17 Search Results for "freedom"

• Blessed are the Peacemakers Blessed are the Peacemakers

  • From: HemmedIn
  • Description:

    1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
    3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    4Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
    5Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
    6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
    7Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
    8Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
    9Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called sons of God.
    10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
    
    
    As a child of the 1979 revolution, all the scenes and images of what has been reported from Iran are eerily familiar. I am now a Iranian-American and completely immersed in my new culture here. But one never forgets where they came from.
    
    My perspective over the last 30 years is that most of the people born after the revolution have been raised or have become products of their environment and have generally been politically apathetic. Forgive me if I'm wrong here. But it seems that the general lack of morale, discouragement from their leadership, fear of getting in trouble have left people wanting to keep a generally low profile, living their lives to the best of their ability and staying out of the ways of trouble.
    
    President Obama is receiving a fair share of criticism for his hesitation to get involved in the situation. While the U.S. is known for coming to the rescue or meddling as some people put it, there may come a time for overt action. However, I think there is something to be said about waiting and allowing the Iranian people continue to rise up and find their voices that have been supressed for so many years. Two-thirds of the nation are under the age of 35. I am 35 and just begining to feel like I'm getting some gumption to do what God is calling me to do... I wonder for them, how long these feelings of oppression and captivity have been festering in the Iranian people and finally reaching a point of explosion.
    
    It's good to let them find their voice, THEY need to experience their own courage and recognize that what they want is GOOD.
    
    I also love how the U.S. is getting involved in less overt ways. That computer techs are helping Iranians get access to internet to let us know the cries of their hearts. I love even up until this year, when you heard the name Iran, it was associated with "axis of evil," "nuclear threat," etc. But today, the world is rallying around the people of Iran which is truly Iran. There is solidarity, compassion, support and love for people. We are seeing that the very things that we often take for granted like liberty, freedom, justice, our voices, our dreams and the realization of our visions are things worthy of fighting for.
    
    Pray for Iranians to continue to find their voices and let their voices be heard, pray for courage, boldness, protection for the innocent, justice for the oppressors. Pray for salt and light to show themselves in that part of earth so Light will shine. Pray for our President Obama, for him to have wisdom, courage, boldness, mercy when its required and heart that breaks for the things that break the heart of God.
    
    Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 130
  • Not yet rated

• Free to Be Me Free to Be Me

  • From: susanhlawrence
  • Description:
    It's Independence Day. Not a day I typically get ultra-excited about. Not that I don't think it's important. I'm honored to live in the United States of America. I say thanks to servicemen and women whenever I get the chance. I respect the flag. I appreciate this country's history. I appreciate the freedom I have.
    
    

    Or do I?

     

    I had a busy week, but God prompted me to pause occasionally to remind me of the freedoms I have...and often take for granted.

    • I drove from Illinois to Kentucky to Missouri. I didn't worry about my security. I stopped when I wanted to get a drink. I chose where to buy gasoline. I talked to whom I wanted.
    • I ate when I wanted, where I wanted. One day I walked into a restaurant and asked to see the menu before I decided. I chose to eat there with two of my girlfriends...and what a great choice it was!
    • I walked through a convention center for several days, chatting with such a wide variety of people about different topics: family, ministry, government, travel.

    That's my sticky note version. Make a list of your own. Think about today. What have you been free to do today?

    Do you consider your everyday freedoms as "rights" or "privileges"? I'd certainly like to say privileges...but I'd be lying. I make choices every day that I treat more like a right than a privilege. I should be able to access the internet. I should be able to shop where and when I want. I should be able to talk about whatever I want with family and friends. I should be able to worship where, how, and when I want.

    When I consider my choices as rights instead of privileges, it all becomes about me. And it's not about me at all. With freedom comes requirements and responsibilities. Not selfishness.

    Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. - Romans 6:14 (NLT)

    Sure, I'm free to be me...the me God created me to be.

    For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. - Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

    God gave you freedom. How does your life reflect it?

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 140
  • Not yet rated

• Christian and Democrat: Can Yo Christian and Democrat: Can You Be Both?

