Category: Life Lessons

Life learned lessons

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That Doesn’t Belong!

In other posts I’ve discussed removing certain things from my life (mainly being television). Over the past weeks I’ve also got rid of other things, such as certain websites that I went to. Some of these websites were really cool and at the time I enjoyed them. Now that I’ve left them though, I’ve not missed one of them.

MySpace was one of the sites that I removed from my favorites. I also deleted my entire account there. Honestly, it was a spur of the moment thing. I was actually in the bed already and just felt like the site wasn’t really helping my walk with Christ (possibly hurting it — this doesn’t count all the filth on the site), so I got up and thought about it for maybe two minutes and then deleted it. The website asked me if I was sure probably three times, so I had three chances to back out. I deleted my account there about a month and a half ago (I believe), and honestly I’ve not thought much more about it. I had a two or three people ask me if I deleted my account, but other than that I’ve not thought nothing of it. This weekend, a family member commented on my removing my account. This person wasn’t on my list or anything, they had just been watching it (or so I guess haha). I’m happy because it confirmed that it was right to delete it. The only social site I am a member of now is Facebook — and I don’t spend near as much time on it as I did MySpace, plus it’s cleaner and a little more mature.

I’ve since cleaned out my music and got rid of anything that wasn’t Christian. Some CD’s weren’t music, but I believe I broke over 25 to 50 CD’s this year. I’ve deleted other things that I’ve kind of held on to also, such as chat logs that are years old (really, I didn’t need them either). I’ve deleted all my chat logs since about a few weeks ago (that were modified) and I got rid of all the huge logs. I’ve done a lot of house cleaning and reorganization (I like to be organized though).

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Reach Out

Eventful. Different. I enjoy randomness and change. I ate my first meal today at McDonalds (Spicy Premium Chicken Sandwich) — it was okay. Two o’clock I went to the church — I helped install the projector screen and I moved the microphone to the back where the computer is (so we can record the messages to the computer). I came home and my dad fixed something up that we never had before — it was good, filled me up. They left and gave Jenna some at work (or that’s what they said they were doing). While they were gone I got a call saying someone we know, his dad committed suicide. I guess I’ve never thought I’d know anyone in this time period who’d do that. I suppose I was wrong. It’s just so sad. One shot is really two shots. You’re not just killing your body, but you’re pushing yourself into eternity in an instant. I’ve just been hoping and praying the family gets over this easily and that as much evil the enemy meant to come of this, much more good will come out of it. To say the least, today has been a very different day (on many fronts, I suppose).

My church is having a get-together tomorrow night. Play games and socialize. I guess there’s not much to say until after the event though … I do like hanging out with the church family though, great fun!

My Glorious is one of my favorite worship songs. I bought the “Our Love is Loud” Passion CD from iTunes since they were two dollars off. Overall, that has been the best Passion CD ever released, in my opinion. Speaking of Passion, Passion 07 registrations starts next week (well, they’ll sell out within a few hours, I’d guess). It says the official site will be up next week. They will probably do a few awesome videos that make me want to go even more … maybe I’ll get to go this year.

Common sense. You know it’s going “out of style” when you do a search for it and you see ads on how to get “common sense” on eBay. For those that have no clue what common sense is, read this nice definition. It’s true that I don’t have common sense on everything (no one really does). I mean, if I worked on cars since I was a kid, sure I’d have “car common sense” and be able to diagnose problems better than someone who spent four years in college learning all about how to fix it. It’s the same way with everything, though. It’s bad, really bad, when someone who has eight years of book sense think they know all about something yet don’t know anything about how to actually diagnose a problem. Sure, there is always a ten-step manual that can be followed, but honestly, it could be something not even listed and someone with common sense would pick it up first — not the one with a ten-step program on how to diagnose the problem. I guess I’m just posting this to say that, in college, try to get lots of hands on experience with what you’re learning (real world, not lab experience). It’ll help in the long run. It’ll be bad the day jobs start requiring common sense and college education is just a “want” (not required). If I ever started a business I’d like to do a common sense test … college is good and dandy, but I’d want people with sense for the job.

