Celebrating Spring~

For the longest time, I thought I was lover of all things winter. The long, pointed icicles I'd find every morning, and the cozy family get-togethers that called for spontaneous reminiscing; it was my most favorite time of the year. However, this past winter hit me more like a stone rather than a fluffy snowflake. After Christmas, the cold got to my bones, and as my face paled from lack of sunlight, anxiety seemed to pervade every moment. The joy of Christmas fell away, as the temperatures also took a drastic plunge.

Looking back, I know I had a major case of the Winter Blues, and I'm no materialist, but I know the thoughts I was having were of chemical decent. Lack of sunlight and Vitamin D can cause negativity, and minor depression. Your brain struggles to produce serotonin and other anxiety-fighting agents. Throughout January and February, I felt plagued with unending sorrow and sadness that had some hidden root. However, I praise God for Spring, because it couldn't have come at a better time.

Now, I enjoy taking long walks in the  forest, the leafy ground showered in sun. Sometimes, I just stand in the sunlight and feel the heat build on my skin. The euphoria I experience makes me more and more thankful for the season of spring, where the old can thaw out and be absorbed by the seeds underneath, to ultimately produce newness. I believe that I am a seed too, and God sent down lots of snow and chilling temperatures.  But now I can't stop smiling, because spring is finally here, and joy is blooming in full.

Their Smiling Eyes: Love Guatemala Mission Trip

Day 1:

Day 1 is over, and I feel changed. The change I have experienced can not be defined by words. I know, I know-I am using a cliche. But I promise I am using the phrase in the most un-cliche way possible, because today was unlike anything I've experienced thus far.

Travel days call for Starbucks runs in DC  waiting for a transfer flight, impossible crossword puzzles in new-agey Air Travel magazines, and a spontaneous conversation with a Guatemalan. Let us focus on the latter.

I never got his name. It was on the flight from DC to Guatemala City that a friendly Guatemalan told me his story. The story he told me gave me a glimpse at the Guatamalan spirit. The Prologue to my very first mission trip started with him, as his narration made the rest of Day 1 all the more extraordinary. The Guatemalan said that he was a teacher, born in Guatemala, married to a Virginian. This Guatemalan travels back and forth between the U.S. and Guatemala to make money as a Spanish teacher in each. He told me about the national bird, the people, and the volcano that has wrecked Guatamala City twice before. He concluded his novella by giving me Guatemalan currency with a smile that said "We are family." Okay, but I just met you dude.

Little did I know, this encounter was my first bridge into Guatemala, and showed me the determination of the Guatamalan.

After Customs, we made our way out into a mass of people, all waving and shouting. Our mission leader stood tall over the Guatemalan mass of short stature. We followed Ben to the truck where he called Carlos to pick up the rest of us. Carlos arrived with a smile in his eyes. 

The drive to Magdelena was intense, as mild road rage ravaged the insanely busy streets. But after hairpin turns and 60 degree + hills, we arrived at Carlos & Thelma's house, our missionary hosts.

Upon establishing a plan for our stay in Magdalena, we were quickly off, and began visiting locals. The magic happened here, as what I saw was ethereal, and the unbelievability would not stop pulsing through my veins.

Lilli is a young girl enrolled at the art school. Her roof is a draped tarp, and her mother has a post-cancer infection, yet her eyes smiled widely at us.

Violetta is a member of the cooking school, who lives in a 9x9 foot room with two children and an alcoholic husband, yet her laugh could make a cloudy day the sunniest yet.

Spiritual poverty outweighs possessive poverty any day. Lying in bed here, reflecting on day 1, I just know there's something special about the Guatemalan people.

Day 2:

We got right to work on Day 2, scarfing down a delicious Guatemalan breakfast of plantains and Magdalena Bread. I can't forget the tortillas, which are served at every single meal.

The vocational training center we are centering our work around allows students to study art, carpentry, and cooking, to put themselves in the market-world and fall out of the cycle of poverty. The picture below is the mural our church painted, with the help of three extremely talented art students, on the wall of the VTC. I did the water!