  • From: agapejustice
  • Description:

      For many Christians the 2008 Presidential Election was the first time they voted for a Democrat. Recently I heard a NYC pastor discuss the belief he held that to be Christian meant you were Republican, but while attending The Sojourners Mobilization to End Poverty  in Washington, D.C. (a non-partisan gathering of 1,000+ Christians from around the country who came together because their faith inspired them to fight against poverty) he realized that a Christian did not have to be Republican and he resigned from the party. With a focus on abortion and marriage (two very important issues) many Christians are bound to the Republican Party and do not question this allegiance. This summer Christian author, inner-city minister and activist Shane Claiborne admonished Christians to “pledge allegiance to the Lamb” instead of either political party on his Jesus for President nationwide tour. As Christians I think we should align ourselves with politicians and policies that most reflect the message of Jesus Christ who proclaimed in Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me, to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind and to release the oppressed…”

    Worship at The Mobilization to End Poverty
    

      I am currently a fellow for Faithful Democrats  an online community of Christians who are members of the Democratic Party. I know some might find this sacrilegious but there have always been dedicated followers of Christ who we also Democrats. As an African-American Christian my community of faith has overwhelmingly been members of the Democratic Party because Republican policies do not speak to the needs of our community, yet African-Americans are also overwhelmingly pro-life. You may ask yourself how this paring can exist, well for me to be pro-life means I support life from the cradle to the grave. I work towards ending poverty because I know many poor women are pushed into abortions for economic reasons. I do not support the death penalty or war. I think it is interesting that Christians can advocate for children while they are in the womb but once children are born we do not advocate for them to have equal educational opportunities, or a life free from hunger, sickness and disease. Mother Theresa once said “I am so pro-life that if a woman does not want her child she can leave the child with me”; hence so many Children were given to her that she received the name “Mother Theresa”. She is an example of not just holding onto arbitrary pro-life or pro-family values but actually living them out in practical ways.

    Christians Lobbying in D.C.-Holding their elected officials accountable.

    

     I am critical of both major parties and personally want to see our country move past the two party system that dominates because more choices will ensure that we have a true democracy. At the end of the day if a candidate is dedicated to those who Jesus calls “the least of these”, than that person will get my vote whether they are a member of the: Democratic, Republican, Green or Independence Party. As Christians we cannot let our dedication to a political party, or even the American flag surpass our dedication to the Gospel of Christ. Our true citizenship is in the Kingdom which includes: Black, White, slave, free, male, female, rich, poor, American, Mexican, undocumented, citizen and anyone else who is born-again.  I think Lisa Sharon Harper author and co-founder of NY Faith & Justice put it best when she stated: "Evangelical Doesn't Equal Republican or Democrat”. 
    

    A Book to read:
    I would encourage all of you to read Matthew 25, review the platforms of the different political parties, and then prayerfully ask God who you should align yourself with, the answer may surprise you.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 114
  • Not yet rated

• A Love Never Fathomed A Love Never Fathomed

  • From: awretchlikeme
  • Description:

    True love is big.

    
    This love is unreachable in the self-concerned, self-loving, self-serving minds we're trapped in.  We read, we pray, we fast, we share but we get lost in a love of this life where true love doesn't exist.  We don't turn to see it, we don't stop to feel it, we almost forget it exists...
    
    Last week I heard a painting of this love that hurt.  I think this hurt, the stinging, was proof that just maybe my mind started to explore and my heart started to wrap around one minute, itsy-bitsy part of this love. 
    
    There is a Father who loves his Son.  He loves His Son like a part of Him.  The Son is obedient to His Father and grows into a righteous, loving and much-loved man pleasing His Father greatly.  One day the Father stood on the shore with His Son and a boat.  He told His Son to sit in the boat and watched as the winds and the currents carried the boat and his Son to an island off the coast.  The father knew that a group of people lived on the island.  A group of people who needed saving.  The people of the island saw the Son arriving and grew nervous.  As the boat came to shore, the people killed the Son, stole the boat and rowed back to the freedom of the mainland. 
    
    The Father knew this would happen.  He knew the desperate people would kill His Son and He wept as he watched from the water's edge.  But as the people arrived at the shore, he waded into the water and greeted them.  He cried with joy as they came out of the water towards Him and He hugged them.  He poured perfect, forgiving love on the people and invited them to live with Him in His home forever. 
    
