"It is an achievement for a man to do his duty on earth irrespective of the consequences."
-Nelson Mandela

The Gospel or Cotton Candy: Joel Osteen's Prosperity Gospel

When you think of God, what do you think of? Loving, merciful, powerful, kind? Don't you also think of just, sovereign, and redemptive? I am so sick of preachers such as Joel Osteen (who, by the way, will make over $10 million in tour sales this year). giving the Christian faith a sappy boneless twist. He paints only half of the picture. Only half of the redemptive plan of humanity. He says that Christianity is all about living "your best life now" and his books are all about 7 easy steps to live the best life you can. You may ask what is wrong with that? There isn't anything about wanting to live the best life you can, but when you label the best life in terms of money and fame, it gets a little shady. In Colossians 3:2, it says set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Christ lived a life of poverty. He knew that his disciple's lives were going to be hard because they were living a life opposite of the world. Should we deny the fact that 11 out of the 12 disciples died for the cause of Christ? Should we deny the words of Jesus when he countlessly exhorted the rich and applauded the poor? Should we forget it when He said that "I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:24) It is easy to understand an accept the part of God that loves us and wants the best for us, but its hard to accept the God of justice and the one who hates sin. Osteen said that he doesn't want to bombard people with the their sin. He wants to show them that all they have to do is think good thoughts, be a better person, and God will bless you. When did the gospel become about us? Becoming a Christian is about surrendering the control of our lives up to God to pilot.

Just a thought..

Deepness.

How deep should relationships go? Should we have different types of relationships? Ones that we can go deep with and share our hearts desires and others with whom we can just have fun? I'm torn. Deep or fun? I want both...

Midwife?

I know I have been called. Called to reach for something higher than myself. Something beyond the mundane, beyond the comfortable. From an early age I knew I was to help people. I had not in my wildest of dreams thought to be traveling the world reaching others for Christ, but His ways are mysterious. Here I sit in my college dorm ready for the world. I want to go! I want to be out there reaching others..... but I'm stuck writing a research paper. And what does it happen to talk about? reaching others. I'm here writing about what I really just want to be doing. God give me peace to understand and accept my current situation.

God has put on my heart something which i never thought existed.... midwifery. I want to reach out to women by giving them an incalculable gift, a safe delivery. The infant/maternal mortality rates in developing countries are low and have been for years. Something practical but life-giving! I have been praying that God would give me direction in what kind of missions he wants me in. I think I've got it.... missions midwifery.

On another note, this song hit me hard this week.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace!

One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God

Back....

So Im back at Moody, ready for a challenge. I have been thrust into a busy schedule wit 18 credit hours, work 3 days a week, PCM, and Gospel Choir. Kind of crazy... but all worth it.

Love....

Love...When you find it.... keep it.

When friends get engaged... its pretty great. Congrats, Maddy and Josh.