The Human Addiction

Finals are done; the trip home had been made. Christmas break has finally arrived, and now it’s “Me” time. I’m going to read the novels that have been neglected all semester. I’m going to learn how to play chords on the guitar. I’m going to paint. All these things make me happy, and having all this free time to myself sounded so relaxing. Or so I thought..


The first book I dove into was Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, which I highly suggest. Unfortunately, yet more so fortunately, the main topic that stuck out to me was his idea that self-absorption is the human disease that causes evil in the world such as racism and discrimination. Basically he was saying that we focus on our own happiness so much that we begin to subconsciously think of ourselves as being superior to everyone else. We love ourselves infinitely, yet completely ignore those around us, and even look down on those that are different than us. Pleasing ourselves becomes an addiction that is never quite sustained or satisfied. Self-absorption clouds our view of the world and prevents us from seeing the population as God’s people.

By the work of the Lord, that next Sunday in the college class, we studied Romans 12: 1-8. If you are not familiar with this section of scripture, I’ll tell you that the first part of it fits perfectly with what Miller talks about in his book. God directly tells us to be cautious of becoming self-absorbed, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3). No person is above any other. All are different and have been given different gifts so that one cannot function properly without the other. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function” (Romans 12:4). So if everyone is equal, then why is there discrimination?

The answer, I believe, ties back in with Miller’s idea of self-absorption. Human nature tells us to love ourselves first and most. Satan feeds on this. He thrives on the bullying and the superiority. And the worst part is that we make it so easy for Satan to take hold of this weakness, this addiction inside of us. Love thy neighbor as thyself. It’s not a hard concept but because we do not seek for pleasure in Jesus, it becomes one of our toughest struggles.

So this Christmas season, just try loving everyone no matter who they are. Try putting their concerns and wishes before your own, and see what that does to your personal happiness. I know I will.

Polluted by Anger

Take just a moment and think about the old saying “It’s easier said than done.” After some thought, one thing comes to my mind: I think that’s the point. If whatever it is was easy, there would be no reward in the success of it. The Lord tells us to go spread His word and serve the people of this world. He especially tells us to look after orphans and widows. We might say yes, okay I’ll start talking about God tomorrow, but more often than not, that tomorrow never comes. One quality of God that amazes me are the simple ways He tells us to become more righteous. He gives us three tips: be quick to listen, be slow to speak, and be slow to anger. In a world of so many competing people, it’s quite difficult to listen and to hold your tongue. Time’s ticking and everyone must get their ideas or stories out on the table. But that’s not right. If we are constantly trying to be the first or the loudest, we will miss out on so many of God’s plans. We will never hear that small voice that is the Holy Spirit guiding and directing us. Likewise, He says be slow to anger. Now that’s a hard one. Anger seeps in each of us waiting to come to the surface. Nonetheless, it makes since; oftentimes people do and say things they regret when they act in anger. That’s the devil working in you. Ephesians 4:26-27 says “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” God goes on to explain why we should not be angry, “for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:20). Plain and simple, we aren’t living the life God wants for us if we are living in anger. His solution, get rid of all moral filth, do what His word says, and keep a rein on your tongue.


This world is full of evil and immorality. Those who partake in it make it look so inviting. In fact, they are probably better persuaders that most Christians. They surround you and before you know it you fail; fall into the temptation of whatever they are promoting. You have deceived yourself in claiming to be religious. How do you stop this from happening? “…keep oneself from being polluted by the world” –James 1:27b. What an amazingly crafted line. The world is indeed polluted, overrun with filth, and God knows that. He knew that the world in general would turn away from Him, but He’s telling you to not give in. Don’t let yourself be filled with all the garbage the world throws at you. Instead be strong in your faith, stand up for your beliefs, and surround yourself with others that will lift you up rather than break you down. Remain pure and clean by actively being in His word and seeking His will.

Be the turtle, slow in anger. Be the bomb shelter, keeping the world of sin out.