    It's painful hey?  Thought of this kind of love actually hurts.  It cuts through the protective, righteous, entitled skin we live in and forces our eyes open.  For the first time, I can see something bigger, 
    something that makes me a little breathless,
    something that makes my cheeks blush,
    something that makes my heart ache
    something indescribable.
    
    And there is another side to this love - a side so beautiful, so perfect that it is only just comprehensable.  Its love so full, so complete and so selfless. 
    
    The most beautiful thing of all, is that it's for us.
    
    
    Blue Skies,
    
    A Wretch Like Me
    

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 55
  • Not yet rated

• Mander

  • Views: 116
  • Since: 1 year ago

• Playing By The Rules Playing By The Rules

  • From: camillekh
  • Description:

    I had a conversation with a friend the other day about the word pursuit. I was having issues with the word and trying to decide if it was the right word to use when describing the confusing and sometimes frustrating encounters between men and women.

    If you remember I wrote an article a while back about the process of pursuit and I gave young men suggestions for engaging with young women. But, I got to thinking, what if you do everything right, you play by the rules and things still don’t work out? My initial thought was that we needed a new word, a word that would make more sense but maybe I’m just arguing semantics. Maybe what looks good on paper just doesn’t translate into real life.
    
    My friend Cindy is interested in this guy that she works with. He is a great guy and is also interested in her. When you see them both together and watch them interact you think this is the perfect match. She has made a few advances, just to drop the hint. Yet, for some reason he has decided not to pursue her. Cindy and I have talked multiple times about the situation and she is a little confused. They have the same ministry goals; they are on the same path spiritually and have a lot of fun together. Why would he not pursue?
    
    My friend Dan is interested in this girl he knows from church. She is a great girl from what he can tell but they haven’t had many opportunities to connect. She is friendly and warm toward him and he thinks that she might be interested. He has spent time cultivating his own relationship with the Lord and has observed her behavior and thinks they would make a great match. He decides to ask her out on a date, not once but twice. Each time he pursues she rejects him. Why would she not say yes?
    
    What would you tell my friends Cindy and Dan? Most of us would say the obvious, “He / She is just not that in to you!” I mean that phrase is making major movie history right now as it documents a group of singles who are surprisingly also trying to figure out this whole dating thing and are a bit confused. However, knowing the maturity level of both Dan and Cindy I know that they understand he or she may not be that in to them but what they are really struggling with is playing by the rules.
    
    Cindy is frustrated by her role in the game. For her to play by the rules it means that she has to wait and let the guy pursue her. Which in most cases means a long waiting period. She is frustrated that as a confident and capable woman she has to wait for someone else to determine when she can date. Dan is also frustrated by his role in the game. Everyone tells him to pursue yet each time he does he is met with rejection. He is beginning to think it would be a lot easier if the girls just pursued him.
    
    But what about the people they are interested in? What are their roles in the game? Cindy is beginning to think her guy is insecure and weak. Dan is beginning to think his girl is a flirt stringing him along. But what if it’s not that at all? Cindy’s guy could be interested in her but unwilling to take the leadership role or maybe he is feeling a little emasculated by her continued advances. Dan’s girl is most likely interested him but not ready to assume the role of “helper”, the word submission sounds like a lot like suffocation to her and she is not ready to be “dominated” by a guy. 
    
    So, everyone ends up frustrated, confused and not dating. Most of us have heard stories like this and most of us have an opinion on the subject. The friend I mentioned earlier told me that we should basically throw out the rules, blow the whistle and say game on. But, as we continued discussing the subject and I voiced my concerns over throwing out the rules entirely we came to a middle ground.
    
    Believe it or not there is a place where wisdom, culture and God intersect. This place gives us the freedom to live fully in a Godly way while using our judgment to honor God in our relationships. The real question goes deeper than just our roles as men and women in the dating arena. It boils down to sacrifice. Are you as a woman willing to sacrifice your desire to take control and allow men to be the leaders God is calling them to be? Are you as a man willing to sacrifice your pride to take the risk of asking a woman out on a date, better yet are you willing to allow her to be the woman God is calling her to be? Are we willing to sacrifice our desire for a relationship completely to God and let him guide us through our singleness?
    
