Thoughts on Evangelism

"I want to learn how to unlock the locks to our minds, my mind, so that when I hear opinions or views that don’t match up with mine, I can still listen and understand." ~Charlotte Eriksson

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a great theologian who was executed during World War II. His life and his convictions have always intrigued me, but I think what fascinates me most is how he comprehended theological issues and applied them to daily life. In his book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, Eric Metaxas described Bonhoeffer's viewpoint as follows: "To be an ethereal figure who merely talked about God, but somehow refused to get his hands dirty in the real world in which God had placed him, was bad theology. Through Christ, God had shown that he meant us to be in this world and to obey him with our actions in this world." Reading this, I'm drawn to how we're meant to get our hands dirty. We can't be Christians who impact this world by remaining in the confines of a Christian bubble. Yes, we must make sure that we don't get tripped up by sin, but we can't avoid involvement in the community around us just because the people might hold different beliefs and convictions than us. I believe that's exactly why Jesus specifically prayed, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one," in John 17:15. He knows that the only way for us to reach people is by going into the lion's den to confront evil and try to provide hope for those who are lost in this world.

There are a few things that we must all keep in mind when intently sharing the Gospel. First of all, just because you're a Christian doesn't mean that you're better than anybody else. It means that you are forgiven and have salvation from your sins through the sacrifice Jesus made on the Cross, but it doesn't move anyone up a rung in some imaginary hierarchy. Ecclesiastes 7:20 is very clear on the matter stating, "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." Christians must never forget the fact that we're all broken and have back stories, especially when trying to minister to those around them who don't share the same belief systems. In his song "Broken," Lecrae raps, "We some broken people, came from broken homes. Broken hearts inside of a broken soul...Ain't a soul on the planet that's better than another and we all need grace in the face of each other." Always remembering this fact will go a long way in your encounters and interactions with those around you.

Something else to take into account when sharing the Gospel is that we're not here to point fingers. Too many Christians have taken it upon themselves to be judge over humanity, which is God's job. This might be why so many unbelievers just assume Christianity is all about following rules, rather than having a relationship with Jesus. We're here to imitate Jesus, which means sharing the truth in love, rather than being judgmental. It's time to remember how Jesus ministered to those around him. A beautiful example of how Jesus advocated for an outcast occurred in the beginning of John 8. The Pharisees interrupted Jesus' teaching at the temple by flaunting a woman they had just caught in the act of adultery. According to Old Testament law, she deserved to be stoned, though they neglected to pay attention to the entire letter of the law in Leviticus 20:10, which states that the man caught in the act of adultery should also be stoned. Jesus responded by scribbling in the dirt and then telling the Pharisees that the person without sin could be the first to stone the woman they had caught committing adultery. Needless to say, only Jesus was left there with the woman and I believe the most important take away from this situation comes in John 8:10-11. It states, "Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'" He chose not to condemn her. Let that sink in. The Son of God didn't ridicule her for her decisions and the situation she found herself in, but rather told her to sin no more. He extended grace and pointed out where she needed to make improvements in her life in a loving fashion, which is how we must approach unbelievers around us.

I firmly believe that we need to have a certain level of awareness when trying to share the Gospel with those around us. There are those who will be open to listening to what you have to say and others who will completely shut you down. Still, there will be those who will ask questions, but decide that it's not for them at that particular time. Christians need to be astute in how to approach each situation that they are given to share about Jesus, and do so as Jesus. Only God can change people's hearts. We can plant seeds, but whether or not somebody becomes a Christian and trusts in Jesus as their Lord and Savior is up to God. The words Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 are very fitting here. Paul wrote, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." Someone's personal conversion to Christianity doesn't not rest in our hands, but in God's. This should come as a relief to every disciple who is out sharing the Gospel. Yes, it's important to share the Gospel, but it's ultimately up to God whether that person receives Jesus into their heart. We aren't here to shove the Gospel down people's throats. We are here to share it in love and we are to listen to the plight of people around us. It isn't our job to chase people down and force our beliefs on them. Jesus didn't even run after people. Just consider the rich young ruler who came to Jesus to find out what he needed to do in order to get to heaven. After hearing him out, in Mark 10:21, it states, "And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.'" Unfortunately, this young man went away disheartened because he couldn't bare to sell his possessions. One would think that Jesus would run after him, telling him why he is making a poor decision, but Jesus didn't do that because it wasn't his style. He knew and understood that it was up to God to change the young man's heart and no amount of pleading or berating him with Scripture would do change him.

Lastly, I believe the key to being a good evangelist is to have a listening ear. Too many people in society are so self focused that they spend more time trying to formulate the perfect response than truly listening to what another person is saying. A friend of mine counsels people and he has told me that most people yearn to have others listen and understand them in order to receive validation. As evangelists, we too must take this into account. Don't be so focused on sharing your spiel on the Gospel that you forget to live it out. Jesus loved on people and he listened to them, and we must do the same. If that means altering what your ultimate plan was in sharing the Gospel, alter it. Remember that sharing the Gospel and the love of God doesn't always have to be about the words you say, but the actions you display. If you refuse to listen or appear shocked and appalled by someone's story, do you really think that they are going to want to listen to you about Jesus? By listening, though, you can grasp a better understanding of someone's life and experiences and you can internally grieve for what they have endured. It also provides an opportunity to pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance in responding to a person, whether that be through words or just your presence.
Remember, you are going to come across people in life who you don't agree with, but that doesn't mean that you can't lovingly listen to what they have to say in an attempt to understand their life. We're all a bunch of screw-ups who need the love of Jesus. Sure, other people are aggravating and frustrating at times, but it's our job to get into the fray and encourage others to seek a different path. Charles Spurgeon wrote, "I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary." Christians need to share this attitude towards the lost instead of looking down on others in disgust. There are billions of people on Earth and not everybody is going to share your viewpoint, which is why it is worth trying to listen and understand amidst sharing the good news of Jesus.
I'll leave you with this quote that has an unknown author. It is one that has helped me be patient with others in the past, and it is my hope that it will help you in the future: "Always see the God in people. No matter what they do or say love them despite themselves. God created them with love and purpose, see that love in them and not their mistakes. We're not forgiven to walk around with unforgiveness in our hearts, we're forgiven so we can forgive. People make mistakes but not one person is a mistake. Let us love like Jesus loved, let our actions bring Glory to His name forever and always."