Will You Stand?

It's amazing to see how many different ways God works in people's lives especially when you go to any type of Christian retreat. This past weekend at Windy Gap, I saw God in the kids I served. At every meal they were smiling and thankful for the food I brought. A few years ago as a camper, I don't remember being half as appreciative towards the work crew staff as these kids were to me. Secondly, I truly saw the Lord working in me. Signing up for work crew, I knew I would be getting little sleep, but I did not realize that "little" meant practically none. Now if you know me, you know that I need a lot of sleep, otherwise I'm grumpy and easily annoyed. However, solely by the blessings of God, I was not mentally worn down until the ride home, Sunday afternoon. Third and last, I saw God working through all the staff. There was a large group of extremely diverse people there that weekend and we were working tediously in constrained areas. The best thing about it was the lack of complaints and the joy we all found in each other’s company.

On that Saturday morning, I read a verse that really spoke to my heart; Isaiah 7:9b, "...If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." I think this applies to my life right not because I plan to be a YoungLife leader next year; however, this speaks to all Christians especially those who are in direct leadership roles. We are told to imitate Christ so that others will see his love through us. Unfortunately the world we live in is overrun with sin and we are tempted each and every day, but God offers help. His word. This is where the verse comes in; if we are continually in His word and talking to Him through prayer, we will grow stronger in our faith. In addition, surround yourself with people that will automatically make you grow. These are how you learn to stand firm. If you do not have this background of knowledge and support, you will be unprepared to face the world; you will not stand at all. On the reverse, if you aren't standing, then how could you give support to someone else who has just heard the good news? Being faithfully dependent on God is key to success on this earth.

Coming back to my story, the fact that I witnessed so many God-sightings after reading that verse reinforced to me just how much God was working in the hearts of the people at camp. It also clarified how important it is that I stand firm and bring all my troubles to Him.

You have two choices, either stand firm or don't stand at all. Personally, I'd rather not end up broken on the floor.

Follow the Crowd.. Or Don't

Have you ever heard the words "follow the crowd?" When a large group of people is moving in the same direction, a single person going to opposite way is not only likely to be bumped and bruised, but they could potentially stir the crowd also. Knowing these two facts, most of us choose to just move with everyone else out of sheer convenience.

Now, let's twist this scenario a bit. Let's say the crowd is modern society, the entire population of oh how about a college campus. After examining this crowd you realize that most of them enjoy hardcore partying, drinking, fooling around with several members of the opposite sex, frequent cursing, and claim that what you do on Earth doesn't matter because there's not really a god out there. Okay, so then let's take a look at the people going against the crowd. There are the people who disagree with the typical "college party life." These people flee from those sinful activities and run to God. They don't know where they are gong because they can not see over the crowd, but they run nonetheless because htey know of God's love, His grace, and His promise for a better life in heaven. They run because they have faith. Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

When looking back in the crowd, you will see several "Christians" who aren't running against the crowd. Perhaps they are afraid to be different or to disturb the flow of motion. Perhaps this is the way they've always gone when they aren't sitting in a pew on Sunday. I feel that several of us are these people because of fear. Fear of being and outcast, fear of losing friends, fear of losing a status. Well guess what. Every possible reason we could com up with for going with the crowd is worthless and irrelevant. Hebrews 11: 13 states, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And the admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth." Did you get that last part? These people of God in the Old Testament embraced the fact that they were outcast, straying from the crowd. They knew that no earthly pleasure would compare to the glories that awaited them in heaven. Because of this they stood out, they lived by faith, and they walked away from the sinful nature of the crowd. As Christians, we are set apart and called to serve the Almighty God and to spread his word throughout all the nations. This task requires going against the current.

Today, I encourage you to turn away from the crowd. Let everyone see that you are running to God.

What's On Your List?

