Big Brother's Watching. . . Is there a double standard on who he can watch?

In the Friday December 16th edition of the New York Times, it was revealed to the American masses that President Bush authorized the National Security Agency to spy on the international calls of individuals who have been positively linked to Al Qaeda. The Times called this mission a "major shift in American intelligence-gathering practices" and it inferred that perhaps Bush has stepped outside the boundaries of what he is legally allowed to do as president. This information-gathering program has been in effect since shortly after the terrorist events of September 11th, and to this day, we have not had any more terrorist attacks on our country. There have been several instances of the government warning individual communities of an increased risk of attack, and helping them handle the increased need for security. Perhaps these warnings have come as the result of this. In fact, the Times article mentions two separate instances where terrorist plots have been foiled as a result of this program. (The Times Story).

Although I understand that it does seem rather suspicious that the President has allowed spying on communication within the United States, I also find it rather suspicious that this particular program has raised so much smoke. What Bush has authorized certainly is not a new idea at all.

Another recent president authorized a spying program during his presidency that in my opinion blows Bush’s program out of the water. Bill Clinton authorized a program known as “Echelon” that during the 1990s. This program, also working with the NSA, monitored the electronic communication of American Citizens (not known terrorist’s allies). Telephone and e-mail communications of most Americans were monitored. An article published on Newsmax.com referenced a “60 Minutes” episode on this secret program that aired in 2000. According to this article the Echelon program monitored “everything from data transfers to cell phones to portable phones to baby monitors to ATMs” (Newsmax.com). Those monitored by this program did not necessarily have any known ties to any suspected terrorists. Any communications of other information being monitored could be done, and possibly was, to any American. Some phone calls were screened by computers at the NSA that monitored the phone calls if any word or phrase was used that might indicate there was some possible terroristic threat. How’s that for civil liberty? At least Bush’s program was only used to spy on those who are known to have strong associations with Al-Qeada and it’s operatives.

How effective was the Echelon program? Although I don’t know specific numbers of foiled plans, it didn’t seem too effective in stopping the September 11th attacks. Bush’s has directly foiled a couple of different plans, both in the U.S. and outside of it.

Why is it that the New York Times and Democrats in Washington feel that this spy plan instituted by President Bush is so threatening to the American Citizens’ civil liberties of privacy and such, yet Clinton’s program is barely mentioned by the recent press? The Times article does not even mention Echelon. It seems to be that there is a double standard that exists in not only politics but also within mass media publications. The Times article and the outspokenness of the politicians who oppose the president are not helping our country fight this battle.

Regardless of whether or not our country should be at war in Iraq or not, really is no longer a question. I do not like war, and I am not sure that I support our reasons for going over there in the first place. However, one thing is certain to me- we are there now, and we have to finish the job. Our mere presence in Iraq makes us more susceptible to terrorist plots and actions, so it makes sense to me that our president would exercise his constitutional right to authorize domestic spying in order to help keep our citizens, and the citizens of other countries, safer. Articles like the one written by the Times, and those who leak such information the press are really only harming the effort to win the war and bring our troops home. Regardless of his motives for sending American troops to Iraq, I think that it is obvious that Bush wants to win this war and bring troops home. Wars are not easily won, and having disunity and manipulative politicians does not help the war efforts.

Do I want someone reading my e-mails or listening to my cell phone calls? Absolutely not. However, I am more concerned that myself and my fellow citizens are not hit by another terrorist attack in our own country than I am about whether someone is looking over my shoulder.

Home and Family

It's a beautifully calm and cool evening that's just cloudy enough that you can't fully see the moon or the stars. The yard is covered with crisp leaves of all shapes and colors that crunch under my feet as I walk my dog in the dark. I walk into the house to hear my mom fussing at a man who has a special nack for not answering the question. Through the hall, up the stairs, into a room that still has many reminders of my innocent and happy child hood. Flashbacks come of pink walls, comforter and carpet. A big Barbie house in front of the window where I could do my two favorite things- play with my dolls and watch what's going on outside my window. That always consisted of birds playing in the tress or the cows across the street talking to each other. I could lose myself for hours in that window and still can. I remember vividly the day I discovered there was a brightly colored woodpecker that lived in the tree outside my window. It was so exctiting to sing the Woody Woodpecker theme song while watching it drill into my tree. MY tree. But I didn't mind sharing it with him or the squirrels or anything else that liked it. I also remember the day I got in trouble for playing in the window fan instead of taking my nap. That room has so many memories.

