I'm currently reading a book called True Discipleship by William McDonald. In the chapter entitled Zeal, he writes of a man who was inspired to live a life of all-out dedication to Christ by reading an article by an atheist. This is an excerpt of that article.
"If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyents as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought, and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in its cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow of eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth, its joys and its griefs, would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would strive to look upon Eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach to it in season and out of season, and my text would be, "What shall it proft a man if he gain the whle world and lose his own soul?"
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
I forget
In the last week, I've heard two stories that have reminded me that the Gospel (the good news) of Jesus Christ actually has transforming power in people's lives.
First, I had dinner with my friends, J and S. S was not raised in any sort of religious environment. When she was 30 years old, she read a tract from the Billy Graham folks. In that moment after she finished, she recognized her sinful state and believed what she read in that simple little tract -- Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost -- that he died so that she might live. She really believed. Her life changed. She still talks about that moment in her life and all I see in her eyes is love for this Savior. Upon listening to her share her story, I got chills and tears welled up in my eyes. He IS real. It is truth. He changed people. He changes people.
This morning, at the end of the service, a man stood up to read a letter from a missionary couple in Nairobi, Kenya. The letter started out by telling the recipients that they had a new daughter, Mary. Mary is a Kenyan woman, 26 years old. She was raised in a strict Muslim home. She has chosed to follow Christ. Apparently, upon finding out this news, her family tried to kill her! They beat her severely, but she managed to escape. Now, she has no contact with her family. This was 2 years ago. Mary struggles with the separation she feels from her "real" family. This missionary couple who shared Christ with her, has taken her in as their daughter. Not long ago, on the 2nd anniversary of her beating, she sat on a bench near a shopping mall praying. She asked God why there had to be this separation. What was her purpose as a Christian? When Mary opened her eyes, sitting next to her in full Muslim dress was a young woman. Mary sat there and shared with this young woman (known simply as "F") the message of Jesus Christ. The woman was open to the message Mary shared with her. That is where the letter ended. Mary went home that night feeling like God has answered her prayer. She was now able to share this one who had changed her life with others!
The letter then had an additional note. The missionary had added a post script. This young lady, "F", had made a decision to follow Christ. She said it was the first time she had known peace.
It's amazing. I have been a Christian so long that I've forgotten what it really means. Tonight I thanked God for restoring some of the wonder of it all. I want the awe of the gospel to return to my life. It does change people.
"To those who believe, He is precious.." I Peter 2:7
First, I had dinner with my friends, J and S. S was not raised in any sort of religious environment. When she was 30 years old, she read a tract from the Billy Graham folks. In that moment after she finished, she recognized her sinful state and believed what she read in that simple little tract -- Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost -- that he died so that she might live. She really believed. Her life changed. She still talks about that moment in her life and all I see in her eyes is love for this Savior. Upon listening to her share her story, I got chills and tears welled up in my eyes. He IS real. It is truth. He changed people. He changes people.
This morning, at the end of the service, a man stood up to read a letter from a missionary couple in Nairobi, Kenya. The letter started out by telling the recipients that they had a new daughter, Mary. Mary is a Kenyan woman, 26 years old. She was raised in a strict Muslim home. She has chosed to follow Christ. Apparently, upon finding out this news, her family tried to kill her! They beat her severely, but she managed to escape. Now, she has no contact with her family. This was 2 years ago. Mary struggles with the separation she feels from her "real" family. This missionary couple who shared Christ with her, has taken her in as their daughter. Not long ago, on the 2nd anniversary of her beating, she sat on a bench near a shopping mall praying. She asked God why there had to be this separation. What was her purpose as a Christian? When Mary opened her eyes, sitting next to her in full Muslim dress was a young woman. Mary sat there and shared with this young woman (known simply as "F") the message of Jesus Christ. The woman was open to the message Mary shared with her. That is where the letter ended. Mary went home that night feeling like God has answered her prayer. She was now able to share this one who had changed her life with others!