Upon completing the mural, we continued visiting students. We met Carlos (not the same Carlos as our host), who offered up his days wages to give us Pepsi to drink. We also met Jacuelin, an inspiring young girl who plays the mother role for her family in a tiny tin house. Her mother left her family for another man.

We concluded the day with worship from my grandma Gail, my brother Logan, and myself. I felt moved, yet again.

The following are a few pictures from our first full day.

Day 3:

Leading worship for 50+ Guatamalan students was amazing. I had the privilege  of praising God's most holy name with extremely talented musicians native to Guatemala on the morning of Day 3.

After worship, we had the opportunity to visit all of the classes the vocational center offers, being art, carpentry, cooking, and English. The determination in the students showed how badly they wanted to get out of the cycle of poverty and support their families.

Next was building a kitchen for a family of 10 who all lived in a small hut. I got hugs from many of the kids, their grins contagious and beautiful. I didn't think it was possible, but with our team of 7 and a few hard-working Guatemalans, the job got 3/4 of the way complete as late afternoon unfolded. The heat was becoming unbearable.

We ended the day with visits, one of which was the family of Maynor. Maynor greeted me with a hug, and took delight in opening gifts from his sponsor, the Stamper family from Southpointe Church. He was so excited he couldn't contain himself! Maynor is enrolled in the art school and is extremely talented. Although this family doesn't have very much, and Maynor and his sister have to make daily treks up the mountain for firewood, the joy this family had was awe-inspiring.

Day 4:

Our last full-day.

Day 4 included finishing the kitchen, delivering food to the needy families we visited, and visiting Antigua, where we bargained with local artisans for Guatemalan crafts.

I'm shortening the description for this day, because this being the last full day of our trip, it called mostly for reflection:

I now have a new perspective on people. People, when born into wealth and good care, never have to depend on God if they don't feel inclined to. (Notice I am not saying those that are in good care and born into wealth don't need to depend on God.) The Guatemalan people, because day-to-day living is a challenge in itself, have to depend on God, and trust in him fully. Because of their trust in Christ, we can witness the array of fruits that bloom, most noticeably generosity. (Thelma, Carlos's wife, made a necklace and earrings for my mom, and almost every family we visited offered us something.)

Day 5:

I climbed a mountain today. A big one. Because it was our last day, 4 of us got up and hiked a steep mountain, where, at the top was a view of Guatamala City, three Guaramalan volcanoes, and jungle. On the way up, we saw many older women and children hiking up with axes and machetes to collect firewood. We only hiked the top half, driving up the first half, and I was out of breath after 10 minutes of hiking the insanely steep incline. Seeing the Guatamlan women and children conquer the mountain with such determination reminded me that these people, so dependent upon God, also have put their family's well-being #1 on their lists.

We left for the airport after his hike, and in an emotional farewell, we boarded the plane home...

Fruits,Vegetables, and Most Importantly Jesus

Call it a fad if you want, but fruits and vegetables are so IN right now. The "healthy/paleo/organic" lifestyle has brought about stores like Earth Fare & Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, and I for one am not complaining. More recently, I started juicing, smoothie-making, and eating super-duper healthy. Less half an hour ago, I had some crazy delicious green juice, featuring an apple, three leaves of romaine lettuce, and an organic lemon. No one can stop me now!

The high I get while I'm juicing or smoothie-making is pretty amazing. I feel even better when I read an article talking about the enzymes in the foods and the awesome things they can do for my body. But this vibrant lifestyle can only offer so much...after all, they're just fruits and vegetables! So can Jesus Christ offer this same sense of fulfillment for my life?

Yes. Actually, Christ's love for us is so empowering that He is all we need. Looking through the Gospels, particularly  in Mark, Christ calls his disciples by name to drop everything and follow Him. The thought of dropping everything today and following Christ is overwhelming to most Americans today, but the power of Christ can only shine through us if we devote every aspect of our lives to Him. Tony Robbins, an American author, once said, "Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment." This "sincere and selfless contribution" is synonymous with devoting our lives to Christ, because when one devotes his/her life to Christ, they are giving Christ the honor and glory for every single thing that happens in their life. Giving God the ultimate glory is the beginning of finding true fulfillment!

