I’m Going Beyond Happy

That’s right. No more madness! Things are going the way they should be and I’m so relieved! Whew. Hello again, MY life!

I’m Going Slightly Mad

You know yourself and your tendencies, but why do you have to freaking feel the need to have everything planned out? Why can’t you just chill like the rest of us and enjoy it? God is trying to bless you and you are about to ruin it because of your neurotic tendencies. I know you have a lot on your plate, I know you want to do what’s right, but you just need to keep on going. Just do what you have to do and get it done on time. Don’t initiate so much; that’s what crazy people do…but you are a bit crazy after all, eh? You want everyone and everything to just leave you the heck alone. Or do you? I don’t think you really do. I think it’s a conditioned response; a defense mechanism that is running on automatic. When you find something that might be good, you freak out because it shouldn’t be happening, it wasn’t planned, it’s uncomfortable; IT’S CHANGE. And God knows you hate change above everything else.

September 11, 2008

I think we have become immune to this date.  We have become disconnected to it over time – which seems to be a running theme among human beings over time.  Or maybe we just try to block out things that we want to forget.

Either way, September 11, 2001 was a day that affected millions of people, but now if you think about it, we only recognize it as a sad day in our history.  Have you ever stopped to think that every time this date has come around in the past seven years (wow), hundreds of people grieve over loved ones who were on one of the planes, in one of the buildings, or were attempting to get involved in the rescue process?

I watched a collective documentary from seven different people on the History Channel tonight and it made me sick.  I watched as people without hope flung themselves like rag dolls off of buildings a hundred stories tall.  I watched as a second plane flew straight into the second tower.  It was complete chaos; a complete nightmare.  I watched as people on the streets cursed the terrorists responsible, “We should go over there and kill those mother (insert word here)!” It was amazing to see the reaction of people so shocked and confused and horrified; basic human survival instincts kicked in.

Anyway, if you think about it, maybe it’d be good just to say a little prayer for those families who lost someone on this day, seven years ago.

Helpful Candidate Information

http://www.citizenlink.org/dailybroadcast/A000007835.cfm

It is vitally important for Christians to be informed enough to make an intelligent, Godly decision come November 2008.  Please take the time to listen to this interview.

The Pianist

I woke up early to take my mom to the airport this morning and then began watching The Pianist when I got home around 7 AM.  I’m not sure why I didn’t just go back to bed, but I think it had something to do with me not sleeping in too late.  I had never seen the movie, but as I began to watch, I knew I was thankful to be alone while doing so.  Things about inhumane acts (especially in relation to the Holocaust) really get to me – I wasn’t sure how severe the movie would be.  Most of the time it made me sick to my stomach and I cried a quite a bit.  What a great way to start off the day! I remember thinking in the midst of the movie, “God how could you let this happen to these people, your people? How could you allow these German soldiers to be so heartless?”

I think we all need a healthy dose of fear and horror of what we as humans are capable of.  This was actual history, for goodness sake! I can’t imagine anything like that ever happening again, but then again, look at all the peril that goes on everyday in numerous places in Africa, the Middle East, North Korea, etc.

Going Green

Our culture is becoming more and more concerned with environmental issues, which I think is good. We are more conscious of recycling, energy efficiency, and nature in general. There are groups that are very fanatical about these issues and it’s very “trendy” now to be an environmentalist. My question is how interested should Christians be in keeping the earth, well, green…and blue?

I don’t think that this is some huge issue to be debated or viewed with the utmost concern among Christians, but I just keep thinking about it and wanted some opinions. I have two thoughts:

1. God created the earth and we as men and women should do everything we can to keep it “healthy”. By making the most of space, efficiency, etc., mankind can live in a world that makes good use of what God has given us.

2. In Revelation, John sees that during the seal and trumpet judgments God will destroy one third of the ocean, one third of the sun and moon, one third of the stars, and one third of the earth by fire. If everything is going to be destroyed anyway, why should we care about it? Besides, when Christ comes back to make a new heaven and new earth, everything will be made perfect by our Creator.

I guess my opinion is two-fold. I think that Christians should be environmentally responsible, but not take it to extremes because we know that what we have now will eventually pass away.

Any thoughts?

Post Awaken Thoughts

2 Corinthians 3:18

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Some thoughts:
- as Christians we have unveiled faces as opposed to Moses (who had to veil his face after being in the presence of God’s glory)
- the glory of God is Jesus
- the process of being made more glorious (or like Jesus) is sanctification
- What are we reflecting? Who do we look like?

Doesn’t it make sense that God’s ministry in the world is our ministry TO the world? Our primary purpose is to invite other people to reconciliation with God through Jesus – everything else HAS to be secondary. Why is that still so difficult? What a charge to be given! God has given us one primary mission: to open our mouths and talk about him, to act in a way that honors him. It sounds so simple, but I have the hardest time even THINKING about it.

In Romans 9, Paul talks about how he’d rather give up his own salvation just to see the Jewish people, his brothers, come to know Christ. I’ve heard Russell say before that we will prioritize and do the things that are important to us. Well, I’ve got to do a better job of prioritizing because this life is definitely not the Rachel Show (although I’ve got a pilot written up that would blow your mind). Haha.

Anyway, I always end up writing so much when I blog. But this is important for me to process. Imagine how great the “consequences” would be if we just gave up mediocre Christianity and started living something real, something fervent. I’m almost scared to see what God would do in me, in those around me. You know what? I think we’ve become “too good” at church. We let church events, activites, hanging out with church people, church answers, etc. (all undeniably healthy things) get in the way of the primary purpose – sharing the Gospel!

There are so many people who don’t give a crap about Jesus, but we are too busy being good at church or with our own lives to give a crap about THEM!

Just think about that. I’m going to make an effort. I think the last time I invited someone to church was a year ago – and that person was a Christian already. As smaller churches die out and our big churches get bigger, it simply means that we’re growing not because of new believers, but because of Christians moving around.

Maybe it’s time to stop thinking about acting. Maybe it’s just time to act…and see what God does in my life.

I’m Just Happy

That’s all!

Why So Serious?

Why so serious?

Franzzzzz

I found a Franz Ferdinand album in my car this morning and listened to it on the way to school.

 

This was quite possibly the worst mistake I have made all week.