Falling Behind...Sorry

I realize I have neglected this blog this summer.  I actually had many, many thoughts to share this year but I never knew how to write about them.  I want to share about my year when I get a chance soon, but I want to take this short time to tell you about a website to check out.

I am currently a summer nanny in Texas and we have a summer website that we would like to share with you.  We update it almost every day.  Maybe it's boring to you, but maybe you can find some joy in it.  We just try to have fun and enjoy life and thought it would be cool to share something positive with others.

The website is:  oursummersite.weebly.com

An Easter Thought.

Yesterday I was reading a book I have that is essentially a compacted time line of the Bible.  I was reading about Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden.  After their expulsion, they were unable to speak directly with God, therefore, they built stone altars and they burned gifts to the Lord.  They did this as a way of praying for forgiveness of their sins.

Isn't that incredible.  As I was reading this, I felt an overwhelming fear for the people who lived before Jesus Christ came to walk on the Earth.  Due to the choice Adam and Eve made, to disobey God, humanity was and is in a fallen state.  They then had no direct communication with God.  In order to have a relationship with God in all His glory, they needed to rid themselves of their sins.  But can't you see?  That was an impossible task!  They made these altars and sacrifices and burnt offerings.  They thought they had to attempt earning their way to God.  How terrifying that life must have been. [We know they were saved the same way we are saved. Through Jesus. Only difference is, they hadn't seen Him come to earth yet. Though Adam and Eve could never have done anything to make atonement for their sins on their own efforts, they did not know that. And that is an overwhelming fear that I am glad I do not bear.]

Today is Easter.  I am so thankful for God's grace today.  The grace of living in a time where Jesus has come, died, and RISEN so that I can have direct communication with GOD at all times.  So that I can have peace, hope, love, joy, and security.  I am thankful for Jesus.  God is good.  How could we ever doubt the goodness of God.  Nothing we ever go through will be too difficult.  There is nothing that can happen to you or me that will take away the TRUTH that our debt has been PAID IN FULL on the cross at Calvary!

Rejoice in Jesus today.  Rest in the truth of the Gospel.  Have peace.  Have joy.  Give love.  For we have been rescued from a pit of darkness and will never have to return.  Do you believe the best is yet to come?

The Holy Spirit vs Sinful Nature

This morning I was thinking about sinful nature.  Just how powerful it can be.  How can its power stand against the power of  the Holy Spirit?  Surly it cannot.  But so often the sinful nature wins control over our lives.  How can this be?  There must be another factor involved in the battle.  Free will perhaps?

We are given a choice when temptation presents itself.  Ask the Holy Spirit to fight for us or allow our flesh to have claim over us.  How is it that a heart fully in love with God and fully aware with wisdom and discernment can choose to allow the sinful nature to have authority in his or her life?

When we sin, we recognize that we have a sinful nature about us.  But is that an excuse?  After all, the Bible says that "no one can serve two masters."  Well, I don't think so.  And if I don't think so, then I'm condemned to death.  This is why the Good News is so good.  We don't typically make the best decisions when it comes to choosing between sin and righteousness; therefore, God condemned Jesus to death in order to settle ALL the debts we have accumulated from failing to choose righteousness over sin.

Romans 8:9-10

"You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness."

But back to where the decision takes place.  I think we so often choose sin over righteousness, not because the sinful nature is stronger than the Holy Spirit, but because we are the ones given the choice between the two.  We are too weak to make the better decision.  We are people who were naturally born with a sinful nature.  It took death on a cross for us to receive the Holy Spirit.  It isn't an easy battle for our less-than holy minds.  In Matthew 26, Jesus tells His disciples to pray so that they won't fall into temptation.  He says "The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Since our flesh is weak, I think it's wise for us to slow down in our decision making.  Because when we slow down, we allow ourselves time to weight the options.  And when it comes down to God's wrath versus God's kingdom, I think we will all be screaming and begging for the Holy Spirit to take authority in our hearts and minds.  Galatians 5 is the best guide for how living by the Spirit should look for us.

Galatians 5:16-26

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the life.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Let's practice living life by the Spirit.

[Sweet little Rodney isn't doing well.  Pray that he recovers and can be with us for years to come.]

Eternity.

So this is totally just a storm in my brain. So forgive my scattered thoughts.

