Live Like You Are Dying

          So these past couple days I've really been taken in by the idea of living like you were dying. I hear people say it all the time and automatically associate it with indulging in every pleasurable thing on the planet in a very frivolous way, thus sin. Yet, I wonder how life would be if someone who is completely surrendered to God lived like they were dying? Because, in reality, isn't that what God has called us to do? "And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 9:23-24) We have to "lose our lives" for Christ's sake  in order to save our lives from destruction. I have always pinned this destruction to be eternity in hell only, but now I wonder if it also means a "wasted" life. A life that revolves around the meaningless things that Solomon addresses in Ecclesiastes.

          As I look at my own life, I know for certain that I do NOT live like I'm dying! I make sure to avoid situations in which I feel extremely uncomfortable, especially awkward social situations. I worry about changing my major/career because of the possibility of it not working out as perfectly as I have it formulated in my head. I spend a large amount of time focusing on making my life easier and more enjoyable and more comfortable and more BORING!!! That's what it comes down to! I'm living a boring, meaningless life that will get the Kingdom of God no further than it would have been if I hadn't been born. How depressing is that.. To realize that my impact on this world and the world to come is so minute and will continue that way unless I surrender my plans to God and live life with reckless abandon!

          Be a game-changer. Not in the glamorous way the world paints it with fame, status, money, and momentary pleasures, but in the way God plans it. With an influence that will last an eternity and change the lives of countless people! Have the Word of God on mind, heart, body, and mouth at ALL TIMES! Never be ashamed of the Gospel, rather preach it like today is your last day! Because you never know when it might be... Make every second of this life count.

Express Me This

          "Creativity, today, is equally as important as literacy." This is a claim made by Sir Ken Robinson, PhD, a world-renown speaker on the essence of education. I watched a youtube video of a conference at which he spoke where he discussed the importance of creativity in our education systems. Sir Robinson began his speech by pointing out obvious yet uncontested facts about our education system. Such were included: hierarchy of subjects, emphasis on monetary gain, criteria for success, among others. He related to his audience (myself included) by addressing parental and educator influence in the activities and career paths of children. He stated that parents and educators tend to put an emphasis on subjects such as math and science and neglect or even criticize subjects such as art, music, and dance. This is because math and science lead to 'successful' occupations whereas the "arts", as they are known, have a low possibility for leading to a stable and successful occupation. So the arts are squashed beneath the discouragement of educators and parents and rarely find their way into the lives of children in need of creative expression. Sir Robinson said that he believed the world is changing in ways that will require more of the arts and less of the math and science. He encouraged his audience members to creatively express themselves and to pass on that encouragement to their kids and the people around them. I know that I have diminished my love and appreciation for the arts because I wished to conform to the 'social norms of society'. The culture we live in does not favor creative expression in the forms of dance, music, and art, at least not "for everybody". Maybe those 'select few' who are extremely gifted can participate but not everybody... Even harder still is the added stigma that is bestowed upon males who appreciate creative expression in the arts. Well I disagree with our culture and I don't give a crap what it says about creativity. I for one am going all in with who I am when it comes to creative expression, bring on the music...

Recovering from Religion

          I'm sitting in Kaldi's, staring upon a wall filled with fliers advertising events seemingly tailored for a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop. One invites me to participate in English Country Dance; one beckons me to join the Chess Club; one describes a film festival featuring "world-renown" documentaries. And yet, the one that catches my eye, commanding the bulk of my attention, is an informational brochure about a group titled, "Recovering from Religion". This harmless sheet of paper thrusts me through several stages of emotions including: anger, compassion, courage, and confusion. I study the words, trying to understand the viewpoint of its author- a viewpoint which completely contradicts my entire lifestyle... I am not angry toward the people of this group; rather, I am angry toward the source of their pain- the American Church. Recovering from Religion, as if it's a fatal disease, pressed upon its victims. And isn't it? Isn't religion fatal to the work of Christ Himself? Religion without spiritual fruit is a killer of souls. The country of America is plagued by the hypocrisy that is religion, but fleeing from Christ is not the cure. The Love of God expressed through action is the antidote, and we as Christians are the means by which this antidote is administered. How can the Love of God spread when it has no median through which to travel? Imagine we as Christians are syringes and Christ's love is the cure. Without a cure, syringes are just weapons which cause injury with the false hope of bringing healing. After so many effective-less injections, the church has caused more hurt than it has hope. No wonder people are searching for healing from religion...

Dreaming?

