Guys, remember to get your gifts. You only have one day left. It's bad news, if you think that Valentine's Day isn't a big deal and you're partner will understand if you don't get her anything. BAD MOVE! Go get something. I'll wait...
Back?
Good.
Well for V-Day, Shannon came up to Gainesville. We are going to have a picnic on the lake and rent a canoe, and go out on the water for a bit. Then we're going to check out this nature trail because Shannon thinks we will see a bison.
We'll go out to dinner tonight to miss the crowds, and it should be a great weekend.
Right now we are celebrating by doing laundry!
Well, I'm doing laundry and she's taking a nap.
Fair enough, they are my clothes.
But anyways, I digress.
Happy Valentine's Day.
My Favorite Verse
So I've been thinking about the future a lot lately.
I've been thinking about what I am going to do.
I feel like I was called into the ministry about last summer. I prayed hard for a purpose, for what God had in mind for me. After months of pleading with Him, He finally gave me the nudge that I was going to be a pastor.
So that's what I took. I am really excited about this calling, but with it comes a lot of nerves. The bible says that teachers will be judged more harshly. It is a lot of responsibility, speaking on behalf of God to people, one I don't take lightly. I also feel that if I'm going to be a spiritual leader, I have to get my spiritual game tight. This can sometimes intensify my guilt when I stumble over certain sins that I find hard to overcome. But these are thoughts for another blog.
This blog, like this country, is about money.
I've always been blessed that school comes easy to me, and with a lot of schooling comes a lot of opportunities. Sometimes these can be tempting. Not in a bad way, but a way that takes my focus from God.
For instance, I should get my degree, go fully into ministry, do His work, and be satisfied. But the human flesh is greedy. So instead, I could change my major, do something like law school, get out and make bank.
This doesn't pull on me from a pure greed stand point. I've never been about making the most money. This pulls on me because of all the things that having money opens up. I could buy a house, start a family, create a comfortable situation for those around me. It would also set up my family for the next generation. To take the opportunities my parents sacrificed for and make something, to see the Stephens' family go from lower class to upper class in two generations would be a something to be proud of.
None of that is bad, but I don't feel that is God's plan for me.
I've been tempted, thought about giving in. I thought of pursuing the big bucks so I could live the good life.
But God keeps steering me back to the verse He laid on my heart years ago.
Matthew 16:26
"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? And what can one man gain in exchange for his soul?"
To me, that sums it up.
I want God over the world.
He thankfully keeps reminding me of that.
I want to fill my soul instead of chasing riches.
I've reaffirmed that I'm going to go down the path of ministry. I feel led there right now, things might change, but that is not up to me. I've decided to keep going down this path as long as God is leading me there.
Sure, there is money I'm missing out on, and it isn't a surefire corporate ladder. But I will be feeding my soul. If people don't think that is a smart choice, then that is a small sacrifice I'll have to make for Him. But if God takes care of the birds in the trees, won't He look after us that much more?
I've been thinking about what I am going to do.
I feel like I was called into the ministry about last summer. I prayed hard for a purpose, for what God had in mind for me. After months of pleading with Him, He finally gave me the nudge that I was going to be a pastor.
So that's what I took. I am really excited about this calling, but with it comes a lot of nerves. The bible says that teachers will be judged more harshly. It is a lot of responsibility, speaking on behalf of God to people, one I don't take lightly. I also feel that if I'm going to be a spiritual leader, I have to get my spiritual game tight. This can sometimes intensify my guilt when I stumble over certain sins that I find hard to overcome. But these are thoughts for another blog.
This blog, like this country, is about money.
I've always been blessed that school comes easy to me, and with a lot of schooling comes a lot of opportunities. Sometimes these can be tempting. Not in a bad way, but a way that takes my focus from God.
For instance, I should get my degree, go fully into ministry, do His work, and be satisfied. But the human flesh is greedy. So instead, I could change my major, do something like law school, get out and make bank.
This doesn't pull on me from a pure greed stand point. I've never been about making the most money. This pulls on me because of all the things that having money opens up. I could buy a house, start a family, create a comfortable situation for those around me. It would also set up my family for the next generation. To take the opportunities my parents sacrificed for and make something, to see the Stephens' family go from lower class to upper class in two generations would be a something to be proud of.
None of that is bad, but I don't feel that is God's plan for me.
I've been tempted, thought about giving in. I thought of pursuing the big bucks so I could live the good life.
But God keeps steering me back to the verse He laid on my heart years ago.
Matthew 16:26
"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? And what can one man gain in exchange for his soul?"
To me, that sums it up.
I want God over the world.
He thankfully keeps reminding me of that.
I want to fill my soul instead of chasing riches.
I've reaffirmed that I'm going to go down the path of ministry. I feel led there right now, things might change, but that is not up to me. I've decided to keep going down this path as long as God is leading me there.