So yeah, worldly fulfillment may seem easy to achieve, but true, eternal fulfillment can only be achieved through Christ. Fruits and veggies sure are good, but Christ's love for me is so much sweeter!

A Social Whim~

This past week, I'm proud to say I put myself out on a social whim, and a powerfully engaging conversation with another Believer bloomed forth. The Upperclassman was a steadfast Christian, as far as I could tell, and so I started asking a series of eye-opening questions. "What church do you go to? Hmm. Is it more traditional? What do you think about (insert social issue here)?" The conversation unfolded into a philosophical conversation that engaged both me and her, and the conversation forced me to think beyond the realm of superficial beliefs. Superficial beliefs are that knowledge at the surface of your faith that doesn't define your beliefs, but is what has been crunched into your mind from your environment. Are they really your beliefs? I climbed deep into my heart, and discussed a variety of social issues and some topics that forced me to unbuckle from life's booster seats, and engage with another believer. Moral of the story? Put yourself out on a whim, and force yourself to dig deeper into your faith. I don't regret it even a little...

¿WWJD?

"What Would Jesus Do?" It's that phrase from Sunday School, the same place you tried to answer every question with "Jesus!" or with an undeniable attribute of God. However, if every Christian is asking him/herself this question, "WWJD?", shouldn't we see a society in which the Christian is coinciding with others in love, and spreading the gospel to the wicked, the corrupt, and the broken? Okay. Maybe that's a lot to ask. Christ was perfect, and well, we aren't, so there is a small bit of room for error even if we try our 100% best. However, even in this scenario, the world should still be teeming with our efforts to love & show compassion. I pose a simple question: Is it?

I think the powerful acronym, "WWJD", has been buried under problems that we think are relative to this day in age. Finances. Politics. Work. People think that Sunday's are for Jesus, and the other days are for personal success and growth. It's about "What Should I Do?" during the weekdays, and the "old-fashioned" phrase of "WWJD?" is a once-in-while "church" thing.

I hope you noticed my quotation marks around old-fashioned, and know that I don't agree with any coined terms like it that seem to be prominent in the church. I believe that the "WSID" mentality is the reason for the civil uproar directed at the church. Society has a negative prejudice against Christians because we are stunningly hypocritical, going to worship God on Sunday's and making statements of submission to the Prince of Peace, but going through our weeks with the mentality of only helping ourselves, and occasionally doing what we think Jesus would do, but usually just doing what brings glory to ourselves. For example, one might make a poetic FB post about an empowering lesson from church, and during their week, ridicule others and defy the very lesson they supposedly gained from church.

We must regain our footing, and stop stumbling on new-age motives of self-glory. Christ is the same as yesterday, unchanging. Therefore, in our valiant effort to be Christ-like, shouldn't we show unchanging devotion to Christ, and continuously exhibit devotion?

More Than Just a Soul~

In the words of the legendary author, John Steinbeck, "I have a new love for that glittering instrument, the human soul. It is a lovely and unique thing in the universe. It is always attacked and never destroyed." The soul is more than a mortal instrument  meant to bring prosperity. It is more like an amulet, being chased by two opposing forces, both forces capable of melding the amulet into destined eternity. Have you ever just stopped in the middle life's chaos, and thought about your soul? What defines a soul? Steinbeck defines the soul as a glittering instrument, a lovely and unique thing in all of the universe. Steinbeck clearly sees something explicitly powerful about the human soul, but do we? A soul, dictionary-defined as "the spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body", is something more valuable than any material pocession. I don't think many of us really understand this though. The human soul is intricately woven, and is not only what Christ aims for, but the Devil too. The soul is so powerful that the spiritual warfare that intensifies daily all revolves around the human soul. Every soul won by Christ is a victory. So if the soul is the target of the almighty Father and is pursued by the ultimate tempter, why is it ignored? Glory in Christ's name, thank God for winning your soul, and pray for your brother's soul, because a soul doesn't just give life, but the state of a single soul decides one's eternal destiny.

