How is it that I find Christians around me so immersed in culture that they are nearly indistinguishable from the unbelievers around them? I have been the same way until recently; I pirated music, watched movies with indecent scenes in them, and participated in the majority of sociological events that went on.
I, as the critical person that I am (God forgive, me I pray every day), I am starting to notice the lax in distinctness that a lot of Christians are experiencing. We are called to be distinct from the world, and yet involved in its affairs; we are called to be seperate but not removed from society. This means that a Christian should examine what they watch, how they speak, and their reasoning behind their actions in order to eliminate those that bring no glory to Christ.
Bashing time: How I Met Your Mother. I have a friend who watches this show that I have been giving a hard time to for quite a while, because the show is riddled with sex jokes and indecent talk. It's funny and goofy in the majority of the scenes, but why does he watch it? He would say that he watches it because it's funny. The feeling of sadness I had for my friend was overwhelmed when I came to OCC and found out that a good number of the men on my floor watch this show. When asked, one of the men I know explained that it is justifiable because it has more relationship-oriented elements than some other shows, so he can learn from those.
I can learn plenty of things from every terrible show. Shows with terrible language can teach me not to use those words; sex scenes in movies teach me to be affectionate towards my wife, but does that justify watching them? A dead horse cannot be called alive simply because it has more blood in its carcass than other horses. A show that is in and of itself unhealthy and tainted by sin is not fit for a Christian to watch, unless he is doing it for a greater evangelistic purpose.
I'm not hateful solely towards How I Met your Mother, though. Nearly all t.v. shows nowadays have sexual references and increasingly vulgar talk in them. I've gotten sick of having to listen to this to the point that I rarely watch t.v., and when I do, it's on Netflix, where I can choose which shows to watch. Phineas and Ferb and Mythbusters are two of the few shows I watch.
If you like a show or a movie or a band that has unhealthy characteristics, I would encourage you to pull away from it, but more so than that, I would strain you to at least own up to your vice! At least have the courage to say, "Yes, I know it's wrong, but I like the show, so I keep watching it." And if you indeed do keep watching it, then establish a base of friends, counselors, and mentors around you to make sure that you don't fall into the behavior pattern taught in the social media you are listening to. Be in the Word every day and keep your prayer life at a higher level. Talk with people about the lessons taught in that media and whether or not you should conform to those lessons. If you don't do this, you will inevitably begin to conform.
Sound like too much work? Then the media you are addicted to probably isn't worth it. Unless you are willing to sacrifice time, money, pride, and priveliges for that media, then it most likely isn't worth your time in the first place.
You men addicted to pornography: would you be willing to spend your paycheck to keep up your addiction? Would you be willing to spend time in jail for it? No? Then why are you doing it? Because it feels good, I know, but you need to realize that you are committing adultery to the Church and to God Himself when you access that! You are betraying the intimate relationship with God that he has given to you, and are replacing it with an online affair with a woman you don't even know for 8 seconds of heightened satisfaction. Is 8 seconds of bliss worth an eternity in Hell?
Honor God with everything you do, Christian. Watch shows that are decent, in order to keep up with the times; play video games that aren't vulgar, in order to relate better to unbelievers. Just make sure that your mind is focused not on the game in and of itself, but the lessons you can learn from that game in order to further the kingdom.
Of course, I am all for the occasional "kick-back-and-relax" chill time, where you watch a movie simply to watch a movie, or play a game simply to play a game. I do that often, when I need a break from my college work, I just tru to make sure I'm not doing it every and all the time.
Be a balanced communicator - distinct from yet involved in the society. Watch the shows you must, be wise about the shows you desire.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Celebration of Substitution!
It's Easter!! This is a time to celebrate the substitution of Christ on the cross for us; it is a time for us to be filled with joy that the punishment and damning of our sins was taken by Christ upon Himself in order to bring us to Him.
People often give me a weird look when I tell them that I am celebrating Christ's death. And I do admit, it sound a bit morbid and uncanny, but really, when you think about it, the death of Christ as a substitute for us is a great subject to celebrate! I mean, had Christ not done that, we would be damned to Hell still! We would still bear the condemnation of our sins on us, without any hope of being with God.
Would I have preferred that Jesus didn't die? Yes, of course I do. But as Christ says in Luke 22, "Take this cup from me; but not my will, but yours be done." Jesus could have called the angels down from heaven and taken himself off the cross, but he didn't because he loves you and me that much - to endure flaying, beatings, insult, torture, even a crucifixion - a method of death that was so agonizing that the ancient people formed a new word for it, excruciating, literally meaning: "out of the cross."