Live Fearlessly

I wear a bracelet on my right wrist that is light blue with black lettering. On it contains two simple words that serve as a powerful reminder: "Be Fearless." I've got a genetic predisposition for anxiety and depression, which thankfully has been suppressed through prayer and dependence on God, but can still be debilitating on an extremely bad day. I used to have days where I just wouldn't even bother getting off my couch, choosing comfort rather than facing the day. I knew that was no way to live, which is why I realigned my approach to life. Plans have gone out the window, much to the chagrin of some, and I choose to force myself into situations that make me rather uncomfortable to serve as a reminder to rely on God and not myself. Going to St. John for a month where I knew nobody upon arrival, spending Christmas in Germany with minimal knowledge of the language and my brother being the only other person I know who speaks English, and moving to Charlotte, NC, the beginning of next year, are just a few examples of how I have and plan on stretching my faith in order to live fearlessly. 2 Timothy 1:7 serves as a powerful reminder to not live in fear. In that verse, Paul wrote, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control."
My job as a Christian is to live a life full of love, not fear. I recently had the opportunity to listen to Christine Caine preach a message at Elevation Church in North Carolina and she spoke briefly on the topic of fear. As she put it, "Fear cripples you and you atrophy and pull back." She emphasized how we all need to avoid shrinking in Spirit due to fear because that hinders our ability to acknowledge and serve God. Every time we allow fear to win us over, we are doubting God's ability to work through us. This essentially limits God and encloses Him in a box. Instead of confining God, we should trust Him to grow us in every situation. When we're scared and fear makes something appear impossible, we must believe that God can see us through. It's an essential step to living without fear.
As I grow closer to God, my spirit of timidity slowly fades away. Dependence in Him allows me to flourish into the person I was created to be and live the life I was meant to live. Over the years I've had to unlearn a few ideas that were implanted into my brain out of fear. It's been a process, but slowly I'm being bolder in my love for others. A simple comment that a friend made to me has stuck with me and served as a catalyst to reach out to others. There's nothing wrong with being thoughtful. How simple, yet how freeing that statement is! Too often I find myself second guessing my kindness out of the fear of how it's perceived by others. The song "Fix My Eyes" by For King & Country comes to mind. This song is about desiring to go back in time and better serve God. At the top of the list of things to be done differently is, "Love like I'm not scared." How beautiful life here on Earth would be if we all chose to focus on loving without fear!
The best way to combat fear when it creeps in is turning back to Scripture for definitive answers. 1 John 4:18 clearly states, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." So the next time you struggle to live fearlessly in love, focus on that verse and keep in mind that fear and love cannot coexist. And always remember there's nothing wrong with being thoughtful.

When Truth is No Longer Accepted

Currently, there are numerous debates in the news between what is right and wrong. Many of these discussions focus on the "rights" of Americans and what should be regulated by the government. Everybody seems to have an opinion, and those with opposing viewpoints call their opponents narrow-minded or insensitive and immediately "lose respect" for anybody who refuses to be openminded enough to share their opponent's viewpoint or beliefs. I wish people would take a second to actually sit down and listen to one another, rather than hurling insults and opting to shutdown to alternative thoughts on matters. Accusations won't get people anywhere, and closing off lines of communication just because somebody has a different opinion is childish.
Part of the problem is that the modern world has lax discipline, which makes it difficult to convey definitive rights and wrongs to people. Sure, I could sit down with somebody and explain why they need a Savior, but if they don't believe they have ever done anything wrong and believe they are generally a "good" person, they will never accept Jesus into their hearts or believe in the teachings of Christianity. This is what happens when relativism seeps into the belief system of the majority. The defined lines between right and wrong get lost in the murky mire of personal beliefs. Along with that, too often Christians don't want to offend others, so they sway away from the definitive truths outlined by God in the Bible. Rather than accept God's authority on all matters, some opt to just let people be happy as long as it doesn't impact them. When this happens, it reflects what was expressed in Isaiah 26:10, which says, "If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly and does not see the majesty of the Lord." This is why discipline and teaching ones children is so important. If parents opt to be friends with their kids instead of having authority and disciplining them for their actions when necessary, they will never learn that certain actions are in fact wrong. Proverbs 22:6 expresses the importance of discipline by stating, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
What's unfortunate is that the typical response to a Christian trying to convey biblical truth is calling them hateful bigots who don't love their fellow man and are trying to shove their beliefs down other's throats. It's often misconstrued as Bible-thumping because nonbelievers do not understand that Christians answer to God, not our fellow man. In Matthew 28:20, God calls us to "teach them all that I have commanded you." Not all of humanity acknowledges the authority of God and the truth He speaks, which causes friction. I understand that, but if we show favor to those who are in the wrong, they will never understand or accept the truth. Allowing someone to continue on in their sin without acknowledging the eternal consequences in the opposite of love. I know it is not my job to judge those outside the church (1 Corinthians 5:12), but it is my duty to expose the darkness in the world, as per Ephesians 5:11, which says, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." I myself struggle with ways to do this in a loving manner, but I know in my heart that speaking the truth in love is more important than gaining favor with man. I must pray for courage to talk to people and ask the Holy Spirit for the words to express my concerns to people in my life. I doubt this will happen overnight, but my hope is that I will be emboldened by the Spirit to speak the truth in love.
I must remember that there are only two options after death: eternal life and eternal condemnation. Reading Galatians 6:8, which states, "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life," illuminates that fact, which should serve as my motivator to sow seeds to be watered in the hopes that Christ will pluck them out of the darkness. I cannot just sit back and rest on my laurels, not expressing my concern to those living lives contrary to truth just because they feel it is right. I must be willing to take a chance and express the truth in love. It may cause some riffs and I might lose favor with some, but it's a chance I must be willing to take. You never know who just needs to hear the Gospel in a new light. God can soften hearts in those you least expect it, so trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. I will do my best to do the same. The least we can do is try in these dark times so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to accept Christ in their hearts and have eternal life.