Respect. Youth. It bothers me deeply when I see an adult (obviously greater than 25 to 30 years) does not respect youth and younger adults. Some just think they’re better or know it all. Others just want someone to beat down, so they find someone who doesn’t matter: youth. I don’t know everything. An adult who’s 98 doesn’t know everything. Would these people ever send Timothy out today? Or would he have to go to college before he could be any help to Paul? Paul obviously thought very highly of Timothy (or else he wouldn’t be referenced so often by Paul, nor help Paul in writing and sending the letters to the church’s). 1 Corinthians 16:10 says tells the church of Corinth to “treat him [Timothy] with respect”. Now, am I against adults? Of course not. I normally get out of situations where adults think they’re better than youth. Youth are told to respect those in authority (which is good), but those in authority need to also show respect.

Men in the church. The other day when coming home from school, I was listening to the radio and they were talking about why, there aren’t as many men in the church. They made the argument that one reason is that church is seen as a feminine thing and, for the most part, only tailors to the females. They brought out and excellent example of how there was once a church with a prayer room that was decorated with ribbons and such. The church wanted to reach more guys, so they asked them to come in and completely remodel the room. What they did was remodeled the room with items such as Celtic shields and the like. When I think of the remodel, it can have a deeper meaning and actually be exactly what a prayer room should be for — spiritual warfare. Finally, after the remodel, the guys were more “at home”, but the females loved it so much they couldn’t even stay away. There were many other examples too, but this was the one I liked a lot.

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I Did it Because …

And then there’s some excuse. Sunday night was another one of the “special Sundays” where church was at my house. My mom brought up a good point that I had really had not thought about, and that is: trying to justify our sin. That may seem like it’s an okay thing to do … until we see in the scripture how large of sin it really is. I’m going to focus on King Saul for a minute; God gave Saul specific orders in First Samuel 15 that Saul was to “go and completely destory the entire Amalekite nation” (verse 3), which was a nation known for their guerrilla terrorists who lived off of raiding other nations. Saul went out and did part of what he was commanded to do. He left the better of the livestock alive, when God had said that everything had to be destroyed. When Samuel confronted Saul about this Saul stated that his “troops brought in the best of the sheep and cattle and plunder to sacrifice to the LORD” (verse 21). Then Samuel said one of my favorite quotes in all of Scripture:

“What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king.”

1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT (emphasis added)

I don’t know if Saul was really planning on offering those as sacrifices, but what is evident is that he used an excuse for his sin. There was no fear of the Lord there — he was therefore rejected as King.

How many times do we travel on the highway over the speed limit and then we try to justify our sin with, “everyone else is doing it” or “people will get mad at me for going slow”. What if we really believed what Paul said in Romans 13? “Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong.” (verse 1-3a NLT) I’m definatly not saying I go the speed limit at all times — however, I do always try to. And honestly, there is no justification for going over the limit. If you see a state trooper and you’re frightened (and thus slow down and tick the people going the speed limit off) then obviously you’re doing something wrong — you’re sinning. Of course, this isn’t fun to hear because we, as humans, don’t like going slower than the limit … it means it’ll take us 2 more minutes to get to work or school. Even if you’re speeding to get to church … there is no excuse.

I wanted to share that because I thought about it earlier today, and I wanted to expand upon it.

I went, for a third time to see The Chronicles of Narnia. I do believe it’s the first movie I’ve saw three times in the theater. Honestly, I want them to make as much money off the movie as they can — not for Disney’s sake, but as a statement of the type of movies people are really interested in seeing. Also, I found it interesting that at a 1:00pm showing it still had a pretty large crowd — after almost a full month after it’s release. I’ve still yet to read the books, although I am planning on doing so sometime soon.

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A New Years Resolution?