Easter, I think, should not be a focus on Christ's death and resurrection, however, but rather a focus on the unfathomable love that was shown on that day when the Son of God let himself endure the most painful death man could conceive of, for the simple fact that God loves us like his Children. This is a celebratory time of Christ's love for us - his dedication, grace, mercy, and commitment to us.
I'm just afraid that people will think of Easter in solely the physical sense of Jesus dying and raising from the dead. If we think this way, it is easy for us to slip into the "Oh yeah, Jesus died, rose from the grave, it was a pretty cool trick, He's pretty awesome." But the whole point of His death on the cross wasn't to simply die and rise again, though that had a big part in it. Jesus died to bring us to heaven! He took every single one of your sins on his soul and damned himself to get you to heaven!
Do you get this? The Son of God DAMNED himself to Hell so that you could live with Him in heaven - He let Himself be torn away from the Trinity in order to give you salvation! This is the meat of Easter! This is the stuff that really matters! The physical dying and rising is a huge part of Easter, but look past the physical and see the spiritual ramifications this act had as well!
It's easy to downplay the significance of these events like Easter because they're annual and become a routine part of our lives. Be careful you're not taking part in Easter just because you feel like you have to. Stay home Easter Sunday if you feel this way; you can probably get a lot more spiritual working from a solo Bible study than you can from a congregational meeting if this is the case. Just try to make sure you understand why you are taking part in the recognition of this holiday before you routinely go to church tomorrow.
Tomorrow, when you wake up, think of your new life that you received 2,000 years ago by the cross. Think about the love that God has for you that He would give his life and his comfort in order that you might experience it. Think of God's unbelievable affection for us, and you will most likely find yourself quietly (or not so quietly) praising Him joyfully.
That's all I have to say about that. Interestingly enough, this did not occur to me while working at Orange Leaf; I was comfortably enjoying The Hound of the Baskervilles by Stained Glass Theater Joplin when my mind started rolling this over.
Grace and Peace
-- Malachi
Happy Easter!
People often give me a weird look when I tell them that I am celebrating Christ's death. And I do admit, it sound a bit morbid and uncanny, but really, when you think about it, the death of Christ as a substitute for us is a great subject to celebrate! I mean, had Christ not done that, we would be damned to Hell still! We would still bear the condemnation of our sins on us, without any hope of being with God.
Would I have preferred that Jesus didn't die? Yes, of course I do. But as Christ says in Luke 22, "Take this cup from me; but not my will, but yours be done." Jesus could have called the angels down from heaven and taken himself off the cross, but he didn't because he loves you and me that much - to endure flaying, beatings, insult, torture, even a crucifixion - a method of death that was so agonizing that the ancient people formed a new word for it, excruciating, literally meaning: "out of the cross."
Easter, I think, should not be a focus on Christ's death and resurrection, however, but rather a focus on the unfathomable love that was shown on that day when the Son of God let himself endure the most painful death man could conceive of, for the simple fact that God loves us like his Children. This is a celebratory time of Christ's love for us - his dedication, grace, mercy, and commitment to us.
I'm just afraid that people will think of Easter in solely the physical sense of Jesus dying and raising from the dead. If we think this way, it is easy for us to slip into the "Oh yeah, Jesus died, rose from the grave, it was a pretty cool trick, He's pretty awesome." But the whole point of His death on the cross wasn't to simply die and rise again, though that had a big part in it. Jesus died to bring us to heaven! He took every single one of your sins on his soul and damned himself to get you to heaven!
Do you get this? The Son of God DAMNED himself to Hell so that you could live with Him in heaven - He let Himself be torn away from the Trinity in order to give you salvation! This is the meat of Easter! This is the stuff that really matters! The physical dying and rising is a huge part of Easter, but look past the physical and see the spiritual ramifications this act had as well!
It's easy to downplay the significance of these events like Easter because they're annual and become a routine part of our lives. Be careful you're not taking part in Easter just because you feel like you have to. Stay home Easter Sunday if you feel this way; you can probably get a lot more spiritual working from a solo Bible study than you can from a congregational meeting if this is the case. Just try to make sure you understand why you are taking part in the recognition of this holiday before you routinely go to church tomorrow.