I play with my new hair cut in front of my old mirror. How many new hair cuts that mirror has seen. I taught myself to apply make-up in that mirror. So did my grandmother, and all the women before me. I miss her so much right now. That mirror has seen many new hair cuts, makeup and dress styles, first dates, wedding days. It's seen life.

Now I'm setting here at the computer thinking about how grateful I am for those women before me. For the chance to be loved by them. For my life to be what it is because of those women before me. They taught me to sew, and play the piano and bingo. They encouraged me in following my heart and the Lord. How I love those women and the men who loved them. Without them I wouldn't be complete either.

It's because of them that I understand sports. I can hold my own in a group of men watching football and know what's going on. They taught me to throw a football, and play basketball. They took off work to come to my soccer games. The encouraged me when I learned to play that one really hard song, and patted me on the back when I finally understood the math homework and finally got an A on a math test. They knew I could do it, and that I just had to believe it myself. It's because of them I have the passion to be outdoors, to explore the woods. To be alone in nature. It's because of them I am not afraid of spiders or other bugs, but also know that it's ok if I were. They taught me to ride a bike, drive, check the oil, change a tire and empowered me to stand up for myself. They taught me that I am beautiful. I am loved. And am only worthy of someone who loves and respects me. That I deserve that. I am worthy of that by the fact that I am their daughter, neice, granddaughter, their baby girl. They would stand up for me and my reputation regardless of the cost.

They gave an beautiful picture of my Father. Made it easier for me to love Him and know Him. Kept me from wasting my time with boys who weren't worth it.

This is home. It really is. I miss this place, especially on weeks like this one when all that is shaken. Being here reminds me of all that I know is true. Sometimes it takes being away to know the it's value

Femininity

A few months ago a guy said to me, "You know, Angela, you don't have a princess complex like a lot of women I know. My assistant has a princess complex and she thinks the whole world has to revolve around her. She feigns weakness just to get attention and expects all of us to save her. She gets cold and asks everyone in the office to change the temperature. She worries about her clothes and hair and jewelry. Everything has to be just right for her, but you're not like that." I smiled politely and said, "Thank you, I think."

I know that he meant that entire interchange as a compliment, but it left me aching and empty and unknown. It felt like he was saying, "You know, I don't have to worry about you. You're a big girl and you can take care of yourself. Nobody has to walk you to your car at night. No one has to lay his coat over a puddle for you. I don't have to hold the door for you or wait for you to order first. You're not like that. You are strong and self-sufficient. You go with the flow. You're practically one of the guys. Ol' buddy, ol' pal."

Gross. I am strong, but not that strong. I get things done but wish someone would come along and save me from time to time. I like guys. I like to talk to them and interact with them. But I don't want to be one of them. I want to be the girl and I want to be treated like the girl. Secretly, I guess I really want to be a princess."


From: Do You Think I'm Beautiful by Angela Thomas

When did being a woman become a bad thing? Why is it bad to be in the "weaker sex"? Why is there so much pressure for women prove themselves to be like guys? Who decided that being sensitive, and "girlie" was such a negitive thing? Why does it feel like the only way to gain respect from guys is to be like them?

Got news, friends. Girls are not like guys. End of story. Some of us may like things that guys like, i.e. sports, however, that does not make us one of the guys. Any girl who you think of as one of the guys 8.5 times out of 10 will be repulsed at that idea. Girls do not, want to be treated as one of the guys. The girls you all are friends with were girls before they were ever your friends. We want to be treated as intelectual equals, but we are princesses damn it!

And girls, who ever told you that you had to be like guys to be loved was an idiot. Why do we allow ourselves to fall into the rut of trying to fell good enough to be liked by guys? We are made girls for a purpose. I'm sick of feeling like being a girl isn't good enough and I know that I'm not the only one.

Therefore, I'm reclaiming femininity for the girls. Guys aren't supposed to be that, so knock it off. It's our job. We were made to be the women, you were made to be the men. It's time we all got our heads on straight and quit with all this gender swapping crap.

Being a princess does not mean that the world revolves around you. It means, that you are treated with respect because you are the daughter of the most High King. Being a princess means demanding respect by being a Godly Woman, like we're supposed to be, and demanding respect because God made us WOMEN.

Guys, you are princes. You are the sons of the Most High King. Start acting like princes. But not arrogant ones, be the Godly men you were created to be. The world is in so much need of Godly Men. And, yes, I know the world is in need of Godly Woman as well.

I want to be a Princess. I am a Princess damn it!

So there.

