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Thoughts and Observations – 1/21/07

Thoughts and Observations

 

1. For someone to win, someone has to lose

2. For every story of miracles, there are a hundred stories of defeat.

3. Everyone can’t have anything/everything, because then everything would be nothing

4. You never know the background, the motives, the secondary and tertiary characters, the influences, or in the story- LIFE

5. For A to be blessed, B can’t be

6. So when we aren’t being blessed, remember that’s part of our job for someone else to be blessed.

7. God can’t bless everyone with miracles, or else nothing would be sacred or special.

I’m not rock solid sure of all this stuff, but give it some thought. God is not a machine, but a person. He can do what He wants to do, and He always acts in within the characteristics of His being.

Sin- God and Me – 1/20/07

It’s amazing the different ways God and I treat sin.
He hates it. I love it.

 

When sin entered the garden, he sent the sinners out. I would have hung out with them, let them be my friends, and eventuall be eating some of their Fruit Loops and Fruit by the Foot.

When sin filled the world, he sent a flood to wash it clean. I would have protested, saying that if the people all heard a reasonable reason why they should stop sinning, they would. I would have been outside the ark asking for more time, eventually cursing Noah.

When Sodom and Gomorrah was filled to the brim with sin, God sent down fire and brimstone to burn it clean. I would have probably tried to change them by marrying myself to the town (proverbially), living in it and eventually becoming of it, become a Sodomite and Gomorrahite myself.

When the Israelites were making the golden calf, God got mad and almost wiped them off. I would have said “Guys, let’s ease up on this whole calf business. Slowly, bit by bit, let’s wean ourselves off worshipping it” And sooner or later I’d be singing “All Hail King Golden Calf” with the rest of them.

When the Israelites came into the promised land, God had them kill any and every tribe or city of people with different gods, so they could remain pure. I would have said, “Hey, let’s live side by side, and then once a year have a picnic and respect each other by worshipping eachother’s gods” (or if I hadn’t said it, I would have done it)

When Saul made a wrong offering just to be well regarded by his troops, God said he couldn’t be king anymore. I’d have probably just told him not to do it again and tap him across the head. Then at his next BAALapalooza party, I’d politely decline.

When David did that whole deed with Bathsheeba, God made him lose a child. I would have told him it was bad and winked, and then forgot about the whole deal, like we do these days.

When the kings of Israel sinned terribly and beyond imagination, God promised to clean the city by removing everyone into captivity, and He did so. I don’t know what I would have done.

When Manasseh sacrificed his own son through fire, I don’t know what I would have done.

When the city of Jerusalem began to sin once more, God’s servant Nehemiah threw out all of the furniture of the non-Israelite leader that was given permission to live in the temple.

I wish I could be more like Nehemiah, more like God in his view of sin.

 

Throw it out.
Get rid of it.
Kill it.
Smother it.
Die to it.
Rid yourself of your chains.
Go to God for freedom from it.
Run away from it.
Hate it.
Associate it with every bad thing.
Call it what it is.
Don’t tolerate it.
Don’t accept it as normal.
Refuse it.
Spit it out of your mouth and rub it into the ground.
Refute Satan’s temptations and the flesh’s longing’s with Scripture.
Despise it.
Purify yourself of it.
Never go back to it every again.
Never.

 

More like Nehemiah Lord.

Being Remembered- 1/18/07

Over the years that I’ve been at CCS, I have been involved in drama, music, art, salt, NHS, student council, and many more groups and organizations. I have been friends with about 40 or more students at CCS, at least those who are still there. I’ve gotten involved in the grades below me, and over the years, have gotten to know many middle school and elementary school students.

I don’t want to be forgotten.

Yes, I know that in five to 10 years, most students at school will be new or won’t remember me. But I have a strong desire within me to influence others. I like it when people look up to me, view me as a role model, but sometimes can make me want to be an idol. I want to be a hero, the best, the most excellent, number one.

But, I know I shouldn’t. I know it’s pride, envy, greed, and my power-hungry flesh working within me. I want to influence people and lead people, but I have to do it for the right reason, and in the right direction. If I simply influence people to like me or lead them to hail me as a hero, no good has been done. That’s what I see John the Baptist as a great role model.

He came into Israel like a firebrand, angering spiritual and political leaders, spurring on change, making people think, hurting feelings, but pouring out truth. He was harsh, but he knew what he had to do. “Prepare the way for the Lord”. What did that mean? Possibly to remind people, or open their minds, or start the repentance process. Whatever it entailed, John obeyed. People came to him, seeing him as a rebel, a leader, a crazy maniac who actually had an idea of how to live. He gained disciples, and grew in popularity. But his time was short.

“I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

We don’t know if John really knew Jesus before the encounter at the river. Yes, they were cousins, but we don’t know when was the last time they saw each other. He could’ve been months, it could have been decades, or somewhere in between. Well, John was baptizing at Bethany, and he saw Jesus. And he said “This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Jon had to act in faith. God called him to a life of service, but he had no idea when this “person” was coming, what they would look like, what would happen, and what would happen to him, but he trusted in God, and waited on God, and God showed up.

