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Sunday, February 28, 2010

We Are in the World

but not of it. It's a hard balance. Life is a balancing act. Being part of a world that is full of lying, sex outside of marriage, pride, and many other sins our flesh tends to crave can be very tempting to a young man or woman in any Christian home. They've been raised in a culture that is set outside of the world. Especially in the circles that I've been brought up in there was a clear distinction between our raising and the world.

And, then you see the world for who they really are. Satiating their flesh and not caring about anyone but themselves. And, to a certain extent it looks good to you. They aren't restrained by God's law. They appear happy.

And, then fast forward and look at the older men and women who are now sitting in rest homes who were the ones who satisfied their lustful desires. They're life has become nothing. They satisfied their wants and desires even though they were contrary to the law of God when they were young. But, now they sit tired and weary from a life filled with unrepentant sin and the hope of life is gone. There is nothing to look forward to. Their bodies have broken down and are no longer the things they once were. They're body is again turning into dust. And, what do they have to look forward to? An afterlife of eternal pain and torture.

Then, on the other side of the spectrum is those who lived a life filled with living for Christ. They're lives were always joy filled. They restrained their flesh and fought with the devil and now here they sit before crossing the river to see the glories that await them in heaven.

It's all about perspective. Can you see farther then the end of your own nose? Can you see the glory that awaits the saint who has fought the good fight and finished the race?

Tip of the day: When you focus on yourself all the little problems in life begin to feel like mountains. But, if you care about others, your problems will become much smaller and less significant. o.0

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Love

Today, love is fairly lost. What most people mean when they talk about love is some sort of eros love. It's generally all about what you can get from the other person. Is that love?

Jesus said in John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." True love is one in which you are willing to lay down your life for others. Sometimes I wonder if I could lay down my life for my family and friends. Or, is my heart too selfish and fixed on myself? Christ laid down his life for us, and if we truly love someone we'll be willing to lay down our lives for them. And, the one we should be most willing to lay our lives down for is Christ.

But Daniel I'm not faced with the decision to lay down my life for others every day. Wrong, to some extent every time we serve someone and don't follow the fleshly desires we are laying our lives down for them. Maybe we're not losing our lives as Christ did for us, but we are killing our flesh to put others before us. People used to call things like this chivalry (for guys) but it shouldn't be something forced. If your heart's not in something people will see through your facade.

Tip of the day: Life is full of choices. Make the right ones and live, make the wrong ones and die. Fairly simple. ;-)

Monday, February 22, 2010

Time is Precious

Each second is precious. Do you treasure the things you have alot of? Do you treasure the relationships in your life? Do you treasure the insulation inside the walls? Do you appreciate the soap next to the sink? I recently observed a movie where everyday items such as wipes or water were things many people died for. Yet, today we throw many of those things away without a second thought. But, as we get low on things such as water we are careful with every drop and try to preserve it till we need it. But, you can always get more water.

How about time? God has only given you so many years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds. Do you know how much time you have left? As a young person you feel you have your whole life ahead of you, but that reality can be shattered at any moment by any number of things. What do you do with those precious seconds God has given you?


Tip of the day: A to-do list with prioritization can do wonders. ^.^

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Goals and Dreams

Making goals for your life is a key, but at the same time you have to keep things in perspective. There's a difference between goals and dreams. I've seen how easy it is to imagine yourself doing something, without wanting to do the work of getting there. Dreamers don't go places. I'm not saying it's wrong to dream of things. But, you don't go anywhere by dreaming. Which is probably a good explanation for people wanting to escape reality. They see their lives as dull and boring because they're always dreaming and hoping to be more then they are but don't want to do anything about it.

Life isn't going to be handed to you on a gold platter. You have to fight to make it...

Tip of the day: Charging your cell phone = your cell phone being on. Fun. ^.^

Friday, February 12, 2010

Relationships

It's much easier to think badly of someone than to think well of them. Life is full of sinners all around you. Everyone struggles with sins, and at the same time other people struggle with different sins. Then, the speck in our brothers eye vs. the moat in our own eye comes into play. The friends we have begin to grow horns and eventually we go our separate ways. And, this isn't just any old relationship anymore. It now includes marriage and immediate family. Close the door on your old relationships and bring on the new. The grass is always greener on the other side..

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Gratitude

A quality that is of essence in any person. A recognizing of the good that has been given to you. In other words finding the glass half full no matter how empty it truly is. I personally tend to be very sarcastic. I see things in a negative light. And, take a look at our world. This is the very thing our world loves. Check out youtube, and all the funny sketches and skits are sarcastic. The world does not see the good in things, but would prefer to make fun of things. Sure, maybe some sarcasm is appropriate. But, using it too much may lead to a sense of ungratefulness. You need an attitude of gratitude. (Hmm, what's that from?)

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Pride

Number one, why are all my posts about problems. Mr. Negativity... <_< *Wait, that's what my blog's name is all about..*

Moving on..