I have been at constant battle with myself over making wise decisions concerning my future.  That is a lengthy story in itself, but that’s not what inspires me today.

As a child I believed in God. And I knew He loved me and I knew I loved Him back. But it wasn’t until I was in 7^th grade that the Lord opened my eyes and revealed Himself to me.  The thing about that though is this: I was terrified into my salvation.  Obviously, at such a young age I didn’t understand the concept of grace and undeserving love.  However, I had an understanding of eternity.  If a person can find a way to believe in eternity, they will find a way to Jesus.  Because let’s be honest…it’s terrifying.  It’s terrifying as an adult to wonder where you’ll spend eternity, but as a twelve year old?

Every night I begged Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me for being a sinner.  I was twelve and I didn’t understand.  I heard that He would “come like a thief in the night”.  To me that meant that on any given night my family and I would be murdered by huge Roman men in armor with swords and knives (I don't know why they had to be Roman. That's just what I imagined).  And to top it off, there would be fire everywhere.

At age twelve I thought Jesus was coming back really soon.  And it felt urgent.  Even though my choices were driven by fear at that time, I still understood the urgency.  Today I think about what matters and I can’t help but go back to that young innocent mind. 

So easily we get sucked into this world.  Maybe not you, but I know I allow myself to get sucked in.  Even as I type this, there is a war going on in my mind.  It’s the ever-so-familiar battle between practicality and faith.  It’s a war that hurts the soul because it forces you to choose between trusting the world and trusting God.  This is what happens: I start to believe lies and begin to settle for what the world has to offer, because that’s much easier to do.  My world-taught survival instincts take control of my mind and I totally forget that my God is sovereign and can move mountains if necessary.

Going back to my views as a child; Jesus will return someday.  There is an urgency that comes with that truth.  It does have to do with salvation.  Maybe not my own this time.  It's written that the Gospel of Jesus will reach every nation and tribe before His return.  Some, like me, may have silly thoughts of “Why then are missionaries trying to reach the unreachable? Surly they aren’t ready for Jesus to come back yet.” But that is what Jesus commands His disciples to do, yeah?  Take the Gospel to the world.  Why would He want us to put urgency on things that He said will lead to His return?

It’s because He wants us with Him!  He's preparing our real home.  WE DO NOT AND NEVER WILL BELONG HERE.  Life in this world will always be uncomfortable (this is simple to believe when you’re a new college graduate).  But somehow, we manage to settle and make this life feel comfortable.  We are royalty, but we’ve accepted lives of displacement.  We have an inheritance and it is in Heaven with our creator and our Savior.

So I'm just thinking, if we were to really live in light of eternity, do you think our short lives on earth would be better spent?  Do you think it might be less tempting to conform to the pattern of this world.  Today, I really believe so.

~Happy 80^th birthday Grandpa!

Success for the Nonbeliever?

I have been pondering a bit lately.

I was reading about a guy's success in the entertainment industry a short while ago.  I won't name who this man was.  Then I read an article about his beliefs.  He made a joke about foolish people praying to an imaginary friend for healing instead of using medical assistance.  In that moment my mind ran wild.  How is it that this man is incredibly successful and has no worries in the world?  He is as happy as can be in life and yet he lives a life in which he completely rejects God.

I'm not ashamed to admit being annoyed at this scenario.  I'm only a selfish human.  However, I don't think it's right to have malice in my heart and that is why I raised my concern to God.  Thankfully, I already realize that I don't deserve any blessings or success that God may or may not willingly plan for me.  I was, however, puzzled at how much more difficult life is for a person trying to obey God's authority than someone who is living for his or her self.

I used to think "How miserable people must be who don't have Jesus in their lives.  How do they cope with loss?  How do they deal with failure?"  But they don't understand what they're missing.  It's like feeling sorry for individuals who were born with different handicaps.  They aren't less happy due to their handicap.  They don't know the difference.  So what if life is actually a lot simpler for those who aren't burdened with following the direction of a higher authority?

For believers, it would seem that there is a pattern of constant struggle.  Whether that be a struggle with sin or a struggle with a circumstance or even a struggle of miscommunication with God.  There always seems to be some kind of suffering to pray about.  But really no one said following God was going to be easy.  It's a constant battle really.  "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" (1 Peter 4:19).  "For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" (1Peter 4:17).