Sure, there is money I'm missing out on, and it isn't a surefire corporate ladder. But I will be feeding my soul. If people don't think that is a smart choice, then that is a small sacrifice I'll have to make for Him. But if God takes care of the birds in the trees, won't He look after us that much more?
My Previous Blog
My last blog generated some feedback with a difference of opinion.
Check out the comment section.
I'd like to hear from you too.
Check out the comment section.
I'd like to hear from you too.
The Benefits of Atheism?
Simply put, what are the benefits of atheism?
You live your life with no one watching out for you, no one caring about you, no one making you part of their plan.
Then you die, and that's it?
That's all there is?
Can someone explain to me why anyone would be an atheist?
I understand some people have hang ups about the church, or about certain things that have been done under the banner of "religion," but what does atheism have to offer?
If you look at your life on a singular, personal level, I just don't see the benefit.
I know many atheists that say they are too rational to believe in God, too logical to believe in the hocus pocus of religion.
You are too rational to avoid universal evidence that puts doubts in all of our beliefs?
So you stick to your atheist guns?
Why?
Why would you turn away from a loving, caring God that wants the best for you, that accepts everyone, that is the definition of love?
What is so alluring about atheism, and why would you try to convince me to change my ways?
Why would you try to make me give up my faith in a better world and loving God and join the ranks of an atheist and believe in nothing?
If this is it, and there is nothing more to live for, why would I want to be a part of that?
I just don't see the upside of atheism or the downside of believing in God.
Maybe I just don't have enough faith to be an atheist.
You live your life with no one watching out for you, no one caring about you, no one making you part of their plan.
Then you die, and that's it?
That's all there is?
Can someone explain to me why anyone would be an atheist?
I understand some people have hang ups about the church, or about certain things that have been done under the banner of "religion," but what does atheism have to offer?
If you look at your life on a singular, personal level, I just don't see the benefit.
I know many atheists that say they are too rational to believe in God, too logical to believe in the hocus pocus of religion.
You are too rational to avoid universal evidence that puts doubts in all of our beliefs?
So you stick to your atheist guns?
Why?
Why would you turn away from a loving, caring God that wants the best for you, that accepts everyone, that is the definition of love?
What is so alluring about atheism, and why would you try to convince me to change my ways?
Why would you try to make me give up my faith in a better world and loving God and join the ranks of an atheist and believe in nothing?
If this is it, and there is nothing more to live for, why would I want to be a part of that?
I just don't see the upside of atheism or the downside of believing in God.
Maybe I just don't have enough faith to be an atheist.
The Cry of the Oppressed
I've been reading this book by Rob Bell called Jesus Came to Save Christians, and it talks a lot about how when people are desperate and cry out, God hears them. He hears the cry of the oppressed. The book looks at Israel, when they were in slavery in Egypt and cried out to God, he sent Moses and delivered them. When they reached the promised land, and set up shop they got fat and happy. They were prosperous as God said, but the people and Solomon got, as my dad says, "too big for their britches." They forgot God, they began building a vast military, enslaving people to build temples to God. They had it all wrong, so God sent Babylon in to take them over. When were they delivered from Babylon? When they were oppressed and cried out.
It is easy to make the analogy to crying out in our everyday life. When we have God and have nothing else, we cry out to Him out of pure desperation. He delivers. It is not that we have to be desperate it's just that we have to know we need Him, and a lot of times we don't realize that until we are desperate.
I'm going to take another step and saying that our churches need to cry out. When church leaders aren't disturbed about the pain in the world. When people forget about the oppressed, when they don't think of helping the sick and needy, I argue they lose passion and drive. Being a pastor just becomes a job. I pray church leaders remember God's original call to them. They remember when He drew them to the ministry. They remember the people they wanted to help, the difference they wanted to make in the world. When a church is desperate to breakthrough, make an impact, and change the world you can tell. When it is about more than self help, balancing your check book, losing weight, and making life easier, it works. When the church is about helping the poor, needy, oppressed, hungry, and spiritually forsaken it is at its best. When a church collectively cries out for God to use them, He will deliver.
It is easy to make the analogy to crying out in our everyday life. When we have God and have nothing else, we cry out to Him out of pure desperation. He delivers. It is not that we have to be desperate it's just that we have to know we need Him, and a lot of times we don't realize that until we are desperate.
I'm going to take another step and saying that our churches need to cry out. When church leaders aren't disturbed about the pain in the world. When people forget about the oppressed, when they don't think of helping the sick and needy, I argue they lose passion and drive. Being a pastor just becomes a job. I pray church leaders remember God's original call to them. They remember when He drew them to the ministry. They remember the people they wanted to help, the difference they wanted to make in the world. When a church is desperate to breakthrough, make an impact, and change the world you can tell. When it is about more than self help, balancing your check book, losing weight, and making life easier, it works. When the church is about helping the poor, needy, oppressed, hungry, and spiritually forsaken it is at its best. When a church collectively cries out for God to use them, He will deliver.