If you have any interest in reading another post based on relativism's impact, feel free to read The Prevailing Age of Skepticism and Moral Degradation

One's Faith Must Involve the Law and Love

"'Love' is a command of the law. If you enjoin people to love, you are giving them law. Conversely, if you tell them law doesn't matter, then neither does love, which is the summary of the law." ~Kevin DeYoung

I've been contemplating the content of this post for a couple weeks now. I began considering the importance of both the law and love when I was out at the Quakertown Diner late at night after picking my brother up from the airport. The conversation turned to evangelism and the importance of bringing others to Christ by teaching them not only about His great love, but also about the law, which helps people understand their need for a Savior. Another reason that I've been considering the unique ties between the law and love is because I began reading The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung. Both my late night discussions and excerpts from the book have helped me formulate the content of this post.

There are some in the world of Christianity that feel the law of Moses no longer holds any significance in the Christian life because we are under the New Covenant and saved by grace. These individuals might turn to Romans 6:14, which states, "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace," to establish their claim. If this was presented to me, I would have to agree that, yes, we are under the New Covenant that was established by Christ dying for our sins on the cross, thus allowing us to be saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Where I would disagree, though, is if this verse was used to reject the significance of the law. True, we are no longer under the letter of the law, but that does not mean that it is a tool to be discarded. Instead, the law can be utilized in evangelism to help people understand that in their sin, these laws are violated, and that the only saving grace they have is found in Jesus Christ.

Others within the Christian community zero in on the love that Jesus preached and focus their entire list of sermons and all of their evangelism efforts promoting the love of Jesus. Their supporting verse for this desperate need to only share about the love of Jesus might be, "'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another,'" ~John 13:34, or the summarized version in John 15:12, which states, "'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.'" Now don't get me wrong, the love of Jesus is a very important topic within Christianity, but we must not have blinders to other aspects of the faith. Yes, God is love, and promotes love, but He also despises sin. Where in the course of talking about the love of Jesus can one explain why sin is so awful?

The missing link that sometimes gets missed by those consumed by Jesus professing us to love one another is our need for repentance. One cannot merely say that they love Jesus and automatically be saved. Repentance of sins must also be a part of the process of declaring Christ as our Savior. We must not forget that the beginning of Jesus' ministry was not about love, but repentance. Matthew 4:17 clearly presents it this way: "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" My question to you is how would people know they had to repent without knowledge of the law? The simple answer is, it's not possible. The two cannot be separated because in order to know and understand the depth and disparity between our worldy self and the self that can be found and abide in Christ, one must understand the law and what it commands. 

It is important to note two verses, John 14:15 and John 15:10. These verses pretty much state the same thing, but I believe it is important to take note that Jesus repeated these phrases within close proximity to each other in Scripture, probably due to their significance. The first states, "'If you love me, you will keep my commandments." The second states, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." These verses are proof that the law and love are closely intertwined. Jesus obeyed the commandments of God, and we are to obey the commandments of Jesus. By doing so, we demonstrate our love for Jesus. In essence, if we try to follow the law, we are demonstrating that we love Jesus. Remember, the Father and Son cannot be separated, which essentially makes God's commandments Jesus' commandments.

By no means does obeying commandments save us; only by grace are we saved. But obeying the law of Christ can assist in the sanctification process as we mature as Christians. Something that The Hole in Our Holiness has taught me is the fact that the obeying the law not only demonstrates your love for Jesus, but also helps to transform you in your walk as a Christian. The mark of a Christian who has truly accepted Jesus into their heart is evidence that he/she is attempting to live by the fruits of the Spirit. This by no means happens overnight, but at some point, there should be a measurable change or transformation within a Christian. The time period could be weeks, months, or years, but if there is no discernible difference between the now and when you first left your fleshly desires behind to become a Christian, you might want to question whether or not your heart has truly changed for Jesus. As Kevin DeYoung wrote, "Any gospel which purports to save people without also transforming them is inviting easy-believism. If you think being a Christian is nothing more than saying a prayer or joining a church, then you've confused real grace with cheap grace."

I think what we should all take away from this is that the law is in place for a reason and should not be discarded like last year's fashion. The law demonstrates how God wants us to live, and obeying the law helps us show our love as we abide in Christ. This obedience to the commands set forth in the Bible will in turn help show the outside world how you have been transformed by God's saving grace and will hopefully draw others to the faith so that they, too, can repent and be saved by grace that is only available from God through our acceptance and love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

W.A.I.T. Part 10: Has Your Love for Others Become Conditional?

Back in the fall during the Occupy Wall Street Movement, I realized how much the people in this nation feel as if they are owed something. People right out of college were expecting extravagent salaries, instead of remembering that we all need to work from the bottom up. This frame of mind can soon become disastorous not only when looking for a job, but within the body of Christ.
Christ calls us to love each other, which doesn't seem like a terribly hard task at first. What some encounter, though, is that the level at which they demonstrate their love to another is not matched by the recipient. When this occurs, some have a tendency to become frustrated and begin to not want to act out of love because they feel as if they are getting nothing out of the deal. At times like this, we need to dive back into the Word, specifically Galatians 6:9-10, which says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." We should never stop being generous to others, especially fellow believers, even if it feels like a one way street. A sense of entitlement should never exist. In order to thrive as a Christian, we must continuously shower others with love, even when we don't feel like it. Our love should never be conditional (though it often is), and we should never hold high expectations of others. Each person expresses love in a different way, so comparing how someone acts towards you is futile.
I'm not saying that always demonstrating love to others is easy. My hope is that you will realize that as a human being, it's practically impossible to demonstrate unconditional love to all. This may be depressing to think about, but what should bring joy is the fact that God loves you with a perfect, unconditional love. None of us deserve it, but because we are His creation, He loves us.
In order to thrive in God's love, we must love Jesus as our Savior and then demonstrate love to those around us. Instead of focusing on how you feel others owe you for how kind you've been to them, remember that God loves you no matter what and has sacrificed His own Son to save you while you were an undeserving sinner. This thought should stir something inside of you to want to lavish others with love so that your life as a Christian begins to thrive once again. To serve as a reminder, read what Paul said in Acts 20:35: "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Through the grace of God, Paul was able to serve others as Jesus had commanded. We are also blessed with God's grace when we accept Jesus into our hearts, which will aid us in loving others above ourselves.

W.A.I.T Part 7: Clouded Vision When Consumed by Self-Righteousness

"If God's the game you're playing

Well we must get more acquainted

Because it has to be so lonely

To be the only one who's holy.