Suffering is fine because the process produces goodies in our soul.  However, sometimes we do tend to focus on the negative.  If I meet with friends, a question that seems to always come up is "How can I be praying for you?"  And that always forces me to think about what I may be struggling with.  Maybe we can start asking each other "What can we thank and praise God for this week?"  Don't get me wrong, praying for healing and wisdom is necessary.  But maybe by shifting our focus on praising God for what He's already done and what He will do in the future, we will turn our strife into abundant joy.

Going back to my thoughts on those who reject Jesus yet live happy lives...I can freely get over that.  First of all, I am not to covet someone else's good favor.  Secondly, my whole belief system is based on an eternal home after this life.  I can't measure happiness or success on Earth.  But I do have hope in my treasures stored up in Heaven.  Therefore, if someone is happy, let them be happy.  If someone is struggling, try to help them overcome the struggle.  Regardless of a person's faith, I can see him or her as I see myself.  And I am a person whom God knit together for His purpose alone.

References:
-Exodus 20:17  -You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
-Psalm 139:13  -You knit me together in my mother's womb.
-Romans 15:13  -May the God of hope fill you with joy & peace as you trust Him.
-Mark 12:31  -Love your neighbor as yourself.
-Colossians 1:16  -All things have been created through him and for him.
-Matthew 6:19-20  -Don't store up treasures on earth, but in Heaven.
-Luke 6:31  -As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
-1 Peter 2:17  -Show proper respect to everyone.
-Proverbs 24:17  -Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.

The Church

Over time things start to get comfortable and normal.  People get set in their ways.  Everything gets familiar and relaxed.  What if that is happening in God’s church today.  I believe it is.  I come to this conclusion because I have been dwelling on the church and the purposes of its creation.  I really do not think the average church-goer understands why he’s in church.   Don’t feel guilty about an obligation or routine; just understand God’s heart and word.  

Church is not a building.  There are not churches scattered about the globe.  There is one church and it is THE Church and it is the body of Christ.  Every building called ‘church’ contains parts of the one church that God created for His purposes.  God didn’t create church so that parents could have free childcare for an hour or so every week.  It was not created so that single people could find their spouse.  It was not even created so that we could go feel better about ourselves each week.  These reasons sound silly when I think of what The Church actually is.  God’s Church is 24 hours a day every day of the week.  We all exist in a unified form that is tied together by our cornerstone, who is Jesus.  As the Church we are to worship, pray, love each other, study His word, evangelize the world, and have baptisms and communion together as one body.  Geographically we are all in it together for one purpose.  Jesus.  That’s it.  There is no other reason to be a part of The Church.

We come together in buildings because that is most convenient and efficient.  It’s once a week because we live seemingly busy lives.  The truth is this: Our agenda has become more important than God’s agenda.  Why aren’t we being taught that the most important aspect of our lives is our identity in Christ’s church?  This is not something to get comfortable about.  This is not something we as The Church should take lightly.  This is a mission and it’s real.  Let us understand God’s purpose for The Church and let Him have His way with us.

I’ve had some time to step back from college work for a short while this week.  I’ve been reading through Psalms and listening to sermons.  And how about the new ‘The Bible’ short series on the History Channel?  Pretty fun.  I love the Old Testament.  I love the stories.  I could read them over and over.  I get really invested in the characters.  [Confession: If God blesses me with children, they will all have such biblical names.]  Ya know it’s interesting; I find this fascination with the men and women in the Bible.  But I think it’s because they are not characters in a story.  They were real people in history.  Joshua is as real as Abraham Lincoln.  

I think, and correct me if I’m way off here, but could it be true that we are still in biblical times?  It is easy to look at the Bible stories and see ancient history that has no connection to today’s world.  However, when I read the Bible I see that ‘time’ is disrespected.  It’s definitely not true that time has no significance, but it seems that time has a different measure or purpose.  You see, the events I read about in scripture are a few thousand years ago.  So then in Genesis chapter 5 verse 5 I read “Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.”  Just like that 930 years is covered in one sentence.  So I ask: how far away from the life of Adam can we really be?