In less than four hours it’ll be 2006. A lot has happened this year. Now a new year must begin. I’m glad 2005 has left. 2005 has been the best year I’ve had in Tallassee since I moved here almost four years ago, and I’m hoping 2006 will be even better.

Now comes a little New Years Resolution. I’ve honestly never really remember making one (that I really intended to keep), but maybe I’m wrong. By the end of 2006 I will: be speaking more, worshipping GOD much more freely, believe what God has said about me, have some friends (and a girlfriend that exceeds everything on my list), and finish reading the Bible (actually I think that may have been an old resolution, but I’m going to finish everything I’ve yet to read). That’s my list, not too long, but not too short either.

I think those speak for themselves, so I’m going to leave the list alone for now. I’ve been thinking more and more about something: secular music. It’s something I don’t like at all. Maybe it’s too deep for some people to understand, but there’s a reason to why I don’t like it. Speaking from a Christian stand point, the majority of the lyrics in non-Christian (secular) songs are against morallity. When we make the decision to become a Christian, things have to change. This includes music. Then there’s the: why? Why we should change our music style is because of the lyrics. Some will say they can “relate to the lyrics”, which is understandable — for a non-Christian. Most secular songs should not be “relatable” for Christians — especially single (unmarried) Christians.

There are some okay songs written for married people in the “secular” arena. Spoken has some awesome lyrics relating to relationships (see “Wind in My Sails” and “Sleep Well Tonight“). The good thing about these songs, though, is that it doesn’t really have to be directed to a wife … because it’s not talking about sex or anything else. Then there are songs for people having relationship trouble. BarlowGirl has a song called, “I Need You to Love Me“, and while it’s not directly related to “relationship” trouble, it’s an honest song written directly to God.

Secular music puts you in the center — sex is about you, drugs make you feel good, women are objects, men are untrustworthy (although, sadly, this is true a lot of times). With Christian music — God is number one, sex is not about you, women are sisters, men are spiritual leaders. These are the reason why secular music is not fit for a Christian.

There are many awesome Christian groups out there. Sadly, the good groups seem to be overlooked, with some not as good being “propelled” — even in the secular world. There are many good Christian bands out there, yet very few ever see light outside of the Christian music industry (unless they comprimise to some extent). Generally, I’ve found those that have “crossed over” tend to produce worse content (I love the old Switchfoot, dislike much of the new). Am I really trying to just make a case for Christian music? Maybe. Moreover, though, I’d like to see Christians listenings to Christian music. Why? Life is all about God, singing about some girl your whole life is seriously on the verge of insanity. I’m going to forever love, cherish, and honor my future wife — I’m not, however, going to worship her, use her for sex, or anything else.

That’s where I stand on that issue. The music I relate to most is Praise and Worship music, and the truth be told, that should be the music all Christians should relate to most.

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Life

The day is Sunday, and I’ve done almost nothing. I went to church and programmed some of E-Blah. I did do some work though, which reminds me, I think I have enough money online to get that LCD monitor I was thinking about getting. 19 inch I believe from NewEgg. I’m not certain I’ll get it though, not sure if I really need it. I think it’d be better on my eyes though … and I wouldn’t have all that CRT radiation beaming into my body (not that sure they put off radiation though).

I played some Age of Empires 3 with some random people online. My team won … I got the highest score of four, although I got that score in the last 10 minutes of the game because my military was more effective than his. All he had was cannons (left anyway).

Tomorrow I go and get a new schedule. I’m not really worried about, I’m just wondering what I’ll do in the two hours free time I have. I sure hope my teacher goes the full time tomorrow. Maybe someone will ask if I want to go to lunch with them? That’d be something new, diffrent, and cool …

Church this morning was alright. Saugahatchee, like every year, has this nasty lady bug epidemic. There’s hundreds just all by the lights. It’s kind of spooky … and nasty. Anywho, the service was about Acts 7, that’s one of the only things I got out of it because I couldn’t hear back in the little room I’m in. The pastor did mention some stuff I’ve been reading and I was happy I finally knew what he was talking about because I read it.