    These are difficult questions to answer especially when culture is telling us something different. In my honest opinion, there is nothing wrong with a woman asking a man out on a date. It’s not a sin; it’s not going to cause her or anyone else any physical harm. But, in my honest opinion I do not think it is wise. I have heard too many stories of women taking this route and having it backfire on them. Does it happen every time? Of course, not, my friend who said throw out the rules is a man married to a woman who made the first move. But it did not initially work out, her forwardness scared him off and they didn’t date until he approached her much later.
    
    Ephesians 5:24-26 reads, “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” What can you as a single person do with this passage? You can cultivate within yourselves a new understanding of sacrifice. How does the church submit to Christ? In many ways but, few of them are through trust and respect and laying aside our own desires so that we might find out the desires of the King. It’s not about giving the “man” control it’s about saying, “I trust you, because I trust Christ.” How did Christ love the church? He took a risk out of love for her; he came down from Heaven to pursue her even when he knew she would reject him. It’s not about getting a woman to say “yes” it’s about sacrificing your pride in order to understand what Paul meant when he said Christ gave himself up for the church.
    
    As single men and women sacrifice means laying aside your impatience, pride and fear so that you can trust God. The character and strength of both men and women is shown in their sacrifice. Do what you will with the rules but just because you play by the rules doesn’t mean you won’t strike out a few times.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 140
  • Not yet rated

• a christian with NO children? a christian with NO children?

  • From: edk
  • Description:

    Apparently in some circles this discussion (I consider it more of an arguement) is a bit passe, but I'm new to this marriage/possiblilty of eventual parenthood thing, so it's big news to me. In today's culture where women have choices in basically every situation, I thought this was a no brainer. Apparently I was wrong...

    When we met, my husband and I were lukewarm christians at best. In the middle of college, living in a small liberal arts community, it wasn't exactly where my (our) faith bloomed. Just as many modern "love" stories go, first we hung out, eventually started dating kinda, we broke up a few times, soon our individual paths led us to similar places and now we're married.

    Marriage isn't easy, but thus far it hasn't been as catastrophic as I expected. It's only been a few months, and since we already own a house, I know eventually "when are you planning on kids?" will slap me in the face at every family gathering, work party and other various social outings. A simple internet search gave me these good response ideas:

          "When the time is right for us."

          "If we ever have a kid, we are going to name it Houdini. If it gets past the pill and the condom it  
           will have to be an escape artist."

          "Well, it typically takes about 9 months after conception. As a person who has children, I would
           have figured you would know that."

          "I detest all children."

    All joking aside, the real answer burning inside of me is always, "I DONT KNOW!!!!" And it's not only meant that I don't know WHEN, but also that I don't know IF we are going to have children. As I have found the past few months, that isn't something think about as a christian, because ALL married christians are supposed to have children...it's mandated by God, right?

    For whatever reason (more and more I'm starting to think it came straight from God) I had the urge yesterday to do some searching for varying opinions on the subject. I came across some interesting articles. Namely against the "childless by choice christian" here:

    http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2004-06-28

    And for them here:

    http://www.intervarsity.org/gfm/well/resource/children-choice

    I don't totally buy into the notion that every married couple has to fully accept having children as an inherent blessing that comes with choosing to be married and sexually active. Even the Albert Mohler article, which vehemenently argues that marriage = children, agrees that couples have the freedom of choice as to when and how many when it comes to procreation. That being said, I find it hard to turn around and argue that you don't have the option to not pop out at least one to fulfill your "duty."

    After reading the articles, praying, talking with my husband and meditating, I believe the gray area is far too thick to be saying "truth is truth." Maybe certain married couples who have strong relationships with eachother and with God just aren't called to have children. Maybe God is going to use those couples to reach the other BILLIONS of people in the world who don't yet know Him.

    To be clear, I'm not talking about not having children for financial or lifestyle reasons, or even in instances of health or the possibility of genetic disease. I am merely looking at the possibility that maybe God wants some couples to not have children for a different reason. It may not be so in North America and parts of Europe, but other places are so overpopulated that maybe God wants some of us, at his will and not ours, to skip focusing on our 2.5 kids and instead work towards nuturing and caring for them through Him.