It's just my humble opinion

But it's one that I believe in

You don't deserve a point of view

If the only thing you see is you."

~"Playing God" by Paramore

In today's society, it is too easy to get caught up in all the finger pointing and believing that we are right and everybody else is in the wrong. All you have to do is watch any political ad and you can see just how far we've fallen in our great nation to resort to slandering others in order to paint ourselves in a better light.  The unfortunate part is that this has crept into our everyday lives and we may not even realize it. 

Too often we focus too much on the preachings and teachings of Jesus and forget that he lived his life with a great love for the people. When we are centralized on all that Jesus taught instead of on how he lived, we gain this "holier than thou" attitude that can get us into trouble. A perfect Scriptural example of this is Matthew 7:3-5, where Jesus says, "'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.'" We are very apt to believe that we have done no wrong in a situation, placing the blame on someone else, when realistically, both are at fault and should take notice of personal fault before pointing fingers. It is then important to meditate on Romans 3:23, which serves as a reminder saying, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 

We need to remind ourselves that we are not fit for the throne of God, so we must not act like it when dealing with our peers. When we begin to focus too much on the legalism of Christianity, that is when you become prone to pointing out all the wrong others around you are doing. This is much like the Pharisees who lived during Jesus' time. They were so blinded by the laws everyone had to keep and had a trumped up view of their own goodness based upon the amount of theological knowledge they possessed that they could not see their Savior when He stood right in front of them. How easily it is to lose focus on the purpose of Jesus when we focus inwardly on the knowledge we gain about His teachings and what He expects of His followers. Even the great theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, fell prey to this line of thinking early on, and even felt devoid of even being a Christian yet because his vision was so clouded. There is a quote in his biography Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas, that states the following: "For the first time I discovered the Bible...I had often preached. I had seen a great deal of the Church, and talked and preached about it - but I had not yet become a Christian...I know that at that time I turned the doctrine of Jesus Christ into something of personal advantage for myself...I pray to God that that will never happen again." It is scary to think that even Bonhoeffer could be so internally focused on his own knowledge, with a doctorate in theology no less, that he felt that he was not a Christian because he lost focus on Christ's true purpose.

What we need to turn our focus towards is the fact that God is love and that the one strict command we must follow is to love one another. If we are caught up in condemning each other for supposed wrong actions, we forget to love the people around us. Life is not supposed to be lived out by pointing out everybody's flaws and mistakes. Instead, we are called to embrace one another. 1 John 4:7-21 describes this beautifully: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." (emphasis mine)

My wish is that more and more we will remember to love those around us. It won't always be easy because of past hurts, but God commands us to stick with one another until the very end. If we can't do that, then there is no possible way to thrive as a Christian in this dark world. 

I'm leaving you with a lyric from a song that I discovered last week, and I don't believe it was a coincidence. I played it numerous times yesterday to ingrain the concept into my brain. The song is entitled "Dark Design" and is performed by the band Among Savages. The piece that struck me and that I now hold dear to my heart is, "I would rather live with you as my friend, than someone that I was trying to condemn." 

Christmas: A Reminder of God's Unconditional Love

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'” ~ Luke 2:1-12

On Christmas, it is time to not only gather with family and friends, but to also remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. More and more these days the birth of Jesus seems to get overshadowed by materialism and consumerism. The crazy lengths that people will go to on Black Friday to get the "best Christmas deal" now seem to include attacking others with pepper spray. I think this completely misses the point of the message that God wants us to focus on, which is love.

The birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary was a miracle, but this was just the beginning. It's incredible to know that we have a God who loves us so much that his Son came into the world to serve us and to bare the weight of our sins, all because He loves us. The Christmas season is meant to be a season of love in order to remind us of the love that the Lord has for his people. John 3:16 elaborates completely on this immense love. This verse states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This should really make the birth of Jesus a cause for celebration. Without Jesus coming into the world, we would not have had someone willing to obey the Father and die for our sins so that we can have eternal life. On this Christmas, it is my hope that you will all take time to reflect on the significance of the birth of Jesus and how belief in Him can impact your eternal life.

Coalescence of Idolatry and Pride

Psalm 31:6 "I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord."

Like the psalmist says, idols are worthless. We are warned numerous times to separate ourselves from or flee from idols. Particular verses that come to mind include 1 Corinthians 10:14 "Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry," and 1 John 5:21 "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols." But what exactly are idols? Many people are familiar with the term, especially in the title of the hit show American Idol, but few understand its true meaning. There are some who believe that idols are just other gods that people choose to worship. They aren't wrong in this assumption, but they are missing a portion of the picture. Idolatry is not just worshipping false gods. Idolatry involves anything that you focus on or depend on more than God. One definition lists an idol as, "one that is adored, often blindly or excessively." Some people focus too much on celebrities, musicians, or athletes compared to God, which in a sense turns those objects into idols. Others seem to worship knowledge, technology, or themselves. The most prominent idol in society today, though, is money. So many people try to store away this so-called precious commodity without realizing they are truly worshipping it. The devastation that comes from idolizing money and getting caught up in greed is devastating. At the beginning of the Great Depression when the stock market first crashed in October 1929, numerous people committed suicide because they lost their life savings. It's scary to think that people are so willing to give up on living when all of their money is stripped away. Then again, I'm not surprised because we are warned about the power of money in 1 Timothy 6:10, which states, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." We must not allow our love of money and wealth to hinder our walk with God. Eternal life is much more precious than anything that can be bought here on Earth. My request is that you try to steer your focus away from your idols and back to God. No matter what the focus, if it isn't on God, there is definitely a problem. I think Jonah expresses this best when he states in Jonah 2:8,  "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them." If we are constantly placing everything else before our love for God, then we are really losing out and missing the point of our life here on Earth, which is to glorify Him. 

I will be the first to admit that I have struggled with keeping God a priority in my life. I didn't realize it at the time, but there was a portion of my life where I relied heavily on other people, whether it was family or friends, to help get me through difficult times in my life. Forming close relationships with people is not a bad thing, but when you become dependent on them and turn to them in the face of chaos before turning to God, then something is bound to give way and implode. And that's exactly what happened to me. God definitely got my attention when he stripped away my closest relationships in order to get me to focus completely on Him. God knew I wasn't depending on Him in my deepest times of need, so in an effort to recapture that focus, God took away my distractions. It was staggering the impact it had on me, but I have become a better person for it. In hindsight, now that the cloud of devastation has cleared, I realize that it was necessary for my path to diverge from certain relationships in order to get back on the narrow path towards God. Now that I'm in the rebuilding phase of my social life, I am much more conscious of God and what He wants for my life. I am careful not to get caught up in that dependence of people, though going to friends for council and comfort is not a bad thing, as long as it doesn't trump my need for God.

