The mind is a marvelous thing. It allows the person, if allowed, to imagine, create and connect things from the past and present. One idea from years ago can come running back and be lifted into a new idea in a matter of seconds, only to be lost in half the time.
I have spoken of reaching for goals, and letting the mind wonder, and thinking outside the box. This blog is merely and outlet of thoughts with connections I can scarcely describe or begin to understand. It is an outlet and free flow of consciousness the begins with an unknown ending that causes me to wonder where it may go and end.
With time I think I'm learning much to the secrets of life. What per say can these secrets be? well I feel they are not truly secrets, but really the overlooked and the opposite of what we might think. It seems the common expression today is I don't understand, I don't know, or what if? What if we dug deeper, by digging less. In our information-ally enriched society we long to dig, to read between the lines, or find the hidden understanding. I feel however we miss the point many times or skip past to the ending.
We don't need many words, like solomon a simple saying can be more insightful and challenging than a dictionary or terms. We have learned to react. We have learned to do as much by doing as little as possible. We have learned not to take some things at face value before we peal back the layers.
Many people have asked me what I want to do in the next few years, what job I want to get, or what my goals are. And without a doubt I can say I will go, where I end up; because I am, who I am. I have many possibilities, options, and goals I want to accomplish, but only one truly matters. And that is becoming who I truly am. My actions, my goals, and possibilities will be formed around who I am and value. But you only become who you are by letting yourself believe in your true values and desires.
The true secrets to life are right in front of our faces and we scarcely recognize the existence of such a simple answer or are willing to accept what it entails.
We are what we are; we will be who we want to be; and we will chase what we truly want to chase, if we let ourselves.
For me, life is the rest, the pause, and the enjoyment of the moment not the activities and the day to day chores.
What is it to you?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Living MY Life
Life is distracting. Life for many is all about what is going on around them; who is wearing what, what the next scandal is, or what is the best way to wear my hair. Life lived in such a way leads to never becoming one's self. Without living your life you never have a life, and without having a life how does one expect to feel satisfied?
These past few months I have been caught up in the game of Life. I've lived focusing on school, or the next event, or that one girl that keeps sitting beside me. It has been an exciting adventure and I have learned and accomplished much, but at what cost? I seem to have put many things on hold and have bypassed many things.
I have learned a lot this past year one of which is to look back on the past and learn, and not give in to the same things that you had before. One great example is the bible. It is a text of repeated blunders. From the beginning it is a story or overcoming and learning. As the story progresses it continues to reflect upon itself. It even points out continued faults of God's people repeated generation after generation for thousands of years.
Just like god's people thousands of years ago we continue to fall into these same mistakes just as we ourselves fall into the same things over and over. Whether they are temptations or sins, or just putting things off until another time. We are human, we make mistakes; but our goal is to learn, to adapt, and to put into practice what we have learned.
I have learned a lot this past year, but the most important thing is to live my life; to chase YOUR goals; and to learn from your mistakes. Without taking a chance on yourself and giving yourself a shot, you will never be completely satisfied. You will always wonder and wish, but you will only be able to act for so long; so stop, think, and reach for your goals.
These past few months I have been caught up in the game of Life. I've lived focusing on school, or the next event, or that one girl that keeps sitting beside me. It has been an exciting adventure and I have learned and accomplished much, but at what cost? I seem to have put many things on hold and have bypassed many things.
I have learned a lot this past year one of which is to look back on the past and learn, and not give in to the same things that you had before. One great example is the bible. It is a text of repeated blunders. From the beginning it is a story or overcoming and learning. As the story progresses it continues to reflect upon itself. It even points out continued faults of God's people repeated generation after generation for thousands of years.
Just like god's people thousands of years ago we continue to fall into these same mistakes just as we ourselves fall into the same things over and over. Whether they are temptations or sins, or just putting things off until another time. We are human, we make mistakes; but our goal is to learn, to adapt, and to put into practice what we have learned.