Spring Semester
Last week, I made it back up to Gainesville for the Spring Semester. By the end of my two week break I was actually missing school a little. Not for the classwork but for the atmosphere, the people, being out on my own, and the sleep. After two weeks of constant visiting and just busyness, I missed all the sleep I get here. At this point, I couldn't imagine going to school anywhere else, and really like it. If Shannon was up here with me, and I found an awesome church, there would be nothing keeping me away from this town.
Plus, the Gators just won the National Championship in football, so I feel privileged to be going to the only school that could have that celebration this year. It was insanity up here, celebrations in the streets just turned into huge mosh pits, but it was a lot of fun. It's good for my degree, because admission standards keep getting higher with every National Championship. Sad, but true.
I went to church today and was not impressed by anything it really had to offer and decided that I'm not going to settle just because I'm worried people will think I'm picky. I hope to find a place where I can get something out of going to that church, even if that something is that the church is reaching a lot of people. I wasn't even getting that today. So, I'm still on the hunt for a place where God is visibly at work and I can join in. It is hard moving from a church where I was actively involved and made a lot of close friendships to a new place with new people. But I haven't lost hope.
I guess that's all that is going on. My classes are okay. As good as they can be, and don't look to be too rough. My schedule is great, with a lot of down time. That is awesome.
I'm about to have a floor meeting, so I'm out. I have something else to post on afterwards.
Plus, the Gators just won the National Championship in football, so I feel privileged to be going to the only school that could have that celebration this year. It was insanity up here, celebrations in the streets just turned into huge mosh pits, but it was a lot of fun. It's good for my degree, because admission standards keep getting higher with every National Championship. Sad, but true.
I went to church today and was not impressed by anything it really had to offer and decided that I'm not going to settle just because I'm worried people will think I'm picky. I hope to find a place where I can get something out of going to that church, even if that something is that the church is reaching a lot of people. I wasn't even getting that today. So, I'm still on the hunt for a place where God is visibly at work and I can join in. It is hard moving from a church where I was actively involved and made a lot of close friendships to a new place with new people. But I haven't lost hope.
I guess that's all that is going on. My classes are okay. As good as they can be, and don't look to be too rough. My schedule is great, with a lot of down time. That is awesome.
I'm about to have a floor meeting, so I'm out. I have something else to post on afterwards.
Unimaginable
My mind keeps wandering back to God's grace. I don't know what He wants me to think about or for me to say, but I keep thinking about it. I think it is the most powerful force in the world. Whenever I concentrate on the magnitude of His grace, mercy, or sacrifice, and start to barely grasp the cusp of any of those qualities, I am overwhelmed with emotion. It truly is too much to bear and that's why God doesn't place it all on our hearts. Which leads me to our burdens that Christ bears for us, and paid for on the cross. The magnitude of the entire wrath of God, paying for all sin everywhere. Is far too much for any normal person to bear. There is no way for me to begin to describe how much all of this is. Yet Christ did it for all of us, even for people who wouldn't give Him the time of day.
I guess this is the purpose of this post. All the qualities of God, are truly unimaginable to man. His holiness, His glory, His love is more than we can even think of. It is amazing and ever deserving of praise. That is what I try to focus on during Christmas. If you are having trouble with the distractions of the holidays, slow down and focus on one simple aspect of Christ. Whether it be His sacrifice, His grace, or His love. Plead with God, ask Him to show you how it feels. When He gives you a taste you will be overcome with emotion. How can I not live for someone who loves me so much and has sacrificed for me so much? I owe it to Him and His everlasting love to serve Him.
I know none of that is scientific evidence. I know none of that is hard fact. But I know in my heart what I feel. Sure that's nothing solid to go off of. But if you don't know Jesus, why not take that chance? All I know is that life is hard, and we all have our problems. Life is definitely better with Christ, than without Him. If you don't know God, you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. I urge you, investigate Christ's claims. See what this whole God thing is all about. It is Christmas after all. Seek Him and He will reveal himself to you. Just give it a shot, I know in my heart you won't come out for the worse.
I guess this is the purpose of this post. All the qualities of God, are truly unimaginable to man. His holiness, His glory, His love is more than we can even think of. It is amazing and ever deserving of praise. That is what I try to focus on during Christmas. If you are having trouble with the distractions of the holidays, slow down and focus on one simple aspect of Christ. Whether it be His sacrifice, His grace, or His love. Plead with God, ask Him to show you how it feels. When He gives you a taste you will be overcome with emotion. How can I not live for someone who loves me so much and has sacrificed for me so much? I owe it to Him and His everlasting love to serve Him.
I know none of that is scientific evidence. I know none of that is hard fact. But I know in my heart what I feel. Sure that's nothing solid to go off of. But if you don't know Jesus, why not take that chance? All I know is that life is hard, and we all have our problems. Life is definitely better with Christ, than without Him. If you don't know God, you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. I urge you, investigate Christ's claims. See what this whole God thing is all about. It is Christmas after all. Seek Him and He will reveal himself to you. Just give it a shot, I know in my heart you won't come out for the worse.