Standing out

I can't describe the thoughts in my head when I read the writings of those who are obviously much passed my level of intellect. I want to read and learn everything they have to say. And I am reminded that my mind is just nary a speck on the blip of the intelligence radar.



I should be humbled by that but instead, I'm usually jealous. I always see little parts of people that I admire and enjoy and so I seek to be like that, whether that is conscious or not, I do. I feed off people fairly well. And although I am growing to be a very confident person, I always find myself lacking when I'm around others. More specifically, I find myself wanting to be more like them.



I am slowly realizing that by wanting to be like everyone else, I'm becoming nothing special. I'm not allowing myself to shine through and allowing the part of me that is meant to wow others to stand out. I'm not that big a fan of being different from everyone else. Being different always did bad things to me. But deep down inside, Ive always wanted to be that one thing that just stood out leaps and bounds when came to others. Whether it was in a special career field or with a man, it doesn't matter.



Now I'm at a place where I don't really stand out in anything and I think that's sad. Because that means that at least some level I'm not completely being who I'm meant to be if I'm afraid of it. I'm not even completely sure of what that looks like.



I think watching others is a great way to grow and to see what you value and what you can't stand. We has humans are meant to compliment each other not copy each other.



Just keep that in mind, friends.



I wish it didn't take so long to learn the really important lessons.

Faith Alone?

Sending leads to preaching.

Preaching leads to hearing.

Hearing leads to believing.

Believing leads to calling on the name of the Lord.

Notice that believing is not the climax. Even the great Protestan tReformers who taught us the principle of sola fide ("Faith Alone") also preached that intellectual assent alone does not bring salvation. There is one more step for demonstrating a real and living faith, and that is calling out to God with all of one's heart and soul.
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire





When did we begin to stop at belief? That is just another way for our faith to become man centered rather than God centered. We aren't saved because of our belief. We aren't saved because of our belief, we're saved because we believe in what God and Christ have done and realize our ultimate need. We are saved because of our need and our realization of the utter glory and power of Christ. Not only does that realization change us but the commitment to change our lives and our identities because of that realization, or rather, to allow God to finally begin to further His good work within us. We must give glory to God. That's what brings us into communion with Him

Life: Through the words of the wise

To invoke an analogy, consider a movie: it consists of thousands upon thousands of individual pictures, and each of them makes sense and carries a meaning, yet the meaning of the whole film canot be seen before its last sequence is shown.
-Viktor E. Frankl

I hear them saying you'll never change things/ And no matter what you do it's still the same thing/ But it's not the world that I am changing/ I do this so this world we know/ Never changes me/As long as one heart still holds on/ Then hope is never really gone
-Garth Brooks

So, let us be alert- alert in a twofold sense:
Since Auschwitz we know what man is capable of.
And since Hiroshima we know what is at stake.
-Viktor E. Frankl

Gotta be more than this provential life.

Sometimes I find myself feeling pretty defeated as a Christian since I typically seem to forget that my life has a purpose that is beyond my circumstances. It is so easy for us as Christians to get caught up in the work that we are doing at the moment, whether or not that work serves the purpose of Christ usually isn't at the forefront of our thoughts. Why is the default mode works living that focuses on what I can do and what I am doing rather than allowing ourselves to be Godly people whose purpose it is to simply be a joy to others? It's so exhausting to try to live that way, but yet so many of us fall into that mode so easily!

As I sit and reflect on this last semester while I should be working on papers, I realize I have been way to self absorbed. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 reminds us that we have a heavenly dwelling place that is beyond human hands and beyond our working on our own; it is a place that is prepared for us by God's hands and God's love alone. Someday when we are to enter that heavenly dwelling, verse 4 says that what is mortal will be swallowed up. That image presents such a paradox of emotions within me, one of which is terrified, and the other is very excited! I see this whole opening up and all the things that are mortal just fall into it, and fall away, what a blessing! No more of the busyness and hostile of keeping up with class or work schedules and conflict with being in the world rather than of it. But when those things fall away, deep inside I have this insecurity that what will be found in that moment of exposure will be left wanting. What am I without the things that I do and have done? I am an insecure person who places way to much pressure on herself to be perfect rather than just allowing God to work within her to be who she is supposed to be for the purpose I was created for. Verse 5 of this Corinthians passage brings me so much comfort tonight. It says "Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." God has given me a deposit of the work and the dwelling that has come. God has not left me to fight this battle alone. He has left me with a counselor and guide to help me realize that it's not my weight to carry. I am not meant to pull off God's plan for my life or the life of anyone else. I was created for a purpose, and my job is to be a willing vessel to this Deposit within me. This is an image of an ambassador who is confident in the King that they live for, and confident in the message that they carry. This ambassador must realize that it's not about them, but about the King and Message that they represent.