    My husband and I don't know if we will have kids. I can't lie, the thought of being a mother scares the crap out me. But one thing we know for sure is that as christians we have to be open and willing to live with either scenario, with children or without children, to be able to truly know what God has in store for us.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 571

• biancasteffen

  • Views: 93
  • Since: 1 year ago

• Finger Tips Finger Tips

  • From: Lj
  • Description:

    Finger Tips

    “I  am dying of thirst by the Fountain.” -unknown

    In my kitchen,my hot tea and bible are keeping me company as the cold rain pounds the windows.  I try and soak up the rarity of having the apartment to myself. As the afternoon approaches, I realize what a week it has been. Too often I sit here and come to the recognition of what is truly going on in the world, and in my own life. Even when you have salvation and you have the strength of the Lord, we too often fall back into our old ways and start to thirst for the drowning that will swallow ourselves.  I realize that I am not taking advantage of what has already been given to me.  I find myself holding on by my fingertips- I am holding on, but barely.  Right as I feel as if that last finger is just about to slip away, and I find myself trying to hold myself up, I  become aware of what I am doing- I am struggling.  I find myself feeling stretched and sprawled out right in front of  exactly what I need- I find myself dying of thirst as I am right near the fountain. Yet, once I come to the realization that I am in restraint and struggling, I am set free. It is only when I stop struggling, that I  survive.  

     

    “Knowing that our old man was crucified with HIm, that the body  of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.” Romans 6:6-7

     

    It is rather ridiculous when we really think about it. We have salvation right? We have the promise of eternal life, the promise of the Holy Spirit to help guide us and to be our Helper, and we have the promise of the Word. Yet one promise I seem to forget (and I am sure I am not the only one out there, so admit this to yourself as well) is our freedom that we obtain by our salvation.  We all struggle with something- for some it is a bit more evident in their lives then others- but we all have something. We all have a flesh, a sin nature.  Yet, as people who have salvation, that old man is no longer draggin behind us. Our old slef dies when Christ bore our sins and was crucified. We no longer have to be in the bondage of that. When we bear the name of Christ and choose to have Him abiding in us, we must realize that He died once and for all.  Not “once-and-for-all”, but rather “one time and for all sin.”  

    When I accepted the gift, and I made the choice to receive salvation, I was freed! I no longer had to deal with the bondage and sin that kept me back before. So why do I let it get me now? Why, when I  have the promise of the Word, do I let the enemy get to me- letting my thoughts and my mind think I have to do anything.  All I must do, is let go, come to fountain, and jump in. All I need to do- is take part in what I already have- and that is liberty in Christ.

     

    “For when there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” Hebrews 9:16-17

     

    Daily I have to ask myself...

     

    AM I DEAD? 

  • Blog post
  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 108
  • Not yet rated

• three years ... and counting three years ... and counting

  • From: gloriousruins
  • Description:

    I have had so many crushes that I started repeating names. I have liked 3 Adams, 2 Jakes and 2 Calebs since my first crush, Zachary, in pre-school who had a mullet. I counted how many guys with Biblical names I've liked and, without counting the repeats, there have been 10. I have averaged 1.3 crushes a year, assuming I liked someone when in diapers.

    My longest crush lasted three years. I stalked him.

    Ben was my band-aid crush. He wasn't supposed to last more than a few months like the others; he was just there to help me get over my previous crush, one of the Adams, who had moved away to Arkansas. But I made Ben out to be perfect.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER ONE: I didn't know Ben very well (or at all) because he was a member of my youth pastor's former youth group. He visited our church a few times and when he came I got to see this model Christian with his beautiful curly brown hair and manly beard--no annoying habits, no boyish obnoxiousness. So I became infatuated. I decided to write a book and I made him the main character, only I changed his name to Gideon: Gideon the warrior, a missionary from India, who was described as being "unrealistically perfect" when I had someone critique my first three chapters.