So, in the time that God has given me, I must be all that I can be. Powerful in speech and steadfast for the truth. Devoted to God and his Word. What does that look like? I’m not sure. For John, it meant walking around in the desert eating locusts, dressed in the latest camel skin fashion. For me, all I can do is bear in mind who I am and trust that God will show up.

John called himself a voice, a witness, the friend, one from earth. The voice, not the message. A witness, not the truth. The friend, not the bridegroom. The one from earth, not the one from heaven. He was clear on how he was and who he was compared to Jesus.

I must do that too.

“He must become greater, I must become less”

Lord, I don’t want to be forgotten, but I pray that if people remember me, they will remember you as a core of my being. Help me show you in all that I am.

What do we value in our culture? – 1/17/07

What do we value in our culture?

-Youth-
-Beauty-
-Money-
-Simplicity-
-Speed-
-Possessions-

Eventually we all get old.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Money comes and money goes.

Too much simplicity equals laziness.

Too much speed erases patience.

The more possessions,a person has, the more they want.

How can I change my life to change these encroached values?

Seven Deadly “Spiritual” Sins and Seven Life Giving Practices- 1/16/07

Seven Deadly Spiritual Sins

Spiritual pride- We have all had it at one time or another. “I’m reading my Bible, praying every day, and am the only Christian at school who sticks to their beliefs…” Pride, in any form, can be dangerous, because in it, we set ourselves on our own pedestal. Then when we realize we need God and other people to make it through life, we don’t know what to do, so we fall and stay hurt for a long time… Is it possible that Job had spiritual pride?

Spiritual lust- Is it possible? The definition of lust is “intense sexual desire or appetite” or “uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite; lecherousness” or “a passionate or overmastering desire or craving” or “ardent enthusiasm; zest; relish: an enviable lust for life”
Hmm… have to think about that one…

Spiritual greed- Definitely. Definition? “Excessive or rapacious desire, esp. for wealth or possessions”. Do we not see this in the life of certain pastors? Pastor Bob cheats little old lady out of their pensions to buy his new Lamborgini. Do we not see this in megachurches? Faith Life Church of Houston (madeup… i think) wants to look like the best church out there, so they want the best sound system, best musicians, best looking members (a little pride too?)… Do we not see this in the lives of Christians? Joe wants to have every spiritual gift (a stretch? maybe…)

Spiritual Gluttony and Spiritual Slothfulness- GOES HAND IN HAND
Sure. Fill yourself up and sit there and do nothing. Happens all the time. Most churchgoers hear the Word, read the Word, study the Word but do not pass on this knowledge, truth, wisdom to their friends, family, coworkers. They just sit on their butts and think about it. There are definitely spiritual sloths in our world today. So many believers that want to go to every conference, hear every christian cd, read every christian book, use every bible study, go to every service, etc. etc. etc. and want it all (greed perhaps?). And then there are those Christians who sit in church and do nothing. They leave their faith in the pew to be picked up again next week (although when it is picked up, it is only as an adornment [pride, perhaps])

Spiritual Envy- One of the formost. Main Street Baptist looks at 2nd Street Baptist and wishes they had the same inflow of visitors. Jordan looks at Austin and wants to be more humble, more kind, more loving than Austin (a little pride and greed mixed in too). We’re even taught spiritual envy. We read of Bible heroes and hear of their good qualities and are silently told to envy their traits and imitate them (Yes, we should have role models, we should follow biblical and spiritual leaders, we should have good examples to imitate, but sometimes preachers teach about Nehemiah and throw in guilt, basically saying “He was great. This great. Don’t you want to be that great? And he didn’t even know about Jesus. You do! How’s that sound?”) How’s that sound?

Spiritual Wrath- Oh, yes, one of the most beloved of the deadly sins. Often pointed out by the media and other nonChristians, often referred to by extreme fundamentalists as “zeal” or “standing for truth”, often the reason people leave the church. “You’re going to hell you sinner!” Yes, it might be true. But could it be said in a more loving way? No, don’t water down the message, but simply pour in some of the love Jesus showed you, you sinner! Judgment. Abuse. How many times have unbelievers been torn down or broken down by believers? Christians get spiritually wrathful and harp and scream and yell and go overboard, often taking the church down with them. Then they look back and say that it was all because of their Love for God? Hm… what about that other half of the great commandments, huh?

SEVEN LIFE-GIVING PRACTICES

1. Love- God is Love. Period.
2. Forgive- Be gracious, be merciful, forgive as you have been forgiven.
3. Give- You have been given much. Give much.
4. Serve- Serve God, submitting in worship. Serve others, showing Christ.
5. Faithfulness- Be Faithful to God, Faithful to Friends and Family, Faithful to your faith
6. Hope/Dream- See the world with the eyes of Christ, be creative, be free
7. Grow- Learn. Discover. Become. Grow in Christ.

