I'm going to make this morning's post a little bit short because I still have some homework to finish up... But what really got me thinking this morning was how Moses cried out to God because he was tired of the burden his people laid on him.
I guess whenever I have thought about Moses, I never really understood what all it takes to lead nearly a million people to the promise land, and how those people might complain when they are hungry, thirsty, tired... Who else do they have besides Moses?
When you read the stories of Moses, it's always glorious and heroic, but truly, Moses struggled just like all of us. He was a normal man (who lived for a gazillion years it feels like), with normal thoughts, desires, and humanly limitations.
He also continually doubts God--some days he will have this awesome relationship where he gets to go on a mountain and be in the physical presence of God, and other days, he says "Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people?"
Men that are in the Bible are just that--men. They may have the ability to achieve and accomplish great things by the will of God, and they may have a relationship unknown to many of us, but it's important to remember that they had their faults as well. These men had their struggles, trials, and hardships too.
I think that's another component that makes the Bible so great, yet hard for non-Christians to grasp. I know for me, it's nice to here how great God was to an average and normal sinner like myself. It's awesome to see the great and amazing powers that God can give and deliver to Regular Joe's.
God bless,
Lauren
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Day 65
I have been working on my senior thesis with quite a fervor. It is starting to grow bigger than I ever imagined that it would, and it has taken a form that I didn't even think I wanted to go. It's quite revealing to God's design too, which I feel like I have lost. I really haven't ever understood his purpose for relationships--I really have never quite grasped what he was trying to tell me because I was so consumed with what the world said I should be doing.
I had a boyfriend for a long period of time, we did fun things together, we shared each others' secrets, our hearts, we talked to each other, and ultimately, I do believe that I idolized him in a sense and put our relationship before my relationship with God. I was doing all of the things with him that I should have been doing with Jesus... And it ended. God laid the burden on both of our hearts that our relationship wasn't right--it wasn't based in him truly, even though we said it was... We didn't do it God's way.
And honestly, I have never felt about myself the God has felt about me. I struggle with body image, I struggle with OCD about certain things, I struggle with putting things above my relationship with God, I struggle with being consumed by technology-- I use all of these things as a way to put God on the back-burner... Unknowingly, but sometimes knowingly.
I make excuses and I pretend sometimes. I'm a great pretender. When I was younger, I would pretend all sorts of things and get my sisters involved. Yeah, that's great, but God loves ME. He doesn't love what I pretend to be, he love MY heart and MY mind. He loves Lauren--not the facade that Lauren is putting forth.
I know I talked about this a little bit ago, but I think that sometimes I project a certain image of myself because I'm scared that people won't like the REAL me--or maybe I didn't even know who the real me was... Have I ever been just Lauren?
Am I putting so much time and energy into things that don't matter for the sake of ignoring my inner-self and what that might be?
Well, these past couple months, I have really been thinking about who "Lauren" is--the girl from Texas? The girl with a cute dog? The girl who has opinions in class? The girl who is studious? The girl who likes to go on walks? The girl who like Harry Potter? The girl who likes to read?
I can be all of those things, but most of all, I have realized that I'm Lauren, a girl who loves the Lord, a girl who is imperfect, a girl who is accepting what things are and accepting God's timing and situations.
My whole life I have been spiritually asleep, according to Jesus. I haven't been truly engaged in what God had in store for my life.
"The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don't know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!"
Mark 13:34-37
I most certainly have not been guarding the gate or keeping watch-- I have been tending to my own flowers, sleeping on a bed of wildflowers, and eating the fruit from the trees. I have not been protecting what is God's, nor have I been diligently seeking him.
It takes courage to get beyond the facade portrayed--it takes strength and it takes a want-to. Reading these passages everyday is only furthering my resolve to truly be me... To truly and graciously be thankful for what God has given me. Time on this earth is temporary, but it's our hearts, our souls that last for eternity.