I have learned a lot this past year, but the most important thing is to live my life; to chase YOUR goals; and to learn from your mistakes. Without taking a chance on yourself and giving yourself a shot, you will never be completely satisfied. You will always wonder and wish, but you will only be able to act for so long; so stop, think, and reach for your goals.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Come Back After the Paint Dries
This semester in school has been a time sucker. I have little time to do anything, but what is assigned, but it has become a great learning experience. I have grown and expanded and come to know who I am and what I understand much more clearly than ever before. much has happened is these past few months. we've elected a new president, for better or worse, it's who we've gained and now after a splitting of the country we must come together under one flag, under one symbol and under one man. and while he holds not the whole country in his hands, but is a symbol of who and what we represented. He is someone that we have chosen to be our leader for these upcoming years.
Our economy has suffered greatly and has fluctuated up and down and has scared many citizen and other countries around the world, yet it is hanging on still. and numerous other incidents around the global and right down to your own backyard or living room.
But the one thing that has become more and more evident in these past few months is that you have to wait for the paint to dry. When you want to put a second coat of paint on a wall or canvas you need to wait until the first is completely dry. This can be the hardest thing for any designer, artist, homeowner, or politician, but it is a necessity. but what I've discovered its more than just waiting, it also gives you the chance to step back, get your mind off of it, and come back with fresh eyes. These fresh eyes help to find mistakes, problem areas, or rework something to make it more pleasing or stable. These periods or breaks can be more productive than the actual painting or planning.
But this concept applies to more than just painting, it applies to politics, natural human growth, school, religion, etc... Taking a min. to step back get away and come back with fresh eyes can help you clean up the plan, the picture, the mistakes and redirect everything in a more clear, planned and elegant direction. so take a second, stop and smell the flowers, read a chapter of your bible that you've been wanting to read, or maybe wait for the layer of paint to dry before laying another layer on. Take a break in your busy schedule an reflect and remember where you came from, how you got to where you are, and where you want to go.
Our economy has suffered greatly and has fluctuated up and down and has scared many citizen and other countries around the world, yet it is hanging on still. and numerous other incidents around the global and right down to your own backyard or living room.
But the one thing that has become more and more evident in these past few months is that you have to wait for the paint to dry. When you want to put a second coat of paint on a wall or canvas you need to wait until the first is completely dry. This can be the hardest thing for any designer, artist, homeowner, or politician, but it is a necessity. but what I've discovered its more than just waiting, it also gives you the chance to step back, get your mind off of it, and come back with fresh eyes. These fresh eyes help to find mistakes, problem areas, or rework something to make it more pleasing or stable. These periods or breaks can be more productive than the actual painting or planning.
But this concept applies to more than just painting, it applies to politics, natural human growth, school, religion, etc... Taking a min. to step back get away and come back with fresh eyes can help you clean up the plan, the picture, the mistakes and redirect everything in a more clear, planned and elegant direction. so take a second, stop and smell the flowers, read a chapter of your bible that you've been wanting to read, or maybe wait for the layer of paint to dry before laying another layer on. Take a break in your busy schedule an reflect and remember where you came from, how you got to where you are, and where you want to go.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
True Colors
I was reminded of this when an episode on the history of paint came on the history channel, and now even more I can see the significance and power of work camps and symbolically taking down the fence and removing the bushes and trees we put up to block either imperfections (that paint does help cover, yet can not still be seen on close inspection...) or to just be ashamed of the truth of to be associated with that color or whatever it may be.
the church is paint on wood, on metal, on flesh - to show the world the true colors of the underlying reality principles. We are the Paint, Neigh We are the Colors of the world, the reflection of beauty and a creative spirit larger than ourself. We are the true colors of Christianity, the world does not see the words, but they see our lives.
Reality principle number 1 - We are fragile, we need protection from the elements so we don't wear, rust, and become dust. We can not live in the open of the world, we would fade fast and would soon end in misery, and receive all our pleasure and rewards and treasures in that short time here on earth. The paint we coat our lives with as Christians helps protect us, it shows us how to live, and also builds up our inheritance for the long hall where moth and rust will not destroy.
Reality principle number 2 - were not the center of the universe - their is something bigger, something greater than you or me. We are not just a structure, or lone being created by an inconceivable small chance, we have a plan a purpose a direction that only could be given to us be the author, creator, writing himself into our story. We just have to learn and accept the fact that we are not really in control. We have control of our decisions and our direction, but the path and stipulations have been set long before our short life. We must give the center, our pride and earthly desires, up and let God work through us to do his purpose that he shows us to accomplish more than we can ever fathom and more than we will see in our lifetime or small scope of senses that he gave us to view this play we are in.
