I sit here tonight with a mongo Organic Chemistry test tomorrow and the MCAT looming for Saturday, but I really feel like writing some of my thoughts down tonight.
I was reading in Luke 17 today. Christ offers some instructive words for his disciples about forgiveness and faith. I love how Jesus doesn't hold restraint when he talks. There is no sugar coating his message. How terrible life will be for those who tempt others to sin and fall away from God. He says that if a believer sins, make sure to rebuke him and if he repents, FORGIVE him. I struggle mightily with this. It can be so easy for me to hold onto grudges. It is something I pray frequently about. This passage really tells me the importance of forgiveness.
I love how the disciples ask Christ questions...I can picture in my mind the slight smile he would get across his face as they asked him questions such as "We need more faith; how do we get more of it?" These men were his best friends, what a great feeling it must have been for him to see their desire to learn more about what he was teaching. Here, Christ's answer says much about the power of faith. Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Think about that...the power that lies in faith in Jesus. While I have never moved mountains, I have seen Christ work miracles in people around me as well as in my own life. Praise Him!
The last part of the first section of chapter 17 is my favorite. Christ talks about being a servant. How often do we do good things for people without thanks. Doesn't it bother you? Sometimes it really ticks me off that people don't acknowledge all of the work and sacrifice I've made to help them out. Christ uses the example of a servant preparing a meal for his master, he does it everyday without thanks. He is not thanked because he is doing what he is supposed to be doing. Christ then ends this section with this, "In the same way, when you obey me you should say, "We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty." I think this is the attitude we need to adopt as Christians. Thanked or not, we must serve others (as Christ himself commands us to) and most of all praise and glorify Christ's cross. It is what we were made for, it is what we as believers and followers of Jesus are "supposed" to do.
The rest of the chapter accounts Christ healing some lepers and talking about the Kingdom of God...great stuff...check it out in Luke 17 :)
Today around our wonderful nation many people held Boston Tea Party-like demonstrations. While I totally respect their right to assemble, I find their cause somewhat silly. Don't get me wrong, I find it of the utmost importance to promote wise spending. However, I am not sure I understand the purpose of protesting taxes. First, who likes taxes?? Nobody, but we realize that for our government to run and provide assistance and services to us we need money. It has got to come from somewhere. Now, I'm sure some people could completely grill me on this, but I believe that is silly. Oh, and I read in the paper that our economy is starting to show some signs of life...housing markets are picking up in major cities (ex: Minneapolis), unemployment rates are going down...maybe the evil atrocities (*rolls eyes*) our President is committing by pledging our tax money to stimulus packages is actually working? Whoa! Anyways...if you did go to the Tea Party, I have no qualms with you, in fact, I support your desire to become involved in what is going on in our nation. All I ask is that you bring me your unwanted tea bag...I love tea :)
Anyways, enough politics...I hope the words of Christ resonate above any political rhetoric. It is He, that we can find life in. Praise Him!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tragedy
I write this blog post with a heavy heart. I just got back from the visitation service of Brad Odens, a friend of mine from youth group and high school. While Brad was a couple years older than me, we bonded in youth group as for a couple years we were two of a small group of boys in a mostly girl youth group. He was a fun loving, quiet guy who loved to have fun. Lots of good memories were had with him both at church and at school in the HHS band. Like I told his parents tonight, I have nothing negative to say about Brad, he was a great man.
This whole situation has me thinking a lot about tragedy. It is almost cliche to ask "why does bad things happen to good people" However, this question burns into my mind as this happened to a family who has been good to our family and to the church as a whole. His parents are two of the nicest people in church. Brad, while obviously did not make wise decisions all the time (does anyone?), was also a great man. They are a family who knows and fears God...did a freak accident like this need to happen to them?
One of the great revelations I have had when it comes to situations like this is that God deeply cares about these happenings. He sheds tears right along with the family and friends who hurt with Brad's passing. While I think God rejoices to be with His children in heaven, I know that He does not delight in seeing a child of his have life end prematurely...He does not delight in seeing family and friends hurt that a child,brother, and friend has passed on. I believe God loves all people with all of his heart...there is no way the God I serve is indifferent to such a tragedy.
So I reflect upon the cliche question...bad things happen because sin is on our Earth. Because God loved us enough to give our own free will, situations like this happen. Sometimes things happen that we don't think are fair, and to be honest they are not fair a lot of the times...however, God's gracious gift of free will opens the door for us to make poor decisions. Sometimes people can live a life full of poor decisions and enjoy a long, relatively happy life. Other times, one poor decision can lead to a consequence that will forever change the lives of those involved.
My heart goes out to the Odens family, may God give them peace, comfort, and allow them to grieve for the loss of a dear son and brother. My heart also goes out to the shooter, who was operating in self defense. While I do not agree with his decision to shoot Brad, he obviously was scared for his life so I don't think he needs to be charged. However, I do think he needs much prayer...how awful to have to live with this for the rest of his life. Justified or not...he took the life of a human being, not something easy to deal with. I pray that he also finds comfort and peace that can only come from God.
This touches a button for me as far as my feelings on gun control, but I find this post not to be an appropriate place to write about such issues. May such tragedies remind us to have an open mind to this sensitive political issue.
Please take a moment to thank God for the life you have, it truly is a gift and something that should not be taken for granted.
This whole situation has me thinking a lot about tragedy. It is almost cliche to ask "why does bad things happen to good people" However, this question burns into my mind as this happened to a family who has been good to our family and to the church as a whole. His parents are two of the nicest people in church. Brad, while obviously did not make wise decisions all the time (does anyone?), was also a great man. They are a family who knows and fears God...did a freak accident like this need to happen to them?