Meekness~

What defines meekness? According to our dictionary, meekness is...

• : having or showing a quiet and gentle nature : not wanting to fight or argue with other people

  And furthermore,

  : enduring injury with patience and without        

  resentment

 I wouldn't have looked this up if it weren't for the powerful words in the "Sermon on the Mount" that I read the other night. Meekness was one of the beatitudes, and yet I'd never heard a real definition for the word, or if I had, I had let it sink like an anchor in life's ocean.

Meekness.

So what?

I think this trait defines Christ's attitude in his most trying times. When Jesus was brutally beaten and bore the weight of a sinner, did he retaliate? Meekness is something that should be practiced by all. I think many of us think of meekness as having a gentle nature in the midst of physical trials. Physical pain. Verbal accusations. But what about mental & spiritual pains?

Jealousy, Vanity, and Hate are all attackers of the mind an soul, so why not find peace when these things attack? I wrote "meekness" on my finger today at school to remind me that in the midst of a trying, annoying environment like high school, I need to maintain meekness. Not retaliate, but endure the mental and spiritual trials that walk the halls of school with me.

It's a New Year~

New Years' are scary. Not to say that they don't have a hopeful, reassuring, positive side, but I honestly believe every New Year also has a side that is haunting. This scare comes from the uncertainty of another 365 days, not knowing what will happen; who will walk in to our lives, who will leave, what will happen to us...

For me, this uncertainty pertains to the wondering I have as to the decisions I will make as I try to discover God's will for my life. Being extremely self-concious, I am already expecting looks of disagreement and disapproval when others see new activities I want to implement into my life, and old activities I'm ready to let go of. But besides the fact that these imaginings are irrational, who cares what other people think? I must learn to let go of others' opinions. The depth and cosmic hugeness of another 365 days can be frightening, at least to me. Maybe you only see hope in a brand new year, and these words make absolutely no sense. However, in the face of this fear that you may or may not be experiencing, hold on to the name of Jesus, cling to the cross, and pray with thanksgiving. God will deliver.

Alternative Blog~

Greetings everyone! Because of the hustle and bustle that comes with the holiday season, it's been tough to get posts out there. However, go follow a new blog of mine made specifically for my poetry. 

www.afewshortpoems.blogspot.com 

Thank you! I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

A Midwinter's Poem:

(Partially inspired by Songs and People)

Chilly Fingers~

And the warmth of the fire pours through my soul,

The windows glitter in the sleepy lull.

I'm left to my vices, a forte to my virtues,

As my chilly fingers begin pulling for tissues.

Memories flood the gates of contentment,

And I hear the tickling of ivories at last,

And so, for now, in unexpected loss,

I let my chilly fingers finger through my thoughts.

They rustle the pages of past and future,

Dog-earing the dreams that have suffered the worst.

In Midwinter's Chill, as I fall ill to nostalgia,  

Present's icy lock melts, and I grab a spring umbrella.

Slipping Under~

A shadow in our dimension is but a dark patch that forms when an object moves in front of a light source. But life's shadow, as a whole, is much different. Life's shadow gets in the way of imperishable light, and hinders a person from seeing clearly while imposing a dark sillouette of itself. Many of us are stuck in this shadow, and are sinking deeper and deeper into its depths. Life's shadow doesn't have the effect of a mere human shadow. Life's shadow is a thick ink, infinitely deep, and life will do all it can to cast this shadow over us so that our souls are enswarmed in the oozing ink and we slip under. Once we fall under, we can't even see the edges of the shadow anymore, which means life has successfully made us unaware of the saving grace and light of the world, for Christ's light against the edges of life's shadow is the contrast that starts the spiritual fire. Slipping under fogs this contrast.

As I walk down the halls at school, I engage with some truly amazing people. However, I can't help but notice that many are ever so slowly sinking into life's shadow as they get caught up in athletics, academics, and human relationships. It's those students who are pushed to the edge by their parents to engage in their sports 24-7...or else. Or those who perform daily for the admiration of peers. This is not okay. Life's shadow is taking people under more than ever this day in age. It's an attack on the human soul, the "glittering instrument" within us all. What are you going to do to stop this? Are you already slipping under? I know I slip under often weekly. I just get so caught up in life. But no matter how shrouded you are in life's shadow, Christ's light will always find a way.