Reality principle number 3 - we do not really have it until we show it, we can't show the world, until we put it on. We can not possible expect to be Christians unless we act like one, sound like one, look like one on the inside and out. Like paint we have to put it on before we can see it all together. We can not know the outcome until its done. We can ponder or in-vision or think we know, but we can not fully see, until it is shown.
Reality number 4 - were not all the same exact color, yet all have the same base. we have a foundation of pure white that not only gives us a firm base and something to draw strength from, but also helps to show our colors better and more brilliantly for the true creator and center of our lives, family, communities and world. We all have strengths weaknesses for a reason, we were all made to help something or someone in a special way, and when we all combine our strengths we cover up our weakness and create a front of more than this world, we create a movement that will change the world.
We make life, religion, and God to hard. We have more than we could ever read or understand about it, but we already have what we need. We have ourselves and a small little book of guidelines and a church, a family, a brother to lean on. we don't truly need that much to understand and grow in faith and understanding. We just need to use the time we have to learn and understand the simple truth of the matter. And to realize we'll never figure it all out or understand why, but to share the gospel we need to make a united front and work as a team, a unit, a family. We need to stop making so many rules and regulations and just look at the simple truth. We are nothing, we are not in control and only one thing will save us. But how do we do that? We dedicate our lives to giving up ourselves for a purpose a being so powerful, mind blowing, and life changing. We don't return to the world, but create a new world of eternity, happiness, and peace.
This all sounds simple enough, and yet is so close to impossible to accomplish. I know for a fact I have as much work as the next to lay on the paint, but first we must set our minds and focus on the goal. Not a number, or figuring out what's "right", or opinions, but on the one who will provide if we give it all to him.
the church is paint on wood, on metal, on flesh - to show the world the true colors of the underlying reality principles. We are the Paint, Neigh We are the Colors of the world, the reflection of beauty and a creative spirit larger than ourself. We are the true colors of Christianity, the world does not see the words, but they see our lives.
Reality principle number 1 - We are fragile, we need protection from the elements so we don't wear, rust, and become dust. We can not live in the open of the world, we would fade fast and would soon end in misery, and receive all our pleasure and rewards and treasures in that short time here on earth. The paint we coat our lives with as Christians helps protect us, it shows us how to live, and also builds up our inheritance for the long hall where moth and rust will not destroy.
Reality principle number 2 - were not the center of the universe - their is something bigger, something greater than you or me. We are not just a structure, or lone being created by an inconceivable small chance, we have a plan a purpose a direction that only could be given to us be the author, creator, writing himself into our story. We just have to learn and accept the fact that we are not really in control. We have control of our decisions and our direction, but the path and stipulations have been set long before our short life. We must give the center, our pride and earthly desires, up and let God work through us to do his purpose that he shows us to accomplish more than we can ever fathom and more than we will see in our lifetime or small scope of senses that he gave us to view this play we are in.
Reality principle number 3 - we do not really have it until we show it, we can't show the world, until we put it on. We can not possible expect to be Christians unless we act like one, sound like one, look like one on the inside and out. Like paint we have to put it on before we can see it all together. We can not know the outcome until its done. We can ponder or in-vision or think we know, but we can not fully see, until it is shown.
Reality number 4 - were not all the same exact color, yet all have the same base. we have a foundation of pure white that not only gives us a firm base and something to draw strength from, but also helps to show our colors better and more brilliantly for the true creator and center of our lives, family, communities and world. We all have strengths weaknesses for a reason, we were all made to help something or someone in a special way, and when we all combine our strengths we cover up our weakness and create a front of more than this world, we create a movement that will change the world.
We make life, religion, and God to hard. We have more than we could ever read or understand about it, but we already have what we need. We have ourselves and a small little book of guidelines and a church, a family, a brother to lean on. we don't truly need that much to understand and grow in faith and understanding. We just need to use the time we have to learn and understand the simple truth of the matter. And to realize we'll never figure it all out or understand why, but to share the gospel we need to make a united front and work as a team, a unit, a family. We need to stop making so many rules and regulations and just look at the simple truth. We are nothing, we are not in control and only one thing will save us. But how do we do that? We dedicate our lives to giving up ourselves for a purpose a being so powerful, mind blowing, and life changing. We don't return to the world, but create a new world of eternity, happiness, and peace.