Tomorrow, when you wake up, think of your new life that you received 2,000 years ago by the cross. Think about the love that God has for you that He would give his life and his comfort in order that you might experience it. Think of God's unbelievable affection for us, and you will most likely find yourself quietly (or not so quietly) praising Him joyfully.
That's all I have to say about that. Interestingly enough, this did not occur to me while working at Orange Leaf; I was comfortably enjoying The Hound of the Baskervilles by Stained Glass Theater Joplin when my mind started rolling this over.
Grace and Peace
-- Malachi
Happy Easter!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Really, guys? (Again)
I know this is kind of a repeat from my earlier post, but it was pressing on my heart again.
Today's eavesdropping was on a group of Junior-High aged girls talking about one of there friends who had just broken the news that she was pregnant. An eighth grader. Now, I could go off on a rant about women preserving their virginity, or a person's duty to uphold God's image, or the downfall of relationship values in American society; I am more concerned, however, with a call-out to today's men.
Today's eavesdropping was on a group of Junior-High aged girls talking about one of there friends who had just broken the news that she was pregnant. An eighth grader. Now, I could go off on a rant about women preserving their virginity, or a person's duty to uphold God's image, or the downfall of relationship values in American society; I am more concerned, however, with a call-out to today's men.
I don't know the guy that had sex with that eighth grader. I don't know how old he was, or what his ideals are, or what his religious beliefs are, but I feel the need to call out to him and every single guy living in society today. Man up, guys! Maybe you think that having sex with as many girls as possible is a show of masculinity; maybe you think that hooking up with your classmates is just a 'way to enjoy life, but you have no idea of the damage you are doing to yourself and to the woman you are mistreating.
After sex, the brain releases a chemical called oxytocin, which causes a connection between you and the person you have just slept with. This is the reason that there is such a powerful connection between a husband and a wife when both of them preserve their virginity. The more you sleep around, the more connections you make with people, and the less important each person become to you. Can you see how much you are downtrodding a woman when you sleep with her just because you are attracted to her?
If you build relationships solely on sexuality they will never be able to have a firmly solid foundation. This is the reason you see the vast majority of sexual relationship break apart sooner or later. Relationships aren't meant to be a feel-good getaway or a chemical release opportunity. Every person on earth longs for a connection with a special person. Most often this means a spouse (though occasionaly simply a very close friend).
But I rant. Back on topic, what does all this mean to you men? It means that you need to put your big-boy pants on and start recognizing your woman as the beautiful, honor-worthy, wonderful creation that she is. Stop dating for the body - start dating for the heart! Who do you think you are that you can drop a woman to nothing more than a sex toy for yourself? You think you're a man, but you don't take care of that woman you're with; you don't sacrifice your time, money, or resources unless it's to your benefit; you won't get off your Modern Warfare 3 video game to talk real with your girlfriend.
You want to be a man? Start acting like it!
It kills me to hear about boys who don't know what it means to be a real man. Sometimes these boys are pushing 40 or 50, and they still haven't made it past their boyhood actions of lusting on women and using them to get their desires out. It kills me. My heart drops when I think on the distorted image of a man that so many boys are being taught; my optimism is rock-bottom when I am reminded of the sin and evil that has so distraught our society. Too many men, though created in the image of God, have invested heavily in plastic surgery to try and change their image. Far too often, they attempt to change the person they're with, as well.
We are called by God to be conduits of His image and carriers of His honor. God has called us to be men; REAL men. He has called us to uphold woman's image, not distort it; He has called us to honor, not shame; He has called us to care, not misuse.
After sex, the brain releases a chemical called oxytocin, which causes a connection between you and the person you have just slept with. This is the reason that there is such a powerful connection between a husband and a wife when both of them preserve their virginity. The more you sleep around, the more connections you make with people, and the less important each person become to you. Can you see how much you are downtrodding a woman when you sleep with her just because you are attracted to her?
If you build relationships solely on sexuality they will never be able to have a firmly solid foundation. This is the reason you see the vast majority of sexual relationship break apart sooner or later. Relationships aren't meant to be a feel-good getaway or a chemical release opportunity. Every person on earth longs for a connection with a special person. Most often this means a spouse (though occasionaly simply a very close friend).
But I rant. Back on topic, what does all this mean to you men? It means that you need to put your big-boy pants on and start recognizing your woman as the beautiful, honor-worthy, wonderful creation that she is. Stop dating for the body - start dating for the heart! Who do you think you are that you can drop a woman to nothing more than a sex toy for yourself? You think you're a man, but you don't take care of that woman you're with; you don't sacrifice your time, money, or resources unless it's to your benefit; you won't get off your Modern Warfare 3 video game to talk real with your girlfriend.