Friends, lets be better ambassadors. I need to be one. But I don't have to do it alone. I have the spirit working in me to help me be the ambassador that I was purposed to be. What a simple message that is still infinitely complex in understanding.

Reflection Paper for Colloquium

Reflections on Getting Lost

As I was reading the speech by the professor from Millsaps I couldn’t help but smile and think about the times when I was the student in the audience. When I graduated from high school the administration boasted of how great our class was: how much we had done, how smart we were, how many hundreds of thousands of dollars we had earned for college by our intelligence, ingenuity, creativity and good looks. We were honored and respected for our loving and Christ-centered responses to the world events such as Semptember 11th as well as when our classmates lost love ones such as parents. We were the best that had ever walked the halls of Sacred Heart Academy; at least, until the next class graduated. The same was the case when I entered Belmont that fall. The entering class of 2002 was the best thing to hit the campus, we were the smartest, most involved, and caring, and I’m sure our parents thought that we were the best looking too! Like we had all done before, we remained at the top until the next class came in and proved to be smarter, more involved and caring than we were.

When I was reading for this class, I thought about how the best keeps getting better and as a result, one would think, the previous best goes backwards a little, and slowly begins to regress away from being the so called best. An interesting thought crossed my mind, though, perhaps it’s not that the “best” is the capstone to such experiences, but yet, simply a starting place. I thought about why we were considered to be the best when we entered, and what was I like at that moment of time. We weren’t the best, we were simply the most qualified. Being the best is an individual thought that comprises not only one’s qualifications, but the actions that one takes to act on those qualifications and make the most of every opportunity that is presented for growth. I really hope that when I sit at graduation in a few short months (229 days, 11 hours and 44 minutes from the moment this paper was written) I wonder if myself and my classmates have really allowed ourselves to be the best that we were allowed to be.

When I think back over the opportunities that I have had and when I look at academic work that I have done, I see such an incredible amount of room and opportunity for growth. When I first entered Belmont I had starry-eyed dreams of being the next big artist manger for the music industry. I have no idea where that desire came from, but I am grateful for it because it gave me the opportunity to really discover what I was meant to do. Reading back over my reflective essay from my third semester at Belmont, I’m surprised at the generalness of my ideas for myself. I think that when I came into Belmont, I had thought that I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and I quickly found that I really had no idea. That was a scary place for me even though I refused to admit it at the time. I find it interesting that the ideas that I held as important that the time are now much more important to me now- even as much to be a driving force behind my actions. I wrote that I “have a strong desire to help people, to help them through tough times in their lives, and be a source of advice and a place where people an come to talk or for help”. Not only do I still strongly value those things, but I have had the opportunity to practice it through my roles in the University community and this passion has aided in the discovery of my passion- college students. My desire to be loving caring and to be a servant only grew over my time here and I really am grateful that I was pushed to move past my qualifications for being the best into realizing my potential to be one of the best. This is not to say that I have already reached that place, but that I have realized that being the best is a life long process that doesn’t stop at graduation.

The Convocation address went on say that the purpose of a liberal arts education is to create knowledge, which when done by an individual takes the shape of idea and value formation, rather than acceptance of what one is given in these areas. I felt as though I were directly being spoken to as I remembered the things that I valued and believed as first year student at Belmont. I held to some values simply because I had been told that they were true by my parents and I never thought to question these things. Being at Belmont has taught me the importance of what it means to have values and knowledge that are uniquely my own. These things might be the similar or even the same as someone else but they are uniquely mine because they are the result of inquiry and searching on my part. In reading my own reflective writing from the beginning of my college life, I am reminded of how black and white the world was to me. Although much of the world is still simply black and white to me, it is that way because I have learned it to be that way on my own. I have stepped outside of my traditional legalistic box and discovered that some of what is found within it is good and should be kept while others of it is complete garbage that should be tossed.