God bless,
Lauren
I had a boyfriend for a long period of time, we did fun things together, we shared each others' secrets, our hearts, we talked to each other, and ultimately, I do believe that I idolized him in a sense and put our relationship before my relationship with God. I was doing all of the things with him that I should have been doing with Jesus... And it ended. God laid the burden on both of our hearts that our relationship wasn't right--it wasn't based in him truly, even though we said it was... We didn't do it God's way.
And honestly, I have never felt about myself the God has felt about me. I struggle with body image, I struggle with OCD about certain things, I struggle with putting things above my relationship with God, I struggle with being consumed by technology-- I use all of these things as a way to put God on the back-burner... Unknowingly, but sometimes knowingly.
I make excuses and I pretend sometimes. I'm a great pretender. When I was younger, I would pretend all sorts of things and get my sisters involved. Yeah, that's great, but God loves ME. He doesn't love what I pretend to be, he love MY heart and MY mind. He loves Lauren--not the facade that Lauren is putting forth.
I know I talked about this a little bit ago, but I think that sometimes I project a certain image of myself because I'm scared that people won't like the REAL me--or maybe I didn't even know who the real me was... Have I ever been just Lauren?
Am I putting so much time and energy into things that don't matter for the sake of ignoring my inner-self and what that might be?
Well, these past couple months, I have really been thinking about who "Lauren" is--the girl from Texas? The girl with a cute dog? The girl who has opinions in class? The girl who is studious? The girl who likes to go on walks? The girl who like Harry Potter? The girl who likes to read?
I can be all of those things, but most of all, I have realized that I'm Lauren, a girl who loves the Lord, a girl who is imperfect, a girl who is accepting what things are and accepting God's timing and situations.
My whole life I have been spiritually asleep, according to Jesus. I haven't been truly engaged in what God had in store for my life.
"The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don't know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!"
Mark 13:34-37
I most certainly have not been guarding the gate or keeping watch-- I have been tending to my own flowers, sleeping on a bed of wildflowers, and eating the fruit from the trees. I have not been protecting what is God's, nor have I been diligently seeking him.
It takes courage to get beyond the facade portrayed--it takes strength and it takes a want-to. Reading these passages everyday is only furthering my resolve to truly be me... To truly and graciously be thankful for what God has given me. Time on this earth is temporary, but it's our hearts, our souls that last for eternity.
God bless,
Lauren
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Day 64
I am so excited to go home in less than two weeks!
I have such great friends and family that I get to spend time with, Bella gets to come home with me, and I get a much needed break! Life is so good :)
So in Numbers we are going over the 12 tribes of Israel's offerings... Grain and blood seems to be a common theme. It reminded me of how in church we have been talking about Cain and Abel and one of the things we discussed was why Cain's offering was not pleasing to God. One of the theories is that blood offerings are better.
But I just really love all of the passages about Jesus' stories.
"But when these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the courts and beaten in the synagogues. You will be accused before governors and kings of being my followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about me. And the Good News must first be preached to every nation. But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry about what to say in your defense. Just say what God tells you to. Then it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. "Brother will betray brother to death, fathers will betray their own children, and children will rise against their parents and cause them to be killed. And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved."
Mark 13:9-13
Can you imagine what it's like to go through the absolute worst pain and trials in the world? I just can't thank God enough that we live in a country where we don't have to worry about proclaiming our faith. If we were in a country like, Afghanistan or something, being a Christian would mean death or torture or both for sure.
We are beyond blessed to have freedom of speech and religion. I wonder what was going through the disciples minds' whenever they heard how they would be tortured for the name of Jesus. Jesus is probably the most controversial topic in the entire world, and that includes nuclear weapons. Jesus is the name that causes the most pain and suffering, the most dissent and anger, the most controversy within nations, states, and families. The will of God is something that is most sought after, and most fought about.
There are people that mislead others for the name of God (don't drink the kool-aide right?) and there are people that seek power and control in the name of Jesus.
This is tough stuff--this is hard stuff. And for me, the more I learn about Jesus and who he was and what he said, the more I feel lucky and also a bit guilty. Here I am, with the opportunities that I have been given, and what am I doing with them?
