Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Fat Boy

Needing to lose about 20 pounds, I recently attempted the diet plan of Weight Watchers. I lasted for exactly 9 hours. I skipped breakfast the first morning and had a turkey sandwich for lunch. I was trying to accumulate "points" for later. As I began preparing dinner, I realized the limited amount of food that I could eat (including my extra points and weekly bonus points) and it wasn't enough. I decided I wanted more than what I was alloted. I quit Weight Watchers while I was cooking dinner. 

What if God handled the human sin condition that way? What if every new day we were alloted a certain amount of sin? What if we accumulated sin points if we were "good enough?" How about if we received weekly bonus sin points for the nice things we did for other people? What if there was a plan that balanced out our sin? There is: 

Ephesians 1:7 "In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us." 


I'm counting on moderation and exercise.
I'm depending on forgiveness through His sacrifice.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

F Bombs

It happened again. I went to work today as a Medic, met a new partner and started the day as normal. We made sure that we had all of the needed supplies in the unit to handle any type of emergency call and headed out to serve those in need. 

Apparently, my partner thought that I was 'cool' enough and began to express himself explicitly. I was amazed at how creative he could be with the F bombs. He had a bomb in every sentence. He was able to drop in two bombs in one sentence! At one point, he dropped two bombs in one sentence along with a couple of other well know explicit words. 

As the day progressed we began to talk about each others lives, interests and hobbies. He asked about what I do in my off time and I mentioned that I serve/work full time in ministry. He thought that was 'cool' too. From that point on I didn't hear another bomb get dropped. Not even an explicit term. I was impressed at the way he could tell a story without bombs!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16


Be you. The you that you were created to be.
Worship Him today.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Conspiracy Theory

I have a friend who grew up as a believer in Christ, served on missionary teams that assisted those in need and was a prominent figure in his high-school youth group.

As he got older his belief in God dwindled as his faith in science increased. He opened his heart, mind, soul and strength to evolution, the existence of space aliens and conspiracy theories.

I spent months with him discussing God, creation and the Messiah. He continually argued and disregarded God. He bordered blaspheming him.

If God truly existed he wanted a clear sign from him. He wanted proof. He wanted God to "appear" to him.

My friend wanted to control God. He wanted to be the God of God.

Fortunately, that is not how it works. God has revealed himself through creation and through his word. He is visible to those who know him.

"They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
2 Timothy 4:4

"Come near to God and he will come near to you..."
James 4:8