Ward quotes Edward Young who said “Born originals, how comes it to pass we die as copies?” There was a long period in my life that the idea of dying as a copy was very appealing simply because it is easier that way. Anyone can look at what someone else is doing and then copy that person’s actions, beliefs and just about anything about them. It is much harder to stare the hard things in the eye and struggle with them, tear them to pieces and build them back together. When I think about this idea of originality I think of Picasso and his work. In my head there is normal, non-abstract portrait of a person; it would be very easy and mind numbing for Picasso to copy that picture and leave it at that. However, Picasso looks at the person, (not the portrait already made) and then rips it to pieces, making some parts bigger or weird colors and puts it all back together. In the end, a unique masterpiece is created that is unlike anything else in the world. It is uniquely Picasso. So should our thoughts and knowledge be treated and I have found that I am more willing to take the risk to face the hard thing than I was before.

When I think back on my spiritual journey of the last three years, I’ve made some drastic growth. When I began as a freshman, my faith was simply a gimcrack, a worthless object that was used only to define myself to others. I have grown to make my faith in my faith in multiple ways. The first way is through my true knowledge of what it means to have faith. My beliefs have been tested by the things I have read and studied in my classes at Belmont. My religion classes have been especially challenging to me because they have presented me with ideas about things that I never even knew existed. I have had the time to study and to take things in and make them my own. Because of that I am more rooted in what I believe on certain issues, thus am more confident in standing for those issues. Because of my much deeper understanding of issues of faith, I am more confident that my faith is becoming a part of my life. I think that I have become a person who is lives by what they believe more. I understand the need to be consistent in the way that one lives and believes, which means living without discrepancies over actions. I believe that God has been continually bringing to my attention different areas of my life that He is beginning to work in and through. It is amazing to me how it is that God will place people in ones’ life so that they are able to see an example of what they are learning modeled in another person. An example of this was sophomore year, when God really laid the idea of learning what it means to be a servant on my heart. I worked as an RA that year with one of the most godly man that I know who was a servant at heart without any wavering or inconsistencies. As God began to work in my life to show me how to be a servant (something I
am still learning to do daily), I was able to watch this friend be as servant without ever thinking twice.

I know that the pursuit of knowledge and being the best never ends. It’s an ongoing process that is a result of all things in ones life and perhaps that’s the greatest lesson that can be learned from college. It is probably one of the best and biggest thoughts that I have learned in my time in college. I am simply the result of the actions I have taken to realize on my potential and use the opportunities and gifts that I have been given. We should never stop growing and developing because to stop doing those things it to stop living.

I feel so pathetic that I’m sitting in my room with a good cup of coffee and a handful of Skittles and the most profound thought that is in my brain is that even after 21 years of Skittles eating, I still hate the purple ones. I never have liked grape flavored anything. I remember a time in my life where if I were challenged over my hatred for the purple Skittles, I would have no doubt caved into my challenger. I would have done this for there is no doubt that they, more likely than not, had a more valid opinion of Skittles and what tasted good. Now, as a college senior, I realize, that I really don’t care about anything other than the fact that I hate the taste. And that is good enough. I am confident in my answers, in my faith, in my life and in myself. And, I realize that if someone is going to argue with me over which color skittles tastes the best, they need to grow up and realize that there are more important things in the world than that, like poverty, hunger and AIDS.

I find the writing of a paper reflecting on the last three years as one that is very difficult to do. This has been the best experience of my life, thus far, and to explain what that means and what the changes in my life look like is a very difficult thing to do. I don’t see my development as a person in words, but in pictures and memories of situations. I think of Wright and Maddox Halls and how many valuable lessons I learned in those hallways and rooms. I learned to love, be loved, to let go and be let go of. I learned what servitude, compassion and genuineness look like through the lives of those whom I was privileged enough to serve with. I think of learning how to whole heartedly have a good time by having crutch races in the lobby and creating a new game very similar to volleyball, but played with couches and paper wads. I see the memories of mud wrestling the girls I would go through this journey with from start to finish. I see us showering on the third floor after mud wrestling, because we were convinced that the girls who lived down there were horrible people, so we should use their shower. I learned how to play practical jokes, like saran wrapping my friends car or dumping cold water on a friend while she was in the bathroom. Through my classes I learned to be more confident in my intelligence and ability to perform well. I think of my accounting professor from freshman year, who had more faith in my abilities than anyone I know, and who still does. I see the Deans who convinced me to double major, even if it was more work, because it would be worth it in the end and because they believed that I was smart enough to pull it off. I think about the jobs that I hated doing, and how they taught be perseverance and to love those who you don’t like.

Despite all of the faces I see, I know that one things I in common with them all. Through each of those faces I was able to see the face of God a little more closely, and learn something new about myself, but also about others who are God’s children. I know, more clearly now than ever, that God’s fingerprints are all over every human being on earth. There is something unique and special in everyone of us that is there for a purpose. Part of that purpose is to work in a way that brings glory to Christ that others’ can’t, another reason, is allow others to see another aspect of God. I firmly believe that through the uniqueness that each person brings God’s marvelous light is shown.