Our Natural Image~

James 1:23-27~

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.

24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. I think a vast majority of Christians today find themselves looking intently into life's mirror and they see themselves in their selfishness, but refuse to accept the tattered image before them. Many of us don't want to change, because that means straying from life's cliques and doing away with society's ways. May I remind you that Christ called us to count up the cost, drop everything, and follow him in faithful pursuit? Christ is the only one who's natural reflection portrays perfection. The rest of us should desire to exemplify even a mere fragment of this image. Our goals should pertain to being more focused doers, rather than just hearers, and the holiday is the perfect time to take action. Raise money for your favorite charity. Go caroling. Make an extra special surprise for your loved one. The writer of James, and ultimately God, make it clear that we should seek to remain unstained from the world. Christianity isn't just group or a label; it's even more than a lifestyle. It's what life is all about. And something with that high of a standing on life's spectrum deserves our everything.

The Greatest Priest~

I never knew that Hebrews was so revealing! In the beginning of Chapter 8, the main point of Chapter 7, (the chapter I would like to discuss), is summed up in two powerful verses.

Chapter 8: 1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent[fn] that the Lord set up, not man. Not only does this verse establish Christ's sovereign power over humanity, but it proclaims Christ as being a priest. Not just any priest, but "such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in heaven". Along with "Prince of Peace", and "Lion and the Lamb", we have a new way to look at Christ. I don't know about you, but for some odd reason, I've never really heard of this name before now. When looking at the eternal power and wholeness behind this name, I think many of us overlook what is being proclaimed. Christ, being the highest priest, shines light on principles that are bearing complete truth. So why, then, are so many Christians ignorant to the commands of Christ, and anxious to follow in the steps of man? Christ was clear that we are to love, and allow the Holy Spirit to bring about conviction in the hearts of men. So why are many Christians today seen as overly-judgmental and critical? What about the ten commandments, the commands that are to shape and meld the church as a whole? It's important that as Christians, we acknowledge Christ's role as the highest priest, and respect and follow His commandments to the best of our abilities.

An Anchored Soul~

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,

14 saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you."

15 And thus Abraham,[fn] having patiently waited, obtained the promise.

16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.

17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,

18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. As I read through Hebrews, and explored the glory and unbounded power of Christ, this passage jumped out at me. Is it not amazing, that God's covenant with Abraham, was in a binding partnership with the coming of our reedeeming Savior? In the midst of a broken and crumbling world, we can have this blessed assurance, because not only has Christ died for us, but he will return. "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul..."~can I put this on a Christmas ornament or something?

A Delicate Balance~

My father is the kind of man who won't stop until the job is done. What makes this worse is that my dad also is an achiever, one who won't turn the last light out until something of value has been completed. The genetics played out in my father's favor while I was in the womb, and so I was born with a fiery passion to accomplish task upon task. Not to say my mom isn't an achiever. Her desire is almost just as flaming, but she was blessed with the counteracting trait of harmony, so she has her limits.

As an achiever, I get SO caught up in what I need to do for school, what I need to turn in, etc. I begin analyzing what I should be doing differently to better manage my time. I tell myself I should be more involved at school. I tell myself, in short, that I'm not doing enough achieving, when in reality, I'm not doing enough breathing! There comes a time when we all have to let go and remember that this life isn't for our own benefit or glory. It's for the glory of Christ. In trying to be more involved in one area, and trying to meet standards or criterion in another area, I lose focus of my true mission: making disciples of every nation. In the end, being a top-notch athlete isn't going to matter. Being a member of half of the high school clubs won't matter either. What will matter is the heavenly rewards of heaven, and more importantly, God's eternal glory. I would encourage all of you to make a choice with me to reorient yourselves. Our moral compasses are subject to changing magnetic fields, as our lust-driven heart pulls for one thing, and the Holy Spirit another. Christ tells us we must give up everything, count up the cost, and decide to follow him. Achieving is good and all, but I know that I definitely need to stop trying so hard to achieve earthly rewards, and become more willing to achieve things in the church and in my own journey with Christ. 