Sodom and Gomorrah.  Those people were super sinners.  I don’t know what you know, but I am pretty sure the US of A has some pretty wicked stuff going on inside it.  Possibly even worse than Sodom and Gomorrah.  They just happened to be around before Jesus and received immediate wrath.  We are currently storing up wrath.  This reminds me of childhood discipline.  I remember a time my brother and I got in trouble for disobeying an important rule.  We were given the options of an immediate paddle or a week of being grounded.  My brother chose the paddle and I chose the grounding.  He had a moment of pain and I had a week of suffering.  I even missed the fall festival for that year.  Look God’s wrath is God’s wrath and I’m not claiming that it is harsher now than thousands of years ago, but I do think there is still that element of fear and urgency that we are clearly missing today.  I don’t believe Revelation was a final story of the Bible.  A forecast of the final story to come perhaps, but the history of the church is still being written and we are the main characters God has chosen.

Outside Hillsong City Campus

One Year Ago.

One year ago today I met these beautiful people...

My flat mates Lilly, Lukas, Dylan.

It grieves me to think too hard about it.  Memories are painful.  For that reason I have numbed my mind to all memories of Australia ever since I got back.  Recently I have started pulling everything back up and out of my heart to debrief.  It's a crazy thing, debriefing.  I think I'm on the verge of the greatest revelation I've ever had in my relationship with God.  It's actually quite thrilling.  Anyways, I'm not willing to get too personal about all of that.  However, for the occasion I would like to reflect on my first memories from one year ago.

...

On Feb.19th 2012 I boarded a plane.  Well, several planes.

I've never been so brave. I remember telling myself, "You're gonna do this. So just get on the plane and do it."  I never shed a tear.  I flew for 19 hours from Dallas across the globe. It was morning when I landed in Sydney. The first thing I saw when I looked out the window were golden arches. McDonald's! I oddly felt comforted by that. I took a cab to the place I would be living. The cab driver was a jerk and threw my luggage out in the street. I was sweating bullets because it was summer time there. I drug my luggage to the door.

No one was home.  I didn't have a key so I left my luggage unattended and walked a block to the housing office.  They made me sit through a meeting before they finally handed me a key.  I ran back to the house, unlocked the door, and opened it.  Standing there...

Dylan: "Yes! A friend!"  I will never forget those words and the sound of Dylan's voice.  Even though for a slight moment I was surprised to see a tan Aussie boy standing in the hallway of my new home, I was incredibly at ease with his friendly welcome.  We were instant friends.  Like family really.  Dylan was like a little brother to me.  He has a childlike personality and is incredibly talented.  Typical Australian surfer.  He has umpteen lifeguard certifications on the professional level.  He's had like 67 stitches, 30 broken bones, and cancer.  He's an artist, magician and computer genius.  He started a long-boarding club at the University while I was there.  He is the most generous person I've ever met.  I miss talking to him.  He's a funny guy.  Anyways, Dylan and I spent the whole first day together roaming the city.

Later that night, I met flat mate number 2...

Lukas was definitely an older soul.  He had taken a gap year between high school and college to travel Europe.  When I met Lukas it was night time and we were in our backyard with the neighbors.  So I really didn't know what he looked like until a few days later when we ran into each other in the kitchen.  I was amazed by how nice he was.  Unlike Dylan, who is really expressive and says everything that's on his mind, Lukas is very calm and cool.  He is very level-headed.  I think I probably have the most in common with him.  When we talked about our day or weekend, it was genuine.  He didn't go to church, but he didn't mind hearing about my experience. Likewise, I didn't go out and party but I enjoyed hearing about his adventures. I remember one time, he and I were so hungry and it was Cheap Tuesday at Domino's.  Our house and Unit 5 down the street usually all went together.  I remember everyone was at our place running around and it was absolute chaos.  I looked at Lukas and said "I say we go ahead."  He jumped up and said "Let's do it." And we had the best quality time waiting on our pizzas together.  One morning I walked into the kitchen and saw a rat run under the refrigerator.  Lukas was the only one home so I drug him out of bed to come check it out.  We never saw him again, but we set up a trap...

And actually the day I left, I found his hole in the wall.

So the first week was the hardest week.  The first morning I woke up and felt like life wasn't real.  It was the strangest feeling ever. I didn't know anyone but Dylan and the neighbors.  I had no way of contacting home.  The stores were a 20 minute walk down the road, so I limped down and bought a phone.  Dylan helped me figure out how to use it.  I begged my mom if I could come home.  She said I would probably regret it if I did.  She put my dad on the phone and I can't remember what he said, but somehow after talking to him I felt like I would be okay.  My neighbor David invited me to have dinner with him that night.