The letter then had an additional note. The missionary had added a post script. This young lady, "F", had made a decision to follow Christ. She said it was the first time she had known peace.
It's amazing. I have been a Christian so long that I've forgotten what it really means. Tonight I thanked God for restoring some of the wonder of it all. I want the awe of the gospel to return to my life. It does change people.
"To those who believe, He is precious.." I Peter 2:7
Thursday, April 19, 2007
LOST
This guy from TMZ.com has the funniest play by play blog about LOST. I love it. His wit is sharp -- makes me laugh out loud. Seriously y'all. LOL.
Check it out
Check it out
It's 2:19am
I'm up and it's not because I have insomnia. My frickin' neighbors have a penchant for watching tv until all hours of the morning. I am so angry that my heart is beating through my shirt. People think I should bang on the wall. That seems immature to me. Plus, there is a child that sleeps on that room. First it was loud arguing (to the point i almost called the police). Then, it was their "lovemaking". Now, its the tv. I put earphones in, but that only lasts so long. Then, I'm up again because I hear the damn tv. Excuse my language. I'm just really mad at this moment.
I've let the management know. They say call the police. It seems silly to bother the police who are out making the city a little safer by warding off violence to come to an apartment due to me being able to hear noise through the wall! I am considering writing my neighbors a short letter letting them know what I hear and how I would really appreciate it if they would be a bit more considerate.
I think what makes me the most upset is the lack of consideration. I have no idea if these people even work. I rarely see them, but I hear them a lot. When I come home, the tv is on on the bedroom. When I go to sleep, it's on. Come on people! Go outside!!! Live a little. FOR MY SAKE.
(I'm open to suggestion on how to handle this issue. Please leave a comment if you feel so inclined).
Now, I'm on my couch hoping to catch 4 more hours sleep. Funny thing is, I can still hear the tv in the distance. It's going through 2 walls!!
I've let the management know. They say call the police. It seems silly to bother the police who are out making the city a little safer by warding off violence to come to an apartment due to me being able to hear noise through the wall! I am considering writing my neighbors a short letter letting them know what I hear and how I would really appreciate it if they would be a bit more considerate.
I think what makes me the most upset is the lack of consideration. I have no idea if these people even work. I rarely see them, but I hear them a lot. When I come home, the tv is on on the bedroom. When I go to sleep, it's on. Come on people! Go outside!!! Live a little. FOR MY SAKE.
(I'm open to suggestion on how to handle this issue. Please leave a comment if you feel so inclined).
Now, I'm on my couch hoping to catch 4 more hours sleep. Funny thing is, I can still hear the tv in the distance. It's going through 2 walls!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
A Great Tragedy
Surely everyone knows what occurred on the campus of Virginia Tech yesterday. I've been trying to think of what to blog in response to it. Words don't come easily at times like this. You just wonder how something like this can happen. Evil is tangible these days. You can't read the news without your stomach being turned by something you read. Injustice, the total depravity of man, natural disasters, death, sickness, etc.
The words of this hymn always seem to comfort me. May they comfort you upon reading them. Here are two verses that I believe are most applicable.
Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
The words of this hymn always seem to comfort me. May they comfort you upon reading them. Here are two verses that I believe are most applicable.
Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Reactions and the weekend
Well, I visited home for the first time since I got my new piercing. Of course, it was the first thing everyone wanted to see, but no one made a comment. I think I amuse them above anything else. I'm just wired a little different. Maybe it's a bit of a rebellious streak, but my heart is in the right place. Honestly.
It was a good weekend with the fam and our good friends the Hamiltons. They are like my second parents. We always laugh a lot when we're all together. Saturday morning, we went to the Hot Shot Cafe - a local breakfast hotspot. So delicious. I got 2 eggs cooked medium, home fries, extra crispy bacon and wheat toast. MMmmmm. Then off we went to B.B. Barnes to shop for plants. I ended up getting a shallow basket and filled it with 5 different little plants. It will sit on my front stoop. Of course, seeing as it's cold in Charlotte tonight, it will sit indoors until it warms up a bit. Later, we went out for a nice dinner at Amici -- a nice Italian restaurant. I was the only one not crazy about my entree. And so it goes.
