Light of the World

 Sunday evening, my youth group went to Pittsburgh. To hang out. And also to evangelize to people we met. I didn't have an awesome time. It went ok. I had people laughing at me. I had people looking at me as if I were crazy and I had a crazy religion. As we were singing once, we had someone yelling at us, exalting the devil. As if he knew his god was being threatened, and he had to defend him.
When I really think about it though,
Jesus didn't ask me to go out and have fun. Or to go out, and everyone will love me. He didn't tell me to just talk to the receptive people. Or the needy-looking people.
He directed us to people He cares about. Maybe we encouraged that regular church-attendant who looked at us funny. Maybe we made that one couple stop and think about what life is all about.
He asked us to go out there and do hard things. It never was promised that people would listen or respond.
But He still asked me to plant the seed.
And I did what I could do. Yes, I probably could have done something more. But it was a learning experience.
And I still hope, and I still feel joy, that somehow, something will come of those seeds that were planted. Because maybe that person will be prepared for the next time he hears some more truth.
Today I talked to someone, and she said, "Where's the sunshine? (it was rainy and cold) You always bring sunshine whenever you come!"
Do I really bring sunshine into your life? I really hope I shine a light into your darkness. And the more I think about it, the more I like to think about the fact that maybe she was talking about more than just sunshine and happiness, but maybe a true light.
It's all about shining a light in the darkness. Even if you can't illuminate the room. Even if you can't see the end result. Be that light.

via pinterest

Who God Is

This morning in church, I heard a message I really needed to hear. The preacher got some of his ideas from A.W. Tozer's book Knowledge of the Holy. I just finished reading that book, so I could really relate to the sermon. He asked a bunch of questions and covered a bunch of thoughts that I had come across while reading the book.
He talked about two things -- God's self-sufficiency, and God's eternity.
God has no origin. God is the only being/thing that was not created and has no beginning.
He is also eternal. As far as He has been in the past, He will be in the future. He lives in the present, but He can see into the past or the future just as well.
Isaiah, in Isaiah 6, saw the being of God, and he became aware of a need in his life. A need for holiness and truth. Just like Isaiah, when we see God, we become aware of needs in our lives. Seeing God will always bring a response -- either good or bad.

"What we think of when we think about God is the most important thing about us." --Tozer

Not what we say when someone asks us. But what we really think about God. Whether we don't think, or we think about His love and mercy, or if we think in complete adoration. It defines us. 

What if all we Spoke was Truth?

In today's world, so many Christian character traits -- even good moral traits -- are lost. One, out of many, is honesty. Honesty is the basis of so much in life. Out of honesty comes trust, relationship, and love.
Even closer than in the world, is in the church. How many times have you gossiped talked to her about him, because of something he did to you? How often does someone ask our opinion, and we say we don't care, when really, we did want to do it?
In a perfect world, I tell you your breath reeks, and you say thanks, and you chew two pieces of gum. I told you because it bothers me, and you accepted it, because you want the best for those around you.
If I told you the truth all the time (and I am called to do so), I would tell you that I appreciate when you dress up to go to town; I don't think you should talk to your mom like that because I don't think it's respectful; I wish you wouldn't wear those tight jeans because they draw my eyes where I don't want to look; I think you need to ask God to help you forgive, and forgive over and over again, because Jesus asked it of you; I will share my heart and be open to you, because that is openness, and I trust you; your dress is really tight, and for the guys' sake, I wish you wouldn't wear it.
Why can't I speak more truth? Why do I always try to morph the truth and twist it a little to make it less obvious or less harsh? Truth is truth. Truth does not need to be defended. We only need to let truth out and embrace the truth.