference when we ourselves aren't even doing are part? The way I see it is God allows you to have the money, and materialistic objects you have. Nothing you own is yours at all. If you weren't brought into this world then you wouldn't own anything. So how hard is it to only give ten percent of your income to a better cause?

What I was getting at with all of this is happiness isn't achieved through finances. If you want something you have to give something. Giving a small amount to God every Sunday you go to church will reward you tenfold as far as money goes. I have seen this and done this first hand. Another object that was hard for me to overcome was being satisfied with what I have. See as humans we are always wanting more. If we have mansions and ferrari's we still want more. For instance look at Bill Gates. He was going to buy Hawaii. Now what exactly would you need an intire state for? Now obviously you can't buy a state. I am not knocking Bill Gates at all, he is a very generous man and gives a lot of money to organizations and helps millions of individuals.

What does buy happiness is faith. Faith in your loved ones, faith in your career, faith in college, faith in whatever you do. Faith is merely having confidence that everything will work out for you no matter what you do and as long as you try to be happy. If you can find something you love to do and can do it for the rest of your life... I suggest you work real hard to try and make that your career.

The last thing is to start over. If it is hard for you to move on or you aren't always happy then start over. It is really hard to get anywhere in life without God. You may feel the need to talk to someone about it or you may just want to continue on trying it your way. Just remember that when things don't work out God is always going to be around for you.

My life has started over and everyday I am content. I finally found what it is I need in life, and what I need to do to contribute and give back. I will be attending the Ministry program at Bethel Church in Redding California. It is quite a bit of money but God has told me he will provide. If any of you would like to help me fund this I would greatly appreciate it and have placed a donation button in the top right corner of my blog. I truly would appreciate all your help. The individuals that do choose to donate I would appreciate it if you would email me at joshua.vanhouten@gmail.com as I have a gift for all of you.

Thank you all and God Bless!

Heart is Empty, Eyes are Full

What does it mean to have an empty heart? I think that it means life without feeling of belongingness. I think that it means questions without answers. A sense of loneliness that nobody is there for you. Well if you feel or have ever felt empty I want to show you that you are NEVER alone. John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” What this means is “Jesus brings God's presence, protection, and guidance.” He will always be with you, protect you, and guide you. How awesome is that?

I also wanted to share another passage of the bible to you. Genesis 24:16, 17 “The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, Please give me a little water from your jar.” When dealing with an empty heart we need to realize both physical beauty and internal beauty. In the above passage “Rebekah had physical beauty but the servant was looking for a sign of inner beauty. Appearance is important to us, and we spend time and money improving it. But how much effort do we put into developing our inner beauty?”

Genesis 35:26 “And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun goat hair.” I think this has a major impact on our sense of belongingness. God has given you gifts and is concerned with the quality and beauty of the work you do. “Your work should reflect the creative abilities God has given you.” Go out there and use the gifts God has given you. Be a leader, join a community of people with similar gifts, or just be content!

When your heart is empty and your eyes are full remember that God will protect, and guide you through it all while he is right there with you. God made you therefore you are a beautiful person inside and out. Last but not least each and every single one of you has God given gifts and talents. Use them and you will be amazed at the positive change it will have on your life!

God is a DJ!

Cool Video I ran across today while checking out newest in todays culture.





Really shows how creative people can really be. Even though it seems very simple the idea behind the video is very unique in the fact that non of those people realized what was going on around them. As you watched the video I hope it opened your eyes that God is always looking out for you. This video shows just that in a really neat way.

Do you feel God is interacting in your life?

Tell me what you think, and post a comment!