Friday, November 19, 2010

Respect the Stance


Don't get tired of doing good.
Don't get discouraged and give up.

These words from Galatians are so encouraging, especially when I am going through a difficult time or feeling like I am not producing fruit.  It's crazy that there are times when I will blame God for not producing fruit in my life.  Or that I would blame Him for not making me a better Christian!

There is a personal effort that goes along with my spiritual journey.  All of the growth is not solely in God's corner.  For example, when I first joined the Army, I had friends that would try and get me to do things that may not have been the most God-honoring thing to do.

But I held my ground and wouldn't give in.

And wouldn't you know, given enough NO THANK YOU's from me, they eventually stopped asking me to join them at the strip clubs and the bars to get plastered.

This is just as Scripture describes; that if I will keep my focus on Christ, not only will my interest in the world will die away, but their interest in me will die!  This doesn't mean that they will de-friend me from facebook (far from it!), rather that people will come to respect the stance I have taken in regards to what the Bible says about morals and living a life dedicated to God.

So I encourage you, if you are reading this right now, to NOT GIVE UP!  Continue to pursue after God and He will richly bless you for it!  Are you truly a new and different person?  Then live like it!


"So don't get tired of doing what is good.
Don't get discouraged and give up,
for we will reap a harvest of blessing
at the appropriate time...
Because of that cross, my interest in
this world died long ago,
and the world's interest in me is also dead...
What counts is whether we really have
been changed into new and different people!"

~Galatians 6:9,14,15

Thursday, November 18, 2010

74 mph [Part Two]

There are times that I drive on the toll road and I am going the speed limit, following all the laws of the road, when another motorist will drive past me going 20 mph over the speed limit.

I'll think to myself, "No way am I going to do that, I'll get busted for sure!"

But every once in a while a group of cars will all choose to do about 10-15 mph over the speed limit.  I've realized that if it's just one car breaking the law I'm not as prone to follow his example.  However, if I surround myself with a group of motorists that are all choosing to disobey the law, I too find myself matching their speed.

I hear students say that it doesn't matter who they hang out with.  That is bologna!  If you choose to constantly surround yourself with law breakers, you too will become a law breaker.  Given enough times and enough opportunities, you will eventually cave in.

Don't be deceived into thinking that you are strong enough to fight it!


"Uzziah sought God during the day of Zechariah,
who instructed him in the fear of God.
And as long as the king sought the LORD,
God gave him success."
~2 Chronicles 26:5

Monday, November 08, 2010

The Insanity of Risk Management

According to the Centers for Disease Control, what are the top five things that cause harm to young people?
1.  Car Accidents
2.  Homicide (usually committed by someone they know)
3.  Child Abuse
4.  Suicide
5.  Drowning

According to the Mayo Clinic, what are the top five things that parents say they're worried about when it comes to their kids?
1.  Kidnapping
2.  School Snipers
3.  Terrorists
4.  Dangerous Strangers
5.  Drugs