I started in on the book of Ezra, but then I thought that it’d be a good time to re-read Daniel, so that’s where I’m at. I think I may go back and re-read Jeremiah too. I heard something somewhere that made me think, though. I’m not certain if I read it in my Bible or heard it somewhere, but I had never really thought about the Prophets in the Bible that God used, but the people didn’t listen. Thus, even if I ever teach and the church is wiped out because I either offend everyone or they just think I’m horrible, I’ll know that if I’m seriously doing what God has called me to do then I’ll be rewarded some way, somehow.

One topic that I wish I heard just one pastor preach on is the fear of the LORD. I mentioned something about it this morning in Sunday school, in how that if it was taught more in church I think less people would be doing sinful things they do. The Isrealites time and time again had NO fear of the LORD. Josiah was a king who feared the LORD. He knew that God was Holy. He knew that they had disobeyed God, and he was fearful of his nations punishment (which if I remember correctly had already been said in a prophesy to Judah). Josiah changed his entire nation and got rid of all the pagan idols that had been brought into Judah. God then told Josiah that Judah wouldn’t be punished until after he had died (the punishment happened four kings later). Maybe that’s what God has called me to do …

The service tonight was about living in abundance (“Moving from Lack to Overflow”). Overall good message. I have some strange feelings though sometimes. When I got there I really was there, but it’s like I wasn’t thinking about what I was doing. I must get in that mindset after programming and thinking too hard, I’m not really sure.

I was talking to my mom tonight about how I look 14 (for those that are still in the dark: I’m nineteen, and I don’t look 14), and I told her that one of these days someone will say that after being disrespectful and I’ll bounce back and tell them they don’t look 50 either. Purhaps that is a little childish, but so is disrespecting someone. I’m thankful I learned at least a few things though. I know that I’ll keep a lot of teenagers above twenty-somethings, simply because some teenagers have more brains than twenty-somethings.

It’s several days after the fact, but Thanksgiving did occur a few days ago … and I did miss the chance to speak about what I’m thankful for. Saturday we had our “Thanksgiving Dinner” because Thursday we were at my aunts, and Friday my sister worked (I think) and we went shopping. Anyway, durring dinner my dad asked what we were all thankful for, and I said “everything”. So what I’m really thankful for is everything. The specifics (of course not everything) are: life (especially my mom and dad), family, my car (that get’s 37 MPG now!), my online friends, my freedoms (speach and trusting Jesus is two of the best ones), my little support team over at E-Blah, all the people who have helped me out with something, Tim Linden, food, the air I breath, Christian Rock music, faith, my house … the list can go on forever and ever.

Now, it’s 12:30AM, and I will get woke up at 7:30AM, so I need to get in the bed.

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Untitled

As I sit here on the bed listening to some Christmas music (an e-card, actually), I’m just thinking about today. I got up early this morning (at around 6:30am). I was actually surprised that Wal-mart wasn’t packed out. Neither of the two Wal-marts I went to (Opelika and Auburn) had very many customers. Even the mall didn’t seem to have many people. This was the first time I went to Auburn for their “after Thanksgiving” sales though … I guess the college students sleep in, rather than go shopping (which wouldn’t have been a bad idea, actually). The only thing I bought was a large Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks. It was the first time I’ve got that particular coffee, I believe. I normally get the Frappuccino. It’s coming from Starbucks, so it’s good.

When we got home I really did nothing. I finished reading 2nd Kings. My next read will probably be Ezra since it seems to be somewhat of what happens after 2nd Kings. I may skim through some of the Chronicles, though a lot of it is just family trees. In reading 2nd Kings I saw how merciful God was time and time again, almost begging Isreal. The only time when God finally seemed to have enough was when Manasseh killed innocent people. It was interesting more, though, how when Josiah became king and then had Hilkiah found Gods law that had been pushed away for so many years. When Josiah found out how evil they had become he was obviously had a deep, deep fear and reverance of God. He knew that they had made God angry for deliberatly disobeying him for hundreds of years. One of the best verses in 2nd Kings would be this (23:25):

Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.