This all sounds simple enough, and yet is so close to impossible to accomplish. I know for a fact I have as much work as the next to lay on the paint, but first we must set our minds and focus on the goal. Not a number, or figuring out what's "right", or opinions, but on the one who will provide if we give it all to him.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Reflection
The other night I was walking back to my room and looked toward the sky to see a very tremendous sight. The moon shinning in all its glory, yet even then something wasn’t quite right. The clouds and haze had covered it just enough that the light peaked few, but all will still fuzzy. Now this may sound a little Odd, but at the moment I stopped and my jaw dropped, That has been how the world has been for me and in everyone’s lives so much and especially for me recently.
So what am I saying exactly? Well there are so many directions this concept can go, but the main one that applies to everyone is that we see God’s Glory through the stories and writings in the bible, in the people we see, and the world he created, but still we can’t quite get it; Were still a little off or things maybe are just a little fuzzy. We don’t have all the fine details and everyone will never agree on every point.
But we can all see the light, and most would agree that it’s really there and not a figment of our imagination.
But he called us to be a light so that his light might shine on earth, yet we are all separate, and with numbers comes strength. So when we come together as a Christian body we not only are worshiping, but we are also reflecting the very thing God shows us. We reflect a body of light one that is not all completely the same and maybe a little blurry on some thing, but people should not be able to overlook the light. They have the option of ignoring or not accepting it, but if the light is not being shown then we have to ask why?
Why can no one see the light, why can we as a body not even see the light?
We spend enough time looking at ourselves and making sure we look presentable in the Earthly realm, but how often do we look to the spiritual? When was the last time we compared our spiritual lives and activities with what the spiritual world calls for; once a day? Week? Month? Maybe even year or years? And yet God calls you to keep our minds on that continually.
So next time you look in a mirror or the son just stop think, am I going the right direction?
When was the last time I focused more on spiritual perception than earthly? And I’ll admit I fall into this trap over and over, yet with a group of believers tied together with the common bonds of Christ and the bible as a guide we should together build a strong light one that does begin to resemble the spiritual realm and then, will we truly begin to make progress towards accomplishing our goal of spending eternity with our Father in the beautiful mansion he has prepared for us in a land of Paradise.
So what am I saying exactly? Well there are so many directions this concept can go, but the main one that applies to everyone is that we see God’s Glory through the stories and writings in the bible, in the people we see, and the world he created, but still we can’t quite get it; Were still a little off or things maybe are just a little fuzzy. We don’t have all the fine details and everyone will never agree on every point.
But we can all see the light, and most would agree that it’s really there and not a figment of our imagination.
But he called us to be a light so that his light might shine on earth, yet we are all separate, and with numbers comes strength. So when we come together as a Christian body we not only are worshiping, but we are also reflecting the very thing God shows us. We reflect a body of light one that is not all completely the same and maybe a little blurry on some thing, but people should not be able to overlook the light. They have the option of ignoring or not accepting it, but if the light is not being shown then we have to ask why?
Why can no one see the light, why can we as a body not even see the light?
We spend enough time looking at ourselves and making sure we look presentable in the Earthly realm, but how often do we look to the spiritual? When was the last time we compared our spiritual lives and activities with what the spiritual world calls for; once a day? Week? Month? Maybe even year or years? And yet God calls you to keep our minds on that continually.
So next time you look in a mirror or the son just stop think, am I going the right direction?
When was the last time I focused more on spiritual perception than earthly? And I’ll admit I fall into this trap over and over, yet with a group of believers tied together with the common bonds of Christ and the bible as a guide we should together build a strong light one that does begin to resemble the spiritual realm and then, will we truly begin to make progress towards accomplishing our goal of spending eternity with our Father in the beautiful mansion he has prepared for us in a land of Paradise.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Proud to be Different
We were all made different; to act different, have different talents. Then why do we all try to be the same? It has been the worlds curse to us to dictate the culture and many beliefs the world holds as truth. We were all made in the Image of God, yet we all are different and for good reason. We are also called to be different, to stand out from the world and to be a shining light of hope and eternal happiness.