Jesus is seriously the way, the truth, and the life. No one can get to the Father except through him--and it's a privilege to live in a place where worshiping him is so encouraged and the "norm."
Dying on the cross for ME, for an unworthy sinner; to give me opportunities, to give me LIFE! Ultimately, to be everything... That's what this whole book is all about! Everything is helping us understand what it means to be close to God--to know him, to love him, to worship him!
God bless,
Lauren
I have such great friends and family that I get to spend time with, Bella gets to come home with me, and I get a much needed break! Life is so good :)
So in Numbers we are going over the 12 tribes of Israel's offerings... Grain and blood seems to be a common theme. It reminded me of how in church we have been talking about Cain and Abel and one of the things we discussed was why Cain's offering was not pleasing to God. One of the theories is that blood offerings are better.
But I just really love all of the passages about Jesus' stories.
"But when these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the courts and beaten in the synagogues. You will be accused before governors and kings of being my followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about me. And the Good News must first be preached to every nation. But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry about what to say in your defense. Just say what God tells you to. Then it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. "Brother will betray brother to death, fathers will betray their own children, and children will rise against their parents and cause them to be killed. And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved."
Mark 13:9-13
Can you imagine what it's like to go through the absolute worst pain and trials in the world? I just can't thank God enough that we live in a country where we don't have to worry about proclaiming our faith. If we were in a country like, Afghanistan or something, being a Christian would mean death or torture or both for sure.
We are beyond blessed to have freedom of speech and religion. I wonder what was going through the disciples minds' whenever they heard how they would be tortured for the name of Jesus. Jesus is probably the most controversial topic in the entire world, and that includes nuclear weapons. Jesus is the name that causes the most pain and suffering, the most dissent and anger, the most controversy within nations, states, and families. The will of God is something that is most sought after, and most fought about.
There are people that mislead others for the name of God (don't drink the kool-aide right?) and there are people that seek power and control in the name of Jesus.
This is tough stuff--this is hard stuff. And for me, the more I learn about Jesus and who he was and what he said, the more I feel lucky and also a bit guilty. Here I am, with the opportunities that I have been given, and what am I doing with them?
Jesus is seriously the way, the truth, and the life. No one can get to the Father except through him--and it's a privilege to live in a place where worshiping him is so encouraged and the "norm."
Dying on the cross for ME, for an unworthy sinner; to give me opportunities, to give me LIFE! Ultimately, to be everything... That's what this whole book is all about! Everything is helping us understand what it means to be close to God--to know him, to love him, to worship him!
God bless,
Lauren
Monday, March 5, 2012
Day 63
I wonder what the religious leaders really thought... Like, did they really think that Jesus was who he said he was and were seriously threatened by it? What happened to them after Jesus died? Did they get to Heaven?
You know, if a man came down, performed miracles like Jesus did, gave great teachings, was able to quote the old testament backwards and forwards, and had been doing this since a teenager, I would have to be a follower of him. I mean, it would honestly be terrifying, but the Jews knew the scriptures. They knew that a Messiah was going to come.
It's just very overwhelming to think about--especially because of modern technology. I know that sounds strange, but when someone is sick, they go to the hospital and with the advanced medicine we have here in America, they are generally healed.
Well, I know this is completely scattered, but that's kind of how my thoughts were. I keep thinking: "If Jesus came down to earth, would I know it was him? Or would I scorn him and try to crucify him like the Jews, his own people?"
It's totally different though. Because we believe in Jesus as Christians--his resurrection is the foundation of our faith. So it's hard to imagine a life without him.
What about those who are in tribal communities in Africa and have never heard God's word? Where do they go?
It's interesting to see though, that whenever missionaries go into these communities, a lot of them have similar stories to our Bible stories, and they believe in a great and omnipotent God. They call him a different name, and some of them are still polytheistic.
I also think of Native Americans who may have been exposed to Jesus a little bit, but they have never really heard about him. They keep in their traditions on their reservations.
I feel like as Christians we are so geared for helping the whole world--going to Africa, preaching the gospel, trying to save these "primitives" and lead them to Jesus that we kind of forget our own backyard. What about the Native Americans?