That was a statement. Other kings had brought foriegn gods into the Temple of the Lord, and for some reason people were just going about their business like everything was okay. Then you have Josiah who’s sees how evil his nation has been and does everything he can to rid his nation of the evil that had sprung up throughout the years (2nd Kings 23).

On Monday I have to go get my new classes. I hope it’ll be quick and I can get the classes I need. I’m thinking, or hoping, to get maybe three morning classes a day. If not I’ll try to keep the schedule I have now (two classes per day). They had a book with all the classes, but I’ve really not looked at it too much. I might just take it on Monday since I’ll have two or three hours to just do nothing.

It seems like Saturday because I’m used to being off three days a week. It’s hard to think that in less than a month now it’ll be Christmas day. And then just a little longer and it’ll be 2006. It’s hard to imagine. Four years ago I started my little project, E-Blah. It’s hard to believe that was only four years ago. It seems a lot longer, while at the same time seeming like just the other day. Time sure does fly by.

While I’m thinking about it, a good site for movie reviews is Decent Films Guide. Each movie is judged on it moral/spiritual value, recommendability, entertainment value, and by age appropriateness. To back it all up is a professionally done review. I find the reviews on the site to be very good and it aids me into which movies I do and don’t go see. Another good site that reviews just about every movie is Focus on the Families, Plugged In Online. I don’t like Plugged In as good because they don’t rate the movies on moral and spiritual value in an easy to see way (you have to read).

One of the greatest songs ever written, Mary Did You Know, has been recreate by Spoken and is on Happy Christmas Volume 4.

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Hindsight …

Sometimes there comes a point in everyones life when you’ve just got to stop and look back in hindsight over life. Unfortunatly, that’s probably not going to have anything to do with this post.

Today was great! Almost a week ago I got a new sunroof (ah, my old one was broken). Last night it rained — so it was the test to see if it was installed right, and didn’t leak. It passed. I got my credit card in the mail today (which I didn’t get to make payments on things, but rather to buy stuff online and possibly gas). After school I called the advisor center to set an appointment to schedule my classes for the fall semester. I’ve called every every day or so for the past week or so. Finally got someone. This is why e-mail is better; you get a response faster and the recipient can reply whenever they wish. The only downside to that is most students don’t know how to use e-mail. It was rather funny the first few weeks of class when a room full of 30 people has five people that their e-mails bounce back. Note to readers: make your e-mail short and sweet (for a great example, look at my e-mail address). Church tonight was good, as always. I had some homework … and part of a math final (which is take home) to do. The math final took me about an hour or so to do one problem (so I’ll do one problem each night, as the teacher recommended). I do hope I get those 10 points on that problems. That’s a waste of time if I don’t (and I didn’t learn anything from mistakes on those).

I opened my draw full of important stuff (such as candy) and realized I’ve been eating too much chocolate, too fast. I need to either buy some (dark) chocolate in bulk (and pay a fortune), just pay in tiny increments (and pay a fortune times a half), or just wait until people give me more chocolate for some special occasion (and pay nothing). I do think that bulk idea sounds good though — those special occasions only come three or four times a year …

Recently, I’ve finished reading 1st and 2nd Samuel, so now I’m into 1st Kings. I believe I’m at the 16th or 17th chapter. I’m actually learned a good bit from it (although I’m not studying it in depth). There’s so much to learn in those chapters. One things that really stands out is generational curses. One guy can lead his entire family to total ruin, which is what several did. I know over the course of my lifetime my mom has researched our family tree and used some of that information pray against generational curses within the family. She’s told me a few (a lot of my more distant relatives, for example, have been alcohol/drug addicts). This is a topic I could really expand, but I think right now just isn’t the time. Also, it’s midnight, I really need get to bed.