In Ezekiel we read about the many strange doings of the prophet and how he not only made the point and explained things, he also stood out. But he did not just stand out because of who he was he went out of his way to have people as him what the purpose for what he was doing.
So when was the last time someone asked you, what are you doing? How many times to we just blow it off and say nothing. This is our chance to explain whom we are, to create a deeper relationship and to be the shining light. Now that doesn’t mean run around and act stupid and then shove your beliefs down other’s throats, and that also doesn’t mean stand on the corner of the street and scream about the final judgment and how all sinners and need repentance.
It also does not mean you have to make that many changes. You may have to be slightly more outgoing or ignore normal traditions of the world you’ve been influenced by (which in a few years will be completely different, just look at how fast clothing styles come and go!) But it means you have a talent. You have something or things that you can use to show a light even just a glimpse to the world.
I’ve recently changed to a belief not to hide the gift God has given me for art. I know I’m not the best and I never will be, but I have a gift for using it and making it appealing to others. I can sit for hours and work alone or on a crowded street, and it everyday helps strengthen my love and passion for what I Love and have adored and what I feel I was made for.
Now the question is how to use it? What do I do when I’ve discovered my gift? Or how do I start to begin learning to look?
They’re is no one way or correct way to reach a use for a particular use of a gift one can use, But there is a wrong way. The wrong way is: A) to not use it at all and B) not give god the glory.
But how do we use it? How can you not see is really the question. It will be something you love anyway and you will want to participate and use it in some way or another. It may not come to you over night or even in a week or two, but over time it will be revealed to you, it is something to think, pray, and meditate about. But in the mean time do whatever you can to cultivate and grow your gift to something great to show God’s glory and power.
I do not know where this training will lead me. I do not know how I will influence or use this gift as a light, but I do know I will not ignore it. I will leave it to him, do as much as I can with it and see where it and my heart takes me and where God guides me.
So don’t sit back, be a Christian and do what your called, find your gift by trying everything (and it can always change with time) find something you love and use it. Whether its art, music, writing, teaching, speaking, listening, encouragement, even if your good at babysitting or serving food you can still be used in God’s service. We were not all created equal or the same, but different; and these difference should be acknowledged and capitalized on to spread the light.
We have all been given something special from God to use, so lets use it!
In Ezekiel we read about the many strange doings of the prophet and how he not only made the point and explained things, he also stood out. But he did not just stand out because of who he was he went out of his way to have people as him what the purpose for what he was doing.
So when was the last time someone asked you, what are you doing? How many times to we just blow it off and say nothing. This is our chance to explain whom we are, to create a deeper relationship and to be the shining light. Now that doesn’t mean run around and act stupid and then shove your beliefs down other’s throats, and that also doesn’t mean stand on the corner of the street and scream about the final judgment and how all sinners and need repentance.
It also does not mean you have to make that many changes. You may have to be slightly more outgoing or ignore normal traditions of the world you’ve been influenced by (which in a few years will be completely different, just look at how fast clothing styles come and go!) But it means you have a talent. You have something or things that you can use to show a light even just a glimpse to the world.
I’ve recently changed to a belief not to hide the gift God has given me for art. I know I’m not the best and I never will be, but I have a gift for using it and making it appealing to others. I can sit for hours and work alone or on a crowded street, and it everyday helps strengthen my love and passion for what I Love and have adored and what I feel I was made for.
Now the question is how to use it? What do I do when I’ve discovered my gift? Or how do I start to begin learning to look?
They’re is no one way or correct way to reach a use for a particular use of a gift one can use, But there is a wrong way. The wrong way is: A) to not use it at all and B) not give god the glory.
But how do we use it? How can you not see is really the question. It will be something you love anyway and you will want to participate and use it in some way or another. It may not come to you over night or even in a week or two, but over time it will be revealed to you, it is something to think, pray, and meditate about. But in the mean time do whatever you can to cultivate and grow your gift to something great to show God’s glory and power.
I do not know where this training will lead me. I do not know how I will influence or use this gift as a light, but I do know I will not ignore it. I will leave it to him, do as much as I can with it and see where it and my heart takes me and where God guides me.