What about people in the inner-cities? Going to Africa is fantastic, I mean, I'm going there this summer, not for mission work per se, but I'm still going there; what about here? In our country?
I haven't really thought in depth about that before, but it would be amazing to see how many people actually don't even know who Jesus is in America, the supposedly Christian nation.
One more thing: I was really creeped out in the passage from numbers about how to test for an unfaithful wife... It reminded me of the witch hunts in England and the Salem Witch trials. It was a lose lose situation for her!
Okay, that's all :)
God bless,
Lauren
You know, if a man came down, performed miracles like Jesus did, gave great teachings, was able to quote the old testament backwards and forwards, and had been doing this since a teenager, I would have to be a follower of him. I mean, it would honestly be terrifying, but the Jews knew the scriptures. They knew that a Messiah was going to come.
It's just very overwhelming to think about--especially because of modern technology. I know that sounds strange, but when someone is sick, they go to the hospital and with the advanced medicine we have here in America, they are generally healed.
Well, I know this is completely scattered, but that's kind of how my thoughts were. I keep thinking: "If Jesus came down to earth, would I know it was him? Or would I scorn him and try to crucify him like the Jews, his own people?"
It's totally different though. Because we believe in Jesus as Christians--his resurrection is the foundation of our faith. So it's hard to imagine a life without him.
What about those who are in tribal communities in Africa and have never heard God's word? Where do they go?
It's interesting to see though, that whenever missionaries go into these communities, a lot of them have similar stories to our Bible stories, and they believe in a great and omnipotent God. They call him a different name, and some of them are still polytheistic.
I also think of Native Americans who may have been exposed to Jesus a little bit, but they have never really heard about him. They keep in their traditions on their reservations.
I feel like as Christians we are so geared for helping the whole world--going to Africa, preaching the gospel, trying to save these "primitives" and lead them to Jesus that we kind of forget our own backyard. What about the Native Americans?
What about people in the inner-cities? Going to Africa is fantastic, I mean, I'm going there this summer, not for mission work per se, but I'm still going there; what about here? In our country?
I haven't really thought in depth about that before, but it would be amazing to see how many people actually don't even know who Jesus is in America, the supposedly Christian nation.
One more thing: I was really creeped out in the passage from numbers about how to test for an unfaithful wife... It reminded me of the witch hunts in England and the Salem Witch trials. It was a lose lose situation for her!
Okay, that's all :)
God bless,
Lauren
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Day 62
"1 This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires."
2 Peter 1:1-4
There are just some things in life that we can't explain... Like our relationships with Jesus Christ. It takes a personal experience, connection, and a yearning to actually get to know God. You have to have the want-to in order to attain it.
I was talking to my mom last night after our Senior Night basketball game, and it really hit me that I have essentially one more year of college left here... I started really realizing last night that God brought me to KU for different reasons. I mean, so many amazing things have happened because I have been here. I have been given wonderful opportunities and have really solidified my life-goals. God has brought me hurt and pain, but that has made me a stronger and better person. I have better relationships with my friends and family, and I have really been able to grow in my faith journey on my own.
I have come to know Jesus personally, and I really have grown and matured as a young woman.
"When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation."
Proverbs 10:25
I am just so incredibly blessed and thankful that I am doing what I do-living the life that I have been given. Sometimes it's hard--sometimes I get storms and winds and rains and my boat is definitely rocked... But I have this foundation that isn't shaken.
Do you ever have those moments where all of a sudden you realize that everything that has happened is a part of a greater plan that you could never have envisioned?
That's really what I was realizing last night. I am exactly where God wants me to be. I am doing what he wants from me, and I am really becoming aware of his design and will within my life.
I just praise God for our relationship and I am so sorry that I never wanted it earlier than I did.
God bless,
Lauren
2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires."
2 Peter 1:1-4
There are just some things in life that we can't explain... Like our relationships with Jesus Christ. It takes a personal experience, connection, and a yearning to actually get to know God. You have to have the want-to in order to attain it.
