Currently Reading Don't Waste Your Life By John Piper see related

For over a month now, i have been wondering is death really a tragedy?  And the only answer that i have found is an overwhelming NO.  Death has nothing to do with a tragedy, it is the life of the person that determines it. For example, in an exert from a book there is a story of a man and a woman both in their forties.  Each one has just took early retirement from their jobs.  They sold their house, bought a mobile home, and now they travel all over the United States collecting seashells and visiting resorts.  Now when there time comes and they give an account of their life to Jesus, all that they are going to have to say is, "hey Jesus, look at my shells." Now thats a tragedy.  This story may not mean much but it relates to modern day life so much.  Everyday I see people living for a smaller, nondivine purpose in this life.  There are going to be millions of people standing there on judgement day saying, "Watch me dunk a basketball, or look at my car, or look how much money i have." Now those are tragedies...... I love the quote " One life, One chance." It rings so true everyday.  Our life is not our own but it belongs to the one who created it. In 1 Corinthians 7:19-20 it says "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You DO NOT belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."  When this becomes a true desire in our lives, everything else is worthless.  Over in Phillipians 3:8 it says,"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ."  Paul didn't write this to tell us to quite everything we do, he is just stating that in all the secular things we do, they are pointless and have no value.  So with that being stated, glorify God in everything we do.  Let his light shine through us no matter what task we are undergoing.  And by doing this we will avoid a wasted life, or a tragedy.....As christians, our mindset should be to hear the words,"Well done good and faithful servant."  And to be truly honest there are a lot of so-called christians who are going to be very disappointed on judgement day.  C.S. Lewis describes christians in two ways: those who hear the Word and glorify God with it, and those who hear the Word and disregard it.  Now the bible says that you are even worse off than before now because you know the true meaning of life and you just choose not to live by it.  Now that's a tragedy.  What Jesus did on the cross should be more than enough reason to life a Christ-like life.  It is a shame that people can't realize that, i guess it is just a lack of faith, and sadly, a tragedy in the making. Psalms 119:11 states "I have hidden your Word in my heart that I may not sin against you." Now that is the way a life should be lived.  Everything should have a Christ-like meaning to it.  That is how you prevent a tragedy.

The diadem of pain,

which sliced your gentle face,

three spikes piercing flesh and wood,

to hold you in your place.

The need for blood I understand,

your sacrifice I embrace,

but the bitter sponge, the cutting spear,

the spit upon your face?

Did it have to be a cross,

did not a kinder death exist,

than six hours hanging between life and death,

all spurred by a betrayer's kiss?

"Oh Father" you pose,

heart-stilled at what could be,

"Im sorry to ask, but I long to know,

did you do this for me?"

When we realize the love of our father and truly desire to seek Him, listen closely and perchance you will hear him whisper...."I did it just for YOU."

-Max Lucado

Currently Listening Wherever You Are By Third Day Cry Out to Jesus see related

Thank you Jesus for falling in love with Sasha as I did, she was one of your best servants and I praise you for that.  Through her life, many will receive salvation and I remember that one night when her and I were talking, we each said that we would die if it meant saving just one life....well you granted her a wish and then multiplied it by many.  Now is the time Father to be the Almighty Healer and Comforter as we get through the loss of our best friend.  Use Sasha as a defining moment for the lives of many as they examine their lives and seek the true meaning of our time on earth.  This is just a blink of an eye compared to eternity and I know that the Holy Spirit will help us carry on the wonderful legacy that your humble servant left behind.  She was so amazing, but nothing compares to the love that you have to offer.  Use me and use your other servants to continue on for Sasha and more importantly for salvation to reach the lives of many.  I love you Father and thank you so much for allowing Sasha to rest in your arms right now....I love you and ill see you soon beautiful! Love always~*

R.F.M.   Sasha Owens........rejoice for me - I love you

Currently Reading Mere Christianity By C. S. Lewis see related

Before I start I would like to state a quote that I heard last Sunday morning. "We are all like beggars telling another beggar where to find bread." This powerful statement simply states that everyone is on the same plane as everyone else.  We are not better or more prominent than others.  We were all created equal in God's eyes, this goes for all believers and nonbelievers of our Heavenly Father.  However, believers do have the ability to offer a new life to another.  We can offer something that will bring happiness for eternity and will fill up the constant void in their lives.  This is the bread that is talked about in the quote.  It is the source of life, or also known as Jesus Christ.  He is the the gift that we have to share to others in order to save them from a life of death and destruction. 