What I have learned about myself, and what I assume about others, is that idols sprout up in our lives because we feel that we know what is best for us. Instead of remembering Scripture and the fact that God knows what is best for all of Creation, we become arrogant and prideful assuming that we know better than God. This is definitely not a good place to be in. Author, C.S. Lewis, put it this way in Mere Christianity: "It was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind." We must not forget that we are mere, imperfect humans. In the grand scheme of things, we don't even know what good is, let alone what might benefit us in the long run. Lewis continues by stating, "As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you." This is exactly what happens to those prideful humans who are caught up in the fog of idolatry. They can't see anything outside of their idol because they are completely consumed by it and do not understand that it is essential to focus on God for their needs, as opposed to believing they know what is best. Lewis's concluding thoughts related to pride are expressed in this way: "For Pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense." Pride is a disaster because it prevents us from being able to follow through with God's greatest commandment, which is to love one another, as God loved us (John 13:34). This is probably why God has such strong opposition to the proud. We are to follow His commands and bring Him glory, but if we spend our time here on Earth trying to glorify ourselves, we fall short. The next time you consider that you have a handle on your life, check yourself. Remember that God is sovereign and should always be glorified. And keep in mind what is stated in Proverbs 16:5 ~ "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished."

Abandon Worldy Living and Live for Jesus

How many times have you heard someone say they will kick their bad habits tomorrow? Or they promise to start improving their lifestyle in the morning? As a recent college graduate, I have spent evenings with friends at bars or parties and the next morning, after they suffer from a horrible hangover, listened to them declare that they will never drink again. Then of course the next weekend comes and I come to find out that they went out and got drunk all over again. It's sad that people don't keep their word, but it's even sadder that they choose to not put the effort in to change their bad habits that they clearly know are bad.
When we were all born into this world, we were born into a sinful lifestyle; one that does not respect or honor God. We have the ability to choose: God or Satan's world? This choice has to be a proactive one, though. We cannot just say, "I believe in God," and let it stop there. We need to completely reinvent ourselves in order to be more Christlike. Once you decide to be born not of this world, but of Christ, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness," according to Romans 6:18. Instead of allowing sin to have control of your heart and life, allow God to change it so that you are remodelled closer to the image of Christ. By renewing yourself, you become more capable of doing God's work here on Earth. This is in line with the thinking in Ephesians 2:10, which declares, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
While here on Earth, we are not to live for ourselves, but for God. Once we are set free from sin because we realize what Jesus sacrificed for us on the cross, we should have this overwhelming desire to promote the goodness of the Lord to all people in order to bear fruit. Our good works cannot save us because we are saved by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8), but we should always be trying to live for God so that others can be drawn closer to Him when they see His light shining through us. We need to remember that we are not our own. We are here to live for Christ, but it is your decision on how well you are used. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 states, "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special uses and some are for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." From this passage, one should grasp that they can either be special or common. I bet most would desire to be special, but that requires more work. One must consciously work to rid blatant sin from their lives in order to be the best use to the Lord. As a born again, He will use you no matter what, but your effectiveness on others will be limited if you are still caught up in blatant sin. God warns us in 1 Peter 2:15-16 to not abuse our freedom in Him: "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves."
Many might feel that it is hard to avoid blatant sins, and I would have to agree with them. Any bad habit or addiction is hard to crack. I personally have a bit of a caffeine addiction that I am determined to break, so I have stopped drinking Pepsi in order to improve my health. It definitely has not been easy because I have had to deal with withdrawal headaches, but I am determined to kick the habit. The easiest way for me to do this is to just avoid all Pepsi products to reduce the temptation. This is the exact same way someone should approach dealing with blatant sin in their lives: avoidance. 2 Timothy 2:22-24 recommends we, "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." Avoiding the evil desires of youth will help you reduce the blatant sin in your life. Also, by avoiding arguments and foolish quarrels, the respect people have for you will slowly grow. This can be used as a teaching tool because if someone asks about your self control, you can share with them about Jesus. Avoiding quarrels also helps you live out the following proverb: Proverbs 12:18 ~ "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." By ending up in fruitless quarrels, you end up cutting down the other person, which highlights your sinful nature. By demonstrating restraint and avoidance of quarrels, you appear wise, which can be attributed to living your life for Christ. The teachings of Christ always bring healing to people's hearts because everybody needs a Savior.
My recommendation to you is to put effort into avoiding blatant sin in order to live your life for Christ. Try your best to share the Word with someone everyday in order to guide them to the Lord. This does not have to be a deep theological discussion. It can be a passing comment like, "God blessed us with a beautiful day," or, "Yes, I attend church on Sunday." Have the courage to express your faith in order to evangelize to others because that is why we are here as slaves to God and righteousness. We must share the Good News with all so that they too might be saved. The beauty of this is that you can start in your hometown. There is no need to go to another state or country. You can minister to those you work with, go to school with, or those who serve you coffee. The world is your mission field and it is up to you when to demonstrate your courage and live for Christ by sharing the Word.

Overlooking an Offense

"A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel." ~Proverbs 18:19
"A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense." ~Proverbs 19:11

It is a natural part of life to endure disputes with your fellow man. It's what happens within society, more so than not, these days. I'm sure many of you have realized, either with close friends or family, that once somebody gets offended, it takes quite a bit of time to overlook such an incident, much like the one in the first above proverb. Man can turn into an unyielding fortress if he gets attacked in a manner that goes against his viewpoints or beliefs. The important lesson in the situation, though, is to not remain stone-cold, but to be patient and try to overlook an offense, like in the second proverb found above.