One of the great revelations I have had when it comes to situations like this is that God deeply cares about these happenings. He sheds tears right along with the family and friends who hurt with Brad's passing. While I think God rejoices to be with His children in heaven, I know that He does not delight in seeing a child of his have life end prematurely...He does not delight in seeing family and friends hurt that a child,brother, and friend has passed on. I believe God loves all people with all of his heart...there is no way the God I serve is indifferent to such a tragedy.
So I reflect upon the cliche question...bad things happen because sin is on our Earth. Because God loved us enough to give our own free will, situations like this happen. Sometimes things happen that we don't think are fair, and to be honest they are not fair a lot of the times...however, God's gracious gift of free will opens the door for us to make poor decisions. Sometimes people can live a life full of poor decisions and enjoy a long, relatively happy life. Other times, one poor decision can lead to a consequence that will forever change the lives of those involved.
My heart goes out to the Odens family, may God give them peace, comfort, and allow them to grieve for the loss of a dear son and brother. My heart also goes out to the shooter, who was operating in self defense. While I do not agree with his decision to shoot Brad, he obviously was scared for his life so I don't think he needs to be charged. However, I do think he needs much prayer...how awful to have to live with this for the rest of his life. Justified or not...he took the life of a human being, not something easy to deal with. I pray that he also finds comfort and peace that can only come from God.
This touches a button for me as far as my feelings on gun control, but I find this post not to be an appropriate place to write about such issues. May such tragedies remind us to have an open mind to this sensitive political issue.
Please take a moment to thank God for the life you have, it truly is a gift and something that should not be taken for granted.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday to you
Hey friends!
It's been a while since I've posted. Last week I was busy running for Student Body Vice President with one of my best friends Bill Ballard. The two of us came up 22 votes short! (445 total votes) Oh well...what can ya do? We both had a great time running and brought forth ideas that we can follow up on as senators next year. Looking forward to an exciting year.
Taking the MCAT in just over 1 week. Yikes! Super nervous about it, but I put it into God's hands. I pray that if medicine is where He wants me to be, it will all work out.
Today, I reflect upon the cross. Good Friday...it is so easy to "skip" over this day. We know the end of the story, we understand that Jesus died for our sins. May I not forget the price that was paid for my sins. The suffering my best friend and Lord endured on my behalf is almost too much for me to take at times. Imagining the aloneness he felt as his disciples left him, the agony he felt as he was whipped and beaten, the humiliation he felt as he was made a mockery of...how much he must love me! It puts into perspective so much for me, Christ endured it all so that I could be with him. Reflecting upon what happened on this day makes me realize the wondrous love He has for me. So undeserved it is, but how grateful I am for it. Praise Christ, the suffering servant of God.
Life has been hard for many people lately. I look at a family in my resident director's church. They just lost 4 babies (quadruplets that didn't survive more than a week)...imagine the devestation that would bring a young family. I think of an old friend of mine who was killed this week in a shooting in Brookings. He made a bad decision and it cost him his life...23 years old. I know the family quite well, and it is something that will cause much hurt for them. It makes me sad to sit and reflect about the suffering that some people are enduring right now. This is what makes Good Friday so important. Our Savior, while he could have simply spoke our forgiveness into being...instead took the most excruciating, humiliating way to overcome evil. We can go to him in times of suffering because we know he's been there. God had to make the ultimate sacrifice, the Son he loved so dearly. I look to God in times such as these, there are no answers that can bring comfort to people who lose their children, but God can bring them comfort because He lost his Son. I pray that those people will find the peace that rests in knowing God is in charge and that he is hurting right alongside them.
I pray that you have a blessed Good Friday. Take time to reflect upon the cross. The suffering that was endured there, the triumph it represents for all of us, and the man who hung there and his great love for you!
It's been a while since I've posted. Last week I was busy running for Student Body Vice President with one of my best friends Bill Ballard. The two of us came up 22 votes short! (445 total votes) Oh well...what can ya do? We both had a great time running and brought forth ideas that we can follow up on as senators next year. Looking forward to an exciting year.
Taking the MCAT in just over 1 week. Yikes! Super nervous about it, but I put it into God's hands. I pray that if medicine is where He wants me to be, it will all work out.
Today, I reflect upon the cross. Good Friday...it is so easy to "skip" over this day. We know the end of the story, we understand that Jesus died for our sins. May I not forget the price that was paid for my sins. The suffering my best friend and Lord endured on my behalf is almost too much for me to take at times. Imagining the aloneness he felt as his disciples left him, the agony he felt as he was whipped and beaten, the humiliation he felt as he was made a mockery of...how much he must love me! It puts into perspective so much for me, Christ endured it all so that I could be with him. Reflecting upon what happened on this day makes me realize the wondrous love He has for me. So undeserved it is, but how grateful I am for it. Praise Christ, the suffering servant of God.
Life has been hard for many people lately. I look at a family in my resident director's church. They just lost 4 babies (quadruplets that didn't survive more than a week)...imagine the devestation that would bring a young family. I think of an old friend of mine who was killed this week in a shooting in Brookings. He made a bad decision and it cost him his life...23 years old. I know the family quite well, and it is something that will cause much hurt for them. It makes me sad to sit and reflect about the suffering that some people are enduring right now. This is what makes Good Friday so important. Our Savior, while he could have simply spoke our forgiveness into being...instead took the most excruciating, humiliating way to overcome evil. We can go to him in times of suffering because we know he's been there. God had to make the ultimate sacrifice, the Son he loved so dearly. I look to God in times such as these, there are no answers that can bring comfort to people who lose their children, but God can bring them comfort because He lost his Son. I pray that those people will find the peace that rests in knowing God is in charge and that he is hurting right alongside them.
I pray that you have a blessed Good Friday. Take time to reflect upon the cross. The suffering that was endured there, the triumph it represents for all of us, and the man who hung there and his great love for you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