You want to be a man? Start acting like it!
It kills me to hear about boys who don't know what it means to be a real man. Sometimes these boys are pushing 40 or 50, and they still haven't made it past their boyhood actions of lusting on women and using them to get their desires out. It kills me. My heart drops when I think on the distorted image of a man that so many boys are being taught; my optimism is rock-bottom when I am reminded of the sin and evil that has so distraught our society. Too many men, though created in the image of God, have invested heavily in plastic surgery to try and change their image. Far too often, they attempt to change the person they're with, as well.
We are called by God to be conduits of His image and carriers of His honor. God has called us to be men; REAL men. He has called us to uphold woman's image, not distort it; He has called us to honor, not shame; He has called us to care, not misuse.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Young Love?
I overheard some kids today talking at Orange Leaf. (it seems like most of the things I post on this blog about are seeded at my workplace) The kids couldn't have been older than 7th or 8th grade - that means 13 or 14 years old - and they were talking about their friends' dating relationships that were happening. It got me thinking about the issue of youth dating.
I've never been against dating in highschool or junior high, but I have always had a rather skeptical view of the matter. After all, a very low percentage of highschool relationships end up following through to marriage. But, some do, and they can turn out to be very healthy relationships. One of my coworkers just got married, and she's (I believe) 18 or 19. I've seen the benefits that can come from highschool intimacy, but I have also seen the heartbreak that is oh so common with it.
Let's face it - a junior high/highschool kid has virtually no idea how to come at a dating relationship. Very often, it is because they want to jump into a relationship to better output the feelings that develop with puberty. I myself have often found myself longing someone to have next to me. However, I don't think that kids understand what dating actually is: a trial for someone to marry you!
Dating evolved from courting - where two peoples -and their families- got to know each other better with (exclamation point!) the idea of marriage always on their minds. Young men began forming a plan the day he met the woman - a plan of dinners, walks in the park, one-on-one dates, family outings, etc., eventually ending with a talk to the woman's father about marriage. (Taken from http://m.ucg.org/youth/history-dating/)
The men doing the courting often were young (i.e., 15, 16). I am not saying that a young man nowadays shouldn't date when he's young, but I am pitching the idea that he should get the idea into his head that dating (courting) is a trial for marriage. If you're not looking to consider marrying the other person, then why date them?
Too many young adults date in order to "get practice" and "get familiar" with how to perform in a relationship. This isn't altogether bad, and for some people, it does help them, so I can understand where people are coming from. After all, "practice makes perfect," right?
But that phrase is not always true. Example given: cohabitation. This is where a couple lives together before they get married in order to "get used" to sharing a home. Nearly 1/2 of marriages nowadays are preceded by cohabitation. Surveys have shown, however, that the marital satisfaction of couples who cohabitated before marriage were consistently and significantly lower than those who had never cohabitated, particularly for women (Taken from "A Theology for Family Ministries" by Anthony, M. and Anthony, M.). Why is that? It appears that the subject of relationships is more fruitful when approached without practice and with a clear view of the planned path with the other person.
This is where I'm going with this: I'm not condemning highschool relationships, and I'm not even saying that junior high relationships are terrible (elementary school is pushing it...). What I am saying is that if you want a healthy relationship, and you want a thoroughly enjoyable dating life, then stop getting into relationships solely to release that longing within you for a second half, and discipline yourself to hold off from dating until you are ready to pursue someone to marriage.
Here is the value that I placed on my relationships: I am a big supporter of waiting in regards to many things having to do with marriage. My first kiss will be at my wedding, my first sexual experience will be on my wedding night, and my first girlfriend I will pursue with the idea of me getting married to her. These ideals give value to my relationship; I really want to experience them, so much that I'm willing to wait until marriage in order to experience the best of them.
These ideals give value not only to my perception of the relationship, but to my future girlfriend's as well. Do you realize the spellbinding power that is held in the idea of another person saving their first kiss, their first sexual act, and/or their first serious relationship, and then willingly giving it to you? I know that I will be awestruck if/when my girlfriend saved it for me, so I'm saving it for her!
Waiting isn't bad when it comes to dating, engagements, or marriage. Wait until you are comfortable with committing for real with that other person, and when you commit, pursue them to the end - the end being marriage until death do you part.