The difference between my father's (earthly, or course) eagerness to achieve, and my own, is that my father is able to find a delicate balance in achieving things for the family and home, and for Christ and is kingdom. It's a sort of teeter-totter. I know I'm far from balanced, and it's time that I let go, and find that balance of will.

Seeds of Doubt~

Do. Hard. Things. Why? Because the outcome of pushing yourself to the edge of human limits will grow you not just as a person, but in your spiritual walk with Christ. Psalms 118:6 says, "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Phillipians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Psalms 23:4 says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." What do we gain from these verses? That we can do all things with the help of Christ, fearing no evil, and fearing nothing that may hinder us from doing what we seek to do. Doing hard things is no easy challenge. Doing hard things means accepting the challenges that bring discomfort, humiliation, and frustration. However, with the help of Christ, we gain perseverance, integrity, and empowerment from these tough challenges. Seeds of doubt are often sowed in our minds by the infamous Devil, and by those around us who aren't doing a very good job of building us up. God, however, can clear our heads of these seeds if we just say YES, and go against the desire to cower away from the challenges ahead of us. So accept the challenge, even when those seeds of doubt tell you otherwise, and danger lies ahead. Remember, Christ triumphs in the end!

Undeniable~

At a recent bible study, we were discussing the physical evidence for God as part of an apologetics study, and the universe in its infinitely large proportions was brought to the table. However, I couldn't get my mind off of a whole other aspect of evidence for a spiritual entity, whom we call God. How about answered prayers, or spiritual revivals? I know that I have experienced God not only in his physical creation, but spiritually. What many of us forget is that God is spiritually engaged with us, more so than it seems. He hears us, and wants to grow closer to us. This should be all of the more proof for a creator than the physical evidence, because there's an eternal God who answers prayers and works in our sin-ridden hearts! Just a little thought as you go about your days today...

Christ's Redeeming Love~

I recently read David Kinnaman's UnChristian, an eye-opening read in which Christianity was retold through the eyes of a new generation. The statistics and facts all supported the point that modern-day Chrisianity has a dangerous image problem that is turning people away from Christ. The author focused on key reasons so many people are repelled by what the Christian Church has to offer. One of these reasons was that "Modern Christians are Perceived as Being Anti-homosexuality". The sad part is that I, as a fellow believer, completely agree with this. Having a lesbian friend at school, I know the hardships of those who are attracted to the same sex. Although this issue makes many feel squirmy and uncomfortable, the topic of homosexuality needs to be addressed, as an emerging generation of believers is in the midst of a Gay Rights Movement.

The authors of the book probably put it best, but I'd like to reiterate what was said with a little bit of an alternative spin on things. First of all, the bible does forbid homosexuality. Knowing this, we know that we do not have to agree with the sexual preferences of those around us. However, we do need to love these people whole-heartedly, and share with them Christ's redeeming love. Being "Same-Sex-Attracted" is an extremely difficult struggle that can make one feel like they're unable to live a deep, well-grounded life. However, if we share our own love, and Christ's great love with these unique people, we can help them overcome the tough barriers ahead of them. This means that we can help homosexuals in reaching sexual celibacy along with sexual purity. However, in doing this, Christians can get a little judgemental, and some don't even think to give a hand to homosexuals, and these leads to what society might call "Gay-Hating". These are the people who publicly crack jokes about gays, and insult gays because they are abnormal and are hard to relate with. Let's maybe alter this approach. We should love on people's of all kinds, even if we don't agree with their decisions. If you can help a homosexual reach sexual celibacy, great! If not, your love should remain unaltered. Would God love you any less if you committed a sin? Regardless of your feelings on this topic, the Christian Church must at least be willing to share the news of Christ's Redeeming love for all.