    As long as I kept writing the book Ben never left my mind. I got to chapter twelve before realizing that I should stop and move on.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER TWO: I also told my youth pastor that I liked him. Well, no, I told my youth pastor that I thought that Ben was good-looking. I didn't even like the kid until my pastor started teasing me about it. Then I kind of enjoyed the teasing. Then I kind of enjoyed the prospect of liking him. Then I was infatuated. See Stupid Decision Number One.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER THREE: Before I even met Ben, I kind of knew he was going to step into my life. I prophesied, as I liked to tell everyone. The day before I met Ben (well, met him again ... he wasn't very cute when I first met him) I daydreamed exactly how I met him. I pictured the surroundings to the T. I guessed his age, hair color and everything.

    It was a coincidence. It was, it was, it was. But I thought it was some omen that we were meant to be together. Forever.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER FOUR: I needed a date to my junior prom. My youth pastor and my best friend told me to ask Ben. So I did. He said no. I was happy because at least he thought about me.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER FIVE: I stopped liking Ben for a few months when I dated Luke. I only pursued Luke because my friend told me I had no chance with Ben. We broke up after a few months because I didn't know who I was.

    I got coffee with Luke a while after we broke up because I wanted to be his friend. Our breakup was pretty ugly and I knew deep down I still had feelings for him ... I hoped they were platonic, but I wasn't so sure. So, as a way to protect myself, I wrote on my hand the name "Jacob" in Hebrew. Jacob waited 14 years for the one he loved, and I could do the same. I knew Luke wasn't the one for me. He couldn't be. There was too much baggage. After we drank our coffee, I was reassured that Luke and I could never get back together. Ever. That name on my hand had kept me in line, but it also reminded me to be patient. If Jacob could wait 14 years to be with Rachel, I could wait a few to be with Ben.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER SIX: Two years after I started liking Ben, my world fell apart. Everything that I had relied on fell to waste. My best friend denied God. A previous boyfriend started smoking pot. My faith was dry. I had no one to really talk to. So I started writing a letter.

    Really, it was just going to be a letter, an anonymous one. Then it started going on and on and on. I wanted to tell a Stranger about everything I went through for some sympathy.

    It turned into a book. I got it printed and bound, then I called my best guy friend up to help me deliver it.

    Austin and I drove forty-five minutes to Ben's college to deliver the book. We sat in my car as I gave him his assignment. He was supposed to go to the admissions building and tell them he had a present for a student. Austin left and came back within five minutes. The office was closed.

    Then I remembered what dorm Ben lived in. I gave Austin the package and sent him inside. He found a girl who knew Ben and she gave the package to him. As far as I know.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER SEVEN: A month passed and I had heard nothing of the book. I guess I secretly hoped that the writing would be so profound that Ben would try to find its author. He didn't.

    So I instant messaged Ben on a screen name I made up just for that occasion: MusicBox423, or something like that. It was the title of the song playing on my iPod and the time of day it was. I had received Ben's screen name from my youth pastor two years ago as a joke. It came in handy.

    Of course, Ben mentioned nothing of the book. But soon after I messaged him, I got an IM from someone I didn't know: Ben's girlfriend.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER EIGHT: Amber and I became friends. I really liked her. I liked when she talked about Ben too. I kind of lived vicariously through Amber. I was pretty happy.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER NINE: Amber came to my graduation party. Two days before that, Ben broke up with her. I told my youth pastor later that day and he told me he knew. He had called Ben, telling him that he met Amber at my party. Supposedly his reasons for breaking it off were different than what he communicated to Amber. I got in the middle of their relationship.

    But it was okay because I was closer to Ben than I had ever been.

    STUPID DECISION NUMBER TEN: I realized that since Ben and Amber were no longer a pair, I had the freedom to like him again. Sure, I was kind of betraying my friend who still very much liked him ... but I found ways to justify it. I did like him longer, after all.

    ---

    Three years ago I went on a winter retreat with my youth group. My pastor had invited a surprise speaker for the weekend, a kid we had met once before, a senior from Kokomo,  Ind. He came clad in flip-flops and a brown leather jacket, his hair disheveled and had David Crowder gotee.

    I don't understand why I have not stopped liking Ben. When his name is mentioned, excitement still rushes through my veins. When I see his best friend who attends my university, I still wonder when Ben's going to visit. Will I get to see him once more?