I was talking to my mom last night after our Senior Night basketball game, and it really hit me that I have essentially one more year of college left here... I started really realizing last night that God brought me to KU for different reasons. I mean, so many amazing things have happened because I have been here. I have been given wonderful opportunities and have really solidified my life-goals. God has brought me hurt and pain, but that has made me a stronger and better person. I have better relationships with my friends and family, and I have really been able to grow in my faith journey on my own.
I have come to know Jesus personally, and I really have grown and matured as a young woman.
"When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation."
Proverbs 10:25
I am just so incredibly blessed and thankful that I am doing what I do-living the life that I have been given. Sometimes it's hard--sometimes I get storms and winds and rains and my boat is definitely rocked... But I have this foundation that isn't shaken.
Do you ever have those moments where all of a sudden you realize that everything that has happened is a part of a greater plan that you could never have envisioned?
That's really what I was realizing last night. I am exactly where God wants me to be. I am doing what he wants from me, and I am really becoming aware of his design and will within my life.
I just praise God for our relationship and I am so sorry that I never wanted it earlier than I did.
God bless,
Lauren
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Day 61
Have you ever wanted something so badly in your life because you knew in your gut that it was the right thing, but you had to wait?
Waiting. I hate it! I am one of the most impatient people in the world. When I want something, I go after it. When I need something, I would rather not wait to get it, I just go. When I want to talk to someone, it's right then, and if not, I get antsy.... Oh the struggles of character flaws.
I think that's why God has put some things in my life that I know that I have to wait for. For example, I know that I want to go into law. I love it, I can feel in my gut that's what God wants me to be doing... But I can't just be a lawyer right now... I have to finish undergrad, take the LSAT, apply to Law Schools, get into law school, pay for it, spend three years there, take the Bar exam, and then find a job... Whew. Just thinking about it all makes me a little bit anxious and impatient. But, I know that it will be well worth it.
There are things in my life that I want so desperately--Things that would seriously give me amazing satisfaction and increased happiness, but I can't have them right now. It's not the right time, not the right place, and not the right circumstances in my life for it to work. God is definitely telling me that. I just know that it would be a disaster if I tried to get it now.
And that's the frustrating part... Normally. But surprisingly, I have gotten such satisfaction from just waiting. I have been living for ME and doing things that I would only be able to do in this season of my life. I am serving in the best ways that I can, and just trusting God. And for once in my life, I am really not frustrated. Sure, I still want what I want... But I trust God and know that he will give me the desires of my heart if I just obey him!
Also, prayer. Prayer prayer prayer prayer prayer. I can't say it enough. It's something that I have never really done "religiously" (ha!) and something that I have been working on. I have found that praying, praying for things that I desire, talking to God about my struggles has helped me more than I can relate.
"22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours."
Mark 11:22-24
I have just really been giving God everything--and I have been so much more happy with my life! I'm more content while waiting, I am more understanding of seasons of waiting, I am better wanting to serve and live for God NOW.
Prayer is just such an amazing thing!
God bless,
Lauren
Waiting. I hate it! I am one of the most impatient people in the world. When I want something, I go after it. When I need something, I would rather not wait to get it, I just go. When I want to talk to someone, it's right then, and if not, I get antsy.... Oh the struggles of character flaws.
I think that's why God has put some things in my life that I know that I have to wait for. For example, I know that I want to go into law. I love it, I can feel in my gut that's what God wants me to be doing... But I can't just be a lawyer right now... I have to finish undergrad, take the LSAT, apply to Law Schools, get into law school, pay for it, spend three years there, take the Bar exam, and then find a job... Whew. Just thinking about it all makes me a little bit anxious and impatient. But, I know that it will be well worth it.
There are things in my life that I want so desperately--Things that would seriously give me amazing satisfaction and increased happiness, but I can't have them right now. It's not the right time, not the right place, and not the right circumstances in my life for it to work. God is definitely telling me that. I just know that it would be a disaster if I tried to get it now.