The Christian Woods~

The woods. The tall trees, expansive across acres upon acres, each with thousands of leaves clinging to their countless branches. The woods is a place of beauty, serenity, and peace, but as we know, the woods also scares many away, with its array of creatures. I can kind of see the Christian Church as a woods, a collection of species abroad, all with different intentions. I see Jesus Christ as a aromatic pine tree, calling wanderers of the woods with a crisp scent. Around this great tree are hundreds of other trees, such as the gentle maple, and the triumphant oak. These trees represent the Christians who had an undying passion for Christ. The martyrs, the life-changing missionaries, the brave rebels of foreign religions, are all a tree somewhere in this great forest. You see, the trees provide a cooling shade for wanderers, and extend their long branches over foreign heads. They show grace to all who come by. These trees produce thousands of seeds, symbolizing the legions of Christians that were inspired by them. Besides the trees, there are also leaves, and creatures abroad. Some, such as wolves, stalk pray at night, and consume other creatures of the woods when no one is watching. This would symbolize the judgementalism and hypocrisy in the church, and the harsh accusers who push fellow Christians out of the church, or out of the woods in this case. However, as we know, Satan is the root of all evil in the woods, being a snake. Outsiders hiking the forest are mesmerized by his striking colors, but before they know it, the are venemously stricken by Satan's lethal bite. In between the creatures of the dark and the trees & seeds...are fallen leaves. This makes up the bulk of the Christian Church and of the woods. We originally are found a bright green, attached to the trees that are the framework of Christianity. We are dangling from the firm branches with child-like faith, fearless, ready to make something happen. But the moment that cold, bitter wind picks up, we can no longer hold on to the firm branches of our ancestors, and we are swept down onto the forest floor. We realize that we never went anywhere with our faith, and we don't really know what it means to be a Christian. It's just a label we always gave to ourself. Many of these once youthful leaves simply shrivel up on the forest floor, and are crushed under outsiders feet because they are unable to defend their unchanged faith, and reasons for being part of the woods! 

This analogous comparison to the church is pretty accurate in my opinion, but I guess it's not perfect.  In spite of the few kinks in this analogy, I want you to put yourself somewhere in this great forest. Obviously, the pine tree is already taken, and many of the other trees have already taken root. However, will you be a seed, following in the enrooting of dozens of other trees, soon to be a tree of your own? Or maybe leaf, a little blip in the Christian community that doesn't even know the first thing about grace, forgiveness, and Christ's love. Are you that wolf, scaring outsiders away from the church? The good thing about this analogy is that you are allowed to repaint the picture to better match where you hope to be in the upcoming years (in relation to the Christian Church).

Take a Vacation~

I'm now home from a Floridian Paradise, a vacation well-spent with my brothers and cousins. This vacation was much needed, as I believe my whole family needed some relaxing. The moment I set foot onto the white sand beach, a few steps from our back patio, I was overcome with an open sense of relaxation. To me, the salty smell of the ocean, riding fast on an Atlantic breeze, is rejuvenating. If you're a mom or a coffee addict, imagine the feeling you get when the smell of your morning roast coffee wafts into your bedroom and beckons you from the recesses of our bed. The smell of the ocean creates that feeling in me, calling me towards it's foaming waves. This vacation, I boogie-boarded, body-boarded, and ocean kayaked. These ocean sports are so awesome, and are always a highlight of my Florida vacations. How is this of any encouragement to you? I firmly believe that vacationing is of upmost importance when it comes to how well we function in our daily lives. I came home from the beach with a renewed passion for my artsy projects, and felt quite ecstatic to sleep in my own bed again. I felt a sort of aspiration. A vacation, even if not in the stereotypical "Florida", is an awesome source of spirit and joy. We can receive a renewed passion for what we do by taking a step outside of our typical day-to-day realities, and taking a step into an alternate reality in which we put our daily routines on hold. When given the opportunity to vacate from our daily lives and relax, it is often worth it, as we will renter our daily lives with 100% of our energy, versus the 60 or 50 percent of energy we had before the vacation period. So yes, I'm telling you to take a vacation, as it rejuvenates you, gives you an increased passion for whatever it is you do, and most importantly, it gives you more time to focus on God.