After dinner, I met up with my dear friend John Murphy. He likes the piercing. We set off for Scully's where we had a pint of Blue Moon. The we ventured to the W.A. (West Asheville). It was the 5 year anniversary of the Westville Pub. We didn't partake, but we sat outside at one of the tables and chatted for over an hour. I see how my friend has grown so much in the last few months. It's so awesome. God is faithful. That sums it up.
This morning, we worshipped with other Christians and had the Lord's Supper. It was good to see old friends. Afterwards, we had a big lunch back at the homestead. Deeeeelish. My mom made: pork ribs, chicken and broccoli casserole, hash brown casserole, cabbage salad, 7 layer salad, and strawberry jellow. YUM. No diet today.
Oh, I almost forgot. I managed to catch something on fire. That added a bit of excitement! I turned on the wrong burner and there was a placemat on the burner I did turn on. We got a good laugh, but the smoke inhalation was dreadful.
After a relaxing time catching up with friends, I hit the road back to Charlotte. Now, I'm sitting on my couch enjoying the quiet of my apartment.
Work tomorrow. *Sigh.
It was a good weekend with the fam and our good friends the Hamiltons. They are like my second parents. We always laugh a lot when we're all together. Saturday morning, we went to the Hot Shot Cafe - a local breakfast hotspot. So delicious. I got 2 eggs cooked medium, home fries, extra crispy bacon and wheat toast. MMmmmm. Then off we went to B.B. Barnes to shop for plants. I ended up getting a shallow basket and filled it with 5 different little plants. It will sit on my front stoop. Of course, seeing as it's cold in Charlotte tonight, it will sit indoors until it warms up a bit. Later, we went out for a nice dinner at Amici -- a nice Italian restaurant. I was the only one not crazy about my entree. And so it goes.
After dinner, I met up with my dear friend John Murphy. He likes the piercing. We set off for Scully's where we had a pint of Blue Moon. The we ventured to the W.A. (West Asheville). It was the 5 year anniversary of the Westville Pub. We didn't partake, but we sat outside at one of the tables and chatted for over an hour. I see how my friend has grown so much in the last few months. It's so awesome. God is faithful. That sums it up.
This morning, we worshipped with other Christians and had the Lord's Supper. It was good to see old friends. Afterwards, we had a big lunch back at the homestead. Deeeeelish. My mom made: pork ribs, chicken and broccoli casserole, hash brown casserole, cabbage salad, 7 layer salad, and strawberry jellow. YUM. No diet today.
Oh, I almost forgot. I managed to catch something on fire. That added a bit of excitement! I turned on the wrong burner and there was a placemat on the burner I did turn on. We got a good laugh, but the smoke inhalation was dreadful.
After a relaxing time catching up with friends, I hit the road back to Charlotte. Now, I'm sitting on my couch enjoying the quiet of my apartment.
Work tomorrow. *Sigh.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
LOST
Well, I'm 18 minutes into tonight's episode of Lost and so far, so good.
Kate and Sawyer are reunited and they hold on to each other tightly. Everyone is a bit skeptical of Juliette being in the camp. I like that they're giving us more these days. I feel like the story is actually developing and it's good stuff.
Awww, Hurley just plopped down in the sand next to Juliette. "You're one of them aren't you?"
The episode just got better from there. Yay LOST. You're really back!
Kate and Sawyer are reunited and they hold on to each other tightly. Everyone is a bit skeptical of Juliette being in the camp. I like that they're giving us more these days. I feel like the story is actually developing and it's good stuff.
Awww, Hurley just plopped down in the sand next to Juliette. "You're one of them aren't you?"
The episode just got better from there. Yay LOST. You're really back!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
random thoughts
1. western christianity --- do we limit God? do we only see a portion of what He is capable of because of fear or what?
2. materialism -- it's used to distract us from spiritual pursuits because it keeps "me" first and not God
3. i feel like i'm missing my other half.
