Tolerance is for the person who has no conviction.....................
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
I Wanted to Share.......deep thoughts on committment
Something has been bugging me and i wanted to let you all in on it. It is this- the myth of permenant adolesence. When pursuing my RN degree, by counselors, peers, and acquaintances, I am constantly told that I am too young to see pain. Too young to work. Too young to deal with responsibility. This generation is cultivating the ideas of permenant childhood. The idea that until you are thirty-ish, you should not have to think about careers, work, supporting yourself, settling down, or serious relationships- only brief, satisfying flings. You shouldn't have to be responsible.
It seems as though everytime I hear of a 20-26 year old getting married, somebody always objects, pronouncing them to young to get married. Because marriage requires commitment. Commitment that our generation usually doesn't posess or practice. Internet pornography is SO readily available that our generation doesn't even want to commit to ONE partner. Committing to one partner means giving up all of the at hand girls on screen. The ones always readily available for temporary pleasure. So when someone wants get get married at 21, after being in the relationship faithfully and making it work, compromising, it it so bizzare that people react harshly.
The idea that 'you're only a teen once' or 'your only in college once' is one that i am sick of. Yeah, you ARE only in college once. That doesn't mean it is the time to get drunk, rip your clothes off, and 'live' a little. People have varied idea of what 'integrity' means. Look it up in the dictionary and you'll find out what i found out roughly two years ago. Integrity is a oneness. A life of integrity is a life that is consistent. Hopefully, I am the same Person now at this college that I will be in California as well as in Michigan. Hopefully, I can get married an He WILL know that I am the same. Always. Hopefully, I wont be looking at my self 5 years from now looking at wild days. I pray that I can look back on it as a time that I pursued God WHOLEHEARTEDLY, Shared Christ with a PASSION, loved STRONGLY.
NOW is the time we should practice commitment. Not necessarily in a relationship, but definitely in our family, friends, school, and VOLUNTEER! When we have extra time, why in the heck are we playing video games, surfing, and wasting our lives. Jesus said what we did to the least of his people, we did unto HIM. So go volunteer at a soup kitchen, shelter, pregnancy counseling center, anything. Anything for HIS glory (finally I'm figuring out what that phrase means! Those of you closest to me know that I have been hounding you for the answer!) We are the body of Christ. Lets move already and commit ourselves!
It seems as though everytime I hear of a 20-26 year old getting married, somebody always objects, pronouncing them to young to get married. Because marriage requires commitment. Commitment that our generation usually doesn't posess or practice. Internet pornography is SO readily available that our generation doesn't even want to commit to ONE partner. Committing to one partner means giving up all of the at hand girls on screen. The ones always readily available for temporary pleasure. So when someone wants get get married at 21, after being in the relationship faithfully and making it work, compromising, it it so bizzare that people react harshly.
The idea that 'you're only a teen once' or 'your only in college once' is one that i am sick of. Yeah, you ARE only in college once. That doesn't mean it is the time to get drunk, rip your clothes off, and 'live' a little. People have varied idea of what 'integrity' means. Look it up in the dictionary and you'll find out what i found out roughly two years ago. Integrity is a oneness. A life of integrity is a life that is consistent. Hopefully, I am the same Person now at this college that I will be in California as well as in Michigan. Hopefully, I can get married an He WILL know that I am the same. Always. Hopefully, I wont be looking at my self 5 years from now looking at wild days. I pray that I can look back on it as a time that I pursued God WHOLEHEARTEDLY, Shared Christ with a PASSION, loved STRONGLY.
NOW is the time we should practice commitment. Not necessarily in a relationship, but definitely in our family, friends, school, and VOLUNTEER! When we have extra time, why in the heck are we playing video games, surfing, and wasting our lives. Jesus said what we did to the least of his people, we did unto HIM. So go volunteer at a soup kitchen, shelter, pregnancy counseling center, anything. Anything for HIS glory (finally I'm figuring out what that phrase means! Those of you closest to me know that I have been hounding you for the answer!) We are the body of Christ. Lets move already and commit ourselves!
Modern Chivalry
I wanted to share this quote because it inspired me. Here goes:
"Among God's people, we understand that a man is to protect a woman; to protect a woman's honor; to protect a woman's heart; to protect a woman's reputation; sometimes even to protect a womans health, her safety. Guys, that's our job, God gave it to us. Woe unto the man who fails that responsibility."
-Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in a message presented at the New Attitude Conference in 2004.
"Among God's people, we understand that a man is to protect a woman; to protect a woman's honor; to protect a woman's heart; to protect a woman's reputation; sometimes even to protect a womans health, her safety. Guys, that's our job, God gave it to us. Woe unto the man who fails that responsibility."
-Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in a message presented at the New Attitude Conference in 2004.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The Room: by Joshua Harris
May the beauty of salvation embrace you, may your need for Christ capture you, and may the power of the Cross overwhelm you. For information on the authorship of “The Room” please click here. To download PDF, click here.
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the mysterious array of black filing cabinets. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked “Lust,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.
I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
By Joshua Harris. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine © Copyright New Attitude 1995. You have permission to reprint this in any form. We only ask that you include the appropriate copyright byline. To download PDF version, click here.
May the beauty of salvation embrace you, may your need for Christ capture you, and may the power of the Cross overwhelm you. For information on the authorship of “The Room” please click here. To download PDF, click here.
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the mysterious array of black filing cabinets. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked “Lust,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.
I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
By Joshua Harris. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine © Copyright New Attitude 1995. You have permission to reprint this in any form. We only ask that you include the appropriate copyright byline. To download PDF version, click here.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Hey i was thinking today and God has really been speaking to me about taking every thought captive, working through it, and then just giving it to Him. In just one week, i will have a bazillion problems, wrestle with them and with the dissapointment, and just hold onto it as though I can fix it. This school year, i am, as are we all, bound to have numerous problems. A goal of mine is to get in the habit of sorting through a problem, and then just giving it to Him. I want to make this a habit and a natural reaction to everything in my life. God Bless you guys!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Nothing without HIM
So often in life we refuse to try to impact the culture for fear we will fail. I hesitate so often, especially in witnessing. Whenever I go evangelizing, I am so scared that i will 'lose' someone for God instead of leading them. What if i turn people away, and most of all, WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY?!?! This is, infact, my worst problem. When i try to take it into my own hands instead of putting HIM in charge. I am so afraid of failing and have come to realize that we will fail if He is not the center, the complete goal, of our lives. We will fail when left to our own strengths. We are nothing apart from He who made us! Even Jesus said that apart from the Father, He could no nothing (John 5:19). If JESUS Himself could do NOTHING apart from the Father, how much can we get done apart from Him? Ephesians 2:10 says that we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do."
I want to encourage everyone to put God in front of everything and make him the absolute center. Put him before friends, family, movies, and yes, your boyfriend or girlfriend. Relationships thrive when both parties are fully centered on God and putting him 1st. A while back, I read an analogy that made a TON of sense to me. Here it goes- you have two jars and lots of sand and rocks. The rocks represent God and your core values. The sand represents your activities, music, friends, relationships, sports, etc. When the sand goes in the jars first, like you putting things before God, the rocks will not fit and everything falls apart. But when the rocks go in first,and then the sand, everything fits. Just like the rocks, we need to place God before everything in our lives.
Another thing, we dont have to be afraid of sharing Jesus. I have been worried all this summer and i am constantly realizing, there is no need. In Exodus 4:12, it says, "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." And lastly, 18:9-10 says, "Do not be afraid. Keep on speaking, do not be silent for I am with you."
I want to encourage everyone to put God in front of everything and make him the absolute center. Put him before friends, family, movies, and yes, your boyfriend or girlfriend. Relationships thrive when both parties are fully centered on God and putting him 1st. A while back, I read an analogy that made a TON of sense to me. Here it goes- you have two jars and lots of sand and rocks. The rocks represent God and your core values. The sand represents your activities, music, friends, relationships, sports, etc. When the sand goes in the jars first, like you putting things before God, the rocks will not fit and everything falls apart. But when the rocks go in first,and then the sand, everything fits. Just like the rocks, we need to place God before everything in our lives.
Another thing, we dont have to be afraid of sharing Jesus. I have been worried all this summer and i am constantly realizing, there is no need. In Exodus 4:12, it says, "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." And lastly, 18:9-10 says, "Do not be afraid. Keep on speaking, do not be silent for I am with you."
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