Being a college student means you are granted endless amounts of time, yet very little time all at once. Between class, lunch dates, working out, club meetings, and movies with friends, how could anyone expect you to fit one more activity into your schedule? Well how about this; make a list that puts all your tasks in order of priority. Now look at the list and tell me, where does God fall? Is he even on the list? Every college campus is continuously bustling with activity and because of this, it is easy to become distracted and in turn to spend less and less time with our might creator. By making such and such activity a priority over God, you essentially are listing that event as something you treasure. But guess what… Matthew 6:19 says “Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” Whether your treasure/priority is a relationship, school work, a job, friends, or even just time, all of these will one day end. Logical thinking would say to never make a temporary action/feeling the most important thing in your life.

In contrast, we should focus on what will be forever permanent. What’s permanent you may ask? Well there is only one thing that will outlast eternity… God. Now if you still refuse to put God at the top of your list Matthew has something else to say; “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21) Now I don’t know about you but I sure don’t want my heart to be continually tied to studying. I’d rather my heart be with God, but that’s never going to happen if I repeatedly push him to the bottom of my list leaving him a measly five minute prayer on a good night.

To backtrack a bit, I’m not saying give up everything you enjoy. Rather while you participate in these things do so in a way that would put a smile on God’s face. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” In my case, my earthly treasure is time. I enjoy being busy with something to do at all times of the day. However, more often than not, my days are filled with worldly activities that are useless in God’s eyes. This last thought truly saddens me and therefore, I will strive to make time every single day in which my main focus is worshiping the Almighty Savior. In addition to this, I will actively look for ways that I can show God’s love and serve him in every other event that fills my schedule.

Basically, just love God with all you have all the time.

Eyes and Goodbyes

Alright, so I leave for college tomorrow morning and I've been super excited all week. Through all the packing and loading I never really sat down and took the time to think about what I was leaving. Yes, I knew I was leaving home and I would miss my parents and my room, but that's expected. The unexpected sorrow hit me tonight while attending the student ministry at my church. In one prayer I realized just how close I had grown to all the people there and just how much I would feel the void in my heart once I left. Until about a year ago, my love for this place and these people was not this strong. Finally I found a group of people with whom I could monitor and enhance my relationship with God. This above all else I will miss the most; the accountability, the support, the love.

On a lighter note, once I realized how much I am going to miss them, I also was hit with another thought. This is why I need to leave. So I can bring the joy I feel while with these people to the students on campus. As scary as it seems, I just have to get out there and find friends who will become what this group of people has been for me all summer. I have been blessed to know these people and because of that I will bless others with the love of God. While encased in a giant hug, I prayed for strength to reach out to non-believers and courage to live by faith no matter what the cost. The people at my church have taught me so much. I know that I can always come back to them, which is what keeps me moving forward.

By leaving my hometown, I will be forced to meet new people. People of all backgrounds, all interests, and all personalities. My goal is to see them all the way God would see them. Often times when we are in the familiar we miss what is going on around us. Likewise, if we are too intensely focused on a certain task, person, or goal we will overlook a potentially life changing opportunity.  If we just step back and survey our surroundings, we might discover that our God-given talents are needed. We are put in situations to serve God, but if we are so busy looking elsewhere the need will never be fulfilled.  In order to serve, you must first find the need. You must see the problem if you are ever going to fix it. God sees everyone for who they are and he knows exactly what they need in their life. If we at least attempt to see people the way God does, more than likely we will be able to figure out some need in their life that we can help with.

To bridge the two stories, I discovered one more important fact in that group hug. The love I feel for the people at my church needs to carry on through me to the people that I meet on campus. By leaving this spiritual support group, my familiar, I will be able to look at my surroundings and see the needs. I will see the opportunities in which I can serve the Lord.

So thank you for the goodbyes; they will open my eyes for the glory of the Almighty.

How comfortable are you?

In the book Crazy Love, Francis Chan talks about how most modern day christians lead comfortable lives. This meaning that if God was taken out of thier lives for a day, nothing would really change. Bills would still be paid, dinner would still be on the table, friends would still call just to chat. In America, many christians are not forced to put their faith in God on a daily basis, myself included. This is because we all strive to live comfortable lives in which we depend upon ourselves.