"To Breathe is to Survive;
          To Dream is to Live."


          Dreaming in life is something I have a hard time processing. I'm drawn to all the motivating quotes about achieving your dreams and 'shooting for the stars' and doing something great with your life, but I'm not sure I'm sold on the whole concept of making all your dreams come true. It appears that dreams are analogous to the deepest desires of a person; the deepest desires of a person are generally the natural selfish tendencies that accompany being a sinful human. Therefore, wouldn't making all your dreams come true be a selfish act...? Now I know that not all dreams are of selfish basis and most Christians, when asked the daring question, would state that following the will of God is their dream, but I'm not sure my definition of "dreams" parallels God's plan for my life. My prayer is that eventually my dreams will become worshiping Christ with my life in every way possible, but to be honest I'm not sure I'm there yet.

"Open my eyes to see the destiny before me,
  In a light guided by your wise understanding;
  Honestly preparing me for the daring tasks approaching,
  Powerfully preparing me to face the unimaginable."

An Excursion into the Realm of Poetry

"Mindless living,
          Careless conversation,
                    Inattentive relationship,
                              And thoughtless prayer,
                                         Equals
                                                                         Heartless Worship..."



"Your grasp onto my heart,
  Will never let me down.
  Though my sin breaks us apart,
  You will always be around.

  I stumble countless times,
  Sometimes monthly, weekly, daily.
  But your grace covers over mine,
  And you never fail to save me.

  My heart weeps in worship to You,
  May my sorrow bring a smile.
  For it's clear the things I've said are true,
  Yet serving You is worthwhile."




"I feel lost.
  A ship without a sailor;
  Cast into the sea with its many torments.
  Moments of peaceful bliss prevent me from
  Throwing myself overboard in emotional disarray.

  I feel broken.
  A prized possession whose flaws are made known;
  Flaws once concealed in the dark.
  Heartfelt acts of kindness and complete devotion
  Aren't enough to polish off the cracks.

  I feel alone.
  A childhood blanket abandoned for an XBox 360;
  Picked up and used when convenient.
  The days of uncontested friendship
  Are forever lost in the past.

  I am loved.
  A lamb lost in the pasture of selfishness;
  Devotedly searched for by the Good Shepherd himself.
  Perfect love displayed by a Father
  Who will never leave me nor forsake me."




"My God waits for me,
  With open arms He waits;
  Hungry for my affection and obedience,
  Longing for a chance at romance."




Now for a few Haikus:

          Straight Obedience
  Calling me to so much more
          Glorifying Praise


          Lost in thought again
     Pondering questions of life
          Answers never found


          Details overlooked
 Busyness leaves this world blind
          Shadows overwhelm


          Simple act of love
          Sacrifice doth validate
          Pride shall prove you false

Early Riser

          So in the whole scheme of college I have become accustomed to waking up 20 minutes before class and rushing every morning to get ready, eat breakfast, and make it to class on time. I miss the days in high school when I would wake up 2 hours before school just to have time in the morning... Those mornings were so peaceful and refreshing; they made me feel as though I was taking advantage of 'extra time' because no one else was up (or at least it felt as though no one was up). The house was dark and quiet, itself sleeping in a way. I would creep down the stairs and avoid turning on lights until it was absolutely necessary. No agenda to dictate how I spent those 2 hours, nobody watching to judge my 'laziness', and no distractions to deter me from enjoying a relaxing morning at home. Well I'm taking a chance to relive that this morning. Up 2 hours before anyone else, it has been nice to enjoy the peace that comes with early rising. Hallway, empty; lounge, empty; bathroom, empty; courtyard, empty. I LOVE IT! Now on to eat my breakfast in peace...

'Radical' Thoughts

          I read the book Radical by David Platt a couple years ago and it rocked my world in so many different ways! Such a challenging book which brought to light so much truth that I had suppressed in order to keep my comfortable lifestyle. Well, I ran across a couple videos tonight that David Platt had put out and they brought me to look up some quotes from his book. Here are a couple of my favorites:

     - "We waste our lives living out a Christian spin of the American Dream"

     - "But then I realize there is never going to be a day when I stand before God and looks at me and says, 'I wish you would've kept more for yourself.' I'm confident God will take care of me."

     - "We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves."

          My prayer is that I will radically pursue a relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ and that I will live a life of obedience to His calling! NO MORE COMFORT and NO MORE CONTENTMENT with this lukewarm life! May His glory be presented in my life and show people how amazing God can truly be!!!