There are many more, but here’s a little looksee. looksy? hmm…

 

 

http://geniusandlunacy.blogspot.com/2007/01/spritually-speaking-seven-deadly-sins.html

To You – 1/15/07

To you, loner of the high school halls, individual with no individuals to be your friends, daring to be different, or maybe frequently trying to fit in but never succeeding, always failing.

To you, outcast of all groups, clubs, cliques, and whatnot, never connecting, others never accepting, attending a school of misery, full of hope yet full of despair

To you, loving young lady, friendly yet quiet, fun but not the funniest, exceptional but not OUTSTANDING! enough to be noticed, hoping for popularity, hoping for a boy, hoping for something more, working hard in sports or academics, staying pure, staying faithful, staying hopeful, persevering until the day of your fulfilled dream appears

 

To you, unique young man, who, though he is friendly, fun, and funny, can’t seem to rise in the classes (of high school society), stuck in the “In-Betweeners” (between popular and not) or the “Somewhat Sporters” (Playing sports but not the star) or “The Uncool Eclectics” (Being strange and weird and different and unique, but not being viewed as funny or interesting enough to be noticed), never being allowed to change, getting a laugh/smile or two but then tripping over your tongue and turning redfaced and sorry

 

To you, Student of many attempts, who tries to excel but has problems with reading, writing, math, science, history, or anything else, who wants to do your best but can’t be Amazed or Bewildered, but constantly Cut-Down, Dismayed, and Failed

To you, spiritual student of no regard, faithful follower of Christ our God, quiet servant of others, respecter of teachers, lover of friends and enemies, giver of money and school supplies, blesser and encourager, Bible-pointer, Christ-pointer, Salvation-pointer, Silent perseverer

To you, “Average student” who can’t dribble/kick/throw/shoot a ball or run/swim/tackle/spike worth anything, who can’t draw or paint or sing or play or act or write or create at all, who can’t grab A’s or understand Algebra, who can’t crack jokes or make people laugh at ya, who sees nothing special, sees nothing at all

 

And to you, whoever, wherever, whatever and whichever, God knows you, You know You Who

 

May you find some glue to stick and hand to pull you in

May you find love and joy, from Him in whatever form it comes

May you find family and shelter, acceptance and freedom
May you find a path to understanding, a guide to knowledge, and a cup of wisdom
May you find encouragement and edification, be strengthened, and continue in it all
May you find meaning, identity, clarity, and understanding
May you find Him

 

Sometimes I wonder… – 1/10/07

What if you don’t follow the stereotypes of your gender? You see…
I’m not avidly interested in sports
I don’t know much about cars or gaming
I’m more interested in the Arts
And I don’t stare at every girl that walks by me.

I guess that’s weird. I don’t know. I hope people realize who I really am. I hate it when people make assumptions. “If you don’t go by these stereotypes, you must be…” It’s annoying. Personally…
I love to play games and sports when it lets me get to know people. I don’t get obsessed with statistics or players or games or teams, but I don’t mind talking about it. I like to share different people’s interests.
Same with cars, gaming, etc. I’ll hear about anything. I may not know much, but I’m willing to learn and understand things more.
I believe that the Arts are more influential on the world than most other aspects of life, and I love to be creative to spread messages and truths to others.
Finally, I respect and hold women in high regard. I get excited when I talk to a girl and tell that she is loving, sweet, respectful, loves kids, loves God, reads the Word, and shares my interests. I can’t wait to meet a woman I will marry. Right now, I’m not ready. Someday though.. someday…

Anyway, later

ev

 

http://geniusandlunacy.blogspot.com/2007/01/sometimes-i-wonder.html

Common Misconceptions – 1/9/07

Common Misconceptions

Christianity = Republican
Christianity = Capitalism
Christian = American
America = Perfect or Evil
Liberals = Evil
Philosophy = Hogwash
Religion = Bad
Catholics = Bad
Jesus = White
Jesus = Black
Jews = Evil
Homosexuality or Murder = Worst Sin Ever
Bible = Irrelevant
Fundamentalists = Evil
New Bible Translations = Evil

Sometimes things aren’t as they first appear. Everything isn’t always ONE THING- sometimes there are many forms of it……

 

http://geniusandlunacy.blogspot.com/2007/01/common-misconceptions_09.html

I don’t know what to write – 1/7/07

I don’t know what to write. 
I always want to be profound, but usually sound profoundly studpid.
I want to sound philosophical, but usually sound like I’m full-of-it.
I want write one of those blogs that people read and are inspired by, but most of my stuff is simply ramblings.

It’s okay, I suppose. Maybe someday people will really care what I write. But for now, it’s me, God, and whoever stumbles across this historic smelly sneaker. Hope it smells good for a while and runs through history and kicks someones butt into action.

Yeah, i made up that metaphor, in case you couldn’t tell.

Here is a joke I came up with. (Actually, it’s two jokes for the price of one.)

If laziness was a sport, I’d probably just stay at home and do nothing…

(and the new and improved version)

If laziness was a sport, I’d probably just watch it on TV…

So, that’s it for now. Toodles…

 

http://geniusandlunacy.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-dont-know-what-to-write.html