I've never been against dating in highschool or junior high, but I have always had a rather skeptical view of the matter. After all, a very low percentage of highschool relationships end up following through to marriage. But, some do, and they can turn out to be very healthy relationships. One of my coworkers just got married, and she's (I believe) 18 or 19. I've seen the benefits that can come from highschool intimacy, but I have also seen the heartbreak that is oh so common with it.
Let's face it - a junior high/highschool kid has virtually no idea how to come at a dating relationship. Very often, it is because they want to jump into a relationship to better output the feelings that develop with puberty. I myself have often found myself longing someone to have next to me. However, I don't think that kids understand what dating actually is: a trial for someone to marry you!
Dating evolved from courting - where two peoples -and their families- got to know each other better with (exclamation point!) the idea of marriage always on their minds. Young men began forming a plan the day he met the woman - a plan of dinners, walks in the park, one-on-one dates, family outings, etc., eventually ending with a talk to the woman's father about marriage. (Taken from http://m.ucg.org/youth/history-dating/)
The men doing the courting often were young (i.e., 15, 16). I am not saying that a young man nowadays shouldn't date when he's young, but I am pitching the idea that he should get the idea into his head that dating (courting) is a trial for marriage. If you're not looking to consider marrying the other person, then why date them?
Too many young adults date in order to "get practice" and "get familiar" with how to perform in a relationship. This isn't altogether bad, and for some people, it does help them, so I can understand where people are coming from. After all, "practice makes perfect," right?
But that phrase is not always true. Example given: cohabitation. This is where a couple lives together before they get married in order to "get used" to sharing a home. Nearly 1/2 of marriages nowadays are preceded by cohabitation. Surveys have shown, however, that the marital satisfaction of couples who cohabitated before marriage were consistently and significantly lower than those who had never cohabitated, particularly for women (Taken from "A Theology for Family Ministries" by Anthony, M. and Anthony, M.). Why is that? It appears that the subject of relationships is more fruitful when approached without practice and with a clear view of the planned path with the other person.
This is where I'm going with this: I'm not condemning highschool relationships, and I'm not even saying that junior high relationships are terrible (elementary school is pushing it...). What I am saying is that if you want a healthy relationship, and you want a thoroughly enjoyable dating life, then stop getting into relationships solely to release that longing within you for a second half, and discipline yourself to hold off from dating until you are ready to pursue someone to marriage.
Here is the value that I placed on my relationships: I am a big supporter of waiting in regards to many things having to do with marriage. My first kiss will be at my wedding, my first sexual experience will be on my wedding night, and my first girlfriend I will pursue with the idea of me getting married to her. These ideals give value to my relationship; I really want to experience them, so much that I'm willing to wait until marriage in order to experience the best of them.
These ideals give value not only to my perception of the relationship, but to my future girlfriend's as well. Do you realize the spellbinding power that is held in the idea of another person saving their first kiss, their first sexual act, and/or their first serious relationship, and then willingly giving it to you? I know that I will be awestruck if/when my girlfriend saved it for me, so I'm saving it for her!
Waiting isn't bad when it comes to dating, engagements, or marriage. Wait until you are comfortable with committing for real with that other person, and when you commit, pursue them to the end - the end being marriage until death do you part.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Dedication and Passion
I got into a discussion tonight with a fellow coworker about managing a business to make money on the side of your career. It was started off by a discussion of the possibility of me opening and running an Orange Leaf later on in life. I believe that I won't, as my view of starting and owning a business is that I don't want to own a business that I wouldn't take part in as a customer. This means that I probably won't end up starting a fast-food restaurant or a hair-styling place - because I'm not passionate about them!
For me, I don't want to start a business solely to make more money on the side, or to raise my status higher. I want to start a business where I have to force myself to let others take leadership and management over it because I'm just so passionate about it that I want to keep going and working there. This means that a ministry or a therapy business - an organization that reaches out to people and connects personally with them - is the best bet for what I will, should I ever, start a business.
For me, I don't want to start a business solely to make more money on the side, or to raise my status higher. I want to start a business where I have to force myself to let others take leadership and management over it because I'm just so passionate about it that I want to keep going and working there. This means that a ministry or a therapy business - an organization that reaches out to people and connects personally with them - is the best bet for what I will, should I ever, start a business.
I look at it like I look at marriage: I want to marry my best friend - someone I want to keep going back to and hanging around. Therefore, when I start a business, it should be the business that I want to manage and I want to give my time to.