It is in our best interests to try and soften our hearts in order to get past an offense, great or small. You might ask, "Why?" and the answer is to bring glory to God. By overlooking an offense, it does not necessarily mean that you were wrong in the situation, or that how you were treated was right. It just puts you on the path towards forgiveness so that you can walk in a more Christ-like fashion. For many, this is hard because our sinful human nature always yearns for revenge. Many times we just want the other person to suffer the same pain and anguish that we felt, but that's not how we are meant to function. Instead, listen to the words found in Romans 12:17-21, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." A similar version can be found within 1 Peter 3:8-9, which states, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." Not only are we called to overlook an offense. We are also called to heap blessings onto the people who have wronged us. Again, this goes against our very human nature and the sinful thoughts in our mind. Too often we feel that kind gestures should only be reserved for those times when friends have been kind to us, not when they have sinned against us. The knee-jerk reaction we lean towards involves anger and revenge, but Ephesians 4:26 proclaims, "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." The problem with getting angry is that anger festers and only makes problems worse. The best solution is to pray and demonstrate your true colors, utilizing the stalwart character that God blessed you with, by deciding to be compassionate and blessing those who have caused you pain. This essentially helps you live out the words found within Luke 6:27-28: “'But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.'"
In my experience, emotional and verbal wounds take the most time to heal. Many seem to forget that words, whether spoken or written, can pack a punch. Other times, words morph into empty promises and hang limp like dead leaves on a tree limb because they aren't coupled with actions, or they lack follow-through. Too many times our own words get thrown back in our faces and used against us. It is times like these that are hardest for me to remember to be compassionate and loving, especially because I feel like my heart has been seared with a cattle prod. All I really want to do is rant and rave and let others know the pain I've had to endure. Deep down, I know that this won't solve anything. I know that the best solution is to try and move past the hurt in an attempt to make amends and salvage the relationship I have with the person who hurt me. But the key to overlooking an offense and putting an incident in the past is to make sure it stays there. Digging up old wounds defeats the original purpose of overlooking the offense. Proverbs 17:9 states, "Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." In order to avoid separating close friends, bury your old wounds and throw away the key.
While reading my book Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills yesterday, I came across the following quote: "Love involves sacrifice." This of course got me thinking about the word "love" and the scant few people I claim to care enough about to use this word to express how much I care about them. It made me question whether I have sacrificed anything for them, and vice versa. I think it made me realize that without the sacrifice, great or small, the word "love" should not be used. Now sacrifice does not mean some monumental task, like Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross to demonstrate His immense love for us. Instead, it is that moment where you analyze a situation and decide to do what is best for the other person involved, even if it is not what you want in your heart, and even if it causes great anguish in your heart and mind. In my mind, that is the demonstration of true love. It also embodies the message of this post about why it is best to overlook an offense: In order to demonstrate your love for the other person. All the more reason to take to heart this following verse:

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." ~Ephesians 4:32

Biblical Friendship

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. 
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?" ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

Anybody who has experienced life knows that it is not easy. There are always little stresses throughout the day, along with bigger issues such as financial difficulties, unemployment, relational issues, or unexpected health or car issues. Without God, we would never get through each day. We must also realize that God has blessed us with a Christian community so that we have friends to help us through difficulties we might come across on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Friends can provide the necessary physical and emotional love that is uplifting to the soul as we yearn to feel God's spiritual love. Friends help remind us that God does care about us and that he blesses us with others who love and care about our well-being.
It is to our own benefit to take advantage of all friendship opportunities in order to be able to handle the stress life throws at us. It is necessary to be surrounded by dependable individuals who will always have your back in good times and in bad times. If we are lucky, we find a handful of individuals who we do not hesitate to call on in any situation. Proverbs 18:24 states, "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." These friends should be cherished like the treasures they are and should not be taken for granted.
There are a few characteristics of biblical friendship that are essential for a close knit bond; brotherly love and providing good counsel. Close friends become almost like family and we should desire to put their well-being and happiness in the same realm or above our own. This concept is outlined in Romans 12:10 ~ "Be devoted to each other in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Also, we must be open to counsel from close friends and be willing to reciprocate in times of need and in everyday life. Sometimes we find ourselves too invested in a situation and need to step back and see it from another point of view. A true friend understands your heart and will be able to discern how to best handle a situation. Proverbs 27:9 outlines the joy that can come from seeking the counsel of friends by stating, "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."
My advice is to cherish a biblical friendship whenever God provides one in your life. He knows the struggles that we endure, and He doesn't want us to try and be independent. God desires for us to go through life in fellowship. Remember that the best way to have a great friend, though, is to strive to be one in return.

Admitting My Faults

As Christians, we are called to confess our sins, which is outlined in James 5:16 ~ "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed..." Lately, I have been analyzing my life and realizing some aspects that I have been struggling with in recent weeks. I'm not really going to elaborate on anything, but just make you aware of my recent shortcomings. I am only going to cite the Scriptures that have convicted my heart and type the corresponding notes from my NIV Life Application Study Bible that have gotten me thinking and also convicted my heart. Most are self-explanatory.

Psalm 118:8 ~ "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." Notes: "Are you willing to trust God to guide you here on earth and to your eternal destination? Do you trust him more than any human being? How futile it is to trust anything or anyone more than God."
Proverbs 3:3 ~ "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Notes: "Love and faithfulness are important character qualities. Both involve actions as well as attitudes. A loving person not only feels love; he or she acts loyally and responsibly. A faithful person not only believes the truth; he or she works for justice for others. Thoughts and words are not enough--our lives reveal whether we are truly loving and faithful. Do your actions measure up to your attitudes."
Proverbs 9:8 ~ "Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you." Notes: "Are you a mocker or a wise person? You can tell by the way you respond to criticism. Instead of tossing back a quick putdown or clever retort when rebuked, listen to what is being said. Learn from your critics: this is the path to wisdom."
Luke 17:3 ~ "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." Notes: "To rebuke does not mean to point out every sin we see. It means to bring sin to a person's attention with the purpose of restoring him or her to God and to fellow humans. When you feel you must rebuke another Christian for a sin, check your attitudes before you speak. Do you love the person? Are you willing to forgive? Unless rebuke is tied to forgiveness, it will not help the sinning person."
Galatians 5:14-15 ~ "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Notes: "When we believers lose the motivation of love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for the good in them and see only their faults. Soon we lose our unity. Have you focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths? Remind yourself of Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself. When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities. When problems need to be addressed, confront in love rather than gossip."
James 1:19-20 ~ "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." Notes: "These verses speak of anger that erupts when our egos are bruised--'I am hurt.' 'My opinions are not being heard.' When injustice and sin occur, we should become angry because others are being hurt. But we should not become angry when we fail to win an argument or when we feel offended or neglected. Selfish anger never helps anybody."

