Changes

Have you ever felt a little lost with yourself? You look in the mirror and realize you aren't who you were yesterday. It's nothing bad. Simply interests and hobbies change during different phases of life.

I am dealing with changes such as these now.  Thinking on them, though, I realize they're not as much a change as a nurturing of dormant interests.

For example, I will be editor of the school paper next year. I am a math major. I am a science person. How did I end up here?  The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.  I have been writing on this blog, started a few books, and written some articles for different things in the past.  Due to other interests, though, my interest for writing was never nurtured.  Now, it has a place to grow and has thus grown.

There are many other interests such as this that have seemed to come out of nowhere, but in reality were just not cared for.

Unlike what I normally write, there is not much of a lesson to this I wish to share with you.  This is more of a personal reflection.  However, for me there is quite a lesson. I am learning  that it is okay to look back 5 years and realize that things have changed so much.  That is okay.  In fact it is good. It shows I am growing. I am learning.

I tend to be stubborn to change, so I pray God will continue to help me grow and mature as he takes me through life.

Happy New Year!

A Gospel as Thick as Molasses

It's basic physics.

A liquid with low viscosity flows quickly, such as water.
The water quickly coats what it is on, and soon evaporates.

A liquid with high viscosity flows slowly, such as molasses.
The molasses slowly coats whatever it flows down. It's hard to remove. It's thick.
Such is the Gospel.

Religion, generally speaking, is man's search for God.  Man has been trying to reach God through good deeds, kindness, and other acts throughout history.

There is another story, though.

It is delicate, and yet thick.

God, in his infinite power and overwhelming glory, became His own creation. He did so in the most natural way for humans - as a baby. And yet in the most unnatural way - through a virgin.

God then demonstrated how to live a holy, pure life.  He was kind to those who would listen, even if they were considered the deepest of sinners.  Respectively, he was harsher to those who would not lend an ear.

Then, he was killed by those he loved. Painfully. Brutally.

Why would an almighty, all-powerful God do this? Why?

Love.

And so in love for his creation, he rose again and lives to this day guiding his creation to Him if they only listen and receive.

~

Recently, my boyfriend, Phill, and I have been doing a study of John.  One night during our devotional time I asked him why he was a Christian. He is knowledgeable of many other religions and so I wondered why he stuck with Christianity.  Given a little thought his answer was simple.

"There is a thickness to it.  When I think about Christ it's just... thick. Nothing else is."

~

And so my friends, in this week before Christmas I encourage you to be coated with the thickness of the gospel beginning with the miracle of the virgin birth. Allow it to stick to your heart and change you. Remember to thank God for what he's given you.

Merry Christmas.

Simplicity

First of all, to a certain degree this post is going to be contradictory.  Why? Because in explaining simplicity, I am making it complex.  What I really want to do is make this post one word: Simplicity.  Sometimes, though, an explanation is necessary.

The Christian life is simple.
The Christian life is not easy.

The Christian life has one purpose: spread the Gospel.
That's it.

We each have our own paths which Christ has given us.

For some, simplicity is living and teaching, poor as dirt.
For some, simplicity is living and teaching with many riches, but knowing the riches amount to nothing.
There are many paths besides this.

What does God have planned for you?

To pursue Him with...

Constant Joy

Continual Prayer

Persistent Gratitude

He will guide you from there.

Spread the Gospel.

Speak the truth.

Whether you live to 100 or die young, life is short.

Love life while you live in the midst of strife.  Someday, in eternity, there will be no more strife. Just joy.

Be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best in people.

Sometimes all people need is someone to say "I think you can do it".

God is judge.
You are not.

You are alive.
In Christ, you will be alive forever.

Praise be to God forever!

Protecting the Innocent

"There's too many shootings! Increase gun control!"
"There's too many shootings! Get guns out to the people!"
"Quit bring politics into something as terrible as a shooting!"

How many times have you heard these statements recently? A lot, right?

Regardless of what side you're on, you want to keep people safe.  Here's my thoughts.

When I say the people need to carry guns, I don't say this lightly. It's not for everyone. It's a serious business and involves a willingness to kill another human being if it is necessary.

However, my view is not political, though it could be taken this way.  I want those who are emotionally (and spiritually) able to be able to buy and carry guns in order to protect human life. The police are great, but they don't always come in time.  A well armed, well trained citizen sometimes is what it takes.

I am not a crazy gun nut. I just want to protect those I love and the innocent.

Imagine this:

Your best friend, brother or sister, mother or father, or anyone else close to you is at gunpoint.  You have a way to take out the gunman. Would you do it? It's not about the fact that yes, you may have to end human life.  Unfortunately, it is the consequence of their actions.  I'm not saying your answer should be yes.  That is up to each of us to decide.  As for me, IF I had a way, I would. It is the protecting of human life.

Again, I am not trying to be political. I just want you to understand this perspective.  It's not about power. It's not about politics. It's not even about killing.

It IS about protecting the innocent. Yes, God is the judge, but remember King David, he was a warrior and a man after God's own heart.

My heart breaks for the families of the children, teachers, and administration of the Connecticut shooting as well as the Colorado shooting back in the summer.  May God heal their hearts.