So don’t sit back, be a Christian and do what your called, find your gift by trying everything (and it can always change with time) find something you love and use it. Whether its art, music, writing, teaching, speaking, listening, encouragement, even if your good at babysitting or serving food you can still be used in God’s service. We were not all created equal or the same, but different; and these difference should be acknowledged and capitalized on to spread the light.
We have all been given something special from God to use, so lets use it!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Can You Live Without…?
10On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." 13Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Luke 13:10-13 NIV
Have you ever play a sport and the coach tells you or everyone practices with his or her weak hand? Does he tell you that to make fun of you or just for kicks? No everyone knows that to be good you have to be able to use both your left and right, so you can use both on the court or field.
Have any of you been forced to maybe not use a limb (arm, leg, etc…) maybe broken it or something along those lines? Was it your strong or weak hand?
Well recently I fractured the radius on my dominant arm, which cause me to change many routines and do things in different ways. It cause a lot of problems at first, and still does from time to time, but you learn to overcome and do things differently without using your arm. Now I didn’t have to have a sling or anything and I could still use it to maybe write and draw with after a few days, but it has started to help me truly understand this verse and another that I’ll get to in a second.
Jesus has the power to Heal, to bring back your life, as you know it. Now I know my arm will heal soon, but it still makes it tough in the mean time. Jesus could just say a word and it would be healed… We need to rely on him for healing, but we also need to be patient an dlet him work in his own time. And in the mean time maybe I’ll learn something or see something in a different way.
But it has also made me think about other things…
7"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! 8If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Matthew 18:7-9 NIV
Self-sacrifice is something Jesus also called us to. We have to be willing to tear away anything that will hinder us from his way weather it’s our dominate hand or leg, our tongue, family, TV, or even friends…
To me, my dominant hand is my whole livelihood for the rest of my life. Being an art major loosing my right arm could have serious consequences, but it may also have a better outcome if something were to happen to it. I may be able to spend my time doing something more important or do something better with my left hand who knows. We have to be willing to give up anything, and leave the decisions to him and make the best of every situation.
As Christians we have to keep our minds open and our heart focused and with him we accomplish anything and everything and without we will do nothing but hinder those trying.
Be a child, one of God. Focus not on the past, the future, but the present, and hold nothing back.
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18: 2-6 NIV
Luke 13:10-13 NIV
Have you ever play a sport and the coach tells you or everyone practices with his or her weak hand? Does he tell you that to make fun of you or just for kicks? No everyone knows that to be good you have to be able to use both your left and right, so you can use both on the court or field.
Have any of you been forced to maybe not use a limb (arm, leg, etc…) maybe broken it or something along those lines? Was it your strong or weak hand?
Well recently I fractured the radius on my dominant arm, which cause me to change many routines and do things in different ways. It cause a lot of problems at first, and still does from time to time, but you learn to overcome and do things differently without using your arm. Now I didn’t have to have a sling or anything and I could still use it to maybe write and draw with after a few days, but it has started to help me truly understand this verse and another that I’ll get to in a second.
Jesus has the power to Heal, to bring back your life, as you know it. Now I know my arm will heal soon, but it still makes it tough in the mean time. Jesus could just say a word and it would be healed… We need to rely on him for healing, but we also need to be patient an dlet him work in his own time. And in the mean time maybe I’ll learn something or see something in a different way.
But it has also made me think about other things…
7"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! 8If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Matthew 18:7-9 NIV
Self-sacrifice is something Jesus also called us to. We have to be willing to tear away anything that will hinder us from his way weather it’s our dominate hand or leg, our tongue, family, TV, or even friends…
To me, my dominant hand is my whole livelihood for the rest of my life. Being an art major loosing my right arm could have serious consequences, but it may also have a better outcome if something were to happen to it. I may be able to spend my time doing something more important or do something better with my left hand who knows. We have to be willing to give up anything, and leave the decisions to him and make the best of every situation.
As Christians we have to keep our minds open and our heart focused and with him we accomplish anything and everything and without we will do nothing but hinder those trying.
Be a child, one of God. Focus not on the past, the future, but the present, and hold nothing back.
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18: 2-6 NIV
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