Overcome the World

The world is a sinful place. There is no escaping it. When we let it lead our thoughts, we begin to lose our joy and happiness. Instead, we become infused with anger and doubts about every aspect of our lives. We are quick to jump the gun on judging others and condemning them for their actions before they can even explain themselves. It is at this point that we need to reference passages in Matthew 7 to remind ourselves how to regain our composure and live. Matthew 7:1-2 clearly state, "'Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.'" Jesus is telling us that it is not only not our job to judge others, but when we do so unjustly, we pile all of that unfairness onto our own heads that we must stand up under as well. This was illustrated well in a post on the blog Abundant Life entitled, "I can see your issues but not mine."
I forget where exactly, but I always remember hearing a quote along the lines of "what you don't like in others is really what you despise in yourself." This has been true of my life as of late. I have been frustrated by another's perceived selfishness, but when I look at the matter, the thoughts I have been thinking reflect my own selfish desires. I have also been aware that when I do get my way in a matter, I'm still never content in the matter. Instead, I find myself lashing out in anger, driving people away, just because the sin of pride has a grip on my heart.
So what is the best way to solve this matter? That would be to focus on the words of guidance found in Matthew 7:12, which recommend, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." This is more commonly known as The Golden Rule. But when you really read into the statement, you will realize that it goes way beyond what we are taught under The Golden Rule. We are not just called to not treat others poorly because we wouldn't want to be treated in that fashion. We are also called to treat others in a manner that we desire others to treat us, even if you feel that they don't deserve it. In this generation, we only desire to do good if we feel it will be reciprocated. It is almost impossible to act out in kindness when we know that we may never get anything out of it. And that is exactly the point that Jesus is trying to make. We can't do anything without the Holy Spirit and God's grace. It is not in our human nature to do good unto others. Instead, the only way to live out the words of Matthew 7:12 is to pray to God for His assistance.
Many will struggle with the concept of praying to act in good faith towards others. That is another deceitful ploy executed from our sin nature. It convinces us that we can do everything on our own, but in essence, this is just making us a fool. The best way to live out your life effectively is to turn to God and seek His wisdom on all matters. Solomon did this and he left the wisdom he gathered from God on the pages of the Book of Proverbs. From reading the first two chapters, I have discovered that there is a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. My NIV Life Application Study Bible states that knowledge is "having the facts" while wisdom is "applying those facts to life." We all have the knowledge of how to act and how to treat others, but if we do not apply these facts in our life, then we are simple-minded fools. We must heed the warning within Proverbs 1:32-33, which says, "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Choose now to not be a wayward, simple-minded fool who believes that he/she has control over situations and shelling out kindness. We are all sinful creatures and nothing about us without God knows of kindness, love, or righteousness. Call on Jesus as your intercessor to live a fuller life and to get out of the clutches of this world. Don't live or desire to be apart of it. Instead, overcome the world with the help of a Savior.

The Point of No Return

Have you ever wondered how you ended up at a particular moment in your life and realized that it was way too late to ever turn back and "make things right" as they say (whoever they are)? Last Monday, I had one of those moments and have done my best not to dwell on it ever since, but I've reached a point where I don't have enough distractions to keep my questioning thoughts at bay.
I'm sure the majority of people in this world have lost touch with particular friends or individuals in their lives, allowing friendships to fade into the background bearing no second thought. This past semester, I became busier than usual and apparently let one of my friendships slip to the wayside, (though I was informed it started before that) and unfortunately, it has not gone quietly. Rather, it slowly eroded until Monday, which is when it apparently imploded into oblivion. I'll admit I definitely played a role in the neglect, possibly choosing to spend time with others rather than this person, and probably became severely apathetic back in April. But what I am also aware of is that it takes two to make any friendship work, and I think I am most appalled that all of the blame has been placed on my shoulders, along with being told that I was not a good friend and this person no longer wants me in her life.
Over the past couple of days, I have done my best to not think about this particular setback in my life. Those close to me have told me to not blame myself, which is easier said than done, especially when I'm a fan of the Switchfoot song "Stars", which starts out with the lines, "Maybe I've been the problem, maybe I'm the one to blame. But even when I turn it off and blame myself, the outcome feels the same." Other friends have forbidden me to think all together, which is pretty much impossible, but fun to attempt. The best advice I received from a friend was to not beat myself up over things that aren't completely my fault and out of my control and to also stop thinking I cause everything to happen because I'm not God. I definitely appreciated all of this advice, but I feel it's hard for others to understand because getting told that I wasn't a good friend jumped past the realm of a slap in the face, straight to being a borderline crippling statement. To try and stay positive, I settled for listening to the song, "Up and Up" by Relient K in order to gain some sort of direction or meaning. The following lines are where I gained the most insight:
"Yesterday, is not quite what it could have been...But I swear today, with every breath I'm breathing in, I'll be trying to make it so much more...Cause I seem to get so hung up on the history of what's gone wrong. And the hope of a new day is sometimes hard to see...I'm on the up and up and I haven't given up. Given up on what I know I'm capable of...To be content with where I am and where I need to be, I'm moving past the past where I have failed."
My recent trip to New Orleans with a good friend of mine also helped to keep me from dwelling on my issues. I didn't want my wandering thoughts to prevent us from having a splendid time in the Big Easy, so I tried my best to keep everything on the back burner. Eventually, though, these thoughts became too persistent and needed to be addressed, which turned out to be while relaxing in an off-the-beaten-path park just outside the French Quarter whilst pondering potential tattoo ideas. I'm not sure if I will ever actually get a tattoo, but I have always figured that I would utilize a meaningful Bible verse, though I was never sure which one until that day in the park. While thinking over the messages I received on Monday, it suddenly hit me that the first portion of Proverbs 17:17 would be the most fitting for me. This states, "A friend loves at all times," which is a very powerful statement in my book because no matter what the situation, whether it be joy, anger, or personal crisis, a friend should love you through each and every moment. Sanctus Real has a song entitled, "We Need Each Other" that touches on this point. Some of the following lines ring true for me:
"I think I caught a glimpse of a life without friends. Bitter, empty, hollow, dark and lonely. We never meant to hurt each other so can't we trust again? And take it as a chance to keep on growing...Oh, it's just part of being a family. Taking the good with the bad and the ugly...Oh, oh, we need each other so what's the fighting for? Oh, oh, we need each other, please don't close the door. Oh, oh, we need each other through all the highs and lows. Oh, oh, we need each other and I don't wanna be alone."
If, instead, you are constantly walking on eggshells because you are so afraid of screwing up or being a let down, then maybe the person that you consider a friend is really no friend at all. This thought crossed my mind as I pondered the recent events in my life, especially since I was written off so quickly with no chance for redemption. I know I have screwed up and I know she has screwed up, but without the chance of forgiveness to rebuild the relationship, there is nothing left to do but move on.
In order to work towards contentment in the moving on process, I've been listening to "This is Home" by Switchfoot, which begins with the following lyrics: "I've got my memories always inside of me, but I can't go back, back to how it was." What I need to do now is focus on the fact that God is in charge and knows exactly what He wants in my life. He planned out everything before I was even born, which is apparent in Revelation 22:13 that says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Instead of dwelling on the what-ifs of this situation, I think I am just going to accept what God has chosen for me in my life. I will leave you all with one final thought to ponder, though. The notes for Proverbs 17:17 in my NIV Life Application Study Bible state the following: "What kind of friend are you? There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true friend. The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty (loving "at all times")--being available to help in times of distress or personal struggles. Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they're not getting anything out of the relationship. Think of your friends and assess your loyalty to them. Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages."

