Dang, Cuz

This middle schooler is SERIOUS. No really, watch her face. LOL. She be making judges cry and everything. LOVE it.

This video reminds me of the children's book I recently read, Bridge to Terebithia, and also the one called Where the Wild Things Are. There's something unique and amazing about these kinds of stories. I miss them.

Oh, to be free and to let our imaginations run wild like children through the woods...

Reconciliation

I'm still amazed at how my sister and I reconciled last Friday. I was ready to just give up trying and accept another failed attempt at resolving conflict. Especially since our sit-down with Carina earlier last week ended miserably. I was mostly shocked that it was my sister who initiated the apology and reconciliation this time. I felt like there was no hope for that. And I struggle to be alright with a person when they do not admit guilt or fault at all. It's something I need to grow more in and be humbled by. I thank God because I know it is He who has initiated this again with us, this time through her, and I pray that I am able to let Jesus destroy more of my pride so that his seed of humility can be planted much deeper into my heart.

Minus the dramatic elements of this video, I like it. It makes me smile to see someone with legitimate talent give it a shot. He may be there for the money and the fame more than anything else, but an element of truth and beauty in the human spirit and experience can be subtly seen, too. I like that about talent shows, and in particular, the X-Factor.

The Resurrection Body

1. New Body
2. New Creation
3. Responsibility

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

The perishable and corruptible will be raised imperishable and incorruptible. We cannot bring our sin with us into God's kingdom. Not our shame, our addictions, our selfishness, our sickness, our pride, our depression, our unforgiveness, our lust, our quick-temper, our anything. It's sad that we primarily think of ourselves in terms of our sin. We let those things define who we are. For instance, I would say that I am a cynical, sarcastic and sometimes rather aloof person. I have a pride problem and suffer from depressing thoughts. I get emotionally detached and often lack genuine love for others, especially if we are in conflict. None of these parts of me will last. Whatever is not of God is perishable and will be destroyed. We live in a fallen world and have been corrupted by it. But there is another reality that is possible. There has been a seed of resurrection planted in each of us. We can either surrender ourselves - our broken parts and our best attempts - to Jesus, or we can silently submit to our great enemy, Death. As much as Satan would like us to believe that all that comprises us is a myriad of sins, fortunately this is not the case.

And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

There are parts of us, little in comparison to our sin most likely, that will remain and live on into eternity. A meek and humble spirit, Jesus tells us, will inherit the earth and receive the kingdom. It is who we are when we are most surrendered to Jesus that has a chance to enter the kingdom. Where have we been compassionate and generous? When have we repented and given God his glory? There is incentive to invest our hearts and live for Jesus now: more of ourselves will remain in eternity. We can begin building integrity and conforming our character to the likeness of Jesus now. Today even. Lord, help us to relinquish more and more control over to you.

“Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have been freed by Christ from the power of sin and death. We no longer have to fear! We are now clothed in immortality, and we will be raised in glory on the day of resurrection. But now we are responsible for sharing that truth with those who do not yet know the hope of Jesus. The world cannot answer the question that death poses. We ignore it as it creeps up and takes one life at a time, as if it were some natural and benign process. As if "they will live on in our memories and hearts" makes any sense at all. We rebuke this mindset because we know it to be a lie. And a very dangerous one because it masks the reality of the eternal suffering to come for all those who do not choose Jesus in this life. If he is not their hope, if he is not their Sovereign Lord and God, then they have chosen sin and the death that is its crowning achievement. This sobering truth should then compel us to:

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

God created the world. We corrupted it, and have in turn been corrupted by it. Our sin has led to disorder, chaos, evil, pain and death. This spiritual concept has had very real and very negative physical consequences in our lives. But the resurrection of Jesus invaded this world of entropy and began the work of new creation. It is going on right now in us, in other people and all over the earth. His kingdom has broken into the mess we have made, and he is redeeming it and reconciling it to the Father. There is beauty being restored. Can you see it? Have you experienced it? Jesus is here and his battle against the evils of sin and death is being fought. The work of the Lord is advancing, and his kingdom is being established more and more. Let us join in this labor of fighting injustice and darkness, first in ourselves and then in others, all the while knowing that this battle is not in vain. God has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, and His Kingdom will last forever and ever! Amen.

Creativity At Work

Man, I don't know that I can be this creative at my boring job. This is great.

It's not a soup line, it's a restaurant. That's why they call it Trinity Cafe.

This can happen to anyone. Homelessness has no special color. It happens to all of us.

Understand the human family. Their faces look an awful lot like me.

mi uva regresa

y yo soy feliz :)

i should've went to Colombia with him this time rather than in May, but i'm sure we'll have plenty more opportunities in the future. and i can't wait :-D

Friday's Fight & Today's Sermon

Why do I give in to the flesh and snap back? I need the patience of God. I'm lacking in His humility and love, even as I'm reading a book on humility. Sigh... Lord, please give me your grace to change and to follow you better... to hold my tongue and to heed the Spirit's voice. Jesus, help me to trust you more. Forgive me of my sin and teach me to live a life marked by repentance. I want my heart to be prepared for you. Lord, help me to let go of my pride and submit to your Way.