Christ-Centered Relationships (all sorts)

I love a good talk.  I love encouragement.  I love hearing about struggles and knowing what God is doing through them.

Why?

Because God is the focus.  Because God becomes the reason why things make sense.  Because God was, is, and is to come.

Sports scores are things that will fade within a few hours.  Guy talk brings laughter and wanting.  Trials and situations will pass.

But God remains forever.  And in those sweet times of fellowship, God, eternally being, becomes the how and the why.  And when the how and the why remain eternal, things are always good.  Even when the outcome looks less than appealing, even bleak.

Christ-centered relationships are truly a sign of the grace of God.  When we enjoy those times of fellowship, knowing that the purpose is to strive after God, it really shows how God can be so good.

=D

what it's like to be an older brother.

i love being an older brother.  but sometimes i hate it too.  and it's not just because of family.  there's a lot that comes along with just being older.  and you can't really quantify it (well, maybe except for the salary that's expected from older ones).  but here's a comparison.

pros:

responsibility

taking your younger siblings out

being adventurous in being the first (like college)

cons:

responsibility

an emptier wallet...

not knowing/lack of experience.

the list is short but it doesn't mean there aren't more.  so i'll expand in my explanation.

having my sister here at school with me has made me rethink the idea of being a "mang-ne" (youngest sibling) to being an oldest sibling.  when my sister asks me questions about college, I am often relieved that I have experienced what she is experiencing and can give her my take on what has happened to me.  and it usually ends up turning out ok for her.  her mistakes don't end up being as severe or taxing to her as they were for me and i'm glad that she doesn't need to go through what i went through.

in this, i find it interesting that younger siblings (this may be an overgeneralization but this is just from what i have experienced) usually have a much better sense of being able to trust someone else's words, usually those who are older or more experienced, than older ones do.  When I look back on college and wonder about all the times when I made mistakes, there were often times that my course of action were strongly advised against by peers and older, more experienced brothers or sisters.  And even with their words, I did not choose to take their advice into consideration, instead relying upon myself to bring myself through.

Unfortunately, this mindset has become a major part of my prideful sin.  When I look up at Jesus Christ, the man who died for my sin, a man who I should always be following after, I often say to myself, "I need to make my own choices.  I need to make decisions.  I need to do things on my own.  I need to trust myself."  And the intent behind these words are not necessarily wrong.  We do, indeed, make our own choices in this life that we live.  But how often are they backed by a strong desire to do what has been told to us through the Word?  For me, my lack of discipline in listening to the desires of Him who would save me from my wretched self, have led me to prideful decision making, ignorance of the truth, and disregard for those around me. 

I am humbled by the fact that I am being shown this.  I am grateful that I am being disciplined in this way.  And maybe, this will be something that you will benefit from and never have to face.  But please be praying for me.  I need to be disciplined.  Much more.  I need to trust in God, the father, son, and Spirit, who DO know infinitely more than I do; who are always in control; who will never forsake or leave me.

"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."  -Proverbs 3:11-12

???

is it really the holiday season?

Before the Throne of God Above

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong, a perfect plea:

A great High Priest, whose name is Love,

Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands,

My name is written on his heart;

I know that while in heaven he stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart

No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair,

And tells me of the guild within,

Upward I look, and see him there

Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died,

My sinful soul is counted free;

For God, the Just, is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  

Praise the One, Risen Son of God!

Behold him there, the risen Lamb

My perfect, spotless righteousness,

The great unchangeable I AM,

The King of glory and of grace.

One in himself, I cannot die

My soul is purchased by his blood

My life is hid with Christ on high,

With Christ, my Savior and my God

With Christ, my Savior and my God

I've sang this song twice in the past two days.  Such an amazing song that speaks of so much grace that is not only given at the time of belief in Jesus Christ, but in the faith that continues on afterward as we continue to look at the cross for the ultimate assurance of grace and salvation.  Makes me so happy.  =D

not about obama. or mccain.

Jesus Christ.

the elections are upon us.

and it's time for one of the greatest issues of being a part of an American democracy.  However, before we get out to the polling booths and make our decisions, I think that we should seriously consider the weight of the Gospel versus the politics.

Here's a series of sermons that John MacArthur gave on Christians and Politics the last election year, 2006 (when senators and other issues were being voted on).  These are some really eye opening sermons that really consider how much politics and issues should become the focus of a Gospel-centered life.

They're divided into 4 parts.  Read and consider...

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

it's here.

cool crisp air.

early sunsets.

long nights.

sweatshirts.

yup.  winter's here.  =D

what's happened in the past 6 months.

so i promised something about humility in my last post.  but i realized that the subject, for me, is a much more extensive one because it's not just something that's been popping up very recently.  it's been something that's been at work since about April... the end of April.  so i will try and make this as easy and succinct for you without taking anything away from what i've been learning by God's grace.  and let me preface it with a sermon that i recently listened to from john piper (the man).  thanks again larry for the message.

oh, and i'm probably going to have to split this up into at least two parts... it's kind of long.

so, back to the man, JP.

here it is.

"the humblest thing you can do is to be carefree, in God"

alright... think about it.  and if you want to listen to it, here's the link.

here we go.

back in april, as i was preparing to go out on missions to ghana, one of the most shocking moments in my life occurred right outside my apartment complex.  as i was walking back from class that day (i decided not to take the tram because it would take too long), i was mugged by two guys.  they took my sister's ipod that i was borrowing (which ironically enough was tuned into a message about the sovereignty of joy), my wallet, and my cell phone.  the consequences of that instance are still bothering me to this day (note: wamu's claim services are absolutely horrible, but i guess it doesn't really matter now that they're bankrupt).

the first words out of my mouth to God were not why now or why me.  they weren't angry statements.  they were something along these lines.  "dang, i think i deserved that, but i'm not exactly sure why.  i just know that there's something to learn."  as humble as these statements may have seemed, they weren't.  they were an obvious pointer to the state of my heart, in thinking that i already knew what God was trying to do and in knowing that i somehow, obviously deserved it because he allowed it to happen.  but i didn't deserve this.  i didn't deserve to have my eyes opened in the ways they have been now because i was so arrogant in thinking that i needed to care about what was going to happen next.

confused yet?  hahaha.  ok basically, my immediate thoughts afterwards pointed towards an anxiousness.  an anxiousness in what God was going to do because i knew that this wasn't the end.  i knew that this happened before i left on missions for a pretty dang good reason.  and i was anxious.  anxious about something.  that i didn't even know was going to happen.

ok, keep this verse in mind.  "humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1 peter 5:6-7

ugh, this is already getting too long.  ok, part 2 coming later.