In christianity, love and faith are everything.  Without them we have no foundation for christianity.  Jesus' sole purpose on this earth was to offer us a source of faith to believe in God and to show His love to the world by grace, mercy, and most importantly dying for our sins.  This love that Jesus portrayed was everlasting, he gave up everything to serve others and do the work of the Lord.  Now thats a testimony.  Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice, he gave us life and showed us how to live.  We were created to live a life that honors God, and this often results in sacrifices.  The bible often teaches that we are to lay down our own lives, take up our cross, and follow after Jesus.  It is very hard to show love to others all the time, especially when they persecute or harm you.  However, that doesnt matter, there are no excuses.  God is the ultimate Forgiver and wants us to do the same along with showing compassion.  I guess the point that I am trying to get across is this: Love EVERYONE.  Don't talk about them when they arent paying attention, instead lift them up. All I know is that I have got new views on many people because all they do is gossip and cut everyone else down. I hate listening to it, I usually either tune them out or just walk away.  However, the next step is just going to stand up and point out the wickedness that they are doing because the bible says that we are called to look out for one another.  I am willing to do this for everyone and I expect the same from you.  And dont take criticism harshly, take it as a foundation to build on.

The next thing I would like to point out is this: Romans 8:8 says,"You CANNOT please God if your life is controlled by sin." If you always backstab others, cuss, or be involved in sexual immorality, and it becomes a habit, you will not please God.  This creates a pretty intense image, basically it is saying Get Your Act Together. Christains often wander how to become spiritual of how to get close to God, well the first thing you need to do is get rid of the sin in your life by turning from it and through prayer asked God to redeem you again.  Now after you are on the same page with God, read the bible and pray on a DAILY basis. You cannot grow with God if you dont have a desire and commitment to do so.  It all comes down to discipline.  You either WANT to serve the Lord or you dont. It is your call. God has given you the opportunity through faith to accept him and live by his ways.  And if you truly want to accept Him and live close to Him, you HAVE to pray and read all the time.  This purifies both the mind and the soul so that you can be pure in the presence of our Father. So I am actually trying to say, get your act together, get disciplined, and start living the right life because Christianity as a whole often come down to this quote,"The chain is as strong as its weakest link."  Christians are the chain and hypocrites are the weakest link and they often ruin the testimony of whole hearted christians by their evil ways.

The last thing i want to add is this.  Ask God for Wisdom and knowledge.  It is one of the greatest gifts that God has to offer. It says in James that all you have to do is just ask Him.  When you truly mean it and truly desire it, God will show you things beyond your imagination.  Things that I cannot write down on here.  You will receive a greater understanding between right and wrong and good and evil.  The bible says that "blessed are those who have knowledge and wisdom for they are pleasing to God."  It is such a wonderful blessing that I wish everyone could receive.

Overall I am trying to say these things: 1. Love everybody because it is our testimony, dont be arrogant christians who think you are better than everyone else.  2. Be disciplined to serve God by praying and reading so that you spread the Good News.  3. Ask God for Wisdom and discipline so you can understand his plans for your life.  and 4. Don't be the weakest link in christianity, instead get your act together and dont ruin the testimony of others.

The last thing I want to say is this: I love it when people comment me back with religious words.  It is very encouraging, however make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.  Dont write something on here to show off what you know about scripture or to bring recognition to yourself, instead do it because God has laid it on your heart to share what He has spoken to you.  Only God knows your heart and your true intentions, so do things to glorify Him.  I hope God enrichly blesses all of you and please dont be afraid to tell another christian when they are falling, it is necessary so we learn from it and avoid having a weakest link.