I think that one thing that makes this paper so difficult to write, is the knowledge that writing this paper means that my college years are almost over. I knew that this time is coming, but it seems so weird to say that it is coming to a close. I feel as though a large portion of my life is coming to a close and like there is so much that I want to do before it ends. I wonder if I have really made a difference at Belmont in any proportion to the difference it has made in my life. I want to have left a legacy or a lasting impact on life at Belmont, and perhaps the reason that I am so sad about graduating so soon is that I feel as though I haven’t done anything of substantial worth to the university. I know that I am not the same person that I was when I entered the university. It seems so long ago that I was that student that was sitting in the audience being told that they are a part the best thing that the university had ever seen. I know now that I am one of many incredibly talented individuals to grace the campus of Belmont. I am not unique in my qualifications for a greater purpose, but what does make me on of the unique ones is the way that God has used things in my life to forge those qualifications deeper in my soul and drive me to define myself in new ways. Not to define myself by accomplishments, or words, but by the actions that are a result of a selfless faith in a loving God.

Thoughts on the Hurrican

There is an eery sense of peace in the air tonight. The temperature was mild and the wind held a hint of chill and of fall. The peace, I discovered, lies in the beauty of the ugly. The sky was a dark and dreary shade of gray and storm blue and for many there is immeasurable death and destruction. Behind the storm clouds were faint orange rays that hinted at the constant presence of the setting sun. That sun stands as a reminder of the unseen beauty in destruction and in ugliness. It felt as though the world has endured a great catharsis. Through the tears of a emotional tantrum, the presence and sincerity of our emotions are made more clear and while we look awful and sometimes feel awful, there is an odd sense of peace. This is a peace that comes only as a result of those tears. That same feeling came tonight as the sun played peak-a-boo from behind a storm cloud. It was as though our world has experience a great catharsis and perhaps has found a greater peace with herself.

I fell asleep last night selfishly praying that God would provide safety for myself and my friends from the potential storm while still allowing school to be cancelled. When the morning came and I my prayers were halfway answered, I felt so guilty for the selfishness of my prayers. How quick we are to think of ourselves and forget that there are those out there who are much more in need of prayer than we are. Please pray for those who are so drastically affected by the hurricane. Lord, surround them and keep them safe in your arms.

Sometimes when we think that our prayers have only been half way answered, we realize that they have been completely answered, but just that we were praying for the wrong thing all along.

Mark 10: 17-22

In this passage, Chris commands the rich young man to give up all that he has as the price to follow Christ. This young man had lived a life of moral perfection as he had been taught that it meant. Christ challenges his spiritual zeitgeist and being (doing) by trying to replace it with one of giving. Christ wasn't just challenging this young man to give up all the things he had, but to give up who he was. This young man knew doing good while being defined by what he had- he was rich and defiantly not a giver. Is this passage a call to tithe to a church, or give to the poor? While those things are important, I think Chris was pushing for a little something more.

As believers we are called to die to Christ and give up all we have and are for the glory of hi name. This young man had been called to give up his possessions as an example of his devotion to Christ. Surly had he followed through with that it wouldn't have stopped there. For our lives in Christ should never plateau, or even out, but will constantly be challenging our expectations until the only expectation that remains is one to be loved and challenged.

While reading this passage, I thought about what response I would have had to Christ's radical call. So often, we, in our cozy church Bible studies criticize the young man in that story. We think he's stupid and selfish too for not heeding the call of Christ. What we forget to realize is how often we are that young man. I think back over just today and how I know the Lord has called me to give up my critical and gossip centered talk. I remember conversations today that were not godly and didn't bring Him glory. How can I, even for a moment, believe that I am any better than the young man in this parable? I am no better at all. The only difference sis the current challenge I am facing isn't over the love of money, but the love to be better than others.

This parable is often used to warn of the importance of valuing things of Christ as more important than money. I think this can also point out to all believers that no matter what your biggest temptation, Christ’s Purpose is bigger. For me, it's gossip, for this young man it was greed, but whatever the temptation, our God is much bigger and will give us more than we could every imagine we need to be confident in giving these things and our whole lives to Him!

Because my Daddy told me so. .. .

So after much nagging by my dad about how wonderful Blogger is verus other online Journals, I have converted. And much has been agreed.