i return... again

After a pretty long sebatical from most things computer related, I have indeed made another appearance in the blogging community. Have you noticed the obsession that many have with blogs and myspace-related stuff? It's almost like there is this entire community of people that live in someone else's blog. Their life is chained to someone else's supposed life. This blog is not for posers.

Ultimately my goal in life is to be a dedicated Christian, student, leader, brother, son, boyfriend, etc- and not necessarily in that order. Surely there are many other Christians, students, etc. that are trying to do the same. Since all of us are struggling in different areas, reading notes along the way could really help.

So that's what this blog is for- not to draw a following of people addicted to whatever I may portray as my life here, but to learn from my (many) dumb mistakes and goodness! not repeat them.

Oh, and there will not be links  on this site that are along the lines of said posers. Occasionally I find a blog of someone that really has their head on straight, and so I may throw their link in my site here, read them for what their worth, I obviously don't endorse every word that they write.

The kind of night I pray for...

This is absolutely unreal! I'm sitting here at work (that's be Podunk, I mean Parkview Hospital in El Reno), and we've not had a patient come in for THREE HOURS!!!

I realize that I'm casting superstition to the wind here and some would freak because I'm actually announcing this fact, and sure as the grass is green, someone is going to walk in with some "critical" problem, but right now I don't care!! :) And I've already done my reading homework so I'm in the clear.

craving adventure...

...and I think I found the place. Late summer maybe? Brother brother bonding maybe?? I need to dust off the ol' pack I think...

Yuk.

I know that's spelled wrong, but it's a good discription of what I thought when I checked my blog. First of all it hasn't been updated since sometime last year, and also everything is so HUGE and orange!!

And I get off of work in ten seconds and am not going to sacrifice precious sleep time to write another word or change my settings!

Ahh... sweet defiance.

(I'll be back.)

a trip to the beginning

Proverbs 1:1-7

These verses are an unusual introduction to a book of Proverbs. The first six verses lay out five two-word phrases that bring a reader on a journey to “the beginning.”

• The first two are “to know” and “to perceive”. These words describe things that one would pick up from normal observation. You see something and it registers in your mind. You think through an idea and come to a conclusion.
• The third phrase is “to receive…instruction, justice, judgment, and equity.” The word “instruction” is literally “chastening”. This third step is being able to accept correction when your own thinking is wrong.
• Once this is accomplished, you are expected “to give” what you have received to the next spiritual generation. It’s a step that cannot be ignored. One must pass on what he has heard.
• Finally one is able “to understand” the deeper and darker sayings.

The goal described in verse 7 is not to come to a pinnacle of spiritual enlightenment as some spiritual guru, but rather to realize that one is merely beginning a journey. The true fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, not the end.

I have never really understood the responsibility of understanding Proverbs before. Every one of these “to” statements are important. I must realize the importance of “giving” what I have learned to others. Passing on the Truth we have been taught is just as important as learning in the first place. I must also remember to begin every endeavor the same way: “The fear of the Lord.” Without this base, our journey results in nothing but that of Confucius, or Buddha, or Rush Limbaugh: a witty, worldly wise stroll that foolishly ends nowhere.

slammed by the profoundly obvious

Today I was sitting there in chapel and the preacher said something that just blew me away. He was talking about "fighting the good fight" and being faithful. (This is an area that I'm specifically trying to work on, so I was interested now.) In the course of the sermon, he said, "If a week goes by that I don't win a soul to the Lord, I know something is wrong."

I sat there stupified.

Now it wasn't like a pseudo-guilt like "Oh, man shouldn't we all be that way." But more like an obvious, "Well, Duh!" Here I am, at Bible College, and am required to go door-knocking 2 hours a week, and even in that I haven't won a soul to Christ in a while. Like over a year.

Isn't this supposed to be the main reason for living anyway?

How many of us have this mountain in our mind called "soulwinning" and assume that special people are called to climb it? Or at least really spiritual giants. It's a scarey thing, I admit! I'm scared to really try, but why is that?

You know, I'll bet that if I would try it, you too, and just start doing this on a regular basis, we may just get over that idea. I got over my fear of walking when I was a baby, riding a bike without training wheels when I was a kid, and I can even drive in the car with my sister now after a few months of therapy, a neck brace, and plenty of Tylenol. :) I would guess that the discipline of soulwinning would be the same way.

It's worth a shot. Why not go out and win a soul to the Lord this week? Sure, He's the one that "giveth the increase" but I really don't think He'll withhold that joy from one that is earnestly seeking it.

Engage!

Bearing Fruit

Galatians 5:16-26

Paul opens up this passage with an observation that he has made before: that the flesh and the Spirit are in a constant struggle with each other. He lists the vile sins that we used to participate in. These range from inner hatred to witchcraft, but one who does any or all of these “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Paul makes a bold statement in verse 24, speaking in the past tense that the Christian has already “crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Then he says that we are living in the Spirit, so then we should walk that way.

Often I am tempted to dwell on my sin, trying to get it figured out. Rather, I should simply recognize that that part of me is already dead. Now I must move forward and walk in the Spirit. I find it challenging that we are not told to bear these fruits. No, we are told to “Walk in the Spirit.” It should not be a frantic decision of which fruit I should bear, because in and of my self I “cannot do the things that [I] would.”