The Danger of Being an Intellectual Christian

Quote bordering ceiling of Jefferson Library of Congress

There is an unfortunate trend in society in which people feel that being well-versed in the Bible is enough to maintain their Christian faith. They can talk the talk, but miss the importance of walking the walk. Being a Christian is not just about having knowledge of faith, but also living out that faith. James 2:17 states, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Without demonstrating your faith to others on a daily basis and showing the world how Christ can change you from the inside out makes it very hard to convey to believers the beauty, joy, necessity, and purpose of being a Christian. This would be like having a running coach giving you lots of advice on how to run the best race and providing particular strategies, but the coach either not following his/her own strategies, or worse, not even being a runner. This would greatly hinder their credibility in the long run, which is why it is so important to do our best to live out our Christian faith instead of just talking about it. Unfortunately, after this past weekend's events, Harold Camping has made the credibility of true Christians go down the tubes with his radical teachings, making a mockery of the second coming of Christ.
I must say, as of late, I am quite guilty of being an intellectual Christian. For some reason, I have drifted into a realm where I can advise others on how to not allow the temptations of this generation get a grip on their souls, yet I myself struggle to stay afloat above the same tide of temptations and delusions Satan floods into society. I am daily trying to escape the resentment I hold against those who call themselves Christians, but don't appear to live out their faith, when in all honesty, I am no better. Also, I need to escape my apathy towards school and work. To do so, I must meditate on the words of Colossians 3:23 and 1 Peter 4:10, which state, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men," and "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.", respectively. Although it will be a process and will take time, my goal is to do my best to let my work reflect my faith.
My number one priority, though, is to live out the greatest commandment of love. I seem to have issues lately not remembering that people stumble, and not being able to accept them for their flaws and mistakes, which is totally ludicrous. We all experience pitfalls in the ebb and flow of life and I must keep this in mind and close to my heart. Sure our main focus should always be on Christ, but I must not become critical of myself or others when this doesn't happen. I must remain patient and not become anger because that allows Satan to get the upper hand. So in sticking with the theme of this entry, I plan on ditching the intellectual Christian route and will try my best to follow 1 John 3:18 ~ "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongues, but with actions and in truth."

Why Are You Trying to Escape?

Runners always get asked why they run. Some do it for good health. Others do it to maintain their stress and sanity. But there are plenty of runners who admit that they run as a form of escape. They want to either escape their job, their home, or even their own reality. Instead of meeting issues head on and trying to determine the best course in life, they choose to escape and avoid making any worthwhile decisions. I'm not saying that this is necessarily bad or that I myself have not done it in the past, but there comes a time when you have to stop trying to escape and actually face the music. For example, I have had to confront the reality of my depression instead of living in denial that I deal with it. Once I accepted that it is a part of who I am, I was able to focus on how I can overcome situations where I become depressed. Instead of outrunning the problem, I admitted that I had one, which gave me the strength to ensure it does not rule my life and define my existence.
I believe that many people desperately try to outrun their past and feel unworthy of Christ's love. This is very unfortunate because the truth of the matter is that Jesus and the Father will love you no matter what. They just want you to trust in them to control your life so that you rely on them instead of your own instincts. "No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength...We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield." ~Psalm 33:16, 20. This verse directs us to putting our hope in God because we cannot do anything without Him in order to save ourselves. There is no sense trying to outrun our past when God knows all and is the only one who can truly bring us comfort and help. No matter what you have done in life, Christ is the great intercessor between you and God and as long as you love Jesus and go to him for help, you are never alone. This hope can be found in Hebrews 7:25, which clearly states, "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
My hope is that people will find encouragement through the love of Jesus so that they do not feel the need to run away and hide. It is very difficult going through life feeling unworthy and alone, but we must not forget that God is always their by our side. He wants to bring us comfort and he should be the one that we go to with all of our problems; nobody else truly knows what is best for us. In the face of difficult life decisions, instead of trying to run away and escape, we must always pray and ask for guidance because that is the only way through it all. I prayed a lot when it came to deciding to run my marathon. Some may not feel that this would be a major life decision, but given the mental obstacles it involves me to overcome, it was quite necessary in my mind to ask for guidance.
So the next time you find yourself trying to run away from life for some reason, try to remember that God is merciful and loves you for you. Take Ephesians 2:4-5 ~ "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." I find this very encouraging to know that no matter how much I screw up, I will always be loved. I am going to leave you with lyrics from the song that inspired this post. It is the song "Come Home" by Luminate.

There's power in the blood of Jesus

Your father's screaming just come home

And He's reaching out His hands

I know you been running, searching for something

But you're looking in a place you don't belong

Well, it's never too late, you can't outrun grace

No, mercy doesn't care what you've done

So come home