4. i am sad.
5. drivers in charlotte are not very kind.
6. Jesus died so that i might live.
7. In my current state of sadness, I relate more to Christ and take comfort in the fact that He experienced sadness and loss in His life. It's one of the reasons he took human form -- so that He could identify with us.
Those are my random thoughts for tonight.
2. materialism -- it's used to distract us from spiritual pursuits because it keeps "me" first and not God
3. i feel like i'm missing my other half.
4. i am sad.
5. drivers in charlotte are not very kind.
6. Jesus died so that i might live.
7. In my current state of sadness, I relate more to Christ and take comfort in the fact that He experienced sadness and loss in His life. It's one of the reasons he took human form -- so that He could identify with us.
Those are my random thoughts for tonight.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
HI
It's 7am. I should be in the shower. I just felt like posting a little 'hello" to all of you blog readers out there. Today should be about 80 degrees in Charlotte. My last day to wear spring clothes for a few days. I hear Easter is going to be COLD. Why is it that meteorologists are usually wrong all the time when they predict snow, but when they predict ANYTHING else, they're right on? Discuss amongst yourselves.
Hope all of you have lovely days. I'm praying I'll be hopefull, optimistic and content today. What are you hoping for?
Hope all of you have lovely days. I'm praying I'll be hopefull, optimistic and content today. What are you hoping for?
Monday, April 02, 2007
my one word
my one word is COMMIT.
i have a hard time committing to things. many times it's out of fear. what will happen if i commit to this or that? will my free time be infringed upon? will too much be expected of me? will i lose freedom? will i lose....SOMETHING?
i was challenged by Mike Ashcraft, pastor of Port City Church yesterday. He was preaching a follow up sermon to his church regarding One word vs. New Years Resolutions. His point was if we can identify one word that represents what we want to focus on, it is more likely we will be successful. Focusing on one thing is easier than 10 things.
His word was FINISH. At first, it just meant finishing tasks, finishing conversations and following up on them. Or simply finishing is work day well. Then it turned into finishing his whole day well. He was able to focus on finishing. He also quoted this verse, Psalm 90:12: So teach us to number our days so that we may attain a heart of wisdom. I love that verse. Each day should count for Christ.
What kinds of things do I want to commit to? I'd like to commit to finishing tasks at work (which today includes committing to finishing this blog). I'd like to commit to serving my community somehow. I'd like to commit to coming home and journaling about my day so I can look back and reflect on what God is doing at this time in my life. I'd like to commit my life to my God.
Those are just some of the things I'd like to commit to. I'm sure there will be other things that surface as I let the Lord lead me. I want the Lord to change me and I want to commit to letting him do that!
For more info on One Word see My One Word
i have a hard time committing to things. many times it's out of fear. what will happen if i commit to this or that? will my free time be infringed upon? will too much be expected of me? will i lose freedom? will i lose....SOMETHING?
i was challenged by Mike Ashcraft, pastor of Port City Church yesterday. He was preaching a follow up sermon to his church regarding One word vs. New Years Resolutions. His point was if we can identify one word that represents what we want to focus on, it is more likely we will be successful. Focusing on one thing is easier than 10 things.
His word was FINISH. At first, it just meant finishing tasks, finishing conversations and following up on them. Or simply finishing is work day well. Then it turned into finishing his whole day well. He was able to focus on finishing. He also quoted this verse, Psalm 90:12: So teach us to number our days so that we may attain a heart of wisdom. I love that verse. Each day should count for Christ.
What kinds of things do I want to commit to? I'd like to commit to finishing tasks at work (which today includes committing to finishing this blog). I'd like to commit to serving my community somehow. I'd like to commit to coming home and journaling about my day so I can look back and reflect on what God is doing at this time in my life. I'd like to commit my life to my God.
Those are just some of the things I'd like to commit to. I'm sure there will be other things that surface as I let the Lord lead me. I want the Lord to change me and I want to commit to letting him do that!
For more info on One Word see My One Word
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