And that's the frustrating part... Normally. But surprisingly, I have gotten such satisfaction from just waiting. I have been living for ME and doing things that I would only be able to do in this season of my life. I am serving in the best ways that I can, and just trusting God. And for once in my life, I am really not frustrated. Sure, I still want what I want... But I trust God and know that he will give me the desires of my heart if I just obey him!
Also, prayer. Prayer prayer prayer prayer prayer. I can't say it enough. It's something that I have never really done "religiously" (ha!) and something that I have been working on. I have found that praying, praying for things that I desire, talking to God about my struggles has helped me more than I can relate.
"22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours."
Mark 11:22-24
I have just really been giving God everything--and I have been so much more happy with my life! I'm more content while waiting, I am more understanding of seasons of waiting, I am better wanting to serve and live for God NOW.
Prayer is just such an amazing thing!
God bless,
Lauren
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Day 59
Today is my wonderful mother's 29th** birthday :) She is such an incredible woman of God and has raised me so well. She has selflessly given her life to raising her children and showing us how to live our life by example.
From the reading this morning, I thought about the man who told Jesus that he has lived a great life and wanted to follow him. When Jesus told him to sell all of his possessions and give them to the poor, he couldn't do it. I find it hard to imagine having a person tell me to sell everything to follow them. Well, not just a person, but Jesus.
It really is hard for those who value possessions to live selflessly more than those who have so little.
In my college and career group with church, we have been going through the Bible's history and establishing its credibility, and I just think it's so fascinating. I think it's incredible how there are so many FACTS that support all of the events in the Bible, letters that quote scripture before the Bible was even compiled, how Jesus quoted all of the Old Testament directly.... There are so many facts that point to the Bible's validity, so why don't more people believe it? I mean, it just makes sense!!
People have been trying so hard to disprove the Bible, they have tried to find inconsistencies and lies within the Bible, but they can't. If a book is so threatening to certain peoples' agendas, of course they will spend so much time questioning its credibility. The Bible has GOT to mean something if so many people hate it and try to discredit it!
These stories are incredible, its teachings are infallible, and yet there are still those people who resist.
I also hate how people use the Bible for evil purposes that just don't make sense. For example, using the Bible's stories to justify slavery of an "inferior" race. Making rationalizations that just don't make sense. This book is used to document our amazing Father, to show his unrelenting love for that he sent his son to DIE!
God gave us rules, he gave us promises and every promise has been fulfilled except for those that have yet to happen. It wasn't intended to be used to justify evil actions against humanity.
I am so happy :)
This was sort of a random post today... I have just been really excited about my study!
From the reading this morning, I thought about the man who told Jesus that he has lived a great life and wanted to follow him. When Jesus told him to sell all of his possessions and give them to the poor, he couldn't do it. I find it hard to imagine having a person tell me to sell everything to follow them. Well, not just a person, but Jesus.
It really is hard for those who value possessions to live selflessly more than those who have so little.
In my college and career group with church, we have been going through the Bible's history and establishing its credibility, and I just think it's so fascinating. I think it's incredible how there are so many FACTS that support all of the events in the Bible, letters that quote scripture before the Bible was even compiled, how Jesus quoted all of the Old Testament directly.... There are so many facts that point to the Bible's validity, so why don't more people believe it? I mean, it just makes sense!!
People have been trying so hard to disprove the Bible, they have tried to find inconsistencies and lies within the Bible, but they can't. If a book is so threatening to certain peoples' agendas, of course they will spend so much time questioning its credibility. The Bible has GOT to mean something if so many people hate it and try to discredit it!
These stories are incredible, its teachings are infallible, and yet there are still those people who resist.
I also hate how people use the Bible for evil purposes that just don't make sense. For example, using the Bible's stories to justify slavery of an "inferior" race. Making rationalizations that just don't make sense. This book is used to document our amazing Father, to show his unrelenting love for that he sent his son to DIE!
God gave us rules, he gave us promises and every promise has been fulfilled except for those that have yet to happen. It wasn't intended to be used to justify evil actions against humanity.
I am so happy :)
This was sort of a random post today... I have just been really excited about my study!
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