The other day my firend was talking about where she might want to be a YoungLife leader. At one point she said something along the lines of, "I want to go to the East side because if I stay on the West, I'll be too comfortable." Huh.. see a connection? I never really put the two together until this moment. My life is comfortable, I want that to change. In order for us to grow as christians we must be challenged. "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Persecerance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1: 3-4. This won't happen in comfortable situations.  In his book, Chan says, "A person who is obbsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort."

Everyone has heard the phrase "Going out of your comfort zone," well Chan is saying we should do just that for God. Whether it's standing up for your faith when you're the only one who believes; downsizing your house and luxury items to give more to the Church; partaking in a mission trip to a third-world country; talking to the kid who sits alone in the cafeteria; declining an invitation to the most outragious party of the year. I could go on, but I think you understand my point. Now because I and going away to college, I will have to aquire an entirely new friend base, talk about intimidating. Those first few weeks are going to be quite uncomfortable, but I look forward to it. I know that God will be with me and guide me. I pray that I will be strong enough to continually seek opportunities that place me out of my comfort zone so that I will be forced to place my full trust in God. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." -Psalms 23:4.

So let me ask you this. How comfortable are you?

Let's all be childish

When one thinks about childeren the following words tipically come to mind: cute, energetic, lively. However, most tend to forget these words that also describe childeren: whiney, messy, persistant. Either way you look at it, one thought will not usually come to your mind when looking at a 5-year old on the swings. That thought being, "I wish I was just like them." But perhaps that should be our mind set...

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying lets all start running around in diapers and putting everything in our mouths. On the contraty let me share a stroy with you that might clear some things up. I work in retail and each shift I see several different types of families come through my line. The other day, one little boy really caught my interest. While waiting in line, a four year old boy turned and looked at the couple behind him. The couple said hello and the boy began to converse with them. When his mother was ready to leave he looked at the couple and said, "See ya later" as if they were old friends. Wow, talk about pure kindness and trust. When was the last time  you taked to the people behind you in line like that? I can't even remember one time I've done that.

Despite the small amout of time childern have been on this earth, they can teach us a lot. For one, they display hospitality, greeting everyone they come in contact with. Mark 9:37 says "Whoever welcomes one of these little childern in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." Jesus told his desciples to welcome the childern first. Yes, the crying, mess making childern come before any of us, because they are guniunely pure of heart and mind, not yet influneced by worldly ideas.

To surpass the humility of childern, Jesus says in Luke 18:17, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not recieve the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." If that doesn't convince you to be more like that little boy then I don't know what will. He saw no social barriers; had no judging thoughts. He was simply happy to talk to this kind couple and his trusting nature told him that indeed he would one day converse with them again. My hope for the boy and the couple is that they all walk with christ, because then there is no doubt that they will meet again.

So how about this? Let's all be a little childish for God.

You've got to start somewhere

Well obviously this is my first blog and it was mostly created upon a whim so who knows how this will turn out. My topic for this post is simply "Getting Started."

No matter what you decide to do, whether at work, on your days off, or just minute by minute, there is a starting point. By creating this blog I hope to provide a check for any type of goal I may set, sort of like an accountabiliy tool. Most posts will likely be connected to some sort of scripture reading I've just completed or something of the sort. This is because I hope to further my knowledge and comprehension of scripture by writing down my thoughts.

In addition, random ideas that pop into my head will be planned out on this blog, because as I've mentioned already, every goal needs a starting place. For example, I recently compiled a list of classical novels that I plan to read in the near future. This list includeds ten selections of American liturature and I hope that by telling you about my list I will stay motivated to finish it. Oh look at that, I've discoved another reason for creating this blog.. MOTIVATION.

Alright, I think I've made a good start into the blogging world so I'll finish up here and hope to soon return.