In my pretty much unsubstantiated opinion, I think the sin that most guys or even people in general struggle with is pride. But, I see it most shown throughout young men as a group. It's one of those sins where you feel like you've been humble for the last hour and then pride shows up with the party hats. (Yes, I stole that...)

But, why is this? Why is it so easy to become proud? I believe what tends to happen is you take a look at your brain, and then at your physical strength (at least for some of us *shifting eyes*), and basically take whatever God has blessed you with and turn it into an idol. (Hrmm, that's a really good idea.)

If it's God that's given you this incredible gift, what are you doing wasting it with pride. Proverbs 16:5 says, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished."

Yes, an abomination. And, let's think of it in this way. Christ, who has created a universe, and has ultimate power, he humbled himself and died on a cross for OUR sins. Wow! Really, do we have a right to be proud about anything? If you think of your measly "accomplishments" in the light of what Christ has done, you should look at yourself as dust. We have no right to think of ourselves as more then dust, except that Christ has chosen to show favor to us and lift us out of the dust. Look at yourself in perspective and see that your big fat head is nothing but what God has made it. So, stick a needle in it and pop it...

Tip of the day: Editing radio and trying to think at the same time are much too hard. Don't try it at home, or anywhere for that matter. <-- This isn't funny. ~Anonymous

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Harsh Words

Harsh Words

People speak a lot of words every single day. Studies show it's about 8,800 for one gender to 6,000 words for the other, per day. (I'll let you guess as to who says more words per day. ;-)). Is every one of those words thought through with much thought? Are our hearts looking to edify and build up through every one of these words?
A lot of what people get from what is said, is from your tone. You could say something very kind and loving, but if you say it in a sarcastic tone then the words are lost.
And, at the same time it applies to the words. Have you ever had that moment where you say something then about 6 seconds later you wish those words had never left your mouth?
Well, I definitely have, and it can tend to happen at the worst times. <_< Anyways, now that I've declared a problem, there has to be a solution. In 1 Peter 3:10 it says, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” That's definitely a pretty serious warning. Also, James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
So, the goal is to bridle the tongue. It's that simple. So, whenever you talk, think of yourself actually bridling your tongue. It might help... o.0

Sorry it's so disconnected, I need to go. ^_^

Tip of the day: When someone says “toss (some object) over there.” They mean it metaphorically! Don't actually toss it. <_<..

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Are You on the Computer Too Much??

I just read an interesting article about how being addicted to the internet/computer can be linked to depression. And, I think there's some truth to that. Even though there are sites like Facebook, chat rooms, etc. where you can be "social", there's still something you lose when you're not communicating in reality. Internet relationships only go so far. Most people fake who they are on the internet. They tend to be what they want to be, not who they truly are. Plus, there seems to be alot harsher words spoken through the internet. It's intriguing how when people have this barrier of the internet and the anonymity that comes with it, they can express their true feelings for people, otherwise known as their wicked hearts.

Tip of the day: Be real. A faker will never go anywhere, and will end up Making Enemies and Hurting People. Speak the truth in love and apply the fruits of the spirit to every aspect of your life, including your internet life.

P.P.S. Also, spend your time developing your real relationships, not your internet ones.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Should You Watch Movies?

What is the point of watching movies? Why do you like watching movies? I googled a bunch of different key words about watching movies/tv and it seems that nobody really touches on why you shouldn't watch them. Alot of responded to someone asking, "How much tv should I watch per day?" a bunch of responses like, try to limit it to 3 hours, limit it to 4 hours, just leave it on all day it doesn't take that much electricity, etc.

So, I thought of reasons to watch television/movies listed from 10-1.

#10: It gives you a chance to clip your toenails.
#9: How else can you get away with eating 2 quarts of ice cream. *cough*
#8: You have too many braincells.
#7: You just need to take a nap.
#6: You feel like being edified. Ha ha, lol. ROFL
#5: When else are you going to eat popcorn?
#4: You've spent too much time on the computer.
#3: You're tired of reality.
#2: You have to have a family movie night. I mean having a family game night or a family work night or a family bowling night or a family baseball game or a family knitting time (lol, seriously?) would be too relational! AUGH! STOP TALKING AND STARE AT THE TV. Hrmm
#1: And, last and definitely most least. You've got to use that big black box some time.




Anyways, I do enjoy watching some movies. I tend to enjoy the aesthetic beauty in the ways everything is put together. Plus, the plots can be fairly interesting. Ha, ha lol just kidding. It's pretty rare to find an actually creatively put together movie, anyways...

Tip of the day: Enjoy God, even in your movie watching. I hate it when people say things such as, "You watch tv, shame, shame." God has given us liberty to enjoy him and his creation. And, movies can bring out true stories and glorify God. Sure, maybe they're not the best way to spend your time. But, God commanded the Israelites to rejoice and go spend 10% of their income on wine and such and to enjoy life and glorify him.

P.S. Don't forget to follow. :-P