    I have tried to make new band-aid crushes out of the second and third Adam, Caleb and the Jakes, but nothing's working. I have prayed to God that he'd be a jerk to me, that he'd be a racist or something, so I could stop being so infatuated.

    I hoped that my high school crush would end in college--that I'd magically meet this level of maturity, enabling me to get over him. But I guess that's not true. Year number four, here I come.

  • Blog post
  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 202
  • Not yet rated

• thoughts inspired from donald thoughts inspired from donald miller

  • From: brianna millett
  • Description:
    "there is a certain freedom in getting our feelings of redemption 
    
    from God and not other people."
                                            ~donald miller, searching for God knows what
    
    
    
    in what ways do i seek the validity of my redemption from other people? i wonder about this question and take a hearty glance at the style i live my life.
    
    
    for the majority of the time, and this i can only say because of what christ has done-not of my own effort, my identity is drawn form the wellspring of life. the source of who i am streams directly from the blood of jesus. however, there are countless trivial pursuits that beg for my attention and steal away my true beloved'ness.
    
    
    often times i will run in order to puff myself up with value. don't get me wrong, running is in fact a true pleasure, and many times i will run just so i can spend time with jesus. but the hidden truth is that i will go and pound out 8 miles just so i can feel good about myself. 
    there was a long period of time when i could not run at all. my body suffered the most severe case of shin splints in the history of runners (or that's what it seemed like to me anyway), and for a total of 10 months this injury stole my joyful ability to run all together. during this awfully frustrating season i continuously heard the voice of christ, calling my heart to rediscover the truth of my identity and the source of my redemption. from the 20-20 perspective of hindsight i can see that this was a journey god had ordained for me, he led me there so that he could strip me of my restless search for value... 
    
    
    
    this is just one of the countless ways in which i cling to false redemptions. i am a slow learner i guess, for i still like to tag myself as a runner. and if that identity doesn't work for me then i have writer, artist, teacher, coach, college student, baseball fan, traveler, and ms. independent; which are all tightly crammed into my basket of "back up identities" for easy access.
    
    
    these fleeting facades continue to fail when i distort them into disguises of self worth rather than the life pleasures god has intended them to be. and when the foundation that defines me as valuable crumbles before me do i then see truth, truth that lifts my chin to the face of christ and dresses me in the robes of his image.
  • Blog post
  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 101
  • Not yet rated

• Sky and Earth: The Tree of Lif Sky and Earth: The Tree of Life

  • From: Coming Hope
  • Description:
    Here is a blog series of some deep things I have been thinking about...inspired by gorgeous Colorado, of course!
    
    Sky and Earth: The Tree of Life
    
    The waning leaves of fall inspire mystery. My camera craves to capture these moments, especially when the quaint historic neighborhoods of my home town play backdrop.
    
    Trees haunt when listened to, like an echo of a past image. Sturdy limbs thicken through storms and graciously allow squirrels to bury treasure among the roots. Bark toughens through adversity and blossoms intoxicate the senses. But the glorious ending of a tree’s seasonal cycle fulfills the mission of the tree. Like the last tragedy of an opera or the quiet release of a loved one, the drama of autumn stirs deeply in my heart.
    
    The Tree of Life centered the Garden of Eden in the beginning. It sat in direct contrast to the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-evil, whose fruit represented humans judging God. When thinking of the Genesis account, I often only examine the knowledge tree, greatly aided by my mental picture of the illustrated children’s Bible version of the story. The artist did a clever rendition where a green squiggly snake dangles an apple from the tree for the fashionably fig leaf draped Eve.
    
    But what of the Tree of Life? Surely this center of the Garden reflected eternal life through plunging anchor roots and golden life divine flowing through branches and leaves. The tree stood as God’s heart for humans — relationship and fruitful dependency on eternal substances. One taste of pride and judgment produced banishment. This swift cut off of communion with God was like a loss of deep breath.
    
    The tree of life haunts the prophets in the Old Testament. Those in exile dreamed of the new Jerusalem, God’s city, with rivers of life and a tree of healing. And even though God’s people repeatedly abandoned His love, chose the lust of this world over the Kingdom and rejected His overtures for relationship, God boldly promised and fulfilled the Tree-of-Life mandate.
    