 Now up until dinner with David, every conversation I'd heard involved alcohol.  It was discouraging.  But I started breathing again when David asked if he could say a blessing for our meal.  It turns out that he is Catholic.  His parents are from Malaysia, but he was born and raised in Perth, Australia.  I really only hung out with David a few other times, but I was happy to know he was nearby.  

So a week went by and we still had an open room in our house.  The first day of orientation came up and I was excited to meet new friends on campus.  That didn't quite happen but on the way home it was really funny.  As I was walking down our street, I passed Lukas talking to some other guy.  Then I passed Dylan on his long board.  When I turned into our front gate this girl behind me said "Oh, do you live here?"

I was to Lilly like Dylan was to me.  I was her first friend in Sydney.  I helped her get settled in.  Lilly is seriously the coolest chick I know.  And yes, that is Johnny Depp on her shirt.  She's from New Zealand, but had come from spending a year in France as an Au pair.  Lilly is quite talented as well.  She is an actress, musician, and linguist.  When I hear the song 'I Miss You' by Beyoncé, I think of Lilly.  That song was playing from her room constantly.  It was either that song, One Direction, or Frank Ocean.  Unless, of course, she was playing her Ukelele.  I know she's going to be a famous actress some day.  She's got the best charisma and personality.  Lilly is probably the easiest person in the world to get along with.  One weekend Lilly, Dylan and I went to Bronte Beach and walked the coastline to the famous Bondi Beach.  Dylan took a train home from Bondi station and left Lilly and I to find our way back.  Keep in mind we were both new to the area at this point.  It was a good bonding time for us.  We rode through the nice area of Sydney and into the heart of the city.  I would have been freaked out if I were alone, but Lilly was used to public transport in France and calmly was able to figure it out.

So there are a lot of moments that come to mind immediately when I think of my life back in Australia.  But it's hard for me to think about it without seeing the faces that I saw every single day.  I know my trip definitely had a large spiritual component and friendships through church.  But it's Dylan, Lukas and Lilly that I carry deepest in my heart.  I don't know how, but I was placed with the three best individuals that lived in Sydney, Australia during 2012.  A year later, I'm still so thankful God.

It's a New Year.

I reckon it's been about a month since we said farewell to 2012.  There's just something about a new year that injects hope into my soul.  This year is going to be different.  Maybe some will agree with me that 2012 was a tough year.  Ups and downs.  Confusion and frustration.  Maybe some would say 2012 was a banner year.  Mostly ups.  Either way, this year is going to be different.  Because I'm giving this year to the Lord.  The thing is, God has never messed up.  I mess up every day.  God always knows what He's doing.  I never know what I'm doing.  Those two facts alone are enough to make a decision to put my faith in God alone.
IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS. -Proverbs 3:6

The time is now. < -- Duh.  I just wanted to say that because I think it's a funny phrase.

YOU CROWN THE YEAR WITH YOUR GOODNESS. -Psalm 65:11

I'm grateful for my friends.  You're all legends.

~Shout out to Seef Teclaw on the engagement! I love you brother.

Qualified to be Righteous.

Earlier this week I was sitting in the library reading Psalms.  It suddenly occurred to me that as I read about the 'righteous' and the 'upright in heart', I could not help but question if I am included in those categories.  Do I qualify to be in the 'righteous' group?

Well let's figure this out.  I'm definitely not a righteous person.  I'm a crazy lunatic sinner.  I tend to connect more with the evildoers and the wicked.  However, I am cleansed every day by the righteous blood of Jesus.  Perhaps I do qualify.  I've failed and will continue to fail.  I am not denying that.  But Jesus did pay my debt of failure in FULL.  From the day I was born until the day I die, I have complete coverage for my sins.  So it would be absurd to think my failures, great or small, could have any power to reverse what Jesus did on the cross.

I don't think it's that I'm disqualified or qualified to be called righteous.  The truth is that there is nothing I can ever do to make myself righteous.  I was not born a righteous person.  But somehow I was chosen to know Jesus.  And Jesus will always qualify.  Jesus is always righteous.  Jesus is always upright in heart.  Through Him I have access to HIS righteousness.  It's His and He is mine.

Romans 3:22

"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."