Don't get involved with a company long-term that you're not passionate or interested in. For a short time, fine. Make money, live life, find a job more to your calling, and move on. But if you want to be fully satisfied with your career and feel like you aren't missing anything - if you want to live life without regrets about your career choices, then get involved with businesses that call out to your heart, not just your wallet. That means taking a pay cut or passing up a higher-ranking position for something you feel more passionately towards. But in the end, you'll be a happier person.
Be dedicated to wherever you are serving now, and people will realize your worth to them. You want to make a difference in the world? Make a difference where you are now. Make an example by showing people what dedication and hard work is, and you will become a very successful person.
Money fades, authority will fail, but only dedication will be fruitful.
Money fades, authority will fail, but only dedication will be fruitful.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Walking on a Razor's Edge
Here's my view on alcohol: alcohol is not a sin; it is not an awful aspect of life; it is not of the devil. However, alcohol is a razor - when you partake in it, you are walking its edge; on one side is a God-filled and God-controlled life, where you, through intense self-control and willpower (and with the help of God), are able to keep alcohol in check and enjoy it in decent quantities. On the other side is a dark pit of despair where alcohol, through slow, unnoticeable, marching advance, grows to such importance that it takes the place of God.
Alcohol is not of the devil, but it is a powerful tool of his. Drugs, sex, and power, as well as other things, join alcohol in the group of items that are not necessarily evil, but powerfully and frequently used by the Devil for his work.
I'm not saying that Christians should abstain from alcohol. I know many very healthy Christians who partake in it, but control their drinking. I am simply saying that if you decide to start drinking alcohol, you had best be in the Word and on your knees very often. Because if you don't, the desire to drink more and more will begin creeping up on you, and you won't have the relationship with God that you need to overcome it.
What I'm saying isn't just constricted to alcohol. it can be extrapolated to apply to other things in your life that have the possibility of becoming addictive. Things like video games, Facebook, friends, your boyfriend/girlfriend, shopping, coffee, or food can become just as destructive and damaging as alcohol and/or drugs can be.
Basically, what you need to overcome any addictive behavior to make it controlled and benefiting to you is a personal, deep relationship with Jesus Christ and the Trinity. Only by God's strength can you hope to have the self-control needed to control these things. A human's will is weak, but God's will is strong. So go out, get a drink with friends; enjoy a glass of wine. But be careful - you're playing with fire... just make sure you're ready to dump the Water on it, should is start getting out of control.
Alcohol is not of the devil, but it is a powerful tool of his. Drugs, sex, and power, as well as other things, join alcohol in the group of items that are not necessarily evil, but powerfully and frequently used by the Devil for his work.
I'm not saying that Christians should abstain from alcohol. I know many very healthy Christians who partake in it, but control their drinking. I am simply saying that if you decide to start drinking alcohol, you had best be in the Word and on your knees very often. Because if you don't, the desire to drink more and more will begin creeping up on you, and you won't have the relationship with God that you need to overcome it.
What I'm saying isn't just constricted to alcohol. it can be extrapolated to apply to other things in your life that have the possibility of becoming addictive. Things like video games, Facebook, friends, your boyfriend/girlfriend, shopping, coffee, or food can become just as destructive and damaging as alcohol and/or drugs can be.
Basically, what you need to overcome any addictive behavior to make it controlled and benefiting to you is a personal, deep relationship with Jesus Christ and the Trinity. Only by God's strength can you hope to have the self-control needed to control these things. A human's will is weak, but God's will is strong. So go out, get a drink with friends; enjoy a glass of wine. But be careful - you're playing with fire... just make sure you're ready to dump the Water on it, should is start getting out of control.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Back Again...
Well, I'm back to college again, and I'm living in the dorms as opposed to living off-campus like I did last semester; I'm starting to see what college life is like. The way a lot of these guys act, I'm afraid that they don't take college seriously. I guess I'm just tired of hearing people complain that they get bad grades in their classes, but all they do when they're in the dorms is goof off and play games with guys.
You came to a Christian campus to learn - to grow in your faith with God. There is certainly a time to hang out and build relationships with your fellow students, but work on your priorities. College isn't all fun. There's work to do, there are assignments to get done. If you're going to mess around the whole time, you can do it for a lot less than $300 a credit hour.
You came to a Christian campus to learn - to grow in your faith with God. There is certainly a time to hang out and build relationships with your fellow students, but work on your priorities. College isn't all fun. There's work to do, there are assignments to get done. If you're going to mess around the whole time, you can do it for a lot less than $300 a credit hour.
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