    This tree punctured reality with redemption on the road to Calvary through Jesus. The tree of life was revived by His blood, love and sacrifice. This is why the bruised and battered gentiles will walk in the light of the Holy City.
    
    In the glorious end, the Tree of Life makes a triumphant return.
    
    “Then he showed me the river of the water of life clear as crystal coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb in the middle of the street. On either side of the river was the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse and the throne of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him, they will see His face and His home and His name will be on their foreheads... He will illume them.”
    Revelation 22:1-5
    
    Pure flesh and spirit can again fulfill each other, fully recovered from the greatest divorce case in history. The Tree of Life offers unfailing light and truth. Destruction makes way for transformation in the end. That which caused damage will be no more, irradicating all doubts that God’s Kingdom life is a gimmick or another hope that will fail.
    
    This Tree of Life blazes with gold refined by fire, its truth offering healing to all nations and atrocities, and humanity redeemed will never abuse the power of freedom again. The water flowing under its canopy is without cost, covered by grace.
    
    Most of the time I see these images through half open eyes, only sort of registering the transforming power of redemption. God desires to plant us like trees by His river, rooted in His flowing life. And this Revelation song was written during dire crisis, encouraging receivers to look at the Big Picture — Jesus. His love and care are unfailing, ready to sustain when evil is certain.
    
    May autumn leaves stir the eternal strength of the Tree of Life in your heart.
    
    “I often say to myself that, in our religion, God must feel very much alone: for is there anyone besides God who believes in the Salvation of the world? God seeks among us sons and daughters who resemble Him enough, who love the world enough so that He could send them into the world to save it.”
    — Louis Evely, In the Christian Spirit
    
  • Blog post
  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 181
  • Not yet rated

• lmwilliams2009

  • Views: 61
  • Since: 2 years ago

• Every day Every day

  • From: CassieAnne
  • Description:

    Every day God's grace abounds.
    Every day His mercies are new.
    Every day His arms are open.
    Every day His grace rains down
    Into the places we didn't know we needed it.
    The mistakes we unknowingly (or knowingly) make
    Are covered already by His sacrificial blood.
    He died so I could live. He gave His life so I could have it.
    He so loved to draw me into His embrace.
    My life is not my own.
    My purpose is greater than I can fathom.
    My freedom is not just about me.
    I am a history-maker, a life-changer,
    An atmosphere shaker.
    I am loved, treasured, cared for in every way.
    I am not alone, I have the King of the Universe on my side.
    Whom shall I fear?
    My life is held in the hands of the Creator of all things.
    No need to worry, no need to fear,
    No need to wonder if I can draw near.
    He is always standing right beside me.
    He has my back in case I fall.
    His love is never-ending
    And I cannot do a thing to make Him love me any more
    Or love me any less.
    He created me.
    He wove me together in my mother's womb.
    And there He saw all the days laid out before me,
    Promising to always be here.

  • Blog post
  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 126
  • Not yet rated

• jsuteacher

  • Views: 32
  • Since: 2 years ago

• freedom freedom

  • From: jessarosey
  • Description:
  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 74
  • Not yet rated

• Honor The President Honor The President

  • From: Lee Ann
  • Description:

    I'm a student one of the largest Baptist colleges, Baylor University.

    As of right now, its chock full of angry Christian/Republican kids. I think some of us might be just a little bit melodramatic.

    I even saw a girl wearing all black with a shirt that she had scrawled, "Mourning the death of our country..."

    I hear people saying Obama is the anti-christ, its the end of the world.

    If you haven't been in the news lately, Baylor has also had a few racist hate riots too.

    I think we all kinda need to step back, take a deep breath...

    My Bible study has been going through 1 Peter the past couple of weeks. The night of the election rolled around and I dont think it was by chance we stumbled upon 1 Peter 2.

    
    
    "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, where it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
    
    Live as people who are free, not using you freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."
    
    
    So to all out there who are having temper tantrums like babies ... take a deep breath and read some 1 Peter.

  • Blog post
  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 283