  

2 Corinthians 5:21

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Galatians 2:21

"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

 

It's Been 3 Years Esteban.

At the orphanage in La Mesa, Colombia

Not quite three years ago I completed my first year of college.  My roommate, Shelley, and I took a mission trip to Colombia, South America.  While we were there I met this little boy pictured above.  His name is Esteban.  He would be about 8 years old now.  One of the sweetest little kids I have ever met.  He was completely full of joy and laughter.  We had a blast during the time we spent together.  The orphanage Esteban lived in was not the fanciest facility we saw; however, it could have been a lot worse.  I think he is blessed to have the life that he has been given.

I often think of the children I've met in the different countries I have visited.  I keep several of them close to my heart.  Esteban is the one of those few.  If I ever get the chance to go back to Columbia, I will go back to this orphanage and find Esteban.  Maybe he has learned some English.  I have learned more Spanish.  We could talk more.  Maybe we would build paper airplanes again.  Maybe he has been adopted and is in proper grade school.  Maybe I will never see him again.  However our lives turn out I'm confident that I will never forget this loving spirit and I hope he will never forget the love of Christ's church.

This Side of Heaven.

The final year of a college student's course work can be daunting.  Plenty of choices to be made.

I'm in business school.  I'm being instructed on who I have to be and how I have to act in order to succeed in life.  I learn many helpful tips; however, I don't quite make the connection with the over all principle.  I'm sure the instructors are excellent communicators.  It's my fault.  I think my mind just operates differently.  If success meant: CEO of Bank of America, then perhaps my faculty would be a lot more effective with me.  I know what the world is screaming at me to do.

That way of living works for a lot of people.  However, I've decided I can't live my life that way.  I can't conform to the pattern of the corporate world.  I don't know that I will ever be that person, but here is what I know to be true: On average somewhere around 85 years is what we have in this place.  I have the piece of mind that I actually belong in Heaven.  And that's where I'll be forever.  So I don't think my vision is blinded.  It's clear.  Success will fade away with everything else.  Eternity is what counts.

In any case, I'm ready.  To go home where I belong.  And so, I feel like all that matters now is to help others be ready as well. 

TRUTH: He will build His church. (Matt.16:18)

TRUTH: His church will bring glory to His name. (Ephesians 3:21)

TRUTH: In His name we have an eternal home. (1 John 5:13)

TRUTH: Our home is Heaven. (2 Corinthians 5:1, Philippians 3:20)

TRUTH: He will take us there someday soon. (John 14:3)

When I look at the truths presented to me, my perspective changes my way of thinking.  It's peaceful.

--*Happy birthday to Brittney Lightfoot.*

21.

Well I'm 21.

I thought all my fun as a kid would end at this point. But I can't allow that to be true.  And I don't care if that's socially acceptable.  A child of God is a child of God forever.

Anyways, I've learned a few things. Just recently.

1. I always thought the best way to eat a Reese's cup was to bite off the circumference and leave all the Reese goodness for the last bite.  Well, this summer I got the hick-ups and the nearest peanut butter was a pack of Reese's.  So I tore them open and sunk my teeth right into the first cup.  Just completely ignoring my lifetime knowledge of Reese etiquette.  And you guys...I've never felt so free.  I'll never waste time eating the circumference again. (Helpful Tip: Peanut butter cures hick-ups immediately.)

2. The cross was enough.  If Jesus never does another thing for me, He's already done enough.

3. Satan is sneaky but he's powerless in the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Keep that in mind when temptation comes your way.

4. Psalms is so much better than I ever anticipated.  Just read 1-7 on a whim sometime. Let me know if it doesn’t make you feel more alive.

5. Just because my favorite color is Yellow, doesn’t mean I have to choose yellow when I’m given a color choice.  There is no loyalty requirement when it comes to colors.  Freedom of color if you will.

6. Nothing is ever too bad. I can always open the Bible and receive comfort and joy.

7. Never smile at a crocodile.

I'm going to stop numbering there because I like 7.

However I have a little more to add.

The world will eventually always disappoint.  Always.  But In the book of John, Jesus says that He is not of this world.  Our complete and constant satisfaction is in Jesus Christ. Psalm 107 is really good. "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for humankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." -Psalm 107:8-9. 

TRUTH: "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." -1 John 2:15-17.

Little 7th graders wearing hoodies on a cruise.