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this is obviously due to the fact that tomorrow, is indeed, the end of the world as we know it. All the good Christians will be taken tomorrow and all the cruddy ones (and everyone else) will be left behind. So I must regret to inform you that I will not be here tomorrow (technically already tomorrow so I guess I'm stuck here too :/) and if you're reading this, then you must be a terrible person.
I hope you know that I am totally joking.
If you have seen the news recently (or been around any form of media), you have definitely heard of the rapture predicted...well...today. During the local coverage of this event, an interview was shown with a man subtitled "Believer" and he was quite adamant that all of the Christians will be gone tomorrow and everyone else—will be left behind. Now this is what gets me. These "believers" claim to be believers or followers of Christ yet apparently they fail to actually read the Bible. Ain't no fine print to look for; it's all there. In fact, it's spelled out plainly in:
Matthew 24:36-36"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
What kind of "believer" could call himself (or herself) a follower of Christ yet fail to read the most important letter ever written to mankind? That must be insulting to God himself. What these extremists are doing is leading people astray and, essentially, telling everyone else that Christians are whackos and completely insane. After seeing these people, what kind of person would want to pursue a personal relationship with Christ? Well, I don't know.
We must get into the Word. We cannot let others lead us astray. Instead, we must take the initiative and strive to draw nearer to Him—the author and perfecter of our faith. But realize that this is IMPOSSIBLE (yeah I said it) if you don't read the Bible—simple as that. I say this because I have been struggling with this very issue and it has easily affected my walk with God. If we don't read the Word, no growth can truly occur. It is an ongoing battle that we must fight with our love for Christ. But those are words for another time...oh wait...isn't this my last post??
I think not.
Hebrews 12:1-2 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Colossians 2:6-8 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Am I Cared for? Yes. Provided for? Definitely.
It's been awhile since I have last been able to post. I attribute this partially to laziness but mainly to the busyness that school brings (yeah that sounds better). Anyway, I've had ample amounts of time to think throughout the month about everything that has been said, all of the recent turn of events, and about my Father—both of them.
A few nights ago, my grandfather died. I never got to meet the man or get to know him personally but I do know that he walked out on my dad when he was very young. I can't even imagine what that would have felt like for my grandma or for my dad; how could you get through life without your daddy? If you have a dad who lives with you and provides for your family, thank God and be grateful for that gift (I most definitely do). After that, my dad's life started down a road of anarchy and chaos. But somehow, amidst all of that chaos—God's will remained sovereign. I believe it was during my parents' anniversary in New York that my dad was able to see his father at a healthcare center. What would you do in that situation? I definitely don't know what I would do; would I be filled with frustration and anger with the man? Or would I look on him with the compassion and love that Jesus looks at me with? The latter is what my father chose to do; he took this opportunity—which I believe was divinely orchestrated by God—to share the amazing and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. My grandfather met Jesus that day and the two men cried together...what a beautiful mess that only the God above could craft into a masterpiece.
God uses the most unlikely people to carry out His plan. It's crazy to think about but if it wasn't for my grandfather's mistakes—I wouldn't be here; my brothers wouldn't be here; my dad wouldn't be here. Was my dad cared for by this man? Not really. Was he provided for by God? Definitely.
We never know when our time will come. That is why Christ urges us to build strong relationships with others and to love without faltering. Do not take your life, or anyone's life, for granted. Do not hesitate to share the love of God with others but always be in the intentional pursuit of love; because you may never see that person again. Recently, two girls' lives were taken suddenly in a tragic car accident about 2 miles out from the UC Merced campus. One of these girls was in my discussion section. I never got to know her personally but why is that? I got comfortable; I stayed in my box and expected the opportunities to fall from the sky and right into my lap. I wish I got to know her and invest in her life as Christ so graciously invests in mine. I pray that she rests in peace...hopefully with Jesus holding her.
My dad seized the opportunity once it was presented to him; he chose to love intentionally. Even though it seemed that he wasn't cared for by his earthly father, he was definitely provided for by his heavenly father. I'm still learning but I will not sit on the sidelines and do nothing; I'm getting in the game in the pursuit of love. I am blessed to have a caring and loving earthly father and I am inexplicably grateful for my heavenly father. Am I Cared for? Yes. Provided for? Definitely.
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
A few nights ago, my grandfather died. I never got to meet the man or get to know him personally but I do know that he walked out on my dad when he was very young. I can't even imagine what that would have felt like for my grandma or for my dad; how could you get through life without your daddy? If you have a dad who lives with you and provides for your family, thank God and be grateful for that gift (I most definitely do). After that, my dad's life started down a road of anarchy and chaos. But somehow, amidst all of that chaos—God's will remained sovereign. I believe it was during my parents' anniversary in New York that my dad was able to see his father at a healthcare center. What would you do in that situation? I definitely don't know what I would do; would I be filled with frustration and anger with the man? Or would I look on him with the compassion and love that Jesus looks at me with? The latter is what my father chose to do; he took this opportunity—which I believe was divinely orchestrated by God—to share the amazing and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. My grandfather met Jesus that day and the two men cried together...what a beautiful mess that only the God above could craft into a masterpiece.
God uses the most unlikely people to carry out His plan. It's crazy to think about but if it wasn't for my grandfather's mistakes—I wouldn't be here; my brothers wouldn't be here; my dad wouldn't be here. Was my dad cared for by this man? Not really. Was he provided for by God? Definitely.
We never know when our time will come. That is why Christ urges us to build strong relationships with others and to love without faltering. Do not take your life, or anyone's life, for granted. Do not hesitate to share the love of God with others but always be in the intentional pursuit of love; because you may never see that person again. Recently, two girls' lives were taken suddenly in a tragic car accident about 2 miles out from the UC Merced campus. One of these girls was in my discussion section. I never got to know her personally but why is that? I got comfortable; I stayed in my box and expected the opportunities to fall from the sky and right into my lap. I wish I got to know her and invest in her life as Christ so graciously invests in mine. I pray that she rests in peace...hopefully with Jesus holding her.
My dad seized the opportunity once it was presented to him; he chose to love intentionally. Even though it seemed that he wasn't cared for by his earthly father, he was definitely provided for by his heavenly father. I'm still learning but I will not sit on the sidelines and do nothing; I'm getting in the game in the pursuit of love. I am blessed to have a caring and loving earthly father and I am inexplicably grateful for my heavenly father. Am I Cared for